Linda Saling Foster Care & Adoption Program Director

“Enlarge your vision, enlarge your compassion, enlarge your empathy and enlarge your love to the extent that you are always fulfilled.”

I am the Director of the Foster Care & Adoption Program at ACH Child and Family Services. I have more than 25 years experience in the social service field, primarily with families and children. Earlier in my professional career I worked with Children’s Protective Services in Texas. I was an investigator of abuse and neglect, then an ongoing conservatorship worker, and lastly, a peer trainer/supervisor for a total of twelve years. It’s not a record by any means but an achievement to stick with the “system” that long! During my tenure with CPS, I developed a desire to do more for foster parents. I took a position as the Director of a therapeutic foster care agency in Albuquerque, New Mexico for the next twelve years. The emphasis was on team work and true collaboration. I experienced amazing outcomes as part of the team, noticing that well-supported and well-trained foster parents will go the extra mile for special needs children and in the end everyone benefits! I bring my experience, my desire to collaborate, and my deepest and sincerest respect for foster parents to my position here at ACH.

Contact Linda at 817.886.7141 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Kacie Brooks Foster Care Specialist

"Life is like riding a bike. It is impossible to maintain your balance while standing still." – Linda Brakeall on Hard Work

I am the newest member of the ACH team, but not new to child welfare. I have prior experience as a CPS investigator, specializing in sexual abuse, severe physical abuse, and child death cases. Previously, I was housed at the Johnson County Advocacy Center and have had the opportunity to be a trained forensic interviewer working with local law enforcement and legal staff. Prior to joining the ACH team, I worked for a private, non-profit agency for three years as an adoption specialist completing home studies, providing adoption resource information, and most recently as a supervisor for an in-home parenting program. I feel that I stumbled into being a child advocate while working as an elementary teacher in a struggling school district, but I am so glad and thankful that I did. I remember thinking on so many days, “How can these children concentrate on school when they have so much negativity at home and how can I help?” I look forward to a life-long career in child welfare, growing in my role as a child advocate, and working with the foster parents and other professionals who work with abused and neglected children. Aside from ACH, I am a loving wife, devoted mother to a three-year-old daughter, and doggie-parent to a Boxer.

Contact Kacie at 682.432.1086 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tanna Jackson Foster Care Specialist

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

I became a Foster Care Specialist with ACH in February 2010. I have worked with abused and neglected children since graduating from UTA with my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work in 2006. I was previously a conservatorship worker for Child Protective Services. As a caseworker I worked primarily with children who were in long-term foster care or available for adoption. I chose a new path after having a baby and needing more time at home. I hope to make at least a small difference in the lives of the children and families I have now and will work with in the future. I am looking forward to working with the children and foster parents from a new angle as a foster care specialist.

Contact Tanna at 682.432.1091 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jane Kennedy Foster Care Specialist

“You impress at a distance, but you impact a life up close. The closer the relationship the greater the impact.” – Howard Hendricks

I have worked in social work for a short time. I have experiences mostly dealing with children and their families. My first passion was helping and working with children and adolescents who are homeless; since then my passion has broadened. I did not set out to work in foster care, but rather “fell” into it and now I have come to love this field. The aspect of families inviting other families’ children into their home warms my heart. I have observed children push buttons and test limits and witnessed foster families stay committed and not give up. With the job, I have seen many kids come and go and each time I see the foster families both smile and cry when they leave. The quote above describes (in my opinion) what makes ACH families so special.

Contact Jane at 682.432.1094 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sharon Lee Foster Care Supervisor

“Don’t you see that children are God’s best gift?” – Psalm 127:3 (The Message)

I am a Foster Care Specialist at ACH Child and Family Services. I have worked in child welfare for 17 years. I believe that I have the best job in the whole world because I have the distinct privilege of working with people who have a desire to help children by being foster parents! I get to see sad, anxious, hurting children respond to the predictable, nurturing care a foster parent provides. I am blessed to see a toddler smile for the first time, begin to play, laugh and trust! I am thrilled when a 14-year-old can solve a conflict with another youth, using their words while staying calm. I like working at ACH because they provide such excellent support and training to their foster parents and staff. I am so blessed to work with so many people who see children as a gift from God; who are devoted to helping children overcome the effects of trauma, while helping them feel lovable and worthwhile.

Contact Sharon at 682.432.1098 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Raquel McFadden Foster Care Specialist

"Our differences make us unique, so be proud of what is different about yourself."

I graduated from Tarleton State University with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. I am a native of Fort Worth, Texas. I have an 18-year-old daughter, Raven, who is the light of my life. I have been blessed to have a wonderful career working with children and families over the past 20 years. I have worked for Child Protective Services and in private adoption services, prior to coming to ACH. I have been touched in many ways while working in Foster Care at ACH. While traveling along my career path, I found a great passion for transracial adoptions and helping families to find the resources and the support they need. My hobbies are working out, reading and helping others.

Contact Raquel at 817.886.7143 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Natalie Mitchell Foster Care & Adoption Administrative Assistant

“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.” – Fredrick Douglass

Prior to becoming an Administrative Assistant at ACH Child and Family Services, I worked at Lena Pope Home for 10 years. I am a graduate of Texas Wesleyan University and the mother twin daughters, who are now attending college. Before coming to work in foster care, I didn’t know very much about what it involved. Through the years, I have gained an enormous amount of respect for the people and children in the foster care field.

Contact Natalie at 682.432.1093 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Jesse Sias Foster Care Specialist

“Don’t ask for an easier life; ask to be a stronger person.” – Napoleon Hill

I’ve been working with children and families since graduating with my undergraduate degree in Social Work from Southwestern Adventist University in 2002. My first experience working with children was at an after-school program in Fort Worth, TX where I was a mental health coordinator. The agency I worked for adopted all the first graders from a nearby elementary school and the plan was to mentor them all the way to college. I remember just being amazed by the resiliency and the incredible amount of potential that those children had. I earned my Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington in 2005. Since then, I have worked for service providers in the DFW area that have given me the opportunity to work with children and families from diverse cultures and backgrounds in both individual and group settings. My experiences as a group facilitator, counselor, and caseworker have allowed me to see children, parents, and families, in many cases, improve their lives through incredible commitment and dedication to themselves and each other. Over the years, I have developed a deep respect for the sacrifices many families make, whether blood relatives or foster families, in order to give victimized children a chance to feel safe and loved. And, I consider it to be an awesome privilege to be a small part of that picture.

Contact Jesse at 817.886.7184 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tashika Smith Foster Care Specialist

“Love me when I least deserve it, because that’s when I need it the most.” (Swedish proverb)

I have worked in social services for the past six years, primarily with children in the foster care system. I am truly passionate about working with traumatized children. I have been an investigator for Child Protective Services in Dallas County, a foster parent, and a case manager for youth in foster care. I feel fortunate to be employed with an organization that offers such a wide variety of programs to serve this population. I graduated from UTA in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and I am currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Human Service. I am the proud mother of two bright and beautiful daughters.

Contact Tashika at 682.432.1092 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Donna Stowe Foster Care & Adoption Recruiter/Developer

I have been with ACH Child and Family Services since March 1, 2009. Prior to that, I was with Lena Pope Home for seven years and with CPS for 16 years. I have had many, varied jobs in the child welfare system, but working with foster parents and foster children is my favorite, by far. Foster parents are the most giving, selfless people I have ever known. The families and children have taught me so much about caring and survival.

Contact Donna at 817.886.7124 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Reneé Tyler Placement Specialist II

I have been with ACH Child and Family Services since March 1, 2009. Prior to that, I was with Lena Pope Home for 10 years. I have also worked for CPS and a residential treatment facility. My husband and I have two children who are very involved in church, community and school activities. Many of the foster parents I work with are also involved in my community. What a wonderful experience it is to be able to see the foster children grow and learn how to have fun on a day-to-day basis. I have a desire to help others become the best they can be. I especially enjoy working with foster parents and foster children. My hope is to see each grow and accomplish more than they thought possible. It is a blessing to work with people who care so much for the less fortunate.

Contact Reneé at 682.432.1095 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.