Kinship Care Staff

I am Jane Looney, the Manager (Supervisor) of the Kinship Unit. I have worked at the Larimer County Department of Human Services since 1976 in a variety of positions. I really enjoy working with the kinship care program. It continues to gratify me how many wonderful people are willing to devote the extensive time and energy it takes to be kinship families. In Larimer County we are striving to make our program "state of the art" in terms of children's safety and well being while in out of home care. In order to do that we have improved our training and support services to kinship parents. In addition, we are monitoring the homes closely and assuring compliance with the State rules governing these homes. Our ongoing goal is to expand the process of partnering with our provider families to continually improve the teamwork aspects of caring for children.

On a personal level, I have lived in Fort Collins since high school and still think it is a great place to live. I've been happily married for 28 years. We have a daughter who is grown and out on her own and a dog, Gracey. I love to hike, garden, read and cook.

Hi, my name is Annette Sandstead, and I work as a Kinship Caseworker for Larimer County in the Children, Youth, and Family Division. I graduated from CSU in 1993 with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and I have worked with families since 1989 when I first moved to Fort Collins to attend CSU. I began working as a residential counselor for teens with developmental disabilities. In 1993, I went to work for the Yuma County Department of Social Services but missed Fort Collins so much that I returned. I became employed as a Program Manager for Bethphage, an agency that cares for adults with developmental disabilities, and then became a Host Home Provider before accepting a job offer at Larimer County DHS in 1998 in Intake Child Protection. I joined the Kinship Unit in January 2000. I truly enjoy working with relatives and family friends who can offer children love & stability.

Hi, my name is Katie Piccolo and I am one of the caseworkers on the kinship team. I grew up outside of Chicago and went away to college, for an undergraduate degree in Social Work in Michigan. My husband and I moved to Colorado in 2001 and cannot imagine living anywhere else. I worked in a residential treatment center for adolescents here in Fort Collins before starting with Larimer County Department of Human Services in 2005. When not at work, I enjoy spending time with my family, being outdoors and taking our dogs for walks. Before starting as a kinship caseworker I was an intake caseworker in Child Protection for about two and a half years. I am very excited to be part of such a great team and to have the opportunity to work with amazing families who are working so hard to create a safe and stable environment for children in a time of need.

I am Tammy Phillips and I am one of the Kinship Caseworkers. I graduated from Colorado State University in 1996 with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work and then began working with severely emotionally disturbed children in a residential setting. I then moved to Anchorage, Alaska with my soon to be husband and continued work in the social services field. It was in Alaska that I realized how important kinship relationships are to children. We had a daughter and after six years of living in Alaska, it was time to move back down and be near family and then we had a son. I was fortunate to become a member of the kinship unit in August 2004. I believe this is the best job available in the Children, Youth & Family Division because we get to help children stay with family or friends when parents are unable to care for them.

Hello, I'm Kelly Jackson. I am a caseworker in the Kinship Unit. I have been working for the Larimer County Department of Human Services since August of 1997. I started as a counselor at a residential treatment center for youth and then became an Ongoing Child Protection Caseworker. I also worked as a caseworker in the Youth Services Unit before joining the Kinship Unit in August of 2002. I truly enjoy working with kin families and appreciate all of their hard work and dedication they have for the children in their care.

Hi, my name is Ruben Guerrero. I am married and have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. I work half-time as the Kinship Certification Trainer in the Kinship Unit and I'm half-time with the Foster Care Unit as the Foster Care Recruitment Coordinator. Prior to coming to the Larimer County Department of Human Services, I worked at Colorado State University with the Financial Aid Office as Coordinator of Outreach for Student Financial Services. I received my Bachelors Degree in Social Work from Colorado State University.

I am Michelle Chavez, the Department Specialist for the Foster Care and Kinship Care Units. I also support other units within the Department. I have worked for Larimer County since 1995. Most of my work with Larimer County has been supporting units. I have worked as the SSI Liaison and have done HUB intake, as well as working on other special projects as needed. Working with the Foster Care and Kinship Care Units has been an ongoing learning experience. I admire the work and dedication that our Larimer County foster and kinship families provide to the children in our community.

Hi, I'm Nancy Courtney, one of the Kinship Caseworkers on the Kinship Team. My husband Scott and I have lived in Fort Collins since 1989 and have two grown children, Kerri and Jay. I enjoy reading, gardening, exercise and traveling with my husband. I joined the '2nd floor' work group in February 2004 after our Kinship Unit merged with the Foster Care Team. I have worked for the Larimer County Department of Human Services since November 1993 in several different positions in Adoption and Ongoing Child Protection. I have specifically worked with Kinship families since 1998. I believe in children living with family whenever possible. I have learned so much from the families I have worked with and I have a great deal of admiration for the many 'hats' caregivers wear. I continue to value the teamwork and Family Options philosophy that gives caregivers, whether related or unrelated, the information and support they need to provide safe and nurturing homes for children.