Patty began her experience providing direct services to families through the Division of Developmental Disabilities and then licensing as a foster parent in the early 1980s. In the 20 years she was licensed as a foster parent, Patty sat on the Executive Board for FPAWS (Foster Parent Association of Washington State) and the Advisory Board for the Children and Family Ombudsman from the inception of the office until 2015.

Patty began co-training as a foster parent co-trainer in the early 90’s and became certified as a Grief Recovery Specialist in May of 2000. Prior to joining the Alliance, Patty worked in Special Education Services for the Yakima School District beginning in fall of 2000 and was the Right Response Trainer from March of 2003 until she left the district in 2015.