Natalece Washington, JD, CWLS

Natalece Washington, JD, CWLS, joined Team NACC in January 2021 as Policy Counsel. Natalece plays an instrumental role in NACC’s national campaign to guarantee youth the right to counsel in child welfare cases. As NACC Policy Counsel, Natalece conducts research on the right to counsel, assesses state readiness for reform, coordinates communications, and provides intensive technical assistance to state advocates and coalitions.

Natalece joins NACC following 10 years of child welfare experience exemplifying her commitment to improved outcomes for dependent children. Natalece most recently served as Policy Administrator with the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services where she developed and enhanced child welfare policies to ensure their continued alignment with federal and state laws, organizational changes, and shifts in best practice.

Prior to joining the Division, Natalece held the role of Director of Operations for Fulton County CASA, Inc. where she focused on strengthening volunteer advocacy. Before joining Fulton CASA, Natalece provided legal representation and ongoing holistic advocacy for dependent children as a Senior Child Advocate Attorney at the DeKalb County Child Advocacy Center in DeKalb County, Georgia.

Natalece has been certified by NACC as a Child Welfare Law Specialist since 2015. She earned her law degree from the University of Georgia School of Law.

Sara Willis, MA

Sara joined Team NACC in 2008. As Business and Conference Manager, she is responsible for the daily business of the organization and supporting operations and NACC program areas. Sara is also responsible for planning, coordinating, and managing NACC’s National Child Welfare Law Conference. Sara’s work in early childhood education includes onsite supervision, teacher training, parent education, and contract management, primarily with Head Start, Early Head Start, and State Preschool programs. She continues to present nationally on the importance of self-care for educators.

Sara earned her BA in psychology from the University of San Francisco and her MA in early childhood education from the University of Colorado Denver. She is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area and currently lives in Denver. When not at NACC, she can usually be found outdoors, snapping pictures, reading, or visiting the quirkier parts of the planet with family and friends.