Speakers

Joshua Beaton

www.umos.org

Joshua Beaton is the Anti-Human Trafficking Coordinator for UMOS' statewide Wisconsin Regional Anti-Human Trafficking Program. This program focuses on outreach, training, and technical assistance to build Wisconsin’s capacity of communities to identify human trafficking, and provide advocacy support to survivors of sex and labor trafficking. Josh has worked with victims of domestic violence and human trafficking for several years and is currently pursuing an M.A. of Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Josh is passionate about cultural competency, rapport building, and striving to work to serve and dignify survivors of sex and labor trafficking in Wisconsin.

Joe Dooley, Ph.D, MSW

https://socwork.wisc.edu/

Joe has an MSW from Indiana University and a Ph.D. in clinical social work from Loyola University, Chicago. He is currently Senior Lecturer for the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Social Work where he teaches, “The Field of Social Work” and “Psychopathology.” Before entering academia twenty years ago, Joe was a clinical social worker for 20 years, and he worked in mental health programs for marginalized populations. Joe is also a retired Professor of Social Work from Mount Mary University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Wilton Johnson

A passionate representative serving on various foster youth panels and committees, a multi-award winner, including gubernatorial recognition and a 2018 congressional shadowee, Wilton has sparked important conversation and reflection among those in the community working to improve the foster care system. His experience within the foster care system helps him provide a clear and accurate picture of what life is like for many youth in out-of-home placements. Wilton is currently a Peer Support Specialist and Youth Advisor. He also serves on a team of leaders with the Wisconsin Leadership Corps. Being able to speak from multiple perspectives as a provider, recipient, and a young adult, this experience and perspective enables Wilton to advocate for his peers in ways others cannot.

Djay Joi

DJay Joi went through three different placements during his time in the Wisconsin foster care system. Having experienced many types of abuse while in foster care, DJay wants to do as much as possible to support youth who are aging out of care by assisting with mental health or drug addiction services, and supporting their independent living skills. He has participated as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) for those who are aging out of the system, and has helped work on many different bills that will hopefully be passed in Wisconsin. He has received two Champion for Change Awards from the Department of Child and Family Services. One for seven years of dedication to the Wisconsin Youth Advisory Council, and one for extending foster care to the age of 21, as long as youth have an individual education plan. DJay has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a minor in Addiction Studies and a minor in Domestic Violence. As a current licensed substance abuse counselor in training, he hopes to advance his license to a clinical substance abuse counselor. DJay is also an adjunct instructor for the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership.

Alex Kestrel

Alex Kestrel is a speaker on LGBTQ+ topics with a Gender and Women’s Studies degree from UW-Madison. They work as a nursing assistant in a psychiatric unit in Iowa City, Iowa. They have also worked as a mental health provider in crisis intervention. They are going to school to be a nurse. They have a unique perspective as someone who has provided human services to clients, but also as a transgender person who has worked to access services for themself. This has led to helpful insights about queer people trying to access human services that they’re excited to share.

Jameelah A. Love

http://www.thejaloveproject.org/

Jameelah A. Love is an undergraduate majoring in Political Science at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. In 2010, Jameelah became involved in foster care advocacy and reform through participating in Wisconsin’s Foster Youth Advisory Council. As a member of the council, she began sharing her experiences to promote positive change and create awareness. Jameelah has since helped create a Wisconsin chapter of the Leadership Corps with the National Foster Youth Institute and a Foster Care Alumni & Allies @ UWM student organization on her campus. Jameelah works as a Peer Mentor at Saint A with foster youth who have aged out of care and as a Young Adult Consultant with the ICF Children’s Bureau Capacity Building Center for States. Jameelah is currently working on her own initiative, The J.A. Love Project, which focuses on empowering youth and young adults and encouraging positive youth engagement in the communities. In 2019, Jameelah was appointed to the Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership by Governor Tony Evers.

Tim Markle

www.forgivenessfactor.org

Tim is also the founder of Forgiveness Factor, which exists to teach about forgiveness (especially how to forgive) and to provide insights into mental health wellness through personal experience. Tim has spoken at Lifest 2019, the Children Come First Conference and local mental health summits and trainings. His hope is that through sharing his struggles, others will find hope.

Sarah Reed

https://www.rogersinhealth.org/

Dr. Sarah Reed is the Program and Evaluation Manager for Rogers InHealth, Rogers Behavioral Health. She has a degree in Ecological-Community Psychology. Her research background has focused on community well-being and the development and evaluation of community-based programs designed to enhance mental, social, and behavioral health. At Rogers InHealth, she works through partnerships to reduce the stigma associated with mental health challenges, trauma, and substance use. She is also a part of the Wisconsin Initiative for Stigma Elimination (WISE), a statewide coalition focused on building inclusion, support and hope for individuals and families living with mental health challenges.

Kristi Wood

http://www.uww.edu/cls/departments/social-work

Kristi Wood, MSW, APSW, has worked in the child welfare field for over twenty years, in residential treatment, group home, and foster care environments. She and her partner Shannon have had over forty foster sons, assisting many of them in their transitions into adulthood. They have one adopted son. Kristi is currently a lecturer and BSW field coordinator in the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Social Work department, and is serving as president of the National Association of Social Workers – Wisconsin Chapter. She is also a foster parent trainer for the Milwaukee Child Welfare Partnership.