Arkansas Commission on Children, Youth, and Families

B.A., magna cum laude, Hendrix College

J.D., highest honors, William H. Bowen School of Law

Justice Wood has served on the Commission since 2014, and she has been chair since 2015. She was elected to the Supreme Court of Arkansas in 2014. She previously served as a Circuit Judge in the 20th Judicial District and as an appellate judge on the Arkansas Court of Appeals. Her experience as a Circuit Judge gave her a passion for improving court processes for families affected by juvenile justice and child welfare cases. Before her judicial service, Justice Wood was an attorney in private practice, a hearing Officer for the Conway Housing Authority, and an Assistance Deams for the William H. Bowen School of Law.

B.A., University of Central Arkansas

J.D., William H. Bowen School of Law

Judge Braswell was elected to the circuit bench in 2014. He began his career as a law clerk for Circuit Judge Tim Fox in Pulaski County, and he went on to serve as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Pulaski County. Before his judicial service, he was Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the 20th Judicial District. He served as the chair of the Juvenile Judges' Committee and formerly was the chair of the Arkansas Youth Justice Reform Board. He has served on the Commission since 2018.

B.A., University of Arkansas

J.D., University of Arkansas

Judge Brown was first elected to the circuit bench in 2008. Previously, he was a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the 11th West Judicial District, and Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Managing partner of Brown & McKissic Law Firm. He also served in the legislative branch as a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives. He is a proud and engaged member of the Pine Bluff community. Judge Brown has been actively involved in numerous judicial committees, including as a Commissioner on the Judicial Discipline and Disability Committee and as former chair of the Juvenile Judges' Committee. He has served on the Commission since 2018.

B.A., Randolph-Macon Women's College

Senator Irvin represents District 24 in the Arkansas Senate. She began her career as a News Editor for KATV Channel 7 News. Later, she worked in marketing as a Marketing Director of Tipton & Hurst and Director of Marketing, Research and Development for Stone County Ironworks and Calico Rock Ironworks. She has served as an Adjunct Professor and Director of the Department of Dance at Hendrix College. She is currently the Marketing Director at Irvin-Dibrell Clinic in addition to her role as a Senator. She previously served on the Commission from 2012-2015, and she began her current term in 2019.

B.S., University of Arkansas - Fort Smith

M.S., Arkansas State University

Representative Gramlich is the husband of Tiffany and father of Bonnie and Cynthia. He has stated he strives to “treat others as you would want to be treated.” He was born and raised in Fort Smith where he attends Saint Boniface Catholic Church. He credits being raised by a family that worked hard and knew the value of putting others before yourself. He graduated from Southside High School in 2011 and attended the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith where he received a Bachelor of Science in Biology with a teaching licensure. He teaches CTE classes at William O. Darby Middle School. During his time at Darby, he earned a Master of Science in Educational Leadership. Zack has a passion for education, science, and the outdoors. He serves on the Public Health, Welfare, and Labor committee, Insurance and Commerce, and Joint Budget. Zack is committed to public service and changing the lives of those who are vulnerable.

B.A., University of Arkansas

J.D., William H. Bowen School of Law

Brooke began working at the Administrative Office of the Courts in 2017 as a staff attorney, and she currently serves as the Juvenile Justice Division Director. Before moving to the AOC, Brooke was in private practice in Little Rock.  She has served on the Commission since 2022.

Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Education and division chief of the elementary and secondary education division. Prior to his tenure in Arkansas, he supervised the division of public schools as chancellor of the Florida Department of Education.

B.A., Florida State University

M.S., Southern New Hampshire University

Kristi Putnam assumed the role of Secretary for the Arkansas Department of Human Services in 2023. With over two decades of experience in policy-making and practical work in areas such as human services, early childhood services, education, workforce development, and health policy. She has accomplished remarkable work in implementing Kentucky's Medicaid transformation, as well as several other innovative policy and process initiatives across the state.

B.A., Midland Lutheran College

M.A., Bellevue University

Tiffany is the Director of the Division of Children and Family Services, responsible for ensuring the safety of children and youth in Arkansas, overseeing child abuse and neglect prevention, foster care, and adoption programs. She has held various roles within DCFS, including Assistance Director of Field Operations, Community Services Program Administrator, Foster Care and Adoption Program Administrator, and Foster Care Manager. Tiffany began her career with DCFS as a family service worker in 2009.

B.A., Arkansas State University

J.D., William H. Bowen School of Law

Michael began as DYS Director in 2018. He previously served as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Criminal Justice Policy Advisory to the Governor Attorney for the Department of Human Services, and Assistant Director of Medical Services. He has served on the Commission since 2018. 

B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

J.D., William Bowen School of Law

Keesa is the Executive Director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families. Before her current position, Keesa was a staff attorney for the Center for Arkansas Legal Services and Deputy Legal Counsel Office of Governor Mike Beebe. Most recently, she was the Deputy Director of Children and Family Services for the Department of Human Services. Keesa joined the Commission in 2023.

A.A., Lansing Community College

B.A., Michigan State University

Tom has been Executive Director of Disability Rights Arkansas since 2013, and he has been President of the National Disability Rights Network Board of Directors since 2019. He began his career as Director of Government and Media Relations for the Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service, Inc. Most recently, he was Executive Director for Disability Rights Wisconsin. He has served on the Commission since 2018.   

Diana has worked with families for over 25 years to evaluate and way.  treat children and adolescents with problematic sexual behavior. Diana emphasizes community safety and recognizes the importance of helping parents develop the skills necessary to support their children in the best possible way. She has served on the Commission since 2018.  

Tressa graduated from Arkansas Tech University and has worked with children and families for 35 years. The last 32 years have been specifically working with therapeutic foster children, their families, and adoptive families. She works closely with the Department of Human Services and the Juvenile Court System, and mental health team to obtain permanency for these children and assist in healing their trauma. She recognizes the importance of training and support for the therapeutic foster parents and adoptive parents to enable them to provide the best care to the children placed in their homes. Tressa was a member of Arkansas Action for Foster Children from 1995–2008 and is currently a member of Family Focused Treatment Association (FFTA) since 2007.

B.A., Hendrix College

J.D., University of Memphis

L.L.M. Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School

M.S.S., U.S. Army War College

LeAnne previously served as an attorney for the Arkansas Department of Human Services. She also served on active and reserve duty in the U.S. Army, retiring after 30 years from the Judge Advocate General's Corps in the rank of Brigadier General. She served in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 2016 to 2020. She has served on the Commission since 2018.

Lavon is currently a Juvenile Drug Treatment Court Coordinator. He has worked with children and families for over 20 years. He has been with Garland County Juvenile Court since 2017 and has held several positions during his tenure, including being the past Juvenile Crisis Supervisor. He currently serves as President of the Arkansas Juvenile Officers Association, Chairperson for Ouachita Children’s and Youth Family Services Board Development Committee, and Board member for the University of Arkansas Little Rock Division of Agriculture. Lavon has in-depth knowledge of the juvenile justice system and is very resourceful and motivated to bring change to his community and beyond.

6th Judicial District

Casey has served her community for over 20 years. Her daughter is her “why” when it comes to the passion for which she tirelessly advocates. Casey spent her first 20 years practicing law at the 6th Judicial Public Defender’s Office. All those years she chose to stay assigned to the Circuit Court Juvenile Division where she represented youth facing delinquency charges. In July 2023, Casey made the transition to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office where she supervises not only the juvenile unit, but also anything within the office relating to children, families, prevention, intervention, rehabilitation, and community betterment. Casey’s passion to protect youth from crisis and violence encompasses advocacy for a complete wraparound approach to improving safety and quality of life not only for children, but also their caregivers in a two-generation approach to serving the community.

University of Arkansas, B.A. Criminal Justice

Grand Canyon University, M.A. Sociology

Drew has 27 years juvenile justice experience working in residential facilities and the juvenile court.  He started his career working at the Washington County Juvenile Detention Center in 1996, and later transitioned to the Benton County Juvenile Court in the year 2000.  For the past 23 years, he has worked as a probation and intake officer. In 2016, Drew then became the Chief Probation Officer.  During his career in Benton County, he became a site JDAI community coordinator for the Anne E. Cassey Foundation.  After 3 years of research and data collection, Drew wrote a grant to repurpose a portion of a juvenile detention center into a state licensed boy’s shelter as an alternative to detention for nonviolent offenders.    

B. S., Arkansas Tech University

M.P.S., University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service

Ashley started her career in public service through the Arkansas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the Arkansas State Police (ASP) as a Project Based Researcher focused on law enforcement wellness and diversity, equity, and inclusivity efforts. After receiving a Masters of Public Service from the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service she became the Public Education Coordinator for the Administrative Office of the Courts in 2022. Ashley has specialized training in peer crisis intervention, law enforcement wellness, and dialogue facilitation.