The Center for Children Team
Scott Barks, Executive Director
Scott has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology, with good background knowledge in Criminal Justice, from Colorado Mesa University in 2014. After several years of working in local youth ministry, Scott joined the Center for Children staff in 2015 as a Family Support Advocate/Forensic Interviewer where he spent the next seven years of his career gaining more in-depth knowledge of the disciplines that make up the Center's multi-disciplinary team, as well as the organization's policies and procedures for the different roles that compose the child advocacy center. Scott has made networking relationships with city, county, and statewide entities emphasizing the safety and welfare of children. Scott was hired by the Center for Children's Board of Directors to serve as the organization's Executive Director in April 2022.
Tami Hunt, Operations Administrator
Tami has diverse experience in all bookkeeping and accounting functions. She has extensive computer experience in both PC and Macintosh. She is an invaluable member of the finance team at the Center for Children. Tami celebrates her 21st anniversary working for the Center in October 2020, and has a vast array of historical knowledge and expertise about the Center and the community.
Jody Lusby, Development/Outreach Coordinator/SANE Liaison
Jody has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences from Colorado Mesa University. She has been an active part of the community here on the Western Slope since 1999. Jody has over twenty years of experience in Outreach, Public Relations, Event Planning and Education as well as working with children of all ages in a variety of settings. Jody joined Western Slope Center for Children in April 2015.
Jessica Berry, Mental Health Therapist
Jessica has a Master of Social Work Degree from University of Denver and is a licensed therapist in the State of Colorado. Her specialties are trauma informed care and social justice. Jessica is a native to Western Colorado. She has been providing mental health services in the Grand Valley since 2015 and came to work for the Center for Children team in March 2020, after a successful internship during her Master's work.
Collbren Lang, Forensic Interviewer
Collbren has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Colorado Mesa University. Collbren is a Colorado native and calls Grand Junction home. Prior to beginning employment at the Center, Collbren worked as a child welfare caseworker in Utah. Collbren became interested in working with children from her own experience of having adopted siblings with special needs. Collbren brings forensic interviewing experience form her time as a caseworker in Utah, as well as a surplus of knowledge related to the child welfare system. Collbren is passionate about forensic interviewing and is happy to be a part of the team at the Center.
Melissa Jefferson, Family Support Advocate/Education Coordinator
Melissa has a BA in Psychology from Colorado Mesa University and is a trained facilitator of Active Parenting and Teens in Action programs. Melissa co-wrote an equine assisted learning program, Horsepower for Survivors. Additionally, Melissa created a trauma informed version of the Active Parenting and Teens in Action programs specifically for Western Slope Center for Children. She has provided contract services for the Center since 2010, and became a full-time employee of the Center in January of 2018.
Jaime Anderson, Family Support Advocate
Jaime has a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and has an eclectic background that includes special education, elderly care with an emphasis in dementia care, and most recently mental health. Before coming to the Center, Jaime was the ASCENT Team case manager at Mind Springs Health where she worked with adolescents and young adults that had experienced first episode psychosis. Jaime brings with her many years of experience working with children and teens in various settings. She is a Minnesota native but has called Colorado home since 2012. Jaime joined the Center for Children team in July of 2022.
Linked Mental Health Therapists:
Sydney Elks, Elizabeth Aubert
Contracted SANE Nurses:
Aillen Bowman, Mesa County SANE Nurse Program Coordinator
DJ Anderson
Brittany Bear
Jannice Knapp
Janet Prager
DJ Anderson
Brittany Bear
Jannice Knapp
Janet Prager
IF YOU SUSPECT ABUSE
CALL 970-242-1211
OR DIAL 911
If you suspect child abuse - or if a child tells you about abuse - making a report is very important! You cannot get into trouble or lose your job for making a report that turns out to be unfounded if you had good intentions when you made the report.All calls remain anonymous.
Reports of known or suspected child abuse or neglect should be made immediately to the Mesa County Department of Human Services Child Protection Hotline at (970) 242-1211 or a local law enforcement agency at 911.
Click here to learn more.
