| Kristin's Experience: Kristin Allender's engagement with this issue started at birth when she herself was adopted. Her positive adoption experience has been a formative part of her life and career. Kristin has spent the last 15 years in various sectors of social work. Serving as an investigator for Los Angeles County's Department of Children and Family Services, she worked on a Federal Task Force with Law Enforcement, rescuing children from drug endangered and trafficked homes. She then moved on to private adoptions where she aided both birth parents and adoptive families through the adoption process. Kristin moved to Tennessee with her husband and two daughters in 2014. Kristin now serves as the Executive Director of Tennessee Kids Belong, and spearheaded the TNFosters state campaign alongside Governor and First Lady Haslam, the Department of Children's Services. Kristin also serves as consultant to America's Kids Belong as a Child Welfare Specialist. |
