Ashley Garcia-Rivera, Policy Advisor at the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.), brings more than a decade of experience in youth advocacy, public speaking and systems change leadership to her role. As a former foster youth and adoptee, Ashley uses her lived experience to inform and advance policy solutions that center the voices of those directly impacted by the child welfare system.

In her current role, Ashley leads policy initiatives focused on improving permanency outcomes, expanding access to mental health services, and strengthening support for adoptive, foster and kinship families. She supports cross-sector collaboration, legislative strategy and research efforts that prioritize mental health.

In 2013, Ashley founded Suitcases of Hope, a charity dedicated to providing youth in foster care with large duffel bags to replace the use of trash bags during placement transitions. Since 2016, she has served on the National Speakers Bureau for the Children’s Bureau, sharing her personal journey to encourage the adoption of older youth.

Ashley is a member of the AdoptUSKids Professional Leadership Development Program (APLD), where her research focuses on improving adoption-competent mental health services for transracially adopted youth.

Ashley earned her Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Psychology and Philosophy from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2023. Her work is driven by a deep belief in the power of lived experience to transform systems and to ensure that every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

Tony Parsons, C.A.S.E. Board of Directors Member & C.A.S.E. Academy Advisory Board Member, is a dedicated advocate committed to empowering individuals, fostering collaboration and advancing equity. With a passion for public policy and a strong background in education, child welfare and community engagement, Tony consistently strives to make a significant impact in the lives of those from vulnerable populations.

After graduating from Michigan State University Honors College with a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy, Tony pursued his graduate studies at Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, earning a Master of Arts in Policy Management, graduating in 2024. His professional journey has included roles at Youth Villages, the Capacity Building Center for States and the Michigan College Access Network.

Tony is currently the Director of Public Policy and Finance at Oakland Thrives, working to align government institutions and actors to better serve the Oakland community after falling in love with Oakland, its citizens and the city’s potential after spending nine months as a fellow with Oakland Thrives as part of his participation in the National Urban Fellows program. His previous experience as a federal policy specialist and his involvement in various community initiatives demonstrate his commitment to social justice and his ability to drive positive change across all levels.

Betty Rivers serves as the Youth Lived Experience Specialist at the National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services, where she brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role. Betty ensures that youth lived experiences inform both Intensive and Universal Technical Assistance efforts. Betty is committed to amplifying the voices of youth who have experienced child welfare.

Before joining the National Center, Betty was a Program Coordinator at the Child Welfare Capacity Building Collaborative with the Children’s Bureau, leading quality service reviews and acting as a liaison for child welfare programs. She ensured contract compliance through data collection and tracking for internal and external partners. At Casey Family Programs’ public policy office in Washington, DC, cultivated relationships to current and former foster youth on recruitment for policy engagement activities. She co-developed a mental health group to address over-prescribed psychotropic medications to youth in foster care.

As a Legislative Correspondent with former Senator Mary Landrieu, she communicated with constituents regarding child welfare, health, foreign affairs and education issues. She successfully advocated for the inclusion of the “No Decision about US without Us Amendment” to the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act. She has a strong track record of demonstrating her commitment to improving child welfare systems and ensuring proper mental health support for youth and families. She believes every child deserves a lifelong, healthy, loving family to succeed in life.