Join PCA Georgia’s Mission by Becoming an Advisory Board Member
Being an advisory board member means contributing to statewide, local, and organizational efforts to raise awareness on primary prevention practices aimed at helping families thrive. View one-pager overview.
See Advisory Board Member Expectations and Benefits
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Advisory Board Member Expectations
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Advisory Board Member Benefits
Interested individuals can contact Jennifer Stein at [email protected].
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Advisory Board Members
Kathleen Baggett, PhD, Interim Director, Mark Chaffin Center for Healthy Development, Associate Professor, Georgia State University
Dr. Baggett is the current Chair of PCA Georgia’s Advisory Board. As the Interim Director of the Mark Chaffin Center for Healthy Development, she directs research on promoting nurturing care practices of parents and other caregivers that foster infant and toddler social-emotional health and development. Before joining Georgia State, she obtained her Ph.D. in Applied Developmental and Child Psychology from the University of Kansas. She completed a postdoctoral clinical internship in Child and Family Psychology, followed by a U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education postdoctoral research fellowship at the University of Kansas, Juniper Gardens Children’s Project. She is a Next Generation faculty scholar. Her research is on improving access to effective intervention for increasing parenting and caregiving practices that build infant and toddler social communication and social emotional health and development competencies. Dr. Baggett was a National Institutes of Health LRP award recipient, and her research has been funded by the National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. Department of Education, Health and Human Services- Administration for Children and Families and the Health Resources and Services Administration.
Belisa M. Urbina, CEO, Ser Familia, Inc.
Mrs. Urbina was born and raised in Puerto Rico. She studied Business Administration at the University of Puerto Rico and graduated Valedictorian of her class. In 2001, along with her husband Miguel, she co-founded Ser Familia, Inc. which is the leading program in Georgia providing coordinated multi-disciplinary family, social and mental health services to Latinos. Among many organizations she is involved in, she is a member of Cobb County’s 2020 Steering Committee, Kennestone Hospital’s Regional Board of Directors past chairperson, and is a part of Georgia’s Department of Public Health COVID-19 Health Equity Council. In 2014, she was chosen as one of the 11WhoCare®by Atlanta’s 11 Alive Channel. She has also been named as one of Georgia’s 50 Most Influential Latinos in 2018, 2019 and 2020. In 2021, Mrs. Urbina and her husband were inducted to the Georgia Latinos’ Hall of Fame. She is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta (2017) and the Regional Leadership Institute (2019). Ms. Urbina has been married to Miguel for 36 years and is the mother of 5 adult children and grandmother of 7.
Deborah C Chosewood, MS, Office of Whole Child, GA Dept of Education
Deborah Chosewood is the Mental Health Grants Specialist and GA Project AWARE SEA coordinator at the Office of Whole Child Supports in the Georgia Department of Public Health. Previously, Deborah served as Deputy Director of Prevention and Community Support (PCS) in the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, the state’s child welfare agency. PCS is the state entity charged with administering federal and state funding streams geared toward child abuse and neglect prevention, including the Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention federal grant and the state’s Children’s Trust Fund appropriation. Deborah has worked in the early childhood and prevention field for nearly 20 years. She is a member of numerous statewide task forces and committees aimed at the prevention of child abuse and neglect, human trafficking, youth suicide, adolescent pregnancy, and related topics. She is on the national Children’s Trust Fund Alliance Board of Directors.
Glenene Lanier, LMSW, Permanency Connection Director
Glenene Lanier has been with the Georgia Department of Family & Children Services for 28 years. She is currently serving the State of Georgia as the Permanency Connection Director where she is responsible for the oversight of the Adoption, Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children, Reunification, and the Social Services Administration Unit. Prior to becoming the Permanency Connection Director, Mrs. Lanier was the Deputy Director for the Placement and Permanency section. In addition, Mrs. Lanier served as the Director for the Department of Family and Children Services for Fulton and Dekalb Counties.
Jacquelyn Zahm, Psy.D., Licensed Psychologist at Premier Evaluation Group
Dr. Zahm is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience in psychological assessment and evaluation. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia College and State University and her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Georgia School of Professional Psychology at Argosy Atlanta. She completed her internship at Mississippi State Hospital, and her post-doctoral training was completed with Georgia Psychological, where she remained following licensure. Throughout her graduate training, internship, post-doctoral training, and employment, Dr. Zahm has focused on psychological assessment, including personality assessment, psychoeducational assessment, neuropsychological assessment, forensic assessment, and legal competency (such as competence stand trial). Dr. Zahm’s training has included working with adults, children and adolescents, individuals with severe and pervasive mental illness, forensic populations within residential treatment settings, patients in intensive outpatient treatment centers, and private practice. Her experience includes working with children and families involved with Child Protective Services and other family court matters. Following her 9-year tenure at Georgia Psychological, where she provided evaluation services to families and children involved with Child Protective Services, Dr. Zahm transitioned to her private practice at Premier Evaluation Group. Within her private practice, Dr. Zahm continues to provide a variety of assessments and evaluations about family legal matters and custody modification as well as evaluations for competency to stand trial, criminal responsibility, and other questions of emotional and behavioral functioning.
Karsten Hartman, Director of Prevention and Community Support Section at GA DFCS
Karsten Hartman is the Director of Prevention and Community Support for the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services. He has over 25 years of child welfare experience; the last 9 employed with the Division. He is excited about this new chapter in prevention and is looking forward to contributing to an increased positive impact in the lives of Georgia families and communities. Karsten is also excited about the privilege of collaborating with other child abuse prevention-focused leaders and is thrilled about opportunities to learn and contribute to this important work throughout the state and across the nation.
Laura E. Griggs, LMSW, CANP Unit Manager, Prevention and Community Support Section, DFCS
Laura is the CANP Unit Manager with the Prevention and Community Support Section of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services. Prior to working for the Division, she worked for the Governor’s Office for Children and Families in the Prevention and Family Support Section. In her current role, Laura enjoys being a part of Georgia prevention-focused groups, such as the Better Brains for Babies Advisory Committee, Georgia Essentials for Childhood, and being the state lead for the Georgia Family Support Network.
Laura is a Licensed Master of Social Work who is passionate about preventing child abuse and neglect and believes all children deserve the best start in life. She also enjoys spending time traveling, reading, and being a dog mom.
Lisa Dawson, MPH, Director, Injury Prevention Program, Georgia Department of Public Health
Lisa Dawson has worked in public health and the injury prevention field for more than 25 years. She serves on numerous injury prevention related advisory committees, coalitions, and councils. She started her career on a child safety seat grant and transportation safety in the mid-90s. Her work and responsibilities soon encompassed suicide prevention, fire safety, domestic violence prevention and prevention of child abuse and neglect.
Her interests have evolved to utilize comprehensive, applied public health models and evidence based communication tools; as well as mentor students and new professionals in public health and injury prevention. Dawson is also an Adjunct Instructor at Emory University, Rollins School of Public Health.
Michael Axelrod, JD, Trinova Partners, LLC
Michael Axelrod, a native-Atlantan, is a “mostly retired” consultant working with family offices. Prior to that, Michael conducted a business consulting practice focusing on healthcare companies and small businesses. He started his consulting practice after a 22-year practicing law with Cohen Pollock Merlin Axelrod & Small, where his practice concentrated on business law and transactions, with an emphasis on the health care industry and venture capital transactions.
Other activities include: serving as a guest lecturer at the Goizueta Business School at Emory University; co-authoring a book, “The Great Entrepreneurial Divide,” used primarily at the Goizueta Business School; serving on the Board of Directors, from 2001 through August 2007, of Pediatric Services of America, Inc., a NASDAQ home healthcare company, serving as non-executive chairman of the board from January 2007 through August 2007; volunteering for Prevent Child Abuse, America, Inc. (serving as Chair of the Board and other officer and committee chair positions); volunteering for Prevent Child Abuse Georgia, Inc. (including serving as Chair of the Board and other officer and committee chair positions); volunteering for Jewish HomeLife Communities (including serving as Chair of the Board and other officer and committee chair positions); volunteering for The Weinstein Hospice (including serving as Chair of the Board and other committee chair positions); and volunteering for Congregation Shearith Israel (serving on the Board and as numerous committee chair positions).
He has been recognized for his nonprofit work, winning numerous awards including the Commissioner’s Award (for Georgia) from the Administration on Children, Youth and Families of the United States Department of Health and Human Services for his work in the field of child abuse and neglect prevention and the Frank Garson Founder’s Award from Jewish HomeLife. He graduated from the University of Georgia, with honors, in 1979, and from the University of Georgia School of Law, with honors, in 1982.
Miriam Munn
Miriam Munn was born and raised in Whiteville, NC and moved to Savannah with her three sons in July 2011. Miriam is currently employed with the Savannah Chatham Public School System in Savannah, GA. Miriam is a long time member of the Junior League of Savannah, 9 to 5 Georgia and several other local boards in Savannah. Miriam’s passions and work include advocacy, leadership, children, and the elderly. When not working she enjoys traveling, movies, bowling, spending time with family or co-workers. Miriam also enjoys learning new things and attending networking events to meet others and connect resources. Miriam is committed to being a voice and inspiration for all she comes in contact with or needs uplifting, resources, or just a lending ear. She is thankful for every opportunity that comes her way and is a well rounded volunteer in her community.
Naeshia McDowell, MPH, Director of the Commercial Sexual Exploitation Response Team, Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia
Naeshia leads a multidisciplinary team of professionals who provide assessment and crisis intervention services to children and youth impacted by child sex trafficking. She has been immersed in anti-trafficking efforts since 2016. Prior to her current role at the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Georgia, Naeshia was the Training and Helpline Coordinator for Prevent Child Abuse Georgia where she oversaw the organization’s robust training program and managed the 1-800-CHILDREN Helpline. Naeshia currently serves as a committee chair for the Georgia Statewide Human Trafficking Taskforce and the Georgia Coalition to Combat Human Trafficking. In 2022, she was named to the Statewide Expert Committee for Sexual Assault, Child Abuse and Human Trafficking. Naeshia is a graduate of Georgia State University, earning her BS in Biology with a Minor in Chemistry in 2013 and a Master of Public Health degree in 2017.
Paige Ferrell, State Lead for the Healthy Families Georgia Network
Paige Ferrell serves as the State Lead for the Healthy Families Georgia Network (HFG), which is part of the Georgia Home Visiting Program. She is the program model point of contact for Prevent Child Abuse America/Healthy Families America program and provides statewide technical assistance, formal quality assurance, and training. In this role, she has worked closely with PCA Georgia Councils and other community-based organizations in implementing universal parent support and evidence-based home visiting services. Paige has been involved with Prevent Child Abuse America since 2001 and leads the statewide HFG network, overseeing all HFG operations and model implementation for the past 11 years.
Polly McKinney, Advocacy Director, Voices for Georgia's Children
Polly has been advocacy director at Voices for Georgia’s Children since 2010. Additionally, she owns a strategic communications company, Long Game Strategies, LLC, allowing her to enhance and continue her work at Voices, while creating content for clients and causes akin to child policy. She serves on the Georgia School Based Health Alliance Board, is a member of the National Juvenile Justice Network and is past Chair of the ChildKind Board of Directors. Polly also serves on the Juvenile Justice State Advisory Board, an appointment made by Governor Nathan Deal. She is a member of the Annie E. Casey Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative state steering committee. Prior to her work in child policy, Polly was responsible for developing communications for Southern States Energy Board, served as Executive Director of the League of Women Voters of Georgia and spent more than two decades in various production capacities in the Georgia film industry, which included two regional Emmy nominations. She was a member of the first class of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics and earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She has two astounding kids, Skye and Zane.
Sabrina Callaway, LCSW, Police Social Worker, Clayton County Police Department
Sabrina Callaway has worked in the fields of Law Enforcement, Education and the Social Services field. She is currently employed as the Police Social Worker for the Clayton County Police Department. This is the first of its kind in a growing field of co-responders or embedded Social Workers/Counselors working together to with emergency services to meet some of the needs of the community.
Sabrina has been a public servant for over 20 years with a strong passion and dedication to serving youth and their families.
Sabrina has a son that is currently employed with RIP City management located in Portland, Oregon. They both are a graduate of Kennesaw State University, class of 2014 (Mama) and class of 2017 (Son).
Sandra Alexander, MEd, Child Maltreatment Consultant, SciMetrika LLC in Division of Violence Prevention at CDC
Sandra has worked in child maltreatment prevention for over 50 years. She has developed prevention programs, provided training nationally and internationally, been a prevention voice for local and national media and authored book chapters on prevention. For the past 17 years she has provided subject matter expertise in CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention (DVP) including leadership for the BECAUSE Kids Count initiative, Knowledge to Action Child Maltreatment Prevention Consortium, Essentials for Childhood Framework and Initiative, and DVP’s Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect: A Technical Package for Policy, Norm and Programmatic Activities. Currently she is a SciMetrika LLC Child Maltreatment Consultant on the DVP Policy and Partnership team and working with the CDC Foundation project team to update the 2007 CDC document on preventing child sexual abuse in youth serving organizations. She is a past Executive Director of Prevent Child Abuse Georgia and South Carolina and the past President of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children.
Susan J. Kelley, RN, PhD, FAAN
Susan J. Kelley, RN, PhD, received her Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Boston College and her B.S. and M.S. in Nursing from Boston University. Dr. Kelley has published extensively on various aspects of child maltreatment and serves on the national board of Prevent Child Abuse America. She is the 2019 recipient of the Mark Chaffin Outstanding Research Career Achievement Award from the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. Dr. Kelley also received the Outstanding Professional Award from Boston College in 2010.
Dr. Kelley is founder of Project Healthy Grandparents, a community-based program that provides comprehensive services to families in which grandparents are raising traumatized grandchildren. Since the program’s inception in 1995, she has raised over eight million dollars in private and public funding to support the program.
Stacey Chavis, MSL, Managing Director, Campaigns Academy
Stacey trains leaders to serve in elected office and serve in leadership positions for political candidates and campaigns. She also works with nonprofits to develop their public policy and advocacy agendas. Stacey built her expertise in politics, public service, public policy through the years serving as Public Policy Consultant with the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, Southern Regional Director for the White House Project, Deputy Finance Director for the Democratic Party of Georgia, Finance Director for Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA 4th) and Constituent Services Representative for former Congresswoman Denise Majette (D-GA 4th). In the community, Stacey serves on the board for organizations such as Voices for Georgia’s Children, Junior Leagues of Georgia, League of Women Voters of the US, and Georgia Forward. Stacey was featured on the cover of the Atlanta Tribune Magazine’s Young Executives Edition. She was honored as one of Atlanta’s Top 100 Women of Influence by the Atlanta Business League. She was an honoree in Outstanding Atlanta. Most recently, Stacey was named to the University of Georgia 40 under 40 Class of 2020. She was also featured as an Unsung Hero in Simply Buckhead magazine for her work in the fight against human trafficking of children. Stacey received her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology with Politics minor from Oglethorpe University and attended The Women’s Campaign School at Yale University. She graduated with a Master’s Degree in the Study of Law from the University of Georgia School of Law.
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Prevent Child Abuse Georgia is not a child abuse and neglect reporting agency. To make a report of child abuse and neglect in Georgia, visit cps.dhs.ga.gov, or call the 24/7 reporting hotline 1-855-GACHILD (1-855-422-4453).
Looking for resources to help a family? Visit Find Help Georgia.