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Office of the Child Advocate's Staff

OCA Unit Summaries

Administrative Staff

The Administrative staff of the OCA includes our director, the Child Advocate, the Deputy Director, a Legislative Policy and Special Projects Administrator, a Project Support Administrator, and a Senior Executive Management Assistant. Administrative staff oversees the creation of our reports, communicates recommendations to state agencies and legislative offices, supports day to day operations and leads special projects. 

Investigative Units

The OCA has Investigators who staff two investigative units. Each of these OCA investigators report to one of two Chief Investigators. The investigative units conduct full investigations to provide detailed analysis reports to the Child Advocate, as well as make recommendations for handling each case based on its unique details. Investigators assist with public education and complaint intake as needed.

Public Education and Intake Unit

The Public Education and Intake (PEI) Unit handles the intake of all complaints and death alerts received by the OCA. PEI Staff are the first point of contact for the public and conduct preliminary investigations. In addition, the PEI unit provides public education and resource information about the child welfare system in Michigan. The PEI unit is managed by two PEI Administrators and is staffed by 5 Analysts and 1 Technician.

Administrative Staff Introductions

  • Governor Gretchen Whitmer appointed Ryan Speidel as Michigan’s Child Advocate on May 30, 2023, following his tenure as Deputy Director and Acting Children’s Ombudsman from 2020 to 2021. With the passage of Public Act 303 of 2023, which renamed the office, Ryan continues to serve in this capacity.
     
    With over 20 years of experience in law enforcement, regulatory affairs, and leadership, Ryan has held positions with the City of Jackson, the Michigan Department of State, the Office of Inspector General, the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards (MCOLES), and the Office of Children’s Ombudsman. He holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Eastern Michigan University and is a graduate of the 72nd Mid-Michigan Police Academy.

    Ryan served the City of Jackson Police Department as a patrol officer, sergeant and detective, and later worked as a regulation agent with the Michigan Department of State and as Assistant Inspector General with the Office of Inspector General. At MCOLES, he managed investigations and oversaw statutory compliance for Michigan’s twenty police academies.

    As Michigan’s Child Advocate, Ryan is focused on advancing improvements to the state’s child welfare system through advocacy, independent investigations, and the development of policy recommendations aimed at creating positive, lasting change.

  • Kenyatta Lewis joined the OCA in 2021 with nearly two decades of experience in child welfare investigations and management, as well as a bachelor’s degree in public administration from Grand Valley State University, and a master’s degree in social work from Eastern Michigan University. Kenyatta has held various roles, including Child Protective Services (CPS) supervision, CPS program management, foster care supervision, foster care program management, and funding supervision. She has also been involved in adult foster care licensing investigations and played a key role in developing and testing the SWSS and MiSACWIS applications for the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). 

    Kenyatta initially served as the OCA Public Education and Intake Unit Manager. In this role, she reformed data collection procedures and improved the quality of initial investigation reports. Through her successful process enhancements and demonstrated leadership, Kenyatta earned a promotion to her current position as the Deputy Director of the OCA.

    As Deputy Director, Kenyatta oversees the day-to-day operations of the OCA, providing guidance to both the Investigation and Public Education and Intake Units. Her leadership was instrumental in expanding the Detroit office space to accommodate the growing agency staff. Additionally, Kenyatta actively contributed to the development of the OCA’s annual report and facilitated training opportunities for OCA staff members.

  • Beginning in 2024, Bobbie DeCamp accepted the role of Legislative, Policy, and Special Projects Administrator for the Office of the Child Advocate. Prior to this, she spent 14 years in Child Welfare at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Bobbie carries a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan-Flint. 
     
    Her professional journey began at Judson Center, where she served as a Families First Specialist from 2008 to 2010, helping families overcome challenges to maintain custody of their children. In 2010, Bobbie joined Shiawassee County Department of Health & Human Services as a Children’s Services Specialist, a role she held for five years; four as a Children's Protective Services Investigator and one year as a Foster Care Specialist. In 2015, Bobbie was promoted to a Children's Services Supervisor for Clinton County DHHS. She later assumed a similar supervisory position in Shiawassee County, where she spent 8 years leading child welfare programs and playing a vital role in staff development and ensuring compliance with both the Child Protection Law and agency policies/procedures.
     
    Throughout her career, Bobbie has amassed over 1,400 hours of training in various areas of child welfare and participated in leadership programs through MDHHS and Civil Service. Her commitment extends beyond her official duties; she has been an active member of multiple committees, including the Shiawassee County Child Abuse Prevention Counsel, CPS Advisory Committee, the State’s Safe Systems Review Team and has participated in many other statewide initiatives and task forces.
     
    Bobbie’s enduring dedication and leadership in child welfare has made a lasting impact on the communities she has served, embodying her passion for improving the lives of children and families.

  • Amie Miller joined the OCA in April 2024 as the Project Support Administrator. Prior to this role, she had a successful career at the Michigan Department of Treasury, where she held various positions, including a Departmental Specialist role. During her tenure at the Treasury, Amie was instrumental in establishing and leading the change management team for over three years. Her expertise in team building and effective communication made her a valuable resource within the department.

    With nearly 10 years of experience, Amie has been involved in technology project leadership, policy development, and training initiatives. She played a pivotal role in representing the Michigan Department of Treasury in all matters related to IT solutions. Her expertise has been instrumental in reshaping the department’s IT structure, resulting in increased efficiency and accuracy across applications and software solutions. Amie’s efforts have streamlined work processes for her team members, and she brings valuable experience in managing contracts and overseeing IT vendors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and an associate degree in computer information systems from Davenport University.

  • Bailey Cunningham joins the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) as the Senior Executive Management Assistant (SEMA) to Ryan Speidel in 2024. In this role, Bailey is responsible for supporting all administrative needs within the OCA. 

    Bailey came to the OCA with 20 years of experience in customer service, general office, and administrative support, Bailey brings a wealth of knowledge to her new position. Her previous work at DTMB’s Agency Services has equipped her with a deep understanding of state systems, making her well-prepared for the challenges of the SEMA role at OCA. 

PEI Unit Staff Introductions

  • Raina Harris assumed the role of Public Education and Intake Unit Administrator at the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) in 2024. With an unwavering commitment to child welfare, Raina has dedicated over 27 years to making a positive impact in this field.

    Her journey began as a residential specialist with Lutheran Child and Family Services, where she gained valuable experience over a two-year period. In 1998, Raina transitioned to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) as a foster care specialist in Wayne County. Her extensive service record is complemented by her educational background, which includes a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wayne State University.

    Within MDHHS, Raina has held various pivotal roles, including that of a first-line manager. In this capacity, she supervised diverse teams, overseeing areas such as foster care, child welfare funding, juvenile justice, and eligibility specialists. Her contributions extend beyond day-to-day management; Raina actively participated in significant projects, including MDHHS statewide policy review and development as a member of the Foster Care Lines of Service Team. She played a crucial role in the rollout of MiSACWIS and facilitated collaboration between MDHHS and community partners, including the City of Detroit, DTE, Families First, and Wayne County Juvenile Court Title IV-E matters. Additionally, Raina contributed to the development of local MDHHS office protocols and county-specific guidelines.

    Her position at the OCA as the PEI Unit administrator has the responsibility of leading a team of 5 intake analysts and 1 departmental technician in their daily operations. 

  • Rebecca (Becky) Taylor came to the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) in May of 2019 as the Senior Executive Management Assistant (SEMA). Prior to joining the OCA, Becky worked at the Ingham County Prosecutor's Office as the Administrative Assistant for the Chief Assistant Prosecutor for ten years. Becky has experience working as a judicial assistant in the circuit/probate court/district courts, was a deputy clerk and court recorder in district court, as well as managing a law firm.  

    Since coming to the OCA, Becky has assisted in creating changes to the OCA communication procedures to ensure our office is efficient and accessible to the public. Becky also participates in the Adoption Oversight Committee (AOC). This committee’s purposes are to examine adoption services in Michigan and make recommendations for improvements; to develop action plans to increase the number of child welfare adoptions and the recruitment of adoptive homes; to provide MDHHS with a long-term work group that represents a cross-section of partners in the adoption arena; act as ambassadors to the larger field, educating colleagues regarding system changes and obtaining input on areas of need. The work of the AOC has been instrumental in the review of pre-adoption training requirements, research, and presentation of national post-adoption models, and making recommendations on adoption and adoption subsidy policy and form changes.

    In October 2021 Becky was promoted to Analyst in the OCA’s Public Education and Intake (PEI) Division.  In April 2024 she earned a promotion to Lead Analyst. As Lead Analyst, she speaks with the public, documents the details of her contact, and enters new complaints in the OCA case management system. She conducts preliminary investigations on complainant and death cases and supports and guides the PEI Administrator and departmental analysts in their daily responsibilities.

  • Rekiya Williams joined the OCA in 2024, continuing a career in child welfare that started in 2008. Rekiya started at Lutheran Social Services of Michigan (now known as Samaritas) as a foster care case manager. In 2011 Rekiya joined DHHS and started working as a foster care specialist. Since 2011, she has worked as a foster care specialist, purchase of service monitor and the most recent role of child welfare funding specialist. Rekiya brings a wealth of knowledge and background from her child welfare experiences and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Eastern Michigan University. She also earned her master’s in clinical Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Michigan University. Rekiya is also a Licensed Professional Counselor. 

    Currently, Rekiya serves as an OCA Public Education and Intake Analyst. In this role, she leverages her passion for helping children and her extensive experience within the child welfare system. Rekiya conducts preliminary investigations and actively contributes to public education initiatives, ensuring that Michigan’s children receive the support and advocacy they deserve.

  • Erin Dillay joined the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) in 2024. Her journey in public service began with the State of Michigan in September 2011, working in Jackson County with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). During her tenure at DHHS, Erin held roles as a Children’s Protective Services Investigator and an Ongoing worker. Subsequently, she served as a Foster Care Case Manager with Jackson DHHS for five years before transitioning to become a Foster Care Licensing Specialist, responsible for licensing homes for foster parents and relatives.
    In July 2023, Erin accepted a position with the Michigan Department of Corrections as a Probation Agent. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science Degree in Family Community Services from Michigan State University (2004).

    Currently, Erin serves as an Intake Analyst at OCA. In this role, she acts as a point of contact for Michigan residents seeking assistance in navigating the child welfare system. Leveraging her education and extensive experience, Erin provides guidance, conducts preliminary investigations, and offers valuable recommendations to OCA leadership.

  • Heidi Chamberlain joined the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) in March 2025 as the Public Education and Intake Unit Administrator, bringing over 17 years of extensive experience in the Child Welfare system. Her career began in 2007 as a Foster Care case manager with Lutheran Social Services. The following year, Heidi became a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigator with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) in Jackson County.

    In 2011, Heidi played a crucial role in the establishment of the Division of Continuous Quality Improvement (DCQI) as an analyst, focusing on enhancing Michigan's Child Welfare systems. During her tenure, she developed a range of comprehensive case review tools to assess policy compliance, and the quality of services provided within child welfare.

    Heidi later transitioned to a CPS supervisor position in Kalamazoo County in 2018, where she served as the liaison for the Cradle Kalamazoo Program, an initiative aimed at reducing infant mortality rates among minority populations. Most recently, she worked as a CPS supervisor in Branch County, contributing to various programs such as Handle with Care, Branch County ISD, and the Branch County Early-On Critical Review Team, all dedicated to improving services for children.

    Heidi holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Western Michigan University and a master's degree in psychology from the University of Phoenix.

  • Jessica Carls joined the OCA in June 2022 as the OCA Intake Technician. Before coming to the OCA, Jessica worked as a paralegal for over eight years and served as a victim advocate for the Ingham County Prosecutor’s Office for 12 years. As an advocate, Jessica worked directly with children who were victims of child abuse and neglect and their parents. Through this work, she has developed an understanding of the child welfare system. In addition to her professional work experience, Jessica has previously volunteered with the MDHHS Mass Violence Response Team and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA). Jessica has a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies and Criminal Justice from Grand Valley State University.

    In March of 2023, in recognition of the work she had done as the intake technician, Jessica was promoted to an OCA Public Education and Intake Analyst. As an intake analyst, Jessica is the primary point of contact for complainants and concerned parties. She is responsible for identifying resource, redirecting concerns to be addressed appropriately, and determining the best next-steps for each situation she encounters. Jessica uses her listening skills and attention to detail to complete preliminary investigations and to make recommendations to OCA leadership. 

  • Nicole Franklin joined the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) in 2024. She began her career in state government in the Department of Correction, where she spent 13 years supervising incarcerated women. In this role, Nicole conducted critical investigations related to housing unit safety and inmate security. She also played a pivotal role in training newly hired correction officers, providing essential guidance and on-the-job support. Nicole’s holds a master’s degree in leadership from Cornerstone University and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Wayne State University.

    Transitioning to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Nicole continued her commitment to public service. As a Child Protective Service Investigator (CPS), she investigated allegations of abuse and neglect, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of vulnerable children. Nicole worked closely with families, exploring various avenues of support and services. In her subsequent role as a Child Welfare Funding Specialist (CWFS), Nicole examined payments for private agencies and foster homes. 

    Nicole also served as the primary worker for Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care in the South-Central District, where she conducted initial intakes for youth entering the program, advocating for their needs and rights.

    Currently, Nicole serves as a Public Education Intake Analyst at the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA). Leveraging her experience, Nicole conducts preliminary investigations and provides valuable recommendations to OCA leadership.

  • Rudy brings with him over 10 years of customer service experience. Prior to his career with the State of Michigan, Rudy worked for 3 years as a customer service and collection specialist in call centers, where he developed the skills to identify customer needs and assist them in finding appropriate solutions. He further advanced these skills during the past 7 years at the Allegan County MDHHS office, where he served as a general office assistant and had the opportunity to work out of class during the State of Michigan's rollout of the Universal Caseload Program. He is bilingual and has assisted Allegan County CPS staff as a translator during investigations. Rudy has extensive knowledge of key MDHHS applications, including bridges and MiSACWIS, and has consistently demonstrated the ability to deliver a high level of customer service to both internal and external customers. 

Investigative Unit 1 Staff Introductions

  • Michelle Brandel joined the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) in 2017 as the Intake and Communications Coordinator. Prior to her tenure at the OCA, Michelle worked as a Children’s Protective Services (CPS) Investigator in Shiawassee County, as well as Charlevoix and Emmet Counties. During her time there, she actively contributed to the training of new employees within these county offices. Prior to her time at MDHHS, Michelle worked in the private agency sector as a Licensing Worker and a Case Aide. In addition to her experience in the child welfare field, she holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan-Flint.

    At the OCA, Michelle handled new complaints, conducted preliminary investigations related to child deaths, and addressed public inquiries about child welfare system policies and procedures. Her dedication led her to play a pivotal role in creating and implementing new intake policies and procedures, streamlining the OCA’s operations. She also contributed significantly to the development of the OCA’s case management system, the annual report, and ongoing updates to the organization’s website.

    In recognition of her hard work and expertise, Michelle was promoted to the role of OCA’s lead Intake and Communications Coordinator, and later to Investigator in 2021. In 2023 Michelle was promoted again to be the Chief Investigator of one of the OCA’s two investigative units, where she oversees a team of four investigators. 

  • Tiffany has more than 25 years of experience in Child Welfare with almost two decades concentrated in Children and Family Services. Tiffany worked as an Independent Living Specialist in Adult Services, Children's Protective Services Specialist, Children's Placement Specialist, Certification/Recruitment and Training Specialist (for DHS and a private agency) and a Children's Foster Care Specialist. Her career with the Office of the Child Advocate started in October 2010.
     
    Tiffany has held various roles in child welfare.  As an Independent Living Specialist, she conducted case intakes and eligibility assessments. As a Children’s Protective Services Worker, she investigated child abuse and neglect cases. While Tiffany was a Children’s Placement Specialist, she worked to secure the least restrictive placements. She trained providers and ensured compliance while a specialist for both DHHS and a private agency and facilitated reunification and permanency planning as a case manager.

    As an investigator with the OCA, Tiffany uses her years of experience with the welfare system, as well as the skills that she has acquired. Tiffany’s wealth of experience contributes to the Office of the Child Advocate’s mission of investigating cases and advocating for improvements to benefit children across Michigan.

  • Sha’Meka Hamilton joined the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) in 2023, assuming the role of Intake Coordinator within the Public Education and Intake Unit. Prior to her tenure at OCA, Sha’Meka served as a Children’s Protective Services (CPS) case manager in Wayne County. In this capacity, she diligently investigated allegations of abuse and neglect, advocated for children’s rights, provided essential support and resources to families, and facilitated crucial case planning meetings.

    Sha’Meka’s educational foundation includes bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Social Psychology from Western Michigan University. Additionally, she holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Michigan University and is a limited license professional counselor.

    In 2024, Sha’Meka earned a promotion to the position of investigator. Leveraging her academic background and practical experience, she meticulously reviews cases, identifying critical details. Her unwavering commitment to the child welfare system aligns seamlessly with the OCA’s mission and vision, driving positive change and advocacy for Michigan’s children.

  • Nicole Dixon joined the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) in 2024 as an investigator. Her journey in child welfare began in 2011, and since then, she has held various critical roles within the system. Nicole holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Madonna University.

    Before her tenure at OCA, Nicole worked both at a private agency and within the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Her diverse child welfare experience includes roles as a foster care specialist, adoption specialist, children’s protective services investigator, and a maltreatment in care investigator. Additionally, she served as a CPS-MIC/Business Service Center 5 analyst and contributed to program implementation and supervision within the regional placement unit. Nicole’s responsibilities extended to supervising both foster care and CPS Maltreatment in Care/Placement Collaboration Unit.

    Her involvement in CPS redesign, peer reviews, audits, and safety planning training showcase her commitment to continuous improvement. Nicole’s unique insights from these varied roles position her well as an effective investigator. She will conduct thorough investigations and leverage her knowledge to recommend enhancements that will strengthen processes and policies within Michigan’s welfare system.

  • Bradley Martin accepted a position with the Office of the Child Advocate in 2024 after an unwavering commitment to the Michigan State Police (MSO) spanning over 25 years. His career began in 1998 as a trooper, stationed at both the Hastings and Monroe Posts. During his tenure at the Monroe Post, Bradley’s dedication extended to the Michigan State Police Canine Unit, where he collaborated with a trained canine in tracking and narcotics detection. Bradley’s academic foundation includes a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Michigan State University (1998).

    In 2015, Bradley earned a well-deserved promotion to the rank of sergeant, continuing his service at the Monroe Post until 2016. A transition led him to the MSP 2nd District special investigation section, where his expertise further flourished. In 2019, Bradley’s leadership capabilities were recognized, and he assumed the role of detective lieutenant, serving as a unit commander within the Metro Narcotics Enforcement Team. His successful career continued in 2021 when he was promoted to detective first lieutenant, entrusted with the critical position of section commander for the Metro Narcotics Enforcement Team in Wayne County.

    In his position with the OCA, his responsibilities will include conducting full investigations into complaints and child deaths in Michigan; were his wealth of knowledge and experience will make a positive impact on Michigan’s children and families. 

Investigative Unit 2 Staff Introductions

  • Scott Clements joined the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) in 2015 as an investigator. With over two decades of experience in child welfare, Scott is a licensed social worker. Prior to joining the OCA, he held a significant role at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for nearly a decade. Scott holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Michigan, where he received a child welfare fellowship. His educational background also includes a bachelor’s degree in law and society from Michigan State University. Notably, Scott has been qualified as an expert witness in child welfare matters.

    During his tenure at MDHHS, Scott functioned as a Permanency Resource Monitor (PRM), actively working to find suitable families for children who had spent extended periods in foster care. Additionally, he served as a Children’s Protective Services (CPS) Investigator, conducting thorough investigations into allegations of child abuse and neglect. Before transitioning to public service, Scott provided therapeutic services to children who had experienced sexual abuse. His commitment to child welfare extends beyond government agencies; he also was employed at a private agency foster care program, serving as a counselor and case manager for families whose children had been abuse or neglected.

    Scott’s dedication to child welfare, and the many areas of specialization that he brought with him was a great benefit to the OCA. In 2024 he was promoted to a Chief Investigator position where he oversees a team of 4 investigators. 

  • Tyana brings over 22 years of child welfare experience. With a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from West Virginia University, Tyana has dedicated her career to protecting children and supporting families in crisis. Tyana started as a Families First Worker at Ennis Center for Children. After two years, Tyana moved to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) as a Child Protective Service Specialist and then as a Child Protective Services (CPS) Program Manager in Wayne County. 

    As a Program Manager, Tyana led high-performing teams, facilitated crucial partnerships with community organizations, and ensured compliance with federal regulations. Her extensive experience includes serving as a CPS Investigator for 7 years, a Program Manager for 15 years, a Human Trafficking Supervisor, and even stepping in as a working out-of-class Section Manager, where she oversaw CPS program operations and compliance.

    Tyana’s expertise in policy, team leadership, and crisis intervention will be an invaluable asset to our organization. Tyana is passionate about and is committed to improving services for families through direct supervision, training, and ongoing professional development.

     
  • Nicole Parker joined the Office of Child Advocate in 2024 as an investigator. Prior to joining, she has already devoted over 27 years to child welfare. Her journey began with a bachelor’s degree in social work from Eastern Michigan University, followed by a master's in social work from Wayne State University. 

    Nicole started at Lutheran Child and Family Services as a Families First Specialist, working with child welfare. After two years, she moved to MDHHS as a Child Protective Services Specialist in Oakland County, where she worked for 3 years. She then transitioned to Adult Services as an Independent Living Specialist for 2 years. In 2005, Nicole's journey led her to Wayne County MDHHS, where she not only expanded her knowledge of child welfare policy but also demonstrated her versatility by assuming diverse roles within the organization. Her experience includes working as a Child Protective Services (CPS) investigator and serving as a Family-to-Family Facilitator, Intern Supervisor, CPS Section Manager, and first-line supervisor. 

    Nicole’s breadth of experience is a and her deep understanding of the various facets of child welfare will provide her a foundation to build efficient and effective investigative practices to use in her role at the OCA. 

  • Sarah Bullen joined the Office of the Child Advocate in 2024. She started her career with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) in 2014 as a foster care case manager in Ingham County and has a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Siena Heights University. 

    In 2016 Sarah transferred to Jackson County DHHS managing both children’s protective services (CPS) investigations and CPS ongoing cases where she investigated allegations of child abuse and neglect and provided services to families. Sarah was promoted to lead worker for both CPS and foster care programs in 2018. As lead worker she was responsible for training staff, mentoring, providing support to peers, and continued to carry a CPS caseload. In 2019 Sarah promoted to CPS supervisor and was responsible for leading a successful team, supervising CPS investigations, CPS ongoing, prevention, occasionally foster care cases, and supervising lead worker duties. 

    Sarah has been involved in multiple subcommittees with the Governor’s Task Force since 2020.  She has been a member of the subcommittees that revised the child death protocol, forensic interview protocol, and the training subcommittee that developed the Child Sexual Abuse Investigation training webinars. Sarah specifically created module three regarding safety planning and presented it to members of MDT (multidisciplinary team) in 2022.

    During her career with MDHHS she has been a recipient of the Good Government Award on multiple occasions, helped develop the Supervisory Control Protocol that is used for CPS investigations, and is actively involved in the Anti Racism Transformation Team in Jackson County. Sarah’s expertise in several child welfare topics paired with her ability to train will make her an effective investigator for the OCA.  

  • Stephanie Williams joined the Office of the Child Advocate in 2024 as an investigator. She began her career as an outpatient therapist serving the mentally ill young adult and children population in Wayne County, Michigan with Aurora Healthcare. Stephanie was also the supervisor for the partial day outpatient treatment program for children with Aurora.  Stephanie earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from Wayne State University. She has been a licensed social worker since 1997.

    In 2002, she became a dedicated children protective services investigator with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. While working as a children protective services investigator she simultaneously provided services to mentally ill children by conducting emergency psychiatric evaluation at Children’s Hospital emergency room from 2003 to 2011.

    Stephanie has held positions in several departments with her employment with the State of Michigan. In 2010, she became an adult foster care licensing consultant with Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). Licensing, inspecting, and investigation family homes, small, medium, and large facilities that cared for a myriad of vulnerable adults requiring around the clock care. She would transition to become a childcare licensing consultant providing consultation, inspections, investigations, orientations, and training to the public on the laws and rules of childcare with the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP).

    Stephanie’s education in social work paired with her experience in both the public and private sectors give her insight into multiple aspects of child welfare. These skills will provide a good foundation for her to build on at the OCA.