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As the Collaborative Learning Manager for Kansas Programs at Cornerstones of Care, Whitney Francis helps staff and foster parents develop the skills and confidence to support children and families. With more than a decade of experience in education and training, her background spans domestic violence advocacy, crisis response, restorative practices, and child welfare. She also has a master’s degree in Strategic Communications and Leadership.
Much of her work with foster parents focuses on understanding trauma, the developing brain, and the connection between behavior and emotional needs. She is especially passionate about helping caregivers recognize what children may be communicating through their behavior and respond in ways that build trust and safety. “Children need safe, consistent, caring adults, not superheroes who never get frustrated, never make mistakes, and somehow remember every acronym in the training manual.”
For Whitney, the most rewarding moments come when caregivers begin to see a child's behavior from a new perspective and leave training feeling more confident in their ability to help. Outside of Cornerstones of Care, she is an adjunct professor at Avila University and a certified yoga instructor specializing in trauma-informed practice. She also enjoys spending time with her family, being outdoors, cooking, and getting creative.
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