A self-proclaimed introvert and “the quiet, awkward one”, Amanda is a neurodiverse, fierce advocate for trauma-responsive living, caregiver support, honoring adoptee voices, resource navigation, and meeting the youth of foster care where they are at so they feel seen and heard. As a social scientist with a degree in Anthropology, she has always enjoyed studying people, behaviors, and connection. Amanda is no stranger to navigating the foster care system. She and her husband, Chad, have been Resource (Foster) Parents since 2011, and have adopted four kids from foster care. Additionally, Amanda has mentored other Resource Parents and assisted with the Resource Family Approval training modules. Through the years, she and Chad have cared for medically fragile infants and learned first-hand about parenting kids with disabilities, sensory challenges, neurodiversity, PTSD, heart & kidney disease, and mental illness. The programs Amanda develops at OVC are informed by her lived experiences and continuous studies.