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Meet Us Monday: Kara Allen-Eckard

headshot of Kara Allen-Eckardd

Meet Kara Allen-Eckard! Kara has been with CFACE since 2004 and serves as the Center’s Family Leadership Model Program Manager. 

As a staunch advocate for family and community engagement, Kara’s work focuses upon child welfare system reform and improvement. Additionally, Kara has been instrumental in the development of the Center’s child welfare training program—lending her expertise in the content creation of various in person and on-demand courses. 

Kara has taken the lead in many Center initiatives. Currently, she is the program manager and supervisor for the North Carolina Child Welfare Family Leadership Model. Her previous leadership roles include supervisor of the Family and Youth Trainer Program, and program manager for the Department of Public Instruction Child and Family Support Team Program. She has also served as supervisor and contributor to the Youth Leadership Café Grant and Fostering Youth Educational Success initiatives. Additionally, she supported training development and delivery for the Family Centered Practice Project, Family Group Decision Making (in partnership with Cree First Nations) and Family Group Decision Making and Family Finding Programs, in partnership with the Kempe Center. 

When asked what she enjoys most about working with the Center, Kara says she enjoys, “the opportunity to work with systems to authentically engage families in decision making.” 

Outside of her work at the Center, Kara enjoys time outdoors. She says, “I love being outside engaging in a whole host of activities including skiing, biking, hiking, playing and coaching lacrosse. I also love music of all kinds and can’t wait until we are able to get together to hear live music again.”  

We are very lucky to have Kara as part of our team, and we appreciate all of her hard work and dedication! For more information, please check out her staff biography.