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 the Executive Director. 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 | Lead Personal Wellness Coach
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 | Lead Personal Wellness Coach
Keeli Lackey
Keeli Lackey has a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from Ferris State University. Her professional career has included work with children, families, and at-risk populations. She has worked assisting teenagers and young adults to learn the importance of setting a grounded foundation for their future regardless of their past or current situation. Sometimes the future can mean a year from now or goal setting for the next week. She has spent over 15 years in child welfare working in both the foster care and delinquency systems in Wayne County. Ms. Lackey is often found sharing wisdom during speaking engagements and volunteering in the community. Fun Fact - Ms. Lackey loves old school hip hop and has met over 15 old school rappers.
Transition Navigator
Keeli Lackey
BSW | Transition Navigator
Nancy Colón
Office Manager
For the last 15 years, Nancy has worked with families and community leaders providing support and advocacy to families impacted by Child Welfare and the Court System.
As an advocate for families, she has traveled across the country training both community and state leaders on how to engage families and create supportive services.
She has been an office administrator at heart since she can remember, she takes an immense amount of pride in being a support system to her team. She has worked as Administrator, a Legal Assistant, and a Church Administrator for the past 10 years.
Nancy Colón
Office Manager
Kayleigh Murphy
BS | Transition Navigator
Kayleigh Murphy
Transition Navigator
Kayleigh Murphy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Family Development from Western Michigan University. Her professional career has included work with at risk children and families. She has worked assisting teenagers and young adults to learn the importance of finding their value and advocating for themselves. She has worked in the child welfare system for 8 years working in both Foster Care and Family Reunification. Kayleigh feels the most rewarding part of working with this population is when youth realize their worth and importance is far greater than what their past has dictated. Kayleigh’s dream is to obtain her LMSW and be a Trauma Therapist for children and young adults. Ms. Murphy is a a High School Diving coach and enjoys spending as much time in Disney World as possible.
Christian Layfield
Transition Navigator
Christian Layfield
Transition Navigator
Christian Layfield has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University. Her professional career has included working with at risk teenagers and young adults. She has spent over 6 years in child welfare assisting these young adults with enhancing their independent living skills to ultimately be self-sufficient once they have aged out of the system. The most rewarding part of working in this field is witnessing the individuals personal grow from the beginning to end of being in the program, as well as when they finally see how Great they truly are for themselves! Outside of work, Ms. Layfield enjoys spending quality time with her son, family
and friends.
Terrance Johnson
Transition Navigator
Terrance Johnson
Terrance obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Saginaw Valley State University. His professional career has consisted of working with multiple at-risk populations in foster care and adoption, adult mental health and juvenile rehabilitation. He has worked assisting both adults and youth through various growth and development programs emphasizing an outreach of support, leadership, advocacy and education seeking to serve as a pillar of encouragement for those looking to set and accomplish their goals. He has spent twelve years working in Mental Health and Foster Care all throughout Michigan “Give your best effort, execute and live with the result” Terrance feels this field of work is beneficial due to having the opportunity to have a direct impact on the progressions and successes of those he is fortunate enough to work with. Terrance hopes to coordinate a social life skills mentorship for adults in at-risk groups and communities.
Fun Fact: Terrance loves bowling and participates in between 3-6 bowling leagues per year.
Transition Navigator
Amanda Cookson
Director of Transition Services
Amanda has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Wayne State University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Michigan State University. Her professional career has included work with at risk children and families, including youth and families involved in the child welfare system, runaway and homeless youth, and individuals surviving domestic violence. Amanda has experience in organizational leadership, program development and implementation, community outreach, crisis intervention, clinical supervision, student intern development, and integrating youth voice into programming. Additionally, Amanda has a clinical background, providing individual, group, and family therapy, while utilizing cognitive behavioral therapy, person centered and trauma informed approaches to youth and families in residential and community settings. She has spent over 9 years working to empower youth and families to create pathways for growth and resilience. In her spare time, Amanda enjoys reading, watching HGTV, and vacationing!
Amanda Cookson
LMSW | Director of Transition Services
Ta’Ra Martin
Executive Assistant
Ta’Ra Martin, comes to us with administrative experience in working with our youth at Brightmoor Christian Church as the Logistics Coordinator with TNFC Life Skills classes. Ta’Ra is currently working part-time with us as she focuses on completing school for her degree in Business Management. She has her certifications in Microsoft Office and Office Support Specialist. She’s worked with another nonprofit agency, JARC for 9 years. She has been in the field of administration for 20+ years and enjoys what she does. Outside of work, Ta’Ra loves to travel, walk her dog Theadore, spend time with family and friends. Ta’Ra is involved in wedding coordinating, mission’s ministry and she is an AVON representative and Legal Shield broker. She feels that what TNFC does is very fulfilling and rewarding and is motivated to be of support and assistance in this position.
“All of life’s incidents has significance” Everyday is an important day and every second is a growth opportunity to develop character and demonstrate Love”.
Ta’Ra Martin
Executive Assistant
Gabriella Mallory
Peer Support Specialist
Gabriella Mallory has been an Advocate and Ambassador with The New Foster Care for several years. Her Professional aspiration is to graduate from Wayne State University School of Social Work with a Master’s Degree in Social Work, and concentration on Policy and Legislation. Gabriella has skills in mentoring, advocacy, and public speaking from both personal and professional experiences.
Gabriella also is a board member with the Michigan Board of Education Policy Action Network. She describes her current role with The New Foster Care as rewarding; this work allows her to provide assistance and support to young adults while establishing connections with Bridge Participants.
Gabriella Mallory
Peer Support Specialist
Stacey Joiner
Director of Clinical Services
Stacey has Master of Arts in Community Counseling from University of North Carolina at Charlotte and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University. Her professional career includes work with at risk youth and their families which includes, fostering the reunification of families in Child Welfare, enhancing personal growth through providing coping skills to manage and maintain daily life functioning. She has promoted individual growth and achievement of youth through enhancing self-esteem, reducing anxiety and depression, school and life stressors. Stacey has experience in program development, quality assurance, training and performance improvement, conflict resolution, mental/ behavioral health counseling and clinical supervision. Additionally, Stacey has provided individual, family, and couples therapy utilizing person- centered therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy in private practice for several years. Most of commonly you will hear Stacey repeating these quotes to her clients: Self Care is not Selfish!
Change can be scary, but you know what's scarier? Allowing Fear to stop you from Growing, Evolving, and Progressing.
~ Mandy Hale.