Hearts and Hope, Inc.

Meet Our Staff

Meet Our Program Staff
Each of our program staff assists in making every heart who enters our program on any level feel safe and supported.  Each member of our clinical staff takes part in facilitating support groups, conducting assessments, providing support and guidance to inquiry calls, and educating  the community through community networkings, in-services and educational trainings.  Overall, our staff utilizes their clinical training and expertise to support families and the community with tenderness, compassion and skill to nurture them in their grief experiences. 

Jennifer E. Melvin, LCSW, CT: Jennifer is Hearts and Hope, Inc.’s Associate Director of Program. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Trauma and Loss Specialist, and is Certified in Thanatology (the study of death, dying and bereavement). As Associate Director, she oversees all program services activity, assuring that all support group services and outreach services are effectively and efficiently meeting the needs of our families and the community.

Tara Homeier, MSW: Tara is Hearts and Hope, Inc.’s Director of Outreach Services. She has a Master’s degree in Social Work and is working towards her clinical licensure. As Director of Outreach Services she is responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of all outreach services and educational programs which includes the student intern program, school grief groups, grief and loss education/trainings in the community, prevention programs, the resource library, and crisis support for the individual and community organizations.

Kerry DeBay, LMHC, ATR-BC, CTS: Kerry is Hearts and Hope, Inc.’s Director of Support Group Services. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, a Board-Certified, Registered Art Therapist, and a Certified Trauma Specialist. She is responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of all support group activity including assessments, extended family services, and special family events. She also is responsible for the development, planning and facilitation of the peer support group activities and maintains and coordinates the support group volunteer program.

Patti Hall, MSW, is Hearts and Hope's Program Specialist.  She received her BSW from Florida State University, is a recent graduate of FAU’s Master’s in Social Work program, and is currently working towards her licensure. Patti is responsible for assisting with all the Support Group Services activities, Educational Program activities and Outreach program activities. Patti is usually the voice that’s heard for group reminder calls.

Program Volunteers: Hearts and Hope, Inc. has many wonderful volunteers who serve as “Heart Warmers,” greeting and supporting our families during group dinners, and as “Group facilitators” bringing their training, skills and most importantly their hearts to the supportive group process. All program volunteers are thoroughly screened through local and Federal background checks. Our group facilitators complete a 32-hour training and participate in on-going supervision with clinical staff during their volunteer participation. In addition, all program volunteers commit to their roles and responsibilities for a minimum of one year, providing a consistent and safe environment for the children and families who attend group.  To learn more about this and all other volunteer opportunities, please click on our volunteer page.