Our Team
Jane Richardson
Executive Director
Jane Denny Richardson was promoted to Executive Director in August 2023 after spending 5 years as the Program Director at Friends of Foster Children. Jane is determined to make positive changes to the child welfare system and the community and believes that FFC is the change agent to assist in moving the system forward. She is excited to continue to grow the agency and be a support to the dependency system.
She has over 30 years of experience in working in non-profits, advocating for at-risk children and their families in the fields of substance abuse, domestic violence, and child welfare. Prior to FFC, she spent years working as a supervisor in the dependency system and helped create the Extended Foster Care program for Palm Beach County and continues to advocate within the community for teenagers in foster care.
Jane has a degree from Slippery Rock University’s School of Social Work. She has also obtained Certification in Ethical Leadership from the University of South Florida. She has been trained in Trauma Informed Care and has a certification in child welfare case management from the Florida Certification Board.
Jane is proud of her Pittsburgh area roots but equally as proud to now be an active resident in the Lake Worth Beach community where she has lived for the last six years.
Melisa Rehrauer
Program Director
Melisa Rehrauer joined Friends of Foster Children in 2024 as the Program Director. Melisa has over 20 years of experience working in the Child Welfare System and has extensive experience with the continuum of care. Melisa worked first as a family finder where she recruited and retained foster homes, she trained the families through a 12-week MAPP class, maintained their certification, supported the foster families, and placed children foster homes. She then became a case manager where she carried a large number of therapeutic foster children on her caseload. Melisa worked with reunification of children to their families, children stepping down from group home or residential treatment settings, permanent placement of adoption, aging out youth and teaching independent living skills. Melisa was promoted to Assistant Director where she developed two offices, supervised several workers, and oversaw the Bridges 2 Health program.
Melisa holds a deep passion for youth aging out and making sure they have the tools needed to be successful. She is also a strong advocate for children to be reunited with their fathers when it is in their best interest.
Melisa has a Bachelor of Science in Human Service from Hilbert College and a minor in Business Management. Melisa has many certifications such as Trauma Based Therapy, Relationship Building and Leadership.
Melisa is originally from Buffalo, NY, however she loves living in Florida. Melisa loves to workout, spend time at the beach, cook, travel, and most of all spend time with family.
Martha V.
Kinship Navigator
Martha joined Friends of Foster Children in 2022 as one of our Kinship Navigators. Martha brings nearly a decade of case management experience on both Florida coasts. In her case management days, she reunified 95% of her cases. On top of her professional experience and upstanding reputation amongst colleagues, Martha brings her deep-rooted connections with community partners. This includes, but is not limited to judiciary, legal counseling, opposing counseling, and service providers. Martha has had substantial experience working with a diversified population including those with limited resources, disabilities, or language barriers. She looks forward to using her connections and skills for resolving problems and improving her clients' lives.
Martha graduated summa cum laude from Lynn University with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She's been happily married for over 20 years, is a proud mom of an adorable young daughter, loves spending time with her family, and enjoys traveling, cooking, and immersing herself in other cultures. Martha has a certification in Child Welfare Case Management from the Florida Certification Board. She is fluent in English and Spanish.
Vagner R.
Kinship Navigator
Vagner joined Friends of Foster Children in March 2023 as a Connections Specialist and moved into the role of Kinship Navigator. Vagner has over 10 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector, and over 20 years in mental health. Throughout his career, he has serviced youth, adults, and those with a dual diagnosis. Vagner is a Trained Mobile Crisis responder and has worked with local peace officers to help those in mental health crises.
Vagner comes from Chicago, Illinois. He received a degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology from Mount Scenario College in Ladysmith, Wisconsin. His passion is to mentor troubled youth, and have the availability to be an ear and a shoulder for support. He is a lover of all forms of art except Polka.
Danielle G.
Foster Navigator
Danielle joined Friends of Foster Children in 2022 as a Connections Specialist, but is now serving as the FFC Foster Navigator and Recruiter. With nearly a decade of experience working within the dependency system, Danielle is able to apply her knowledge and experience to better serve and support the foster parent’s who care for the Palm Beach County’s foster children. She understands that children need a loving and supportive home to be successful, and that starts with supported foster parents. Danielle is dedicated to spreading the word within our community about the need for more licensed foster homes, and you will often catch her at events doing just that. Danielle has big dreams of finding families to foster older youth and teens, a population that she holds very near to her heart.
Danielle graduated from the City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a Bachelor’s degree in Deviant Behavior and Social Control, and a minor in Sociology. She relocated from Brooklyn, NY to West Palm Beach in 2016, and shockingly misses the cold weather that the Northeast brings. Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, and has two energetic children who keep her on the soccer field!
Josie Mae W.
Public Relations Coordinator
Josie Mae joined Friends of Foster Children in 2025 as the Public Relations Coordinator. With experience at nonprofit organizations, exposure to the dependency system and international orphan care, Josie Mae can apply what she has learned to further connect Friends of Foster Children with the community. Josie Mae is excited to share with the community how they can assist FFC in meeting the needs and desires of the children in care.
Josie Mae was born and raised in Lake Butler, Florida but moved to West Palm Beach in 2021 to further her education. In the spring of 2025, Josie Mae graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic University with a bachelor’s degree in public relations, a minor in Intercultural Studies and a concentration in Leadership. Josie Mae enjoys reading, baking, singing and spending time with friends and family. She also loves a good board game but will get incredibly competitive so beware.
Serenity J.
Life Coach
Serenity joined Friends of Foster Children in 2025 as a Life Coach, bringing both professional knowledge and lived foster care experience. Her passion is to empower foster youth by connecting them with wraparound community resources and supporting the organization’s mission. Previously, Serenity worked as a Mobile Response Technician, where she provided crisis intervention, conducted risk assessments, developed safety plans, and collaborated with community stakeholders to ensure timely, compassionate care.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Social Work from Florida Gulf Coast University and continues to pursue ongoing education in the field. Outside of her work, she enjoys singing, attending church, painting, beach outings, traveling, and cooking for friends and family. She is a devoted mother to her biological adopted brother and brings heart and dedication to all she does.
Jakinda B.
Connections Specialist
Jakinda joined the FFC team in November 2023 as the Connections Specialist. Jakinda brings to us over 13 years of experience working within the child welfare system.
Jakinda graduated from Florida Atlantic University with a degree in Social Work. Jakinda enjoys spending time with her family, reading African American Literary Fiction, and watching Court TV.
