Dawn Marie-Rubio: Dawn Marie-Rubio has worked on behalf of state courts for her entire 30-year legal career. She joined the Washington Administrative Office of the Courts as State Court Administrator on January 1, 2019. Previously, Rubio worked with the Utah Administrative Office of the Courts, where she served as the Juvenile Court Administrator for Utah’s statewide Juvenile Court and was appointed as Utah’s Commissioner for the Interstate Commission for Juveniles. She also worked as the Assistant Director of the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. For 11 years, Rubio was a Principal Court Management Consultant with the National Center for State Courts, and she directed national, state, and local projects improving court organization, processes, and court operations involving children, families, and problem-solving courts. She received NCSC’s 2006 Staff Excellence Award. She began her career in Florida with the Seventeenth Judicial Circuit Court Administrator’s Office. She is a trained mediator and a member of the Florida Bar Association. Bachelor of Science (psychology) and Juris Doctor, University of Florida. Fellow, Court Executive Development Program, Institute for Court Management.
Gabrielle: My name is Gabrielle, and my friends call me Gabbi. I am working with AOC through Mason County Therapeutic courts and the Family Recovery Court Program (FRC). I am the mother of 5 children. All different and amazing in their own unique ways. 2 of my 5 kiddos are at home, and the other 3 are 20+ years old and out of the house on their own. I consider myself to be a super lucky person living a life that has been given to me as a learning experience and a true blessing. About 5 years ago I felt like my life was falling apart, and really, it was. It took me a couple of years to figure out that instead of fighting that change, I needed to embrace it. Looking at my “life” then, it was easy to see that it was a mess, not only for me, but for all of those in my life. My siblings, my kids, everyone. I luckily (reluctantly) went to treatment and while I was there started FRC. I was in treatment for 6 months and graduated. I graduated IOP and FRC. I learned so much accountability, responsibility, and how life has such great opportunities. I learned that nothing was out of my reach. Instead of my life’s past incidences holding me back, I now held on to them as learning experiences, that I can reflect on to show myself and others that have been through similar things how far someone can come when they truly try. The sky is the limit. I now have custody of both of my kids that had been removed from my care at my lowest point. I worked for two different attorneys’ offices before I was contacted by FRC of Mason Co. to become a caseworker. I feel so happy and grateful to be able to be in a position to lead by example. I love the example I am able to set now, but I would never take away my past. With that I also can show an example of how wonderful sobriety and addressing and getting help for the co -occurring issues that so many people face is well worth the time and effort invested. Now I enjoy living life. I love camping with my kids and swimming in the summer. We inner tube and go on hikes in the winter. I love helping with homework, and being an active part of their schooling. I am truly grateful for the people I continue to meet.
Jessica: June 28th 2021 I graduated FTC. After a long journey starting in 2017. I have successfully reunified my family. I have 5 children ages 15, 7, 4, 3 and 3. (Twins!) I’ve enjoyed this past summer making the best memories with my kids. We love to go to the pool! Almost every day. We experienced a lot of firsts. Like going to the beach together and a camping trip. We came up with traditions to repeat every year. An example is were going to the same place at the same tree to take pictures before school starts. My focus the last few months has been to enjoy this time with my children. I absolutely love being a mom! I am transitioning into going back to work. I’m fortunate that a job I was interested in is still looking to fill a position. I wanted to apply while I was still doing services. I will be applying to work at the UA office. I just feel like I would be a great asset to their team. Because of my life experience I might be able to help somebody.
Julie Lowery: Julie Lowery serves as the Family Treatment Court Project Manager. Prior to coming to AOC, Julie worked at Pierce County Juvenile Court and Coordinated Care where she lead several collaborative efforts resulting in improvements in child welfare. The career accomplishment she is most proud of is launching the first Parents for Parents program in Washington in 2005. Julie is dedicated to improving systems in order to best serve and support families.
Meghan Fitzgerald, PhD: Meghan Fitzgerald is the current Family Treatment Court Training Coordinator with the Administrative Offices if the Courts (AOC). Meghan came to AOC with a PhD in Spider Behavior from the University of Wisconsin Madison and a B.S. in Biological Sciences from the University of North Carolina Greensboro. She has trained more than 100 student employees virtually and in person, taught pre-nursing students how to identify bacterial strains & how a neuron uses chemicals to send messages; and has helped new freshman design experiments using spiders, hissing cockroaches, and honeybees. She has been a Guardian ad Litem since 2017, is a child abuse survivor, and is passionate about making the dependency system safer, more equitable, and a place where families can learn to thrive.
Dr. Karen A. Johnson: Dr. J, is the inaugural Director for the newly created Washington State Office of Equity, established by the legislature and signed into law in April 2020. The office will work with agencies to increase access to equitable opportunities in order to bridge opportunity gaps and reduce disparities. The office will also work with communities to develop the state’s five-year equity plan. An inspiring, authentic, servant leader with decades of experience in both managerial and leadership roles in the non-profit sector and in federal and state government, Dr. J is energized by helping others excel. She lives her legacy by unapologetically championing and challenging others to embrace, emulate, and embed a culture where everyone commits to collectively value, include, hear, and respect each other so that individual and organizational excellence is realized. She volunteers her time with people, places, and purposes focused on children, environmental justice, and underserved populations. A few examples of her current and former board service include the South Sound YMCA, Thurston Climate Action Team, the Making a Difference Foundation, Black Alliance of Thurston County, and the YWCA of Olympia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy, a master’s in public administration, and doctorate in Urban Services. She is also a member of the 2018 Leadership Women America cohort. Dr. J says, “I will work toward equity and justice for all… until justice rolls down as waters.”
KatieBelle: KatieBelle is a graduate of the Thurston County Family Recovery Court (FRC). KatieBelle had struggled with alcohol addiction most of her adult life and the losses she had already endured were immeasurable. She had tried numerous times to get into and succeed in recovery. When her daughter was removed from her care in 2018 KatieBelle hit rock bottom. It was through incredible strength, networks of support, and accountability that she was to reunify her family and embark on a journey of profound personal change and growth. Through her lived experienced she has gained invaluable insight into the multitude of external and internal challenges that parents face while navigating the dependency court system. In particular, KatieBelle advocates for the power of mindfulness in maintaining sobriety and establishing healthy personal boundaries. She currently volunteers and does peer support work at HeartStrides Therapeutic Horsemanship, where she helps teach others the principles of self-regulation and compassion through equine-assisted recovery support. KatieBelle holds an AA in Early Childhood Education and is actively working towards becoming a Certified Peer Support Specialist with the goal of entering a career where she can utilize her unique experience, knowledge, and skills to support parents.
Kelly Warner-King: Kelly Warner-King, JD, is the Manager of the Family & Youth Justice Programs at the Administrative Office of the Courts. An attorney with extensive legal and policy experience in child welfare and education, Kelly leads programs that improve court systems to promote thriving families and equitable court communities. Previously, she served as Director of the Court Improvement Training Academy (CITA), where she developed and delivered training for judicial officers and court partners and facilitated interdisciplinary court improvement efforts. Kelly serves on a variety of state-level workgroups to improve the administration of justice in child welfare. Kelly’s experience includes work in the dependency court system as an attorney for parents and children, the manager of the King County Family Treatment Court and the coordinator of the Supporting Early Connections program for the Center for Children & Youth Justice. She was also the first Legal Ombuds in the Washington State Office of the Education Ombuds and worked as an education policy analyst with the RAND Corporation. Kelly received her law degree from New York University, where she focused on juvenile rights and representation, and her undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia.
Laura Vogel: Laura Vogel is the Child Welfare Training and Court Improvement Specialist with the Administrative Office of the Courts where she coordinates training opportunities for judicial officers and court partners, along with facilitating cross-systems court improvement efforts. Prior to working for AOC, Laura was employed by Thurston County Superior Court as the Family Recovery Court Coordinator, and subsequently as the Safe Babies Court Community Coordinator. Originally from the Midwest, Laura’s early career involved coordinating specialty criminal domestic violence courts and high-risk lethality teams. She spearheaded the effort that resulted in the implementation of the first domestic violence court program in the state of North Dakota. Laura received her Master of Public Administration degree from Kent State, where she focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of public systems. Laura is also a Certified Trauma Support Specialist and brings expertise in trauma-responsive practices, mindfulness, cross-systems collaboration, and therapeutic court programs.
Mikala Meize-Bowers, PhD: Mikala serves as the Family Treatment Court Implementation and Performance Researcher. She completed her Ph.D. in Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University where her research focused on the effects of cannabis legalization on the juvenile and criminal justice systems. Mikala also earned a B.S. in Psychology and a M.A. in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Washington State University. Her education, research, and life experience has instilled a passion for making a positive difference in the lives of others. Mikala actively pursues this goal by working with the Washington Family Treatment Courts.
Molly : I have 4 wonderful kids, 3 girls and 1 crazy 3 year old son. I grew up on a Dairy farm out in Roy WA and I’m currently living in Mckenna. I enjoy spending most of my time with my kids, and doing anything in Recovery. I’ve been in Recovery for over two years now and I can’t imagine it any other way. I am currently working at Evergreen Treatment Services which is a MAT program as a Drug testing Technician. I’m also enrolled at Centralia College in the Chemical Dependency Program to get my SUDPT starting in the winter quarter. I’m extremely excited about being a part of this program. Sharing my Experience, Strength and hope with everyone!!
