LIVES IN THE BALANCE EXISTS TO ERADICATE THE MISTREATMENT OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE
KIDS.
WHY WE’RE HERE
Lives in the Balance advocates for our most vulnerable kids and helps caregivers see them through more accurate, productive lenses and intervene in evidence-based ways that are collaborative, proactive, non-punitive, non-adversarial, non-exclusionary, relationship-building, and communication-enhancing.
With our free resources, trainings, and outreach and advocacy efforts, we’re driving the paradigm shift all over the world. We invite you to become part of the effort.
MEET THE TEAM
Lives in the Balance staff members are passionate about kids, devoted to our values and mission, and energized to change things for the better. No slackers in this crowd…
Served on the faculty at Harvard Medical School for over 20 years, and is now adjunct Professor in the Department of Psychology at Virginia Tech and adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Science at the University of Technology Sydney in Australia.
Previously worked as an assistant director of an adoption agency, a career counselor, a rehabilitation counselor, and an advertising executive in New York City. She oversees conference planning, workshops, trainings, and -- well, pretty much everything else -- at Lives in the Balance.
Kirsten’s most recent position was Development Advisor at the National Democratic Institute (NDI), a nonprofit nonpartisan organization focused on strengthening democratic institutions in over 50 countries, chaired by former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright. She has also worked as Development Associate at the Nuclear Threat Initiative in Washington, DC, a private foundation chaired by CNN founder, Ted Turner, and former senator, Sam Nunn, dedicated to preventing catastrophic attacks with weapons of mass destruction. She holds a Master’s degree in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University.
Has previously managed the clinical departments of two organizations serving youth and families in residential facilities. Kim tries to ensure that caregivers receive the support and resources they need in parenting and working with kids with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
Has more than 20 years of experience in supporting young people with emotional and behavioral challenges in a variety of school settings, including residential homes, therapeutic day schools, public schools, and private independent day schools. She is certified as a provider and trainer in the CPS model.
Has worked as a psychoeducator in an organization dedicated to treating the most severe and persistent childhood behavioral disorders in the health care system. She is s certified provider in the CPS model and trains schools, facilities, and other providers in the model.
Jennifer was a Lives in the Balance volunteer for several years before joining our team, and is thrilled to combine her passion for spreading the word about Collaborative & Proactive Solutions with her love for playing on the internet.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Lives in the Balance is really fortunate to have a devoted group of parents, educators, and professionals guiding and overseeing its efforts.
Laura is Assistant Professor of Special Education at Westfield State College in Massachusetts. She is a former principal and director of special education, as well as the former head of school at Greenfield Center School.
Lori serves as the Director of Finance and Administration for the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine, and prior to moving to Maine, worked in nonprofit management in New York City. She has an MBA from the Wirtschaftsuniverstät Wien and an IMBA from the University of South Carolina.
Pam has worked for the Rockland County (NY) Board of Cooperative Educational Services for the past 24 years, holding positions as an Assistant Principal, Staff Development Trainer, and most recently Principal of CBI-TECH High School.
Mike serves in financial, legal, and operational capacities for a group of businesses in Maine. He is a graduate of Boston College and Suffolk University. From 2011-2013, he served as Chief Legal Counsel and Senior Advisor to Maine Governor Paul LePage. He is also a warfare-qualified Navy Reservist.
Jenn worked with youth as a clinical social work therapist prior to becoming the Chief Operating Officer for North Dakota’s largest independent psychiatric and substance use treatment facility. Jenn is currently completing her PhD in Education while serving as the Program Director for the North Dakota Pediatric Mental Health Access program and working at the Center for BioBehavioral Research at Sanford Research.
Laura is a psychologist and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the Carver College of Medicine at the University of Iowa. She oversaw implementation of the CPS model in her prior position at Shodair Children's Hospital, a residential and inpatient facility for children and adolescents in Helena, Montana.
Susy is the parent of three great kids, two of whom had emotional and behavioral challenges (that’s how she learned about and become a devotee of the CPS model and Lives in the Balance).
Michael is a principal at Bracebridge Capital, a fixed income hedge fund based in Boston. He earned his M.A. and Ph.D., both in Economics, from Harvard University. Michael sits on the board of the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research.
HIGHER ED ADVISORY BOARD
Lives in the Balance takes pride in basing its efforts on the latest science and on models of care that are empirically supported. Our Scientific Advisory Committee helps us stay on track and guides our research.
Bryan taught in K-12 schools in NH for more than a decade and has spent more than 20 years working with schools, families, and students that have been disadvantaged by, and disillusioned with, traditional methods of education. Following his doctoral studies at Harvard Graduate School of Education, Bryan has been working in teacher preparation and is currently Teaching Faculty at Plymouth State University’s Elementary Education and Youth Development program. He also works closely with partner schools, helping them adopt more equitable and inclusive practices (including CPS).
Jennifer Engelland-Schultz, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in School Psychology at National Louis University in Wheeling, IL. Jennifer is passionate about providing effective social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health services to students and families within a multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS), advocating for racial and social justice, promoting equity in the schools, and creating family-school-community partnerships. Jennifer is committed to creating safe, supportive, and culturally responsive learning environments that meet the needs of all students and families.
Elaine Fournier is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Education at Western University in Ontario Canada. She has been an educator for more than 30 years and is as passionate today about inclusive education as she was when she stepped through the doors of her first classroom.
Meagan graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing followed by Peace Corps service teaching English in the Republic of Uzbekistan. She subsequently earned a Master of Public Administration degree in Public and Nonprofit Management from New York University. Meagan’s professional experience in higher education spans nine years and includes Middlesex Community College Foundation in Bedford, MA, Lone Star College Foundation in the Woodlands, TX, and Lone Star College-Kingwood in Houston, TX. She is an Army veteran and parent of a challenging child.
Dan is an Associate Professor in the Education Specialist (EdS) School Psychology graduate program at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse since 2014, Dan Hyson previously served as a practicing school psychologist and data coach in the Minnesota K-12 schools for 13 years. He is a Lives in the Balance Certified Provider of Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) and has used the model in his direct service work with K-12 students, facilitated book studies with and presented workshops to K-12 educators, and taught his graduate students about and coached them in using the model in their field experiences as part of their training to be school psychologists.
