Staff

Christina has been a licensed and practicing Speech and Language Pathologist since 2014. She received her Master of Science in Speech and Language Pathology from the Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy and Health Sciences at the University of the Pacific. She has worked across the lifespan with individuals ranging between 17 months to 101 years. She is passionate about…

Rayme Haskin is a descendent of the Navajo Nation and is also Native Hawaiian. At a young age she was placed up for adoption through California State Adoptions and due to the safeguards of ICWA was placed with a Maidu/Paiute family in Susanville, CA. Those safeguards have been her driving force to give back and help advocate for families in…

Kristin Balboa grew up in Florida where she attended Florida State University, receiving her Bachelors of Science Degree in Family and Child Sciences with a minor in Elementary Education, and certification in Interdepartmental Developmental Disabilities. Kristin has always loved the visual and performing arts as she grew up dancing since the age of seven. Her love for the arts and…

Jennifer Rodriguez is from the Tule River Yokuts Tribe in Central California. She is a graduate student in the Master of Social Work program at San Diego State University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Science in 2021. She serves as the Chair for the Indigenous Social Workers Alliance for the 2022-2023 academic year as well as…

Tamara Strohauer is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, SERVE Indigenous Social Workers for Change Project Coordinator for Southern California, Tribal Support Specialist and Lecturer in the SDSU School of Social Work, and is thrilled to join our team at Acorns to Oak Trees. Tamara has extensive experience in IEP/504 advocacy in schools for children with unique learning abilities, community outreach,…

Mindy Brueggemen has worked professionally with children for over 10 years, four years specifically in the field of Early Intervention & Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). She has her Associates of Science degree in Early Childhood Development. She has assisted tribal families and children specifically working with the Pala Band of Mission Indians.

Linda Ruis is a member of the Iipay Nation of Santa Ysabel and has worked for her tribe for the last 20 years as the Director of Social Services. ICWA has been her life’s passion and she has worked to improve services to tribal communities and has proven to be one of the fiercest advocates for tribal children and families.…