Free Statewide Train-the-Trainer: Facilitating Parts 1 and 2 of Foundations of Domestic Abuse for Public Assistance Staff

Facilitator

Christine Ly has more than 20 years of experience in human services and workforce development, bringing professional expertise and lived experience as a survivor to her work. Since joining UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education Human Services in 2016, she has served as an instructor and now serves as lead human services program specialist with the Custom Training and Services team. In this role, Ly oversees more than 1,800 annual training days, leads curriculum development and supports instructor development. Her work focuses on strengthening professionals’ capacity to serve individuals, families and survivors of trauma through empathetic, strengths-based and trauma-informed approaches. She emphasizes leadership that fosters psychological safety, builds resilience and creates supportive environments where individuals and families can thrive.

Facilitator

Lori Catuto is a respected leader in California public service, with more than 40 years of experience in CalWORKs and a deep, specialized background in domestic abuse and regulatory compliance. Throughout her career, she has become known for transforming complex, evolving requirements into clear, compassionate guidance that strengthens staff confidence and ensures survivor-centered practice across county programs. Her work focuses on integrating domestic violence awareness with the regulatory frameworks that shape eligibility, Good Cause determinations, WTW exemptions, and documentation flexibility.

Facilitator

Keisha Stephney is a social services professional, trainer and curriculum developer with more than 30 years of experience in California’s social services system. She has extensive expertise applying federal, state and local regulations to support the effective delivery of public assistance programs. Over the past five years, Stephney has focused on curriculum development, instructional design and facilitation, transforming complex policies and procedures into practical, learner-centered training. Drawing on her frontline and leadership experience, she creates engaging learning environments that connect policy to practice, build staff confidence and skills and support quality service delivery and positive outcomes for the individuals and communities served.

Facilitator

Danielle Flewellen is a human services leader and training professional with more than 25 years of experience in public assistance programs, program administration, workforce development and staff leadership. As a program manager with the Alameda County Social Services Agency, she brings extensive expertise in CalFresh and other public benefit programs, including policy interpretation, operational guidance and client-centered service delivery. Flewellen also has more than a decade of experience developing and facilitating professional training. Her expertise includes the intersection of domestic abuse and public assistance, particularly challenges survivors face related to financial stability, housing, family safety and access to benefits. Her training emphasizes trauma-informed care, cultural humility, implicit bias awareness and strengths-based engagement to support safe, respectful and survivor-centered services.

Part 2 Program-Specific Module — Refugee Cash Assistance: Train-the-Trainer Sessions

Facilitator

Danielle Flewellen is a human services leader and training professional with more than 25 years of experience in public assistance programs, program administration, workforce development and staff leadership. As a program manager with the Alameda County Social Services Agency, she brings extensive expertise in CalFresh and other public benefit programs, including policy interpretation, operational guidance and client-centered service delivery. Flewellen also has more than a decade of experience developing and facilitating professional training. Her expertise includes the intersection of domestic abuse and public assistance, particularly challenges survivors face related to financial stability, housing, family safety and access to benefits. Her training emphasizes trauma-informed care, cultural humility, implicit bias awareness and strengths-based engagement to support safe, respectful and survivor-centered services.

Facilitator

Mandi Brum has more than 20 years of experience within health and human services, including serving as a front-line helping professional supporting integrated service delivery and working with families impacted by domestic abuse, trauma and complex circumstances. As an instructor, Brum draws from her collective experiences across direct service and leadership roles to emphasize the need for helping professionals to apply a strengths-based approach, keeping compassion and responsive service delivery at the forefront. As a division director in a county setting, she values the importance of building capacity through effective leadership to promote positive outcomes for both staff and the communities served.

Part 2 Program-Specific Module — Linkages: Train-the-Trainer Sessions

This Train-the-Trainer session prepares facilitators to confidently and effectively deliver the Part 2 Program-Specific Module, Linkages course. Participants will review course objectives, key content areas, facilitation strategies and learner engagement techniques while exploring trauma-informed approaches for managing sensitive discussions. Trainers will also gain familiarity with course activities, trainer notes and available resources to ensure a consistent, impactful learning experience for all participants.

By the end of this Train-the-Trainer session, participants will be able to facilitate the course using trauma-informed, learner-centered strategies while effectively managing sensitive discussions, course activities and participant engagement.

Available Sessions

Facilitator

Mandi Brum has more than 20 years of experience within health and human services, including serving as a front-line helping professional supporting integrated service delivery and working with families impacted by domestic abuse, trauma and complex circumstances. As an instructor, Brum draws from her collective experiences across direct service and leadership roles to emphasize the need for helping professionals to apply a strengths-based approach, keeping compassion and responsive service delivery at the forefront. As a division director in a county setting, she values the importance of building capacity through effective leadership to promote positive outcomes for both staff and the communities served.