TEAM
Meet Our Team
The Child and Youth Advocacy Center Team
Our staff of experienced professionals is dedicated to helping victims of abuse find hope and healing through high-quality, evidence-based treatment services.
Staci Russell-Teaney
Executive Director
Staci Russell-Teaney
Executive Director
Staci became the Executive Director of the CYAC in April of 2018 after previously working hand in hand with CYAC and it’s staff for many years as a Domestic Violence Victim Advocate at Family Refuge Center, and as a Victim’s Advocate at the Greenbrier County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. She comes to CYAC with a determination for and dedication to improving the live’s of our community’s children and families.
Francesca Zarcone
Resource Development Director
Francesca Zarcone
Resource Development Director
Francesca joined the CYAC team in July of 2019 as the new Community Education Coordinator. Francesca graduated from Saint Louis University with a Master’s in Social Work, and her concentration was Non-Profit Administration. Through the development of a new prevention education program, she was able to offer child abuse prevention education training to the community, including but not limited to school staff, daycare staff, and school-aged children.
Currently, Francesca oversees all community education and outreach services in addition to aiding in fundraising efforts and grant writing for CYAC.
Susan Vlajk
Therapist
Susan Vlajk
Therapist
Susan is a founding member of the CYAC and has been with the organization since its beginning. She provides evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy to children and families and participates in the Greenbrier County Multidisciplinary Investigative Team. Susan has a wealth of knowledge and experience in helping children to recover from abuse. She trains other child welfare professionals at local, state, and national conferences.
Sydney Hopkins
Forensic Interviewer
Sydney Hopkins
Forensic Interviewer
Sydney joined the CYAC in September of 2016. She is a graduate of Concord University and a licensed social worker. Sydney’s passion for working with children and families began while she was working at a child care facility, shortly after graduating from high school. While attending college, she worked as a Family Support Specialist, providing direct services to children and families with open CPS cases. Sydney has gained a significant amount of knowledge and experience in working with children and families over the years. She is now a certified Forensic Interviewer. As a Forensic Interviewer, Sydney talks to children who are suspected to be victims of abuse and neglect. She also coordinates the Monroe, Greenbrier, and Pocahontas County Multidisciplinary Investigative Teams.
Tonya Redden
Family Advocate
Tonya Redden
Family Advocate
Tonya joined the CYAC team in August 2017. She provides families with support and advocacy services in cases of child sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or neglect. Tonya maintains contact with the family throughout the investigation and prosecution processes. She also works to connect families in need to community resources. Tonya graduated from New River Community & Technical College with a degree in Legal Assisting. Her previous jobs in the legal field and law enforcement have led her to her current position in advocacy. She is here not only to provide resources for families, but also to listen and inspire a positive change. Tonya believes that people can start to heal if they feel heard. A positive attitude can transform life, regardless of what one is going through. “Heal the mind and the rest will follow.”
Keri Larson
Outreach Advocate
Keri Larson
Outreach Advocate
Keri joined the CYAC team in January 2020. She has been a youth leader for several different organizations over the years, and likes seeing the world through a child’s perspective. She believes that any small act of kindness or support can alter a child’s path in life. She hopes with community outreach, education, and a listening ear we can begin to put broken pieces back together and heal from trauma.
Staci Russell-Teaney
Executive Director
Staci became the Executive Director of the CYAC in April of 2018 after previously working hand in hand with CYAC and it’s staff for many years as a Domestic Violence Victim Advocate at Family Refuge Center, and as a Victim’s Advocate at the Greenbrier County Prosecuting Attorney’s office. She comes to CYAC with a determination for and dedication to improving the live’s of our community’s children and families.
Francesca Zarcone
Resource Development Director
Francesca joined the CYAC team in July of 2019 as the new Community Education Coordinator. Francesca graduated from Saint Louis University with a Master’s in Social Work, and her concentration was Non-Profit Administration. Through the development of a new prevention education program, she was able to offer child abuse prevention education training to the community, including but not limited to school staff, daycare staff, and school-aged children.
Currently, Francesca oversees all community education and outreach services in addition to aiding in fundraising efforts and grant writing for CYAC.
Susan Vlajk
Therapist
Susan is a founding member of the CYAC and has been with the organization since its beginning. She provides evidence-based, trauma-focused therapy to children and families and participates in the Greenbrier County Multidisciplinary Investigative Team. Susan has a wealth of knowledge and experience in helping children to recover from abuse. She trains other child welfare professionals at local, state, and national conferences.
Sydney Hopkins
Forensic Interviewer
Sydney joined the CYAC in September of 2016. She is a graduate of Concord University and a licensed social worker. Sydney’s passion for working with children and families began while she was working at a child care facility, shortly after graduating from high school. While attending college, she worked as a Family Support Specialist, providing direct services to children and families with open CPS cases. Sydney has gained a significant amount of knowledge and experience in working with children and families over the years. She is now a certified Forensic Interviewer. As a Forensic Interviewer, Sydney talks to children who are suspected to be victims of abuse and neglect. She also coordinates the Monroe, Greenbrier, and Pocahontas County Multidisciplinary Investigative Teams.
Tonya Redden
Family Advocate
Tonya joined the CYAC team in August 2017. She provides families with support and advocacy services in cases of child sexual abuse, physical abuse, and/or neglect. Tonya maintains contact with the family throughout the investigation and prosecution processes. She also works to connect families in need to community resources. Tonya graduated from New River Community & Technical College with a degree in Legal Assisting. Her previous jobs in the legal field and law enforcement have led her to her current position in advocacy. She is here not only to provide resources for families, but also to listen and inspire a positive change. Tonya believes that people can start to heal if they feel heard. A positive attitude can transform life, regardless of what one is going through. “Heal the mind and the rest will follow.”
Keri Larson
Outreach Advocate
Keri joined the CYAC team in January 2020. She has been a youth leader for several different organizations over the years, and likes seeing the world through a child’s perspective. She believes that any small act of kindness or support can alter a child’s path in life. She hopes with community outreach, education, and a listening ear we can begin to put broken pieces back together and heal from trauma.