Sophia Alvarez
sophia.alvarez@nebraska.gov
(402) 763-7898
Associate Public Guardian - Senior Legal Counsel
6B East; Omaha

Sophia grew up in Ft. Worth, Texas where she received a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas Woman's University in 1998. Sophia earned a Master of Science in Plant Breeding and Genetics from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in 2001, and then worked as the Assistant Director for the UNL Upward Bound Math/Science Project. Sophia completed her JD at UNL - College of Law in 2006. During law school, Sophia clerked at Nebraska Disability Rights helping to draft the Law in Brief series and working on a grassroots voting rights campaign for people with disabilities. After graduating from the College of Law, Sophia worked at various private firms and Legal Aid in the areas of family law, juvenile law, criminal law, consumer law, Social Security law, and landlord/tenant law. Sophia's long held passion for public interest law has led her to this position with the Office of Public Guardian.

Brad Brake
brad.brake@nebraska.gov
(402) 580-5629
6C East; Omaha/South Sioux City

Brad Brake originally grew up on a farm in southwest Minnesota. He attended college at Hamline University in St. Paul, MN where he majored in sociology/religious studies. During his time at Hamline, he worked at an after school program for Karen children. After graduating in 2010, Brad moved to Omaha, Nebraska in order to work on policy and development with the Nebraska Synod, ELCA. After that, he moved to Lincoln to attend law school at UNL. While at UNL, he worked at various nonprofits that included the ACLU and Nebraskans for Civic Reform. He graduated in May and is eager to start his next adventure at the Office of Public Guardian. 

Janelle Cantu
janelle.cantu@nebraska.gov
(402) 681-1929
7 Southeast; Papillion

Janelle Cantu graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2001 with a major in Sociology, and holds a certificate from Boston University’s Center for Aging and Disability Education and Research. Janelle was hired with the Department of Health and Human Services’ Children and Family Services as an Economic Services Worker where she managed caseloads with individual receiving food stamps, ADC, childcare, Medicaid and other economic services. Janelle was on the pilot team for the development of the new call center for AccessNebraska. She moved on to DHHS’ Division of Developmental Disabilities and worked as a services coordinator, and managed a caseload of individuals with intellectual disabilities. She helped to transition individuals from the Beatrice State Developmental Center into the community. She also worked with individuals that were court ordered, by a board of mental health petition (BMHP), into the Division’s custody. Janelle acted as a guardian for the individual’s under the BMHP. Janelle also worked with Eastern Nebraska Office on Aging as a services coordinator for individuals over 65 years of age. 

Jena Davenport
jena.davenport@nebraska.gov
(531) 333-6236
5B East Central; Lincoln

Jena is a rural Nebraska native who began her career in human services working with aging adults in a memory care setting. She attended Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln and earned her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work and Sociology/Anthropology. Jena went on to attend the University of Nebraska - Omaha and earned her Master's Degree in Social Work. She completed graduate clinical hours providing family therapy at the Munroe Meyer Institute and worked with grandparents raising their grandchildren at Nebraska Children's Home Society. Jena's professional experience includes working with clients experiencing homelessness, substance abuse, mental health diagnoses, and interpersonal violence. She worked in the Intellectual Disability field for 7+ years in multiple roles, most recently as a Developmental Disability Community Coordination Specialist for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Jena is honored to serve individuals through her role with the Office of Public Guardian.

Kimmie Fox
kimmie.fox@nebraska.gov
(402) 405-6893
6E East Area; Omaha

Kimmie Fox was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska. She attended the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, completing a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology. She received dual Masters’ in Social Gerontology and Legal Studies from the University of Nebraska College of Public Affairs and Community Service and the Nebraska College of Law, respectively. Kimmie interned for AARP Nebraska and the Nebraska Office of Public Guardian, while in undergraduate and graduate school. She took a year of service as an AmeriCorps VISTA, working with the Nebraska State Unit on Aging as a resource developer for senior populations. Kimmie also worked as an adjunct professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Kimmie is excited to be given the opportunity to again work with the Office of Public Guardian. 

Fred Graves
fred.graves@nebraska.gov
(308) 227-8833
3C Mid Central; Grand Island

Frederic Graves was born and raised in Grand Island Nebraska.  He earned  a BAeD with Teaching Endorsements in Communicative Arts at UNK.   Fred started working part time with the Intellectually Delayed population in 1992 and worked on several projects at UNK including developing individualized curriculum for both gifted and special needs students.  After working 10 years full time with a DD Community Based Service Provider, Fred became a DD Service Coordinator for DHHS in 2006.  Fred helped establish a non-profit tabletop gaming club with a mission statement to foster face to face social connections in his community and owns and helps operate a used bookstore he originally purchased with his father.

Jordan Harvey
jordan.harvey@nebraska.gov
(402) 536-0315
6A East; Omaha

Jordan attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha and received a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She graduated with a Master’s in Clinical Counseling from Bellevue University.  Jordan’s previous work experience includes working with uninsured individuals and assisting them with applying for state and federal programs, such as Medicaid and Social Security Disability. During her graduate internship, she provided counseling services for adults, children and families. Jordan has many years of case management experience and working with area agencies on obtaining resources for clients.

Alicia Husted
alicia.husted@nebraska.gov
(402) 440-7740
5D East Central; Lincoln

Alicia Husted, also known as Ali, grew up in Cortland, NE, a small town south of Lincoln. She attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney and received a bachelor’s degree in psychobiology, with minors in health science and criminal justice. The majority of her experience has been within the field of developmental disabilities. Alicia started working in college at an Intermediate Care Facility for persons with Intellectual Disabilities. She then moved to providing community based services residentially and then as a Program Trainer for vocational services. Alicia moved back to the Lincoln area after college, briefly working in assisted living before taking a position with DHHS as a Developmental Disabilities service coordinator. She thoroughly enjoyed working in that position for the next 5 years until taking the position as Associate Public Guardian.  

Lisa Ludden
lisa.ludden@nebraska.gov
(402) 992-5560
4 Northeast; Norfolk

Lisa Ludden was born and raised in Norfolk, Nebraska. She attended Wayne State College and received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. While attending her first couple of years of college, she worked as a Direct Support professional in a day settings and then as a residential manager for 5 homes. She then moved to working in long-term care facilities as a social worker and continued for the last 16 years. Lisa’s professional experience includes working with the elderly population, working with dementia, working with various health conditions, establishing in-home services, and working with people and their loved ones during difficult times. Lisa and her family live on a farm near Pierce, Nebraska. Lisa and her husband raise five children and enjoy attending all of their various activities, including coaching their volleyball and basketball teams. Lisa also enjoys raising their cattle, participating in their local 4-H program, and teaching at church. Lisa has loved the opportunity over the last 16 years of serving the elder generation and looks forward to being able to serve and advocate for vulnerable adults as an Associate Public Guardian. 

Josh was born and raised in Omaha. He then attended Saint Louis University where he received his undergraduate degree in Social Work. After graduating he worked for a year as a case manager at a mental health transitional housing facility before attending the University of Washington School of Law. While in Law school Josh interned with a legal aid organization that provided Social Security assistance to low income and homeless individuals. He also interned with the Seattle public defenders association working in Mental Health Commitment Court. Josh is excited to continue pursuing his passion in public interest law with the Office of Public Guardian.

Michelle Moore
michelle.moore@nebraska.gov
(308) 627-9768
3A Mid Central; Kearney

Michelle Moore was born and raised in Ogallala, Nebraska. She attended the University of Nebraska at Kearney and received her Bachelor of Arts in Education for Elementary and Early Childhood Education. She went on to teach preschool for several years, which eventually led up to teaching elementary school for 10 years in North Platte, Nebraska.  During that time, Michelle worked on her Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from Doane College and received her degree in 2008.  Most recently, she’s been employed at the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, working as a Child and Family Services Specialist in the Kearney, Nebraska office. Michelle was with Child Protective Services for 2 ½ years before moving over to Adult Protective Services for her final six months with the department. Michelle has been with the Office of Public Guardian since June of 2015, and is honored to work with Nebraska's vulnerable adults as an Associate Public Guardian.

Stacy Rotherham
stacy.rotherham@nebraska.gov
(308) 672-7433
1 Panhandle; Scottsbluff/Gering

Stacy Rotherham was born and raised in the Scottsbluff/Gering area. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology from the University of Northern Colorado. Stacy has worked in long term care for over 12 years as the Director of Alzheimer’s Care, Certified Dementia Practitioner, and Certified Dementia Care Manager. She has loved being able to work and help those with Alzheimer’s and other Dementias, and looks forward to being able to help other vulnerable adults as the Associate Public Guardian for the Panhandle. 

Annette Scarlett
annette.scarlett@nebraska.gov
(308) 218-7388
3B Mid Central; Grand Island/Hastings

Annette Scarlett has a degree in Criminal Justice and Special Education. She has been working in the field of Developmental Disabilities since she was 16 years old and has worked at all levels, including the state level as a Services Coordinator for over 9 years. She also has managed a 6-bed nursing facility for those with intellectual disabilities and was a Services Coordinator for the Office on Aging for close to two years. Her latest experience was as an extended family home provider to a 24-year-old male with developmental disabilities. She is guardian and conservator for three others on a private basis, including a family member with developmental disabilities. Annette’s passion is advocating for the rights of others when they are no longer able to do so for themselves. 

Erin Wiesen
erin.wiesen@nebraska.gov
(402) 350-0176
6D East; Omaha/David City

Erin Wiesen is a native Nebraskan, who received her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology and Human Services from College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska. She went on to receive a Master of Human Services from Concordia University in Seward, Nebraska, with a focus on Leadership and Management. Erin has spent her entire professional career engaged in case management and advocacy work; she has  extensive experience in areas of developmental disabilities, mental health, substance abuse, homelessness, and employment readiness. Erin is honored to be a part of the Office of Public Guardian, where she can continue to serve vulnerable persons across Nebraska.