Crystal Fox

Family Support Program Manager

Crystal’s passion for supporting foster, kinship, and adoptive families is deeply rooted in her own lived experience as an adoptive parent. In 2012, she and her husband adopted brothers from foster care—an experience that profoundly shaped her understanding of trauma, healing, and the ongoing journey of building trust and connection. Since beginning her work in child welfare in 2006, Crystal has served in a variety of programs, including reintegration, kinship, and adoption. Through these roles, she has walked alongside families navigating complex systems and emotional challenges, offering empathy, education, and hope. Her firsthand perspective allows her to bridge both the personal and professional sides of adoption, helping caregivers feel seen, supported, and equipped to nurture healing within their homes.

Kelly Tyson

Family Training Specialist

Kelly is a former speech-language pathologist whose personal and professional journey is deeply connected to adoption and trauma. She and her husband are parents to six children, including three adopted from foster care right here in Kansas. After walking through ongoing, intense challenges within her own family, Kelly returned to school to earn her master’s degree in neuroscience and trauma. Since then, she has dedicated herself to training professionals in trauma-informed practices and offering connection, understanding, and hope to adoptive families in crisis. She is excited to join K-PARC and KCSN in supporting Kansas families as they build stronger connections and move toward healing and resilience.

Alex Hepner

Family Advocate

Alex has worked in child welfare and adoption since 2017, and is an adoptive mom herself. She began her adoption journey after providing kinship care through the state of Kansas. Alex enjoys connecting with and supporting families across the state, using her personal experiences to connect with families.

Rachel O'Brien

Family Advocate

Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in Education. Rachel utilizes both her personal and professional experience to connect with families adopting from foster care. An adoptive mom herself to three children, she enjoys supporting families across the state no matter where they are at in their adoption journey.