Shirley Dwyer is the Chief Operations Officer (COO) for The Family Initiative, Inc. (TFI). In addition to serving as the CEO of the parent company, she also serves as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Texas Family Initiative LLC, which provides foster care, adoption, case management, and behavioral health services to Texas children and families.
Shirley Dwyer has over 30 years of experience working for a variety of child welfare organizations, including the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, the State of Kansas Department of Children and Families, The Family Initiative (TFI) Inc., and other non-profit service agencies. For over a decade, Dwyer served the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) as a federal grants panel Chairman and reviewer of many federal panels. Ms. Dwyer is also experienced in research and co-authored the journal article "Prevention of Sexual Abuse for Preschoolers: Evaluation of a Pilot Program," a ground-breaking study published in Psychological Reports, 1988, Volume 62, pp. 387-396.
Shirley earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas and has continued her education in the areas of public policy, management, and executive processes.
Shirley Dwyer has over 30 years of experience working for a variety of child welfare organizations, including the University of Kansas School of Social Welfare, the State of Kansas Department of Children and Families, The Family Initiative (TFI) Inc., and other non-profit service agencies. For over a decade, Dwyer served the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Children, Youth and Families (ACYF) as a federal grants panel Chairman and reviewer of many federal panels. Ms. Dwyer is also experienced in research and co-authored the journal article "Prevention of Sexual Abuse for Preschoolers: Evaluation of a Pilot Program," a ground-breaking study published in Psychological Reports, 1988, Volume 62, pp. 387-396.
Shirley earned a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas and has continued her education in the areas of public policy, management, and executive processes.
Stacy Lee serves as the Vice President of Permanency at 2INgage, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for serving children and families. A licensed master social worker, Stacy has been a vital part of the 2INgage team since its inception, first joining as Manager of Community Engagement during Stage 1 of the organization’s development. In January 2020, she transitioned to Director of Permanency, where she led critical initiatives that strengthened 2INgage’s support for children and families, leaving a lasting impact on the program.
Before her time with 2INgage, Stacy spent over six years as a Program Director with BCFS, building expertise in child welfare and family services. Her extensive knowledge and unwavering dedication to the well-being of children uniquely position her to guide 2INgage’s permanency efforts into the future.
Stacy’s commitment to excellence in child welfare is driven by her firsthand experience working with young adults who aged out of the foster care system. Reflecting on these experiences, she states, “I spent years witnessing the harsh realities faced by those who struggled after aging out—homelessness, food insecurity, incarceration, substance abuse, unintended pregnancies, and trafficking. These faces fuel my passion for meaningful and strategic change. Every child and family we serve deserves to leave our care with a better future than the one they came from.”
Under Stacy’s leadership, 2INgage continues its mission to ensure every child has a permanent and loving home. Her vision, expertise, and compassion are central to the organization’s work in transforming lives and creating brighter futures for children and families.
Kaycee Robles is the Vice President of Permanency for 2INgage, a program of TFI. She oversees multiple permanency programs, community engagement, and training. Kaycee serves as the Co-Chair on TFI’s Performance and Quality Leadership Team.
Kaycee has been with 2INgage since its inception in November 2018, starting in the Intake and Placement Department. She then moved to the permanency department as a director and promoted to Vice President in 2021. Prior to 2INgage, Kaycee worked for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) in both the conservatorship and investigation stages of child welfare. In 2022, Kaycee was recognized at the Champion for Children conference as the Child Welfare Champion of the year. She was also the Keynote Speaker at the 2024 Key Connections Conference in Abilene, TX. Kaycee is passionate about working with children and families and is dedicated to improving outcomes and breaking systematic barriers for those experiencing foster care.
Kaycee has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Hardin Simmons. She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree.
Angela L. Crabtree-Nowell is the Chief of Staff for The Family Initiative, Inc. She is responsible for strategic planning and executive oversight for the TFI Family of Companies, as well as special projects. She currently serves as a member of the TFI Finance and Risk Management Team and previously served as chairperson of TFI’s Development Team.
Before her current role, Angela was the TFI Senior Administrator, responsible for the Texas foster care program, kinship care program, and the startup of the PFS Blue Skies residential facility in Wichita Falls, Texas. Angela joined the TFI Family of Companies in 2020 after having led a leading Child Placing Agency in the State of Texas for several years. In addition, she spent fifteen years working for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), primarily in the Residential Child Care Licensing Division.
Angela has a Masters's Degree in Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management from the University of Texas at Arlington. Additionally, she received a Bachelors Degree in Social Science, a Bachelors Degree in History, and an Associates Degree in Applied Business from Shawnee State University. Since 2014, she has been a Licensed Child Placing Agency Administrator in the State of Texas.
Before her current role, Angela was the TFI Senior Administrator, responsible for the Texas foster care program, kinship care program, and the startup of the PFS Blue Skies residential facility in Wichita Falls, Texas. Angela joined the TFI Family of Companies in 2020 after having led a leading Child Placing Agency in the State of Texas for several years. In addition, she spent fifteen years working for the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), primarily in the Residential Child Care Licensing Division.
Angela has a Masters's Degree in Public Administration and a Graduate Certificate in Public Budgeting and Financial Management from the University of Texas at Arlington. Additionally, she received a Bachelors Degree in Social Science, a Bachelors Degree in History, and an Associates Degree in Applied Business from Shawnee State University. Since 2014, she has been a Licensed Child Placing Agency Administrator in the State of Texas.
Melissa Wood is the Senior Vice President of Clinical and Assessment Services for The Family Initiative, Inc. (TFI). She oversees the Intake and Placement, as well as Clinical and Prevention programs, including Family Preservation, Community Clinical Services, and Pathway Family Services’ Residential Clinical teams. Wood is the current Chair of TFI’s Performance and Quality Leadership Team.
Melissa previously served as the Intake and Placement Director for 2INgage, a program of TFI. She has more than 24 years of experience in the foster care and child welfare field. Prior to employment with TFI, she served other agencies in the roles of Senior Vice President of Clinical, Admissions, Quality & Community-Based Care; VP of Quality Assurance; CPA Treatment Director; RTC Clinical Director; and RTC/GRO Therapist. In each of these roles, she was involved in consulting with a child psychiatrist on the evaluation and monitoring of psychotropic medications. Wood is passionate about treating trauma, family preservation, and keeping siblings together.
Wood received her Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University. She received her Master’s of Science in Counseling and Development from Texas Woman’s University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor.
Melissa previously served as the Intake and Placement Director for 2INgage, a program of TFI. She has more than 24 years of experience in the foster care and child welfare field. Prior to employment with TFI, she served other agencies in the roles of Senior Vice President of Clinical, Admissions, Quality & Community-Based Care; VP of Quality Assurance; CPA Treatment Director; RTC Clinical Director; and RTC/GRO Therapist. In each of these roles, she was involved in consulting with a child psychiatrist on the evaluation and monitoring of psychotropic medications. Wood is passionate about treating trauma, family preservation, and keeping siblings together.
Wood received her Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Texas Tech University. She received her Master’s of Science in Counseling and Development from Texas Woman’s University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor.
Kris Naylor is the Chief Program Officer for The Family Initiative, Inc. She is responsible for oversight of foster care case management services. Having previously worked at TFI for more than 14 years, she has more than 30 years of experience in child welfare.
Before her current role, Kris served as the President of Our Community Our Kids Division of ACH Child and Family Services in Fort Worth, TX. Additionally, she has previously worked at Emberhope and KVC Health Systems.
Kris holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friends University.
Before her current role, Kris served as the President of Our Community Our Kids Division of ACH Child and Family Services in Fort Worth, TX. Additionally, she has previously worked at Emberhope and KVC Health Systems.
Kris holds a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Friends University.
Jack Sledge is the Vice President of Permanency for 2INgage, a program of TFI. In this role, she motivates staff to work with children and families in positive ways to find permanency, stability, safety, and well-being. By focusing on TFI’s mission, vision, and values, Jack promotes a positive work environment so staff can serve clients in a nurturing and accepting manner. She currently serves as Secretary of the TFI Development Leadership Team.
Jack has 20 years of experience in education. She taught Senior English and Dual Credit. She also developed the dual credit curriculum that the district used, and the curriculum was recognized and accepted by the State Educational System. Before leaving the education field, she was a middle school principal and high school assistant principal. Jack also has more than 12 years’ experience in child welfare, starting at the State of Texas with the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS), then she transitioned to 2INgage during the Community Based-Care transition.
Jack has a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Woman’s University in Business and a Master’s degree in Education in Administration with a concentration in Leadership. She holds a teaching certificate in English, Business and Reading and a principal license.
Jack has 20 years of experience in education. She taught Senior English and Dual Credit. She also developed the dual credit curriculum that the district used, and the curriculum was recognized and accepted by the State Educational System. Before leaving the education field, she was a middle school principal and high school assistant principal. Jack also has more than 12 years’ experience in child welfare, starting at the State of Texas with the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS), then she transitioned to 2INgage during the Community Based-Care transition.
Jack has a Bachelor’s Degree from Texas Woman’s University in Business and a Master’s degree in Education in Administration with a concentration in Leadership. She holds a teaching certificate in English, Business and Reading and a principal license.