Education is the key to ending child abuse

Kelly Rynd Seeber, LCSW, is the Director of Outreach and Education. She oversees the development and implementation of the Center’s education and outreach initiatives aimed at providing the Travis County community with the knowledge and tools to prevent child abuse and improve the safety and well-being of families. With over 10 years of experience working with children and families, Kelly has a strong background in education, trauma- informed care, curriculum development, and building partnerships with schools and community organizations. Her passion for child advocacy and prevention is rooted in her experiences as a classroom teacher and school social worker. Kelly holds a Master of Social Work from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Special Education from Texas A&M University.

Andrea Venegas, LPC, is a bilingual Trauma Education Specialist with over 11 years of experience supporting at-risk children and families through counseling, education, and advocacy. Andrea joined the Center for Child Protection six years ago as a Family Relational Therapist, providing individual, family, and group counseling to families involved in the child welfare system. Andrea holds advanced certifications in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics and has trained both clinicians and community members in trauma-informed care. She has a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a Minor in Criminal
Justice. She is passionate about abuse prevention, supporting families, and increasing access to free, high-quality training.

Sabrina Mendoza is a Prevention Education Lead with a background in child welfare and family advocacy. She began her career as a Conservatorship Caseworker with the Department of Family and Protective Services, gaining firsthand experience supporting families through complex challenges and enabling her to approach prevention education with empathy and practical insight. Sabrina’s dedication to advocacy and social equity drives her efforts to educate parents, caregivers, and community members on recognizing abuse, creating safe environments for children, and promoting access to resources. Sabrina is committed to building awareness and fostering protective environments for children and families.

Julio Sanchez, LMSW, is a bilingual Prevention Education Specialist with a background in direct service and advocacy. He brings five years of experience as a Family Advocate at the Center for Child Protection, where he supported children and families navigating the aftermath of abuse and trauma. Julio holds a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. His expertise in trauma-informed care, child development, and mental health guides his work with students, professionals, and caregivers. Julio is passionate about empowering communities with knowledge and resources to protect children and promote healing.

Julia Cabin is the Community Outreach Manager, where she builds meaningful partnerships with agencies, nonprofits, and community organizations to improve outcomes for families and strengthen child abuse prevention efforts. She helps connect our clients and the Child Protection Team to community resources and Travis County organizations to free training and education offerings. Julia’s professional background includes working as a Child Protection Services Investigator and Community Worker with the Austin Public Health Unit. Her dedication to our community’s safety and well-being is both personal and professional. As an Austin native, Julia is
committed to making a lasting difference in the lives of children and families in her hometown.