Dewanna McDowell, MSW, LCSW-C

Dewanna McDowell is a licensed clinical social worker with over 20 years of experience working in the world of foster care and adoption. Her interest in child welfare was initially sparked when her own biological parents became foster parents, ultimately providing a safe haven for nearly 20 children over two decades of service.  Dewanna has worked in various positions in the public child welfare system, providing direct service, management, and training support in various capacities.

Since 2010, Dewanna has facilitated group training for the Barker Adoption Foundation, initially focused on Project Wait No Longer.   She currently facilitates National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) pre-service training for all of Barker’s adoption programs.  She is passionate about preparing adoptive families to successfully parent the children who join their families and supporting those families through placement and beyond.