Beth E. McNamara, MSW - Director of Training

Ms. McNamara is the Director of Training for Reconnecting Youth Inc. She worked first with the Reconnecting Youth Prevention Research Program at the University of Washington, when RY and CAST were being developed and tested. Beth has trained nationally and internationally for Reconnecting Youth Inc. since 2002 and has taken the lead on training development and instructional design for the last decade. Beth enjoys leading comprehensive, engaging, and unforgettable trainings, supporting her team of national trainers, and researching cutting-edge learning design and training solutions.

Trainings, Webinars, and Professional Development

• Social-Emotional Learning
• Risk and Protective Factors
• Youth Suicide Prevention
• Best Practices
• RY Implementation
• CAST Implementation
• Coordinator Training
• Fidelity Monitoring
• Remote Program Delivery

Nicole Franklin-Jones, MA, CPLC - Lead Trainer

Ms. Franklin-Jones, a native Houstonian, holds degrees in Child Psychology (BA) from Texas Southern University and in Art and Organizational Management (MA) from the University of Phoenix. She has 30+ years of experience working in and founding community efforts to broaden opportunities for today’s at-risk youth. Nicole currently serves at the Director of Youth and Outreach for Aids to Victim of Domestic Abuse, educating the community on the effects of domestic violence in an effort to end intimate partner abuse for adults and youth. Nicole has been a national trainer for Reconnecting Youth Inc. since 1999 and flourishes as our Lead Trainer now.

Trainings, Webinars, and Professional Development

• Best Practices
• RY Implementation
• CAST Implementation
• Relationship Development
• Adult and Youth Domestic Violence
• Anger Management
• Conflict Resolution and Coping Skills
• Human Trafficking

Selena Rockwell, MA, MFT - National Trainer

Ms. Rockwell, a bilingual English/Spanish speaker, is an accomplished non-profit mental health leader with more than 20 years’ experience working with youth, families, school personnel, and community and government agencies. Selena has been a national trainer for Reconnecting Youth Inc. since 2007 and is passionate about empowering others to help teens and their families overcome challenges. She believes in building resilience and has strong therapeutic counseling abilities with a sensitivity to cultural diversity and a depth of understanding of interpersonal familial relationships, emotional disturbances, and substance and behavioral addictions. She is compassionate, with the ability to motivate, train, and work collaboratively with diverse populations.

Trainings, Webinars, and Professional Development

• Best Practices
• RY Implementation
• Therapeutic Counseling
• Interpersonal Familial Relationships
• Substance and Behavioral Addictions
• Trauma-informed approaches to building resilience

Gustavo Ramirez - National Trainer, RY & CAST Facilitator

Mr. Ramirez is a bilingual (English/Spanish) tenured K-12 teacher with over 22 years’ experience working with Outdoor Education Leadership Academies, serving adults and 6th-12th  grade youth from a variety of organizations. Gustavo has enjoyed 15 years in leadership positions with after-school programs in California. His direct classroom teaching style has earned commendations for his innovative approach to engaging all students. Gus has taught over 50 sections of CAST in middle, high school, and court community school settings and is highly sought as a Trainer and Facilitator due to his modeling of best practices. Gustavo has been a national trainer with Reconnecting Youth Inc. since 2019.

Trainings, Webinars, and Professional Development

• Best Practices
• Coping and Support Training (CAST) – Currently, virtually only
• Reconnecting Youth (RY) – Currently, virtually only