Nicole Foulks provides key oversight functions for Children’s Trust’s Strengthening Families Program. She coordinates all SFP activities and ensures that they are completed in an efficient, timely and professional manner.

Before joining Children’s Trust, Nicole was in a leadership position with the South Carolina Department of Social Services for more than 20 years, starting as a foster care case manager. She has a bachelor’s degree from Benedict College, a master’s degree in social work from the University of South Carolina and a doctoral degree in organizational leadership from Columbia International University.

Nicole is from Columbia, South Carolina.

I am committed to being a voice for children, a voice for fathers and families, and a voice for the voiceless and the vulnerable. I model my commitment to scripture that says, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.” 

Karen’s primary duties include coordinating training, coaching and consultation, program development, quality assurance and technical support for prevention efforts across the state.

Prior to joining Children’s Trust, she served as executive director of Youth Voices Inc., a nonprofit teen pregnancy prevention program and youth development organization for 12 years. She has a long history as an advocate for various agencies, including Richland District 1, Family Service Center of South Carolina, and the S.C. Department of Social Services.

A longtime community service volunteer, she currently serves as vice chairwoman of the Midlands Fatherhood Coalition, which has a mission of engaging fathers in the positive support of their children and enhancing community support for fatherhood throughout the Midlands. Karen earned a bachelor’s degree from Benedict College, a master’s of education from Cambridge College (Mass.), and a second master’s degree in organizational change and leadership from Columbia College.

I lead with my heart and use my skills to create a better world for families and children through education, justice and opportunity.

Lillian works as a SFP coordinator in the Upstate area coordinating training, coaching and supporting our partners in that area.

Before joining Children’s Trust, Lillian, who is fluent in Spanish and English, served over seven years with the Greenville Health System Children’s Advocacy Department as a bilingual special project coordinator. Her role in this position was to educate children, families, and community partners on child injury prevention and child safety as well as community outreach. She also previously worked as the first Hispanic/bilingual victim advocate at the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, where she found her true calling and passion for helping others.

A New York native who grew up in Puerto Rico, Lillian has an associate’s degree in physical therapy, bachelor’s degree in human services and a master’s degree in management and leadership. She is certified as a trainer in adverse childhood experiences, the Strengthening Families Program, BabyNet SC Part C, Positive Discipline Parent Educator, National Child Passenger Safety, Safe Kids Worldwide, and Bureau of Justice, Human Trafficking Train-the-Trainer.

I will strengthen relationships and build capacity with local partners and serve as a conduit for resources to strengthen families in the Lowcountry.

Coretta coordinates SFP in the Lowcountry, where she provides training, coaching, and support for local partners.

Prior to joining Children’s Trust, Coretta worked six years as the project director and victim services provider for Voorhees College. She was responsible for creating a coordinated community response to addressing sexual and interpersonal violence on the campus.

With a bachelor’s degree in social work from Winthrop University and a master’s degree in education from Columbia College, Coretta spent the first 18 years of her career working in the field of adolescent pregnancy prevention and sexual health.

Jacqulynn works as a Strengthening Families Program (SFP) coordinator in the Lowcountry training, coaching and supporting our partners in that area. She supplies consultation and technical assistance to assigned agencies, and her duties include building awareness, providing education, and supporting activities that promote and implement SFP.

She previously contracted with DAODAS (Department of Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Sercices) and the Ernest E. Kennedy Center as a regional capacity coach in the field of substance abuse prevention. Jacqulynn also has experience working as a product manager in the field of information technology and as a human service specialist providing foster-care case management with S.C. Department of Social Services in Charleston County. She is currently a licensed master social worker (LMSW) and a certified prevention specialist (CPS).  

A native of Louisville, Kentucky, she earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Murray State University and a master’s in social work with an emphasis in applied community development research from Western Kentucky University.

In life and work, I want to fuel people and communities so that each of us can see and believe in our potential and dare to live the life of our dreams.

Lauren leads resilience programming and coalition building in the Pee Dee region. She coaches communities and local partners in team and program development through the Strengthening Families Program and the Empower Action initiative.

Her work centers around building stronger families and communities so every child can have the healthy, happy childhoods they deserve. Lauren is passionate about ensuring that all children have the opportunity to live their best life, and as an ACE master trainer and trauma supportive trainer, she is able to bring resilience and well-being to the forefront of our culture.

A native of Encinitas, California, she earned a bachelor’s degree in global studies from UCLA.