Human Services Change Makers

Frank Alexander - Some Systems Work Better Together

Frank Alexander, deputy director of Boulder Housing Partners, joins Dr. Deb and Kelly to talk about taking a systems-level approach to hyper-local issues in human service

Stephanie Muth - Hungry for Curiosity and Change

Dr. Deb and Kelly are joined by Stephanie Muth, the executive commissioner of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, to talk about the importance of “why” in org

Christine Norbut Beyer — How Listening Makes Change Last

Dr. Deb and Kelly are joined by Christine Norbut Beyer, the former Commissioner of New Jersey’s Department of Children and Families, to talk about building systems that l

Dr. Angela Pharris — The Science of Hope

Dr. Deb and Kelly are joined by Dr. Angela Pharris, the director of the University of Oklahoma’s Child Welfare Impact Institute. They discuss the science of hope and how

Andrea Danes — Using Technology to Help Caseworkers Succeed

Dr. Deb and Kelly are joined by Andrea Danes, a seasoned human services leader with more than three decades of experience developing strategies to improve services and sy

Kim Merolla-Brito - Teams Need Trust, Plans Need Flexibility

Dr. Deb and Kelly are joined by Kim Merolla-Brito, the director of Rhode Island’s Department of Human Services, to talk about how her background as a social worker inform

Molly McGrath Tierney — Challenging the Status Quo

Dr. Deb and Kelly are joined by Molly McGrath Tierney, who spent 25 years working in human services and a decade as the Director for the Baltimore City Department of Soci

Fariborz Pakseresht — Public Service & the Power of Love

Dr. Deb and Kelly kick off the new year with Fariborz Pakseresht, long-time Director of Oregon's Department of Human Services.  Recently retired from that role, Fariborz

David Reed - Keeping Kids Safe at Home

Dr. Deb and Kelly are joined by David Reed with Human Services Group to talk about the innovative approach he pioneered to reducing the need for foster care placements by

Kristie Gordy - Supporting Families and "Wy Home Matters"

Dr. Deb and Kelly are joined by Kristie Gordy, the Senior Administrator for Social Services in Wyoming’s Department of Family Services (DFS), to talk about supporting fam

Tricia Howell - Enhanced Foster Care Programs and Strengthening Families

Dr. Deb and Kelly are joined by Tricia Howell, an expert and former Oklahoma Director of Child Welfare, to talk about enhanced foster care programs, family support and fo

Jeri Culley - SNAP Error Rates and the Eligibility Ecosystem

Kelly and Dr. Deb are joined by Jeri Culley, Human Service Group's director of business operations, to talk about SNAP eligibility, error rates, and participation. The tr

Introduction to the Human Services Group (HSG) "Change Makers" Podcast

Dr. Deb Shropshire and Kelly Harder kick off the inaugural episode of the Human Services Group Change Makers podcast by telling a bit about their personal backgrounds, an