Case Consultants
OCR offers attorneys the option to work or consult with a Case Consultant (CC) who contracts directly with OCR on an as-needed basis. CCs are professionals who work with the attorney as part of the child’s legal team to contribute expertise and experience in social work, counseling, child development, education, and other fields. Their expertise enhances the attorney’s independent investigation and legal positions. Use of CCs can expedite time to permanency and case resolution, increase reunification, improve preservation of family connections, and increase adoption. The ABA, the DHHS Children’s Bureau, and NACC recognize the importance of an interdisciplinary team approach.
Frequently AskedQuestions
How are OCR's direct-contract Case Consultants (CCs) selected?
OCR engages in an interview, background check, and reference review process to determine contracts.
Does OCR offer CC oversight, evaluation, and support?
- OCR evaluates OCR-contracted Case Consultant performance through attorney, stakeholder, and youth feedback, and review of case consultant activities.
- OCR investigates complaints concerning contract case consultants.
- OCR trains Case Consultants, provides practice supports, and staffs cases with consultants.
How do I request an OCR CC to help on my case?
Consider case consultants when your case presents issues such as the following: mental health, medically fragile, family offenses, sex offenses, drug abuse, truancy, domestic violence, trafficking, and difficult-to-engage clients. Instructions to request a CC for one of your appointments can be found within the Help menu of CARES.
How is a CC assigned after my request?
- Within one business day, OCR will confirm receipt of your request.
- After a conflict check, the OCR aims to assign the case to a CC within two business days. (If there is an emergency requiring fewer than two business days, contact the Case Consultant Coordinator for assistance. As an additional safety measure, the requester has 24 hours after notice of assignment to request a different CC; otherwise the CC is assigned.)
- Whenever a Case Consultant is assigned, OCR will send an introduction email and provide you with the name and contact information of the CC. If for any reason a CC cannot be assigned, the Case Consultant Coordinator will reach out within one business day of that determination.
How are CCs paid?
The activities of CCs who are members of the attorney’s office in CARES are included on the office’s invoice like any other member of that office.
CCs who contract directly with OCR invoice independently in CARES, meaning OCR pays its contract case consultants directly and attorneys will not see those activities on their office’s invoices. When one of OCR’s contract CCs is assigned to one of your appointments, OCR may seek your input in reviewing the reasonableness of their billing. OCR is responsible for OCR-contracted CCs’ 1099 and other tax documentation.
Are there limits to the type of case for requesting a CC?
No. Most CCs work on D&N and JD cases but they are available for other case types as well.
Are there geographical limits to requesting a CC?
Yes. The hope is OCR will have additional CCs to be available throughout Colorado, but until then there will be a limit to how far CCs can travel. That does not prevent lawyers in other parts of Colorado requesting a CC, who is closer to their child's/youth's placement, be assigned to a case.
If in-person contact is not necessary, CCs who are not geographically close can still help with reviewing records and evaluating resources to inform the lawyer's advocacy.
How do I request approval to add my own CC to my staff and office in CARES?
From the left-side menu while logged into CARES, Managing Attorneys can click User Settings > My Office and find the Add Staff button in the upper right of the screen to make the request any time.
Please note, this is to request that a CC of your choice gains full access to your Office in CARES just like a paralegal or other staff; their billing will be part of your invoices unlike the OCR-direct-contract CCs above. We recommend reviewing Staff/Managing CCs in OCR’s Billing Policies and Procedures.
Resources For YourLegal Team
Resources and information about how Case Consultants can bolster your legal team and advocacy.
Case Consultants'Toolkit
Logistical supports for your practice as a Case Consultant.
ContractCase Consultants
Meet OCR’s current team of contract case consultants. Case Consultants are not limited to working only in their home counties.
Isela Jamie Amaral
Spanish Speaking
My name is Isela Jamie Amaral and I currently live in Weld County. I attended Mesa State University in Grand Junction, CO and earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. In 2014, I earned my master’s in criminal justice from Arizona State University. I thought that working in law enforcement was my calling; however, after working for law enforcement agencies and Community Corrections, I decided I could be more helpful working with families and children. I worked as a caseworker for child welfare for 7 years, I’ve held positions in assessment, ongoing, kinship / foster, and as a generalist. I am SAFE certified, bilingual (Spanish), and have incredible engagement skills.
I have been working as a private case consultant for the last 8 months and have really enjoyed being part of the GAL team. I enjoy learning new things, I love being an advocate for children and giving them a voice in situations where they may feel out of their control. I think too often the system is fixated on checking boxes versus really looking at the best interest of a child and the impact that any type of system involvement really has on their life. I believe that my experience, my education, and my ability to engage with families and children is a valuable resource in my capacity as a case consultant.
Hannah Becktell
Hannah Becktell received both her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work from Texas State University – San Marcos. Hannah is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Addiction Specialist with experience working with children and families in multiple settings. She has worked with children and families as a contracted Caseworker for the El Paso County Department of Human Services, as a staff member working in a group home for at-risk youth, and as a Medical Social Worker for the Mother Baby Unit at a local hospital. Hannah’s experience has allowed her to gain insight as to the barriers families are facing in the Child Welfare System and the resources needed for them to move forward and be successful. Hannah hopes to act as a voice for youth to help them achieve permanency and prevent them from feeling lost in the system.
Margery Brennan
Margery is a Colorado native currently living in beautiful Palisade, the heart of fruit growing and winemaking on the Western Slope. She started her career as a teacher in a residential treatment center for youth involved in juvenile justice. Her career expanded from there to include coordinating non-residential services for a local non-profit, and prevention services for the school district 51. Her specialty is trauma informed care with an emphasis on brain regulation. Currently, she is in private practice offering healing centered engagement for children and their families, substance use evaluation and treatment and Restoration Services for OBH.
Matt Cloven
Matt Cloven has worked with people with disabilities of all ages for approximately 20 years. In this time he has helped families, individuals, and professionals navigate the many systems that impact people with disabilities. Some of these systems include education (special education and 504), justice (restoration of competency educator, ADA expert and consultant in child welfare cases), and public services (Medicaid, DVR, SSI). Matt has been a disability advocate and consultant professionally since 2014 and has provided educational and systems support, as well as disability-specific training for families, GALs, and child welfare and community-based provider agencies across Colorado.
Though much of his knowledge comes from this work, Matt also has certificates from attending the William & Mary Law Institute of Special Education Advocacy. He is also a certified assessor for Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) and is a Court Visitor for guardianship and conservatorship probate cases in Larimer County. He holds his Masters in Cultural History and Philosophy
Grace Combs
Grace obtained her MSW, with a concentration in Mental Health, from MSU Denver and is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW). Grace has experience supporting children with developmental disabilities and/or acute mental health struggles for over 10 years in various settings: special education, school-based, emergency departments, and therapeutic settings. Her experiences are in completing assessments, participating in IEP meetings, providing therapeutic play-based services, and crisis intervention. She also completed a year-long graduate internship with the El Paso County Office of the GAL and has contracted as a CC with OCR since mid-2022. Grace has experience working the full life of Dependency & Neglect (D&N), Juvenile Delinquency (JD), and Truancy cases. Grace currently works in a private practice providing play-based therapeutic services and with local emergency departments providing crisis intervention. Grace’s specialty lies in using her therapeutic background to build trusting relationships with children of varying struggles and traumatic histories.
Kim Daulton
I obtained my master’s degree in Community Mental Health from Argosy University in 2008. I also hold a bachelor’s degree in psychology from 2005. I am passionate about helping people; to help them heal, to find a sense of safety, and to utilize their power so that they can create the boundaries needed for healing. I have a mental health private practice where I help people heal from trauma, work through grief, and help them create the life they desire. I am passionate about working with families and children to help gather the information needed for the best outcome for the child. I find joy in being an advocate for children and helping to give individuals a voice, where they feel invisible and unheard. It is a privilege to be a part of the GAL/CFY team and to work together to find the best possible outcome.
Chloe DeMarsh
Chloe DeMarsh is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with years of experience working with children, youth and families in both Colorado and Ohio. Chloe also holds an Animal Assisted Social Work certificate from the University of Denver. She has a passion for finding alternative therapeutic interventions to help clients meet their needs and goals Chloe’s practiced as a mental health clinician at a youth homeless shelter, juvenile probation office, The Boys and Girls Clubs, and a child placement agency. Working within a variety of settings and systems, Chloe has a well-rounded understanding of how to navigate the education and legal systems, mental health and correctional facilities, community resources, and therapeutic modalities. She is SAFE certified and trained in the Pressley Ridge curriculum.
Tricia Denniger
Tricia is a Colorado native who earned an undergraduate degree from Hope College, MSW from the University of Illinois at Chicago, and JD from Barry University School of Law before returning home in 2012. Since that time she has worked in a residential treatment facility, mentored, volunteered extensively, ran a youth volunteering program as well as a program serving the needs of families seeking visitation services. This wealth of experience allows her to navigate children and family dynamics, the legal system and the diversity of clients and professionals within each. Her passion is improving the lives of children. Her vision is to provide resources and tools that will help each child to overcome obstacles and feel supported throughout their lives. In both her personal life and professional career, Tricia has worked extensively in both direct and indirect care with underserved populations.
Kimberly Hardesty
My education includes a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs in 2002 and a Master of Arts in Counseling Education, Community Counseling track, from Adams State University in 2009. I also am an LPC. I began my work in human services in 2006 as a generalist caseworker for Alamosa County, which is where I grew up after moving from Salida. I went on to gain experience as a therapist in residential treatment, ages 10 and up, as well as family preservation services and supervised visitation. I worked as a Caseworker for El Paso County in Kinship, completing kinship assessments, SAFE certified home studies, and family search as well as for Pueblo County in the Children’s Intensive Treatment Program, often supporting drug-exposed infants and their families, then in their Crisis Unit. I am currently in private practice as a therapist, with a specialty in trauma. I have found there is often a consensus that can be reached when the proper amount of time and support is offered.
Jessie Hazen
My name is Jessie Hazen and I currently live in Denver County. I hold a master’s degree in Social Work from Columbia University. I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the State of Colorado and have been practicing in the social work field for the past 20 years. Currently, I work at Denver Health Medical Center Lake School Based Clinic as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and provide therapy to children ages 5 to 18. Additionally, in my time at Denver Health Medical I served as the supervisor of both the Mobile Crisis Unit and Inpatient Behavioral Health Units. Through this experience I gained a strong understanding of both mental health and substance abuse treatment.
Prior to working at the Denver Health Medical Center, I worked for the Denver Department of Human Services from 2000 to 2013. My position included but was not limited to working as a Lead Social Caseworker on an Emergency Response Team, completing investigations into child abuse and neglect, including both Institutional Abuse and Child Fatalities investigations, providing in home family preservation services and as a lead worker on the Family Finding Unit.
I am trained in trauma informed care, and I work through a trauma informed and attachment lens. I understand the importance of family systems and believe that connecting and engaging families leads to the best results for children. I look forward to utilizing the combination of my child welfare experience, therapeutic experience, and crisis intervention skills to assist children and families.
Brinda Jacques
Brinda Jacques has a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Southeastern University and a master’s degree in Social Work from University of Denver where she concentrated in mental health. She is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) in the state of Colorado. Additionally, Brinda currently attends University of Denver Sturm College of Law. Brinda has experience as an intake caseworker in La Plata County, where she was involved with Dependency and Neglect proceedings. Brinda’s deep understanding of Volume 7 and the child welfare practices can provide families with strong advocacy in navigating the child welfare system and developing client-centered and behaviorally based treatment plans. Brinda was a foster parent for 8 years, which gives her a unique perspective to the functionality of the foster care system. Brinda is SAFE home study certified and can assist in advocating for children to return to home when appropriate or be placed with relatives. Brinda also has experience as a domestic violence advocate and can assist in identifying resources and support.
Autumn Johnson
Autumn has supported GAL/CFYs as a Case Consultant privately and she is a member of OCR’s DEI committee. She is certified as a Caseworker in two states (Colorado and Indiana) and has held roles as a Caseworker in both. She has experience in investigation (assessment) as well as in permanency roles. She formally worked for the statewide crisis hotline, Colorado Crisis Services taking inbound suicide crisis and mental health crisis calls for over three years. Autumn worked in Community Mental Health as the Child/Family Operations Manager for All Health. Autumn is skilled with Neurodivergent children, mental health, domestic violence, and substance use concerns within cases. Autumn is passionate about taking a person-centered approach and she is a fierce advocate for Anti-Racism.
Leah Lefever
My name is Leah Lefever and I currently live in Morgan County. I have a master’s degree in social work from Campbellsville University and am a Licensed Social Worker. My most recent experience includes being a school social worker. As a school social worker, I conduct evaluations, support the mental health needs of students, and link families to community resources, amongst other things. One of the accomplishments I am most proud of as a school social worker is leading an effort to ensure that all staff are trained in NME, how we can apply our knowledge of brain development and trauma to our work with children.
My other experiences include working in child welfare and medical social work. As a caseworker I primarily worked in the ongoing and adoption units, therefore I have a good understanding of the child welfare system and Dependency & Neglect cases. I am appreciative that I have been able to support families and they have allowed me to be part of their journey during their most vulnerable time. I am passionate about supporting families and am excited about being able to continue to advocate for children as a case consultant!
Hillary Nipple
Hillary Nipple, LCSW, M.Div, has over 15 years of social work experience including obtaining MSW from the University of Denver with a specialization in child welfare and a BA in general psychology with minors in Women’s Studies and Leisure and Therapeutic Recreation from Bay Path University in Massachusetts. She worked as a Caseworker in Denver County where her concentration was intake and then home-based services. Later, as a Permanency Caseworker in Jefferson County, she was certified as an expert numerous times. Hillary has been a practicing mental health therapist for five years before becoming a Clinical Supervisor in 2021. She is a highly sought after supervisor for licensure for new LCSWs. She is trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Eye Movement Sensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, Acudetox, Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and is working towards becoming a Licensed Addictions Counselor (LAC). Hillary is a Foster Parent, which adds to her breadth of experience in the child welfare system. She lives with her wife, foster sons, dogs and geese.
Eloise Ramirez
Spanish Speaking
I have lived in CO for almost my entire life, but I am a native of Texas. I am bilingual in Spanish. I currently work as a bilingual mental health provider, a youth treatment counselor, and a certified nurse assistant. I earned my master’s in social work with an emphasis on families, children, and trauma; and earned my bachelor’s degree in human services with a concentration on criminal justice. I have worked in child welfare for over 10 years as an intake aide, screener on the child abuse hotline, a case aide, and a parenting time supervisor. As a mental health provider, I have worked with various age groups from newborns through elderly populations; provide assessments, treatment plans and support patients with mental health concerns and behavioral needs. My passion is with families and children, and I look forward to supporting families and being an advocate for children as a case consultant.
Barbra Remmenga
I have practiced as an attorney in the 7th judicial district since 1991, primarily as guardian ad litem. I have been appointed as GAL in dependency and neglect cases, juvenile delinquency cases, mental health cases, probate cases. I have been appointed as CLR in domestic relations cases and now CFY in dependency and neglect cases. I am also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Tricia Roberts
Tricia Roberts has a B.S. in Parks, Recreation, and Leisure with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation and is a nationally certified CTRS with years of experience providing therapeutic services in many environments to include state mental health facilities and prisons. Tricia also has a Masters of Science in Criminal Justice and Behavior Management with a focus on Behavioral Analysis and utilized these skills to work with juveniles in residential treatment centers, providing BT work with kids on the Autism spectrum; and in her work as a Case Consultant when working with youth who exhibit significant behavioral concerns and in understanding assessments, and approaches to education. Tricia also holds a Masters of Education in Education Policy and Leadership.
Tricia has been working as an independent Case Consultant since 2016 and has built an excellent reputation amongst professionals Tricia also brings to the table additional experience and training with the Department of Justice- PREA Investigation and Implementation as well as policy development. Tricia has legislative advocacy experience and has partnered with The Opportunity Institute, The NAACP Education Legal Defense Fund. The Dignity in Schools Campaign on research projects and policy development and system needs identification and COVID specific research and quality and compliance issues on a state and federal level, specifically in Colorado at an RCCF level.
As a mother of 4 Twice-Exceptional children and personal experience as a twice-exceptional child/adult have fueled her passion for educational advocacy. In addition, her military experience has allowed her to refine her skills and ability to commit to hard work with difficult teammates to work together and accomplish seemingly impossible goals. These skills, coupled with her life and career experience navigating complex medical issues and the red tape in bureaucratic systems, have inspired her to shine a light on issues that often get overlooked, such as competency.