The Child Welfare Training Academy (CWTA) team maintains overall responsibility for employee training and development, equity and change management strategies through training, and workforce clinical well-being. This includes the development and maintenance of the CFSA's Training and Development Plan, including curriculum development and design.
CWTA team is made up of trainers who are all social workers with child welfare field experience and are responsible for the design and execution of the training offered by the Academy. Our team supports and completes the development and design of all training curriculum and supports the inclusive content prompting change management within CFSA. Our program specialist is responsible for data management, maintenance of training records, and coordination training reconciliation efforts.
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Dr. Brandynicole Brooks, LICSW, LCSW
I have worked in the child welfare field since 2004. My work has spanned across child protective services, clinical case management, and training in the states of Texas, Alabama, and the District of Columbia.
Since 2013, I have been a member of the CFSA training team and have developed curriculum, facilitated training, and have the current privilege of leading the Office of Planning, Policy, and Program Support as the Deputy Director.
Along with my work in child welfare, I am a perinatal mental health specialist, pregnancy & infant loss doula, and work with helping professionals to address their experiences of secondary traumatic stress.
PhD (Organizational Leadership)
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (DC)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (VA)
Dr. Brandynicole Brooks, LICSW, LCSW
Deputy Director
Dr. Brandynicole Brooks, LICSW, LCSW
Trista Davis, LGSW
Program Administrator
Trista Davis, LGSW
Licensed Graduate Social Worker (DC)
I began my career in child welfare in Tennessee in 1996 working as a case manager in a Family Crisis Intervention unit and with youth involved in the Juvenile Justice System. I became the Regional Administrator in 2008 leading practice across the child welfare continuum in rural counties in TN.
I joined CFSA as the Program Administrator of Investigations in 2013 and after 4 years, transitioned to the Child Welfare Training Academy (CWTA). I've been the Training Administrator since 2025 and am deeply passionate about leading a team that empowers social workers to create meaningful change in the lives of families.
Alongside my incredible CWTA team, I support the design and development of dynamic workshops and training sessions that inspire transformational learning, perfectly aligning CFSA’s bold vision of keeping DC Families Together.
I am leading the charge to integrate standardized assessments that enhance the expertise of social workers, ensuring they have the necessary tools to support families effectively. I also coordinate the Student Internship Program to help execute the pipeline to employment process for new social workers.
Lastly, I am a newly published author, sharing insights to help children and adults navigate grief and loss, and I advocate for self-care practices that promote overall well-being.
Jessica Canty, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (DC)
I started my career at CFSA in 2010 and spent six years supporting families in wards seven and eight while being co-located at East River Family Strengthening Collaborative. I supported families experiencing homelessness at the then open DC General Homeless Shelter.
I am a career and wellbeing focused trainer, motivated to help you empower the community you serve, accomplish career success, and pursue your mental health goals.
I earned a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Bowie State University and a master’s degree in social work from Howard University. I am a licensed independent clinical social worker that loves facilitating growth in the profession through my curriculum development.
Jessica Canty, LICSW
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Program Manager
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Mary Eradiri, LICSW, LCSW
Trainer
Mary Eradiri, LICSW, LCSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (DC)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (VA)
I have worked in various arenas, including mental health, providing counseling to youth and families and as coordinator of a youth drop-in center in Ontario, Canada.
My child welfare career began in 2003 at CFSA and has spanned various program areas including clinical case management and Resource Parent training and licensing. I joined the CFSA training team as trainer in the Child Welfare Training Academy, 2016. In this role I develop training curricula and facilitate training for Social Workers, Agency staff, Resource parents and district-wide audiences.
In my spare time I like to engage in creative arts and DIY projects.
Tanya King-Wagner, LICSW, LCSW-C
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (DC)
Licensed Certified Social Worker - Clinical (MD)
Tanya King, LICSW, LCSW-C
Trainer
I am a licensed clinic social worker, with over 10 years of clinical experience and have had the pleasure of working in the Development and Equity Administration since 2016!
I enjoy working with CFSA staff and all training participants to increase their knowledge and enhance critical thinking skills. I live by the belief that we should all seek to continue to grow in our respective fields and training is an excellent way to facilitate that thought.
I look forward to seeing you in the training atmosphere very soon!
Erin Teagle, MA, CLSSGB
Aretha Wells
Program Specialist
As a certified administrative professional, I have provided over 20 years of service to the District of Columbia’s children and families.
As a Staff Assistant, I was responsible for assisting with the onboarding of CFSA new hires, training data analytics as well as social worker, and resource parent licensing compliance.
As a Program Specialist, I provide support with in-service and pre-service training data entry, PASS operations/ fiscal support and reconciliation of internal and external training opportunities offered to CFSA and private agency staff and resource parents.
Aretha Wells
Tracie Johnson, LICSW
Trainer
Tracie Johnson, LICSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (DC)
I began my career with CFSA in 2006 as an Independent Living Specialist, where I taught essential life skills to older youth in care. I served as a Supervisory Social Worker with the Older Youth Empowerment Administration and Health and Wellness Coordinator, a position that allowed me to bring a greater sense of wellness, connection, and support to team members and to the agency.
I am a trainer who strives to identify the strengths and talents of our team members. My goal is to help staff operate from a place of passion, confidence, and purpose as they serve the children and families of the District of Columbia.
I earned a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Morgan State University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Maryland, Baltimore. I am a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and am passionate about helping individuals’ transition into the best version of themselves.
Lorice Parker, LCSW-C
Trainer
Lorice Parker, LCSW-C
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (MD)
I have been a social worker for over twenty years and have worked within the child welfare system in various capacities.
I started at Child and Family Services Agency as a child protective social work contractor in 2000 and was hired as a full-time employee in 2002 as a hotline worker. I transitioned to licensing in 2004 where I remained until 2008 when I decided to step away from the agency for a short period.
In 2012, I returned to Child and Family Services and resumed my role training and licensing prospective resource parents. In 2016, I accepted a position in the Child Welfare Training Academy (CWTA) where I currently function as a trainer.
I believe that social work is more about who I am than what I do. I am proud to say that as a trainer/facilitator I am doing what I love.
Dawn Prather, LICSW, LCSW-C
Dawn Prather, LICSW, LCSW
Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (DC)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (VA)
Since 2004, I have served my community via various employment opportunities in the human services field. My experience includes engaging individuals and families, playing integral roles on various MDT, and clinical service provision in child welfare, acute hospital, primary and secondary school, professional development, and psychotherapy.
In 2015, I shifted from a five year stint in CFSA’s Clinical Case Management and Support to a proud member of CWTA where I facilitate trainings as well as carry out the curriculum development and instructional design processes and coordinate the student internship program.
I also own a private practice, Revolutionary Wellness, where I work as a psychotherapist providing mental, physical, and spiritual health services to promote overall wellness in the BIPOC community.
