Vanessa joined the Self-Help Network in July 2006. She works with the Compassion Kansas, Community Organizational Development, and Visioneering Wichita Teams.

Prior to coming to the SHN, Vanessa worked as a Community Planning Assistant for United Way of the Plains. In that role, she acted as Grant Administrator for Smart Start Wichita, facilitated two Community Impact Councils (“Children & Families” and “Basic Needs”), coordinated the HealthWave Outreach Project, and served as a Call Specialist for 2-1-1 Kansas. Vanessa started her career in 1992 at the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services – Wichita Region as a Social Worker in Children and Family Services, working with children living with Severe Emotional Disturbances and their families. She later became the Region’s Adoption Contract Specialist, where she continued to work with families until 2003.

A Wichita State University alum, Vanessa’s passion is acting as a voice for families who have children with special needs. She has been a member of the Sedgwick County Early Childhood Coordinating Council (SCECCC) since 1997 as well as having served as the SCECCC Chair in 2000 and 2002 . The Kansas Department of Early Childhood named her “Outstanding Contributor” for 2002-2003 in honor of her dedication to young children and their families.