Join Laura Lefever and Kristin as they talk about the importance of focusing on children's mental health, Laura's journey working with The Children's Center, and her podcast! Laura Lefever is a native of Detroit and a graduate of Detroit Public Schools and Wayne State University with a BS in Criminal Justice. When asked, Laura will tell you that her professional home is with The Children’s Center, where she has worked with children and families for 26 years. Throughout her career at The Children’s Center, Laura has worked in the Home Base Program, coordinated hospital and residential services for children requiring specialized care, grew enrichment services developing an integrated summer camp for kiddos who were not welcomed into traditional summer camps. Laura also overall programming of 21st Century Afterschool grant services for 20 Detroit Public School sites, and served as a early childhood Head Start Director for five years. Laura currently serves as Director of Community Projects at The Children’s Center, where her passion for children and their families allows her to advocate on local and state levels for behavioral health care. Lefever also serves as the staff liaison for the parent-led Consumer Advisory Council at The Children’s Center and Board President of NAMI-Detroit. The opportunity to host a podcast that speaks to mental health awareness and advocacy for children and families is certainly something that Laura is impassioned about. www.thechildrenscenter.com