Speaker Information

Dr. Kendra Flores-Carter is a Published Author, California Baptist University, Professor of Social Work, and a Researcher in the social and behavioral sciences field specifically women’s and child health. Dr. Flores-Carter is currently the Co-Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Social Innovation (CESI) where she directs the research initiatives for the center within Division of Social Work. An advocate for social justice and change, she has dedicated her career to bring educational awareness to disparities/equity concerns in healthcare experiences and various other psychosocial factors impacting marginalized women and children. A former Medical Social Worker for over 10 years Dr. Flores-Carter worked to provide services to children suffering from Trauma related to Child Abuse/Neglect and women experiencing significant life crisis such as Intimate Partner Violence, Substance Abuse Complications, Incarceration, Homelessness & Mental Illness. Dr. Flores-Carter holds a BA in Psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills, an MSW from California State University, Long Beach as well as a Doctor of Social Work degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.

Dr. Flores-Carter served as the past and founding President of Postpartum Support International-California Chapter. Additionally, she served six years as the Co-Chair of the Inland Empire Maternal Mental Health Collaborative. Currently, Dr. Kendra serves on the San Bernardino County Maternal Health Network leadership team and led the county wide data collection efforts for the 2021 consumer survey and will be leading the efforts again in 2024. She is currently a member of the City of Fontana Police Chief Roundtable Advisory Board where she chairs the mental health committee. Dr. Kendra played an essential role in the development of the City of Fontana Police Department Community Outreach and Support Team (COAST) and the implementation of a fulltime social worker and social work internship program. Dr. Flores-Carter is the founder of the Janet Don’t Cry Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing education, support, and resources on mental health globally.

Dr. Flores-Carter currently is a member of the Arrowhead Regional Medical Center Institutional Review Board. Her current research interests include examining health equity, social determinants of health factors, adverse trauma, and reproductive health disparities that impacts health outcomes for women, children, and their families. Additional interests include exploring Minority women’s attitudes towards seeking mental health services and the use of Christian mindfulness meditation for the reduction of anxiety & depression symptoms. Dr. Flores-Carter research has been published in journals and books. Her current research includes being one of the pioneering members of the NAEBOR clinic in Rialto California. A pilot clinic created to help improve maternal health outcomes for Black women.

Dr. Flores-Carter is recognized both locally, nationally, and internationally as an expert educator in women’s and child health. Dr. Flores-Carter has presented her research at various scientific conferences, served on health expert panels, and facilitated workshops on mental health & wellness, child abuse prevention, enhancing maternal mental health care in hospitals, cultural humility, justice, equity, diversity & inclusion. Dr. Flores-Carter is also an active member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. Omega Delta Omega Chapter in San Bernardino County where she formerly Chaired the Women’s Health and Wellness Committee. She’s currently an active member of the San Bernardino NAACP chapter. Dr. Flores-Carter was newly appointed as co-chair of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) African Americans and the African Diaspora Track, effective January 2024 to December 2026.

Speaker Information

Dr. Kristcha DeGuerre, Ph.D., LCSW, is a distinguished scholar and mental health professional, currently serving as an assistant professor at Galen University and the program coordinator of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program. In addition to her academic leadership, she is the mental health counselor at Galen University, where she provides essential support to individuals facing trauma and mental health challenges. Dr. DeGuerre also serves as the faculty chair for the first LGBTQ+ support group for students in Belize.

Dr. DeGuerre earned her doctoral degree from the prestigious University at Albany’s School of Social Welfare, with research focusing on gang-involved women and girls, mental health, and trauma. Her work employs qualitative methodologies and a feminist lens to highlight the experiences of marginalized populations in Belize including gang-involved girls. Her dissertation work was honored with the prestigious Distinguished Doctoral Dissertation Award. Where the innovative art-based life narrative methodology that she created is now being applied in both in clinical and research settings, earning recognition for its effectiveness in trauma processing and healing.

She has a forthcoming published chapter in Visual Methodologies and Methods for Caribbean Research and has conducted extensive policy analyses and published articles in the United States on the child welfare system, specifically examining childhood neglect and advocating for the integration of culturally relevant practices, as well as addressing the over-policing of marginalized populations.

As a clinician, Dr. DeGuerre specializes in gendered issues surrounding violence and discrimination, reinforcing her commitment to advancing mental health advocacy and social justice. Her interdisciplinary career reflects her dedication to effecting positive change, both in academia and in the lives of those navigating mental health challenges and societal inequities.

Speaker Information

Speaker Information

Azalia Gongora Larrieu is a dedicated mental health therapist, Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Belize with the Ministry of Health, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist. She is a second year doctoral student pursuing a Doctorate in Social Work (DSW) in Trauma-Informed Leadership and Practice at Barry University, where she currently serves as a Graduate Assistant. Her clinical and academic focus emphasizes trauma-informed care and the integration of mind and body in therapeutic practices.

With a specialization in trauma, Azalia utilizes a range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), and Integrative art based therapy, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) to name a few. Her interventions highlight the critical connection between mental and physical health, empowering clients to heal and thrive.

Azalia has extensive expertise in planning academic conferences, and collaborating with international organizations. She is proud to also serve as Vice President of the Mental Health Association, where she advocates for mental health awareness and supports initiatives aimed at improving access to mental health care in Belize.

With over ten years of experience as an educator at the University of Belize, Azalia lectures in the Faculty of Health Sciences, Social Work Department. She has provided clinical and administrative supervision to social work students, interns, and professionals, fostering their growth and development. Currently, Azalia is the Chair of the Social Work Department, Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Belize.

She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Murray State University and a Master’s Degree in Clinical Social Work from Western Kentucky University, USA. As a clinician, she works with individuals and groups throughout the lifespan. She is passionate about helping others reach their full potential through compassionate trauma-informed care.

Speaker Information

Employed at CBU for the past 7years teaching the following courses: Social Welfare Policy, Program Planning and Evaluation, Human Behavior, Foundational and Advanced Social Work practicum, and Comprehensive Program Proposals for DSW students.
Advisor, Phi Alpha Honor Society, DELTA KAPPA NU chapter.
Faculty senate, working with faculty council to enhance excellence in teaching, service and scholarship; address faculty academic concerns.
Judicial Review Board member, addressing issues related to academic dishonesty, sexual harassment.
Currently Serve as co-chair for the Counsel of Social Work Education (CSWE) and program planning meeting for the Violence Against Women and their Children track.
Social work professor over 20 years of experience teaching at Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, California teaching social policy, law and ethics and Field Practicum courses. Served as representative between California State University and Loma Linda university in partnership with San Bernardino County Department of Children and Family Services and Riverside county Department of Socia Services promoting MSW programs to better serve children and families experiencing child abuse and neglect.
Worked for Riverside County Department of Public Social Services, Children Services Division over 20 years in various capacities: Supervising Emergency Response social workers, Family Reunification social worker, social workers supervising children in placement with biological parents, and social workers whose main role was to arrange for permanent placement for children who could not be reunified with families; worked with Juvenile Court and law enforcement to protect and unify families whenever possible.
Senior Program specialist developing and analyzing policies child welfare and adult Services programs.