Caroline Thuer

Caroline Thuer joined the NACC team as an Administrative and Program Assistant in March of 2022. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a sustainability studies minor from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Prior to joining NACC Caroline held positions in administrative support services and behavioral therapy. Caroline was a part of the educational team at McGuire Memorial, a not-for-profit, non-denominational facility. She worked creating individualized programs for children and adults with multiple physical and intellectual developmental disabilities to acquire skills and experiences to obtain a more independent life. She also held the position of Milieu Therapist at UPMC Western Psychiatric Hospital, a world-class academic medical center affiliated with the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Here she provided patient support at every stage of care and recovery, including acute inpatient services, emergency and crisis services, and outpatient services for children and adults dealing with a range of conditions, including addiction, autism spectrum disorders, intellectual developmental disabilities, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorders, complex trauma, schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Caroline’s goals are to connect individuals and families with appropriate resources and support.

Caroline was born in Pennsylvania and now calls Denver, Colorado her second home. Outside of work-life Caroline loves hiking, camping, and taking on new travel adventures with her two dogs.

Daniel Trujillo

Daniel joined the NACC staff in 2003 and has served in a variety of roles. He is currently the Director of Certification, Sales, and Technology. He oversees the Child Welfare Law Certification program, collaborates with CIP/CJA and states on live and virtual trainings, and manages NACC’s tech delivery platforms. He truly enjoys serving the hardworking child welfare community to deliver the best services that NACC has to offer.

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.