Bio

Sara is currently the Residential Services Director in the Director's Office at DSS. Since the Leadership Academy, Sara has served as the Deputy Director for Children's Division (2 .5 years) and Deputy Director of Family Support Division (1 year). When entering the Leadership Academy Sara served as the Unit Manager within the Children’s Division. Program areas within her Unit included the Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline Unit, Child Abuse and Neglect Review Boards, Background Screening Investigative Unit, and the Missouri School Violence Hotline. Sara has served 19 years in support of the Missouri Department of Social Services, working for the Children’s Division as Unit Manager, Children’s Service Specialist, and Children’s Service Worker. Prior to her employment with Children’s Division, she worked at Child Safe of Central Missouri, Inc., a child advocacy center that conducts forensic interviews of children who are alleged victims of sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, exploitation and other traumatic events that involve a crime. Sara is an alumna of the University of Central Missouri and holds a Master of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in criminal behavior.

Sara’s biggest takeaway from Missouri Leadership Academy is the networking with other state agencies.