Alison has various professional and personal experiences that allow her to have helpful perspectives towards the criminal justice system. 

• Most recently a forensic interviewer in 2020 and trained in Child First protocol, she is trained to understand the complexities of child abuse investigations and how to properly communicate with children about the abuse and neglect they have suffered or witnessed.

• She is a military spouse of 6 years. She has also served military families in a professional capacity, working near several military installations as a victim’s advocate and child protective services investigator. Criminal investigations involving a military member can necessitate separate procedures, but it can also mean more resources are available to the victim if they are a dependent of a military member.

• She had the privilege of working under two different Juvenile Judges in neighboring circuits.
  Well-trained in juvenile court procedure, she handled cases related to dependency, truancy, delinquency, and family treatment courts.

• Recently, she served as a crime victim’s coordinator with a police department. Working closely with detectives and patrol, this role provided her insight into how law enforcement and advocacy can complement each other. She comprehends the barriers that officers and detectives face as they bridge
  a report of child abuse to its prosecution referral.

• Her initial professional role was as a child protective services investigator, delving into various abuse and neglect cases. She understands the limitations case managers and investigators encounter, yet knows how to employ creativity to ensure children's safety while serving families. This is despite policy, procedural constraints, or a lack of immediate resources.

• With years of professional experience in substance abuse, drug trends, drug use, and addiction, she gained expertise through specific roles in the court system. Having spent a lot of professional time with addicts and individuals identified through the criminal justice system, she has insight into child hood trauma, drug use and risk factors in children and adults.

• She has accumulated almost 500 hours of related training and observed/participated in nearly 1000 hours of juvenile, superior, and magistrate court procedures.

• Additionally, she embraces the role of a mother! Balancing her specific professional background with the challenges and joys shared by every parent while navigating the journey of raising a child.