Our Team

Tara Grigg Green (formerly Garlinghouse) is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Foster Care Advocacy Center. Prior to founding Foster Care Advocacy Center, Tara was a Staff Attorney and Skadden Fellow in the Houston office of Disability Rights Texas, helping to develop the Foster Care Team by providing direct representation to foster children with disabilities in state child welfare proceedings and ancillary proceedings, such as special education litigation and Medicaid appeals. While at Disability Rights Texas she authored an Amicus Brief in support of Plaintiffs in M.D. v. Abbott — class action litigation seeking to reform the Texas foster care system — that was subsequently cited by the Fifth Circuit in the decision affirming the State’s liability. She has extensive experience consulting on child welfare policy issues for organizations such as Casey Family Programs, the American Bar Association Center on Children and the Law, the Texas Children’s Commission, and the United States Children’s Bureau. Tara has also published several law review articles and research papers on the constitutional rights of children and families and quality legal representation in child welfare proceedings. Tara’s passion for this field comes from her family’s experience as a foster family caring for over one hundred foster children. She has received many honors and awards for her work in the field, and she was recently named the National Association of Counsel for Children’s Outstanding Young Lawyer. Tara clerked for the Hon. Micaela Alvarez of the U.S. Southern District of Texas in McAllen. She holds a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School where she was a Toll Public Interest Scholar, a M.P.P. from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government where she was a Taubman Fellow, and a B.A. from Rice University.

Tara

Executive Director

Dani came to the practice of child welfare unexpectedly––she was interning for a District Family Court judge during law school, intending to learn about divorces and child custody, but found the CPS cases more interesting. She then pursued an internship with a widely-regarded local child welfare attorney and fell in love with the field. This work lines up with Dani’s beliefs that parents and children deserve to have a voice in their proceedings. She has spent the last decade learning the intricacies of child welfare law and how to be a zealous advocate for her clients. Dani closed her private CPS practice to join FCAC as the supervising attorney, overseeing and managing all legal matters. She is well-versed, not only in CPS litigation, but special education matters, Medicaid denials, and family law issues. Dani helps FCAC attorneys provide quality representation, while also utilizing all legal tools available to address systemic issues in the child welfare system and meet our clients’ needs. Dani earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Texas – Austin, and her J.D. from South Texas College of Law.

Dani

Supervising Attorney

Tiffany joined FCAC from the Law Office of Bryan Fagan as FCAC’s very first staff attorney. Her passion for helping vulnerable children and families comes from her own experience having a sibling adopted from foster care. Tiffany’s commitment to service also led her to spend 18 months in Mexico City as a missionary for a program called Adventures in Missions. Tiffany got her law degree from Howard University School of Law, where she was a member of the Howard Human and Civil Rights Law Review. As a member of that journal, she won the Paulie Murray Prize and had the honor of being published. At Howard Tiffany was also a member of the Child Welfare/Family Justice Clinic and served as a CASA in Washington, D.C. Tiffany received her undergraduate degree from the University of Houston, where she majored in Political Science and minored in African American Studies. In addition to representing court-appointed clients at FCAC, Tiffany also manages the Community Legal Advocacy clients, from advising on simple family law issues to representing individuals in an appeal of a CPS investigation.

Tiffany

Staff Attorney

With nearly 20 years of experience, Celina Recalde has spent her career working in family, workers’ compensation, and personal injury law. Over the last six years, she has focused on representing families involved with CPS. Celina is passionate about helping families overcome barriers rooted in poverty or discrimination and always seeks to do what is right for each family, parent, or child she represents. Celina has presented twice at the Keeping Infant and Toddlers Safe Conference. In 2016 she presented on the intricacies of representing clients who use medical-assisted treatment, and in 2019 she presented on trauma-informed advocacy. Celina has a BBA in Corporate Finance and a Doctor of Jurisprudence from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. She is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Supreme Court of the United States Bar. Celina joined the FCAC team after several years of private practice taking appointments for child welfare cases in Harris County, including in the specialty “drug court.”

Celina

Staff Attorney

Caitlin Cornelius is a dedicated Staff Attorney at the Foster Care Advocacy Center. She earned her law degree from the University of Houston, pursuing law as a second career to help kids and families after a successful career in tech. Caitlin was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in October of 2023. During law school, Caitlin interned at the Foster Care Advocacy Center, where she learned from some of the best attorneys in Texas, and solidified her passion for the work of FCAC. With a special interest in special education law, Caitlin works tirelessly to ensure the kids and families she serves can reach their potential under the worst of conditions. When she's not working, Caitlin enjoys spending time outdoors and hanging out in Houston with her family.

Caitlin

Staff Attorney

Diontaye Moore serves as a Staff Attorney at the Foster Care Advocacy Center, bringing a deep personal connection to his work from his roots in Queens, New York. His dedication to supporting children and families is inspired by his own experiences, particularly his grandmother's role as a foster parent. Diontaye earned his law degree from Southern University Law Center and holds an undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice from Indiana University–Indianapolis. Passionate about dismantling systemic barriers faced by low-income families, Diontaye is committed to tailoring solutions to meet the unique needs of each family. In addition, he is enthusiastic about mentoring children and is dedicated to advocating vigorously for our parent clients.

Diontaye

Law Clerk

Adam joins FCAC as the organization’s first Development Director. He comes to FCAC with a decade of nonprofit leadership experience. He has co-founded two nonprofits and served in various capacities including volunteer management, community mobilization, awareness initiatives, fundraising, and multi-channel communications. The majority of Adam’s experience is in trauma-informed environments working with individuals who have experienced commercial sexual exploitation. He has trained and equipped thousands of people to better understand the realities of sex trafficking and the factors that fuel exploitation within the commercial sex trade. Adam is a native Houstonian and has spent his entire professional career advocating for vulnerable and marginalized communities. As a first generation college graduate, Adam received his Bachelor of Arts in Theology from Houston Baptist University and graduated Magna Cum Laude. He received numerous accolades including H.B.U.’s highest honor, The President’s Award, in addition to most outstanding student in theology. During his undergraduate work, Adam was named Young T.B. Maston Scholar in Ethics and served as the President of the National Theological Honor Society. Adam also holds a Master of Divinity degree from Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. While attending Baylor, Adam was honored as the Schmeltekopf Servant Leader Scholar and the C.B.F. Leadership Scholar. He brings a high level of development experience to our team as a skilled communicator, researcher, grant writer, copy editor, and content strategist. Adam is excited to serve the incredible FCAC team by developing strategic partnerships and funding streams to sustain and expand the organization’s capacity. Adam is thankful to be a part of an organization that is committed to justice, equity, and zealous advocacy.

Adam

Development Director

Marcus Jordan is an accomplished educator, mentor, and child advocate. Marcus’ passion for making a difference began at a young age. Marcus has had personal experience with the child welfare system.
Inspired by a desire to make a positive impact on society, Marcus turned his attention to being a catalyst for change, supporting youth, and their families through different services. He has worked for different non-profit agencies in Texas, which have all focused on implementing different initiatives in low-income communities. Through strategic partnerships and innovative programs, these nonprofits have made a significant difference in the lives of countless individuals. In addition, Marcus received the Outstanding Direct Service award in 2016 from the Department of Family and Protective Services. Marcus was also recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and received the Children’s Bureau award for his work in San Antonio in 2019.
In addition to his community work, Marcus is a sought-after mentor. He is dedicated to sharing his knowledge and personal experiences to inspire youth of all ages. Marcus’ vision, perseverance, and commitment to making a difference have positioned him as a valued member of different communities. He is excited about the work he will be doing for the Foster Care Advocacy Center and is looking forward to providing holistic advocacy to families in Houston, TX.

Marcus

Social Services Specialist

Nikkole joins FCAC as the Social Services Director, bringing over 10 years of experience in social work with a strong focus on youth and family services. Before joining FCAC, she was the Manager of Care Coordination at a children’s health plan, overseeing care and service delivery for underserved populations. Nikkole is skilled at navigating complex systems, advocating for underrepresented individuals, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to enhance client care and service outcomes. Her career spans healthcare, education, and social services, with a particular interest in the intersection of law and social work. Nikkole has extensive experience working within interdisciplinary teams to support children and families in the child welfare and family defense sectors. She holds a Master of Social Work from New York University, where she was a member of the Family Defense Clinic, and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Howard University. Outside of work, Nikkole enjoys exploring Houston’s vibrant food scene and traveling with her family. When Nikkole was asked why she wanted to work at FCAC and what she was excited about, she said: "I am very excited to be joining FCAC, as I have a lifelong passion for supporting families, specifically when they find themselves facing legal and social challenges. The FCAC team is small but mighty and really leading the way in Texas with its interdisciplinary approach. They are a team I felt I could lend my skills to and support, as the mission of providing holistic advocacy in and out of the courtroom is furthered.”

Nikkole

Social Services Director

Matilda is the first Parent Partner in the entire state of Texas, modeling her work after successful multidisciplinary practices around the county. Though Matilda joined FCAC as part of a short-term pilot program, she quickly became an integral and invaluable member of the team. Because of her lived experience navigating the child welfare system, the criminal justice system, and substance abuse recovery, she is able to connect with FCAC’s parent clients in a way that encourages parents to engage in services and address the causes of CPS involvement. Matilda has a passion for leveraging her personal experiences to help others, and was recognized by Fox 26 news for the community outreach work she has done bringing services to under-resourced individuals. Prior to working at FCAC, Matilda was a recovery coach at Santa Maria, was a program support specialist for the Harris County Star Family Drug Court, and was a case manager at Ambassadors for Christ, assisting runaway and homeless youth in a transitional living facility. She is currently also pursuing her LCDC at Houston Community College.

Matilda

Parent Partner

Gladys Araujo Molina is a Houston native who resides with her husband and son in the city of Pearland. Previously, Gladys was a legal secretary in several prestigious law offices, including Disability Rights Texas and Kennard Law PC. Gladys decided to join FCAC because she believes in the mission of the organization and wanted to do what she could to help FCAC grow and thrive. When Gladys became FCAC’s Legal Operations Specialist, she created a role that did not exist previously but was desperately needed. She does everything from managing the hearings and filings for all of the attorneys to assisting on home visits to provide translation support. Gladys recently decided to return to school to the University of Houston Main Campus to pursue a career in Human Development and Family Studies. When she is not single-handedly keeping FCAC afloat, Gladys enjoys spending time with her family and friends and being outdoors.

Gladys

Operations Manager

Diana is a resident of Houston, Texas, where she lives with her husband and 3 young children. She joins FCAC with a broad administrative experience that she hopes to utilize to contribute to the organization’s mission of providing quality service to families and children in need. Diana is excited to be a part of the FCAC team and is hopeful that with her work experience, ethical values, and willingness to help she can have a positive impact on our community. When she is not working, Diana enjoys spending time with her family, visiting new places, trying new food, and building memories with her loved ones.

Diana

Legal Operations Specialist