Join us for a webinar!

12 - 1:30 p.m. CST

ACRC is excited to offer a webinar on our new partner Building Bridges Initiative. Join us to learn more about BBI’s framework for best-practice implementation and learn more about how your organization can get involved or receive some of these amazing learning opportunities. Whether it is strengthening your efforts around Diversity Equity Inclusion and Belonging, improving your practices toward Youth Guided and Family Driven Care approaches, or your use of data to evidence the impact of your efforts with youth and families, this presentation will be an excellent introduction to how BBI might support you!

Presented by:

Mark Nickell, Director of Strategic Initiatives; ACRC
Mark served as the Executive Director of the Building Bridges Initiative, Inc. Prior to assuming this role, Mark served in California as a Regional Executive Director with Seneca Family of Agencies where he worked for more than 16 years developing and delivering continuums of care within the Bay Area. He is a certified Wraparound trainer for the California Department of Social Services and has trained nationally with BBI around issues related to organizational transformation, family engagement, youth guided care, and data-driven practice- with particular emphasis on improving residential interventions in order to improve outcomes for youth and their families. He now serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives for ACRC.

Sarah Edwards, Learning Coordinator; ACRC
Sarah Edwards currently holds the title of Learning Coordinator at ACRC. With a wealth of administrative experience spanning over two decades in higher education, non-profit sectors, and retail services, coupled with her success as a business owner, Sarah brings a diverse set of skills and insights to her current position. Prior to the recent merger of BBI and ACRC, Sarah played a key role as the Senior Administrative Coordinator for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI). In this capacity, she provided crucial support to more than 75 consultants and staff, contributing to the enhancement of outcomes for youth and families. Known for her collaborative approach, Sarah excels in dynamic and rapidly changing environments. She takes pride in working behind the scenes to drive progress, optimize systems, and support the impactful initiatives of her colleagues.

JuRon McMillan, Manager of Project Implementation; ACRC
JuRon Sanchez McMillan, MBA, serves as a dynamic leader in the role of Manger of Project Implementation at ACRC. Bringing a wealth of experience and a demonstrated history of success, McMillan formerly served as the Director of Operations for the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI), where he concentrated on improving outcomes for youth and families following residential discharge. In 2023, ACRC and BBI successfully completed a market extension merger, propelling the shared mission of both organizations forward. In 2015, McMillan earned his MBA, laying the foundation for a successful career dedicated to fostering culturally-sensitive and trauma-responsive environments. His passion lies in empowering youth, families, and communities by amplifying their voices and choices. McMillan's commitment to creating positive and inclusive spaces has made a significant impact on the development of programs and initiatives that resonate with diverse populations. As a strategic results-based driven and forward-thinking professional, McMillan continues to drive positive change in the field, leveraging his expertise to implement projects that make a lasting difference within systems. With a dedication to excellence and a mission to create a brighter future for those he serves, JuRon Sanchez McMillan is a catalyst for transformation that positively impact the lives of those he serves.

Nancy Pierce, BBI Senior Consultant  
Like a lot of parents, Nancy started her “career” learning to navigate the child serving systems for her children. Little did she realize that her personal experiences would lead her on professional quest to ensure every family, no matter the challenges have access to a family peer helping to teach, coach and mentor parents as they journey towards their personal strength and empowerment. Nancy works closely with Family Peer Advocates in delivering the Family Needs & Strengths outcome measure for Family Peer Support to use to quantify their excellent work.

Larome Myrick, Ph.D., Leaders of Color Group Leader
Dr. Larome Myrick is a highly accomplished and versatile executive leader with over two decades of experience in program administration and organizational management. His expertise lies in the areas of criminal justice, parole, and corrections, as well as child welfare leadership. He has a proven track record of driving change, cultivating innovative partnerships, and delivering value-added services to communities. With a strong background in strategic thinking, team building, and board relations, he is dedicated to achieving mission-driven goals and making a positive impact.

Bob Lieberman, BBI Senior Consultant
Robert E. (Bob) Lieberman has over four decades working with young people and families facing serious challenges, in a variety of capacities, including 28 years as CEO of Kairos Northwest.  He has written extensively and is lead or co- author, and editor, of ACRC’s “Redefining Residential” papers, as well as co-editor of two books on transforming residential interventions. He chairs the Outcomes Workgroup of the Building Bridges Initiative, is certified by Massachusetts General Hospital as a trainer in Collaborative Problem Solving and is a certified Master Trainer in the NEAR sciences. He is currently President of Lieberman Group, Inc. and trains and consults across the country and internationally.

William Martone, BBI Senior Consultant
William P. Martone is currently President of WPM Consulting, Inc. after having served for over 20 years as Chief Executive Officer of what is now one of the largest child and family services agency in Los Angeles County, Hathaway-Sycamores Child and Family Services. Upon his move to California in 1994, Mr. Martone served as CEO of The Sycamores. Under his leadership, the agency grew from its historic roots of residential treatment and evolved into a mental health and child welfare agency with the comprehensive array of programs and services offered today, including those services obtained through the merger in 2005 with Hathaway Children & Family Services. In 2013, Pasadena-based Hathaway-Sycamores received the bronze-level California Award for Performance Excellence (CAPE). Mr. Martone earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Providence College and received his Master’s Degree from Russell Sage College. He began his career in 1972 at Parsons Child and Family Center, a multi-service agency located in Albany, New York. In 1983, he moved to Illinois and accepted a position with the Children’s Home and Aid Society of Illinois, a statewide agency where he went on to serve as Vice President for Residential Treatment Services until his move to California 11 years later. Mr. Martone has been active in professional associations and organizations and served on several Boards for these associations. Mr. Martone is a past Board President of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services, the American Association of Children’s Residential Centers (AACRC) and the Association of Community Human Service Agencies (ACHSA).

This is a free webinar to all ACRC members and non-members. Registration is required.