Get to know our team!
Shanna Barnes
Angelique Little
Lisa Gregait
Alyssa Tesmond
Executive Director
IPS Program Coordinator
IPS ARC Supervisor
Executive Assistant
Shanna Barnes, LCSW has been with Center for Family Services since August of 2004. Before being appointed Executive Director in 2021, she was a Program Director of the Intensive Placement Stabilization program beginning in 2004 as well as the Program Director of the Teen REACH program from 2005 - 2009. Shanna earned her BSW in 1994 and her MSW in 1998. She has been a Licensed Social Worker and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker since 2001.
Prior to joining Center for Family Services, Shanna interned and worked at the following: as an Intern at Hill House in 1994, as a Residential Case Manager/Assistant Program Director at Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center from 1994-1997, as an Intern at Linden Oaks Hospital from 1997-1998, as an Intensive Therapeutic Services Therapist/Assistant Clinical Manager at Aunt Martha’s Youth Service Center from 1998-2001, as a Social Worker 2 in the Children’s Mental Health Program at Metropolitan Family Services from 2001-2003, and as a Clinical Therapist at SOS Children’s Villages Lockport from 2003-2004.
Outside of work, Shanna likes to do a multitude of activities with her 3 children.
Angelique Little is the vibrant IPS Program Coordinator at the Center for Family Services. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Springfield, she brings over 20 years of experience in the mental health field, with a special focus on supporting children and families. Her lived experience enhances her effectiveness as an advocate, offering a unique and empathetic perspective to her work. Angelique is highly skilled at adapting to the diverse needs of clients and excels in connecting families with the resources they need to thrive.
Passionate about advocacy, Angelique works tirelessly to ensure that the voices of those she serves are heard and respected. She is known for her compassionate approach, strong communication skills, and unwavering commitment to uplifting others. Her work is driven by a deep belief in the power of support, healing, and empowerment.
Outside of work, Angelique enjoys live theater and musicals, a reflection of her dynamic and creative spirit. She values the flexibility and support offered by CFS, which allow her to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Inspired daily by the resilience of the families she serves, Angelique remains a dedicated and cherished member of the CFS team.
With over 14 years of dedication to our mission, Lisa brings heart, humor, and a whole lot of expertise to her role as ARC Clinical Supervisor. Armed with a Master’s degree from DePaul University and a Bachelor’s from Columbia College Chicago, Lisa supports both clients and staff with equal passion.
She leads ARC supervision for the team—ensuring staff are fluent in the framework and bringing it to life in their case notes. Lisa also works directly with clients to help stabilize placements and keep their journeys on track. A big believer in self-care (and not just talking about it), she creates regular newsletters packed with tips and strategies to support her team’s well-being.
When she’s not leading with purpose, Lisa is living life to the fullest. She’s an adjunct professor at Aurora University, a devoted mom of two energetic little ones, a ballroom dancer, and a diehard Bon Jovi fan. She proudly comes from a big extended family and lives by the belief that all people deserve to have dignity restored.
And yes—if you ever need a dance partner, you know who to call.
Alyssa Tesmond is the Executive Assistant at the Center for Family Services (CFS), where she supports the agency’s daily operations, communications, event planning, and fundraising efforts. In this role, she plays a key part in advancing CFS’s mission to provide stability, healing, and support to children and families impacted by the foster care system.
Alyssa brings a strong background in nonprofit work and holds degrees in History and Anthropology from Arizona State University. As a former foster parent, she brings a deeply personal understanding of the challenges many families face - an experience that fuels her commitment to advocacy and compassionate service.
Outside of her role at CFS, Alyssa serves as the Advisory Board President for Camelot Assembly of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls, a nonprofit youth organization dedicated to building leadership, confidence, and community-mindedness in young women.
In her free time, Alyssa enjoys watching women’s hockey with her wife - especially cheering on her favorite player, Hilary Knight! She also loves caring for their pets, including one dog, two cats and a snake.
Amanda Tesmond
Kent Jackson
Johnise Herndon
Kyra Khan
IPS Therapist
IPS Service Coordinator
Foster Parent Support Specialist
IPS Support Specialist
At CFS, I’ve served as a mentor, IPS Service Coordinator, and now a therapist. My work includes supporting everyone involved in foster care, including LGBTQ+ youth, biological parents, and foster families, through both individual and family therapy. I focus on client strengths and attachment-based practices, because we know that even brief exposure to healthy attachment can be vital for a child's development. The Center for Family Services supports my work with children, youth, and caregivers by not only offering therapeutic opportunities, but also by fostering meaningful connections that promote healing and growth.
Although I grew up in the southwest suburbs of Chicago, my life as a military spouse took me across the U.S., where I consistently worked with children in various roles. After our son’s cancer diagnosis, I witnessed children in foster care undergoing treatment—an experience that deeply moved me and inspired me to pursue my Master’s in Social Work at Aurora University. I specialized in Child Welfare and earned my Child Welfare Employee License (CWEL). I also serve as an Adjunct Professor at Aurora University.
Currently, I’m working toward certification as a Synergetic Play Therapist, a model that integrates play therapy with nervous system regulation and attachment. My family has also fostered 10 children, giving us deep insight into the foster care experience. When I’m not working, I enjoy traveling, basking in my backyard, and spending time with my family.
Kent Jackson is an Intensive Placement Service Coordinator at the Center for Family Services,
where he helps stabilize foster homes for youth facing behavioral and emotional challenges. He coordinates tailored support services that enable foster families and young people to thrive in safe, supportive environments.
Kent has a strong background in the nonprofit and social services sector, with extensive
experience working with high-risk youth, families, and community organizations. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Science from Michigan State University and is certified through the Child Welfare Employee Licensure (CWEL) program.
Passionate about helping others recognize and build on their strengths, Kent is dedicated to
empowering individuals and promoting lasting change.
Outside of his professional role, Kent enjoys spending time with his family, watching sports,
walking outdoors, and traveling. He values meaningful connections, personal growth, and the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Johnise Herndon is a dedicated Foster Parent Support Specialist at CFS, where she takes pride in supporting and strengthening foster families.
With a heart for service, she is deeply committed to uplifting at-risk youth through her community involvement and is an active member of her church, where she finds joy and purpose in giving back. Johnise recently earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Aurora University, a milestone that reflects her passion for helping others and her dedication to personal growth. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time baking—especially her signature poundcakes—and expressing her creativity by customizing shoes.
Whether at work, in the community, or at home, Johnise is guided by compassion, resilience, and a desire to make a positive impact wherever she goes.
With a heart for service, she is deeply committed to uplifting at-risk youth through her community involvement and is an active member of her church, where she finds joy and purpose in giving back. Johnise recently earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) from Aurora University, a milestone that reflects her passion for helping others and her dedication to personal growth. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time baking—especially her signature poundcakes—and expressing her creativity by customizing shoes.
Whether at work, in the community, or at home, Johnise is guided by compassion, resilience, and a desire to make a positive impact wherever she goes.
Daniel Lada
Angel Williams
Mayra Rubio
IPS Service Coordinator
IPS Service Coordinator
IPS Service Coordinator
Daniel Lada is an Intensive Placement Stabilization Coordinator that assists clients and their families in their current environment with existing, current and future needs.
Dan currently has his Bachelors and Masters in Social-work along with a minor in Criminal Justice. Dan’s first and second internship was working with kids from ages 6 to 18 and from then he found working with kids was what he wanted to do within the social-work realm.
Outside of work Dan enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities that involve some sort of sporting activity, movies, games, and being with the ones he loves.
Dan currently has his Bachelors and Masters in Social-work along with a minor in Criminal Justice. Dan’s first and second internship was working with kids from ages 6 to 18 and from then he found working with kids was what he wanted to do within the social-work realm.
Outside of work Dan enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities that involve some sort of sporting activity, movies, games, and being with the ones he loves.
Angel Williams is a Service Coordinator at the Center for Family Services, where she provides therapeutic mentoring and connects at-risk foster youth with vital services and resources. Through collaboration with youth, caregivers, and the foster care team, Angel works to promote stability and healing within foster placements.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where she was actively involved in student organizations such as Black Girls Rock, dedicated to uplifting and empowering marginalized groups.
Outside of work, Angel enjoys unwinding with a good book or long nature walks. She finds joy in traveling the world, exploring new foods, and spending quality time with her loved ones.
Mayra is a Service Coordinator at the Center for Family Services - Intensive Placement Stabilization Program. She earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of St. Francis in 2014.
Mayra offers a range of critical, intensive therapeutic interventions and facilitation services for youth in care with complex emotional and behavioral needs. With her clinical expertise she provides trauma-informed support and advocacy for children, adolescents and foster parents navigating the child welfare system.
In addition to their professional pursuits, Mayra has a passion for home decor and indoor/outdoor gardening.
Kyra Khan is an IPS Support Specialist/Therapeutic Mentor at the Center for Family Services, where she works closely with youth in foster care to provide individualized support, mentorship, and life-skills development.
She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Communications from Trinity Christian College. Passionate about mental health advocacy and personal development, Kyra is committed to helping young people build resilience, emotional regulation, and confidence as they navigate life’s challenges.
Outside of her role, Kyra is actively involved in faith-based youth ministry and enjoys creating safe, engaging spaces for young people to grow spiritually and emotionally. She also loves action-packed and thriller movies, trying new foods, reading, writing, singing her heart out, and staying active.
Kyra believes in the power of presence, compassion, and purpose-driven work—and strives to be a consistent, encouraging force in the lives of the youth and families she serves.