Alura began her journey in child welfare fostering alongside her husband, eventually closing their foster license with four incredible children. Throughout her time as a foster mother, she recognized a significant need for compassionate, empathetic, and dedicated social workers in the field. This realization inspired her to pursue a bachelor’s degree in social work from Eastern Washington University. Alura’s professional career began with an internship at the bachelor’s level and progressed to roles such as a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist and case manager with the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Her commitment to the field led her to earn a master’s degree in Social Work in 2024 from Boise State University.

In her free time, Alura enjoys spending quality moments with her husband, children, and granddaughter. Her family shares a special tradition of visiting the Oregon Coast every spring, where they soak up the beauty of the ocean, eat delicious seafood, and unwind.

Philosophies to Live by:

1. Do all things with a HAPPY heart.
2. Assume positive intentions.
3. HAVE FUN!

Stephanie has over 20 years of experience in Social Services. In addition to her time as an Embedded Trainer, she facilitated Family Group Decision Making Meetings and worked as a contractor providing In-Home Parenting Skills Training with families at risk of having their children removed from their homes. She has also worked in multiple roles with the agency providing treatment level foster care and family preservation services.  

Stephanie has a young family so much of her time is spent camping, swimming, and other outdoor activities with the family.  They have a farm and ranch, so they spend quite a bit of time working outside. Being anywhere near, on or by the water is where she likes to rejuvenate! Stephanie loves fishing, paddle boarding, and anything else water related!

Michelle began her career in child welfare as an intern in 2007. Over the years, she has held various positions within the field, including case manager on the Diversity Team, permanency case manager, and licensing case worker. She also served as a contractor for Idaho Behavioral Health, where she worked as a safety assessor and supervisor for on call for five years. Additionally, Michelle has approximately three years of experience with Behavioral Health on the ACT team.

Most recently, Michelle worked as a contracted Family Engagement Specialist with Eastern Washington University, where she supervised the Interstate Compact Placement of Children. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to supporting families and foster families within her community.

Michelle has been married for over 19 years and is a mother of four children. She enjoys paddle boarding, shopping, barbecuing, and spending time with friends and family.

Jill graduated in 1987 with her bachelor’s Social Work and began her career with the State of Idaho and has worked with Family and Children’s Services in various roles ever since. She has also worked for State of Washington Children’s Mental Health and also taught middle school Language Arts and has fierce skills when it comes to getting a 7th grader to write a well-formed thesis sentence!

Away from work, Jill enjoys any activity that includes an ocean, lake, stream, or river. She likes to fish (not catch, just fish), have dinner with family & friends, go on road trips, museums and the Shakespeare plays in Boise. She always has a book to read, and nothing makes her day like a well-played pun or some sassy banter.

Tennille graduated in 2003 from Idaho State University with a Bachelor in Social Work. In 2014, she completed her Master of Social Work from Northwest Nazarene University. Tennille has worked in the child welfare system for about 20 years in a variety of roles including practicum experience, safety/case work, regional centralized intake unit, and safety/case management supervision. In addition, Tennille has volunteered over 13 years facilitating variety women’s recovery groups in her community. She has experience in hospice work and currently teaches adjunct social work classes for Boise State University. 

Tennille’s family spends the long winter months snow skiing, and hot summer days mountain biking, gardening, and household projects. Tennille loves spending her extra time with their extended family. Tennille and her husband have a blended family of two girls and two boys. They have recently become foster care licensed to provide respite care. 

Jenna grew up in Boise and went to Centennial High School. After High School she received her bachelor’s in social work at ISU. 

Jenna completed a stipend internship with the Department in Boise and was offered a job in Pocatello as a Safety Assessor. Since working in of the Pocatello office, she has had the opportunity to work in every county in Region 6! Jenna really enjoys working in the smaller communities, and eventually transferred to the Blackfoot field office and took on a dual role as a Safety Assessor and Case Manager. 

Jenna and her partner recently welcomed a new baby into their family, and she decided to leave the Department and start a new position as a part time Embedded Trainer for the Eastern Hub. In her free time Jenna loves to travel and spend time with her family.