Our Story
The New Foster Care (TNFC), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based out of Oakland County, launched in 2016. Our focus is to 1) assist young people with experience in foster care to positively change the trajectory of their lives; and 2) positively impact the foster care system that serves them by advocating for innovative programming and policy and legislative reform.
Youth with experience in foster care often face a challenging path to success as they transition to adulthood. We provide direct services to such youth through our 'Bridge Program', a comprehensive transitional support model serving young people ages 14 to 29. Youth enrolled in our program are assigned a Multisystemic Navigator who assists them to develop and implement a sustainable plan for their future success along five transition domains: employment and career, educational opportunity, living situation, community life functioning, and personal effectiveness and wellbeing.
Our mission
The New Foster Care's mission is to make a transformative change in the Michigan foster care system through making a measurable and meaningful impact in the lives of children who have experienced foster care.
Our Vision
The New Foster Care's vision is to positively CHANGE a child's trajectory, CHANGE their life, CHANGE the system; create a NEW Foster Care.
Desired impact
We desire to improve pathways for young people and to build their foundation of support to increase their sense of self-worth.
Meet Our Staff
Shannon L. Urbon
Executive Director
In her role with TNFC, Shannon serves as an advisor to the Executive Director, Board of Directors, and other staff on child protection law and policy. She provides trainings to partner agencies, the community and those involved in the child protection system on a variety of topics impacting child welfare cases. Shannon obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan in 1999 and, after engaging in a business career in New York City, she obtained her law degree from the Michigan State University College of Law in 2008. Shannon began her legal career as a volunteer attorney in the child abuse and neglect division of the Washtenaw County Public Defender’s Office where she represented parents and children in child abuse and neglect cases. She went on from there to serve as a staff attorney, and later as Executive Director, for The Detroit Center for Family Advocacy, advocating on behalf of parents and caregivers facing legal issues that impacted a child’s entry into, or exit from, foster care. Shannon brings her experience and zealous and passionate advocacy for those facing the uncertainty that is the child protection system to TNFC’s clients. She works tirelessly to improve the child welfare system from the inside. In her spare time, Shannon is an avid reader, voracious consumer of podcasts, and mother to two cats whom she adopted from the mean streets of Brooklyn.
Shannon L. Urbon
JD | Executive Director
DeLisa Glaspie
MSW | LMSW | Director of Clinical Services
DeLisa obtained her Master of Social Work Degree from Eastern Michigan University, specializing in Children and Family Services, and received her State of Michigan Clinical and Macro Licensure in 2005. DeLisa has 24 years’ experience in Child Welfare/Juvenile Justice /Mental Health programming. Her knowledge and skillset in organizational leadership, program/policy development, community outreach initiatives, client/service advocacy, crisis intervention, clinical supervision, and student intern development, mental health and trauma informed care within the foster care industry makes her an incredible asset of TNFC family. Delisa is driven and committed to providing uncompromising service and advocacy to at-risk and vulnerable young adults, children, and families. Her continued professional dedication is to ensure that the identified populations are consistently served with dignity and respect. Fun fact: You can take the GIRL out of the city, but you can’t take the CITY out of the girl
DeLisa Glaspie
LMSW | Director of Clinical Services
Blake McGhee
MS | Multisystemic Navigator
Blake McGhee
MS | Multisystemic Navigator
Keeli Lackey
BSW | Multisystemic Navigator
Keeli Lackey
BSW | Multisystemic Navigator
Emily Quansah
MSW | Personal Wellness Coach
Emily received her bachelor’s degree in social work from Grand Valley State University and a master’s in social work from Spring Arbor University. Emily spent time volunteering with international NGO’s and worked in Community Mental Health as an ACT Case Manager for 3 years before coming to TNFC. She was inspired by the organization’s mission to create real and lasting change through the empowerment of young people. Her She enthusiasm and tenacity to grow as a professional while engaging the community in a new and exciting way will create limitless potential for the work she will be doing.
Her favorite thing to do after work is walk nearby trails with her Golden Retriever/Old English Sheepdog, Love.
Emily Quansah
MSW | Personal Wellness Coach
Krynn Porter
Support Services Coordinator
Krynn went to Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI, and received a bachelor's degree in Television and Digital Media Production. Through her time at Ferris, she did an internship at DTE Energy in their Corporate Communications Department. She then worked as a Lead Videographer and Associate Creative Director at a dance studio. Her creativity and eagerness to learn and grow is a great benefit to TNFC. Krynn is passionate about helping individuals realize the importance of empowering youth, and creating lasting systemic change to ensure that each child who has experience in foster care is provided every opportunity to succeed. In her spare time, Krynn is an avid lover of hockey, hiking, and of course Disney.
Krynn Porter
Support Services Coordinator
Bobbie Benton
Multisystemic Navigator