Micah Kurtz - mkurtz@uw.edu

Micah has worked or trained in child welfare since May 2008, as a family preservation therapist for two years, a CWTAP intern on the Office of Indian Child Welfare in Seattle for two years, and then five years for Children's Administration as a line worker and supervisor in the Kent and King West offices, in Child and Family Welfare Services.

While with Children's Administration, Micah was a father's engagement office and regional lead, participated in a statewide birth to three safety workgroup, helped lead office Continuous Quality Improvement in Kent, was trained in NCAST, twice testified before a legislative committee on behalf of union social service workers, and was the union representative on the governor's Blue Ribbon Commission for children, youth and families, advocating for social service providers and families. Micah is excited to continue his efforts to support workers and the work in his new capacity as an Alliance coach.

Micah holds a Master of Divinity with a concentration in family pastoral care and counseling from Fuller Theological Seminary, and a Master of Social Work from the University of Washington. Micah has also worked in homeless outreach in south King County, participated in faith-based social services, and is active in community engagement in his local church. As a single father, Micah acknowledges there is a wide variety of family structures, as well as the difficulties and joys families experience.

Amanda Meyer - admeyer@uw.edu

Amanda’s work in social services began in 1993 with the Health Department and later with Planned Parenthood as a peer educator for teen pregnancy, STD and dating-violence prevention. She continued working in prevention services as a drug and alcohol education coordinator and a youth employment education coordinator at the county level before working for the state, where she helped families cope with child abuse and neglect.

Her social work practice has focused primarily on children and family prevention and intervention services. Her practice experience includes direct case management services, program and contract management, training and practice model implementation.