Staff
Children’s Aid Society of Alabama Staff
Susan Crow
Susan Crow joined the staff of Children’s Aid Society of Alabama in August 2022 and serves as Deputy Director, with oversight of all programs. Prior to coming to CAS, Susan has spent her career in the nonprofit sector, serving as CEO of Appalachia Service Project and executive director of Workshops Empowerment Inc. Susan has a B.A. from Birmingham-Southern College, M.S.W. from the University of Denver and M.Div. from Iliff School of Theology. Susan is married to Steve Norris and is a proud mom to two sons– a high school junior and a college sophomore. Together they reside in Birmingham with their spoiled dog and three cats.
Susan Crow CAS Deputy Director
205-943-5330 (O)
scrow@childrensaid.org
Jay Tunagur-Williams
Jay Tunagur-Williams is a lived experienced youth from the child welfare system, a social worker, program leader, and community-focused strategist with experience spanning direct service, statewide program management, prevention education, and nonprofit leadership. His work sits at the intersection of youth development, family stability, and community well-being. Jay will serve 14–21-year-old youth in foster care across the entire state of Alabama as IL’s Program Director. In his leadership role, Jay leads the team providing mentorship, connection, and direction for youth before they transition out of foster care. Jay is dedicated to helping strengthen communication, structure, and partnerships so team members can do their best work and ensure youth receive consistent, high-quality support.
CAS IL Program Director
205-943-5345 (O/C)
jwilliams@childrensaid.org
Zaharia Payne
Zaharia Payne is a Birmingham native and a graduate of the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She has lived in Birmingham her entire life and has a strong passion for working with youth of all ages, striving to make a positive impact in the lives of any youth she encounters. Zaharia is a grassroots advocate who has spent years working with various organizations to learn, teach, organize, advocate and promote effective change regarding various social justice issues. In her role with IL, she manages all forms of communication including social media, ilconnect.org, and the IL Connect App. In addition, she provides logistical support for all IL events, ensuring they are executed effectively.
CAS IL Communications and Logistics Specialist
zanderson@childrensaid.org
Lori Daker
Lori Daiker joined the IL Team at CAS in July 2024 as the IL Youth Development Specialist. She attended the University of Alabama where she received her B.A. in Social Work. She lives in Pelham, Al with her fiancé, her beautiful baby girl and their two dogs, Foxie and Chip. Lori enjoys spending time with friends and family, riding horses, being active outdoors, and traveling. Previously, Lori worked with Independent Living youth in Black Mountain, NC at the Black Mountain Home for Children as the IL Coordinator. Lori loves to laugh and enjoy life.
CAS IL Youth Development Specialist
ldaker@childrensaid.org
Samantha Whitley
Samantha Whitley, a native of Tuscaloosa, AL, was a part of the foster care system from age 13 until she aged out at 21. During her time in care, she was in three different group homes. She graduated from The University of Alabama in May 2021 for Criminal Justice with a double minor in Cyber Criminology and Social Welfare. She now works as the Independent Living Team Lead for Children’s Aid Society. Samantha’s main goal in life is to utilize her experiences and challenges while in custody to better the foster care system. One of her life mottos is to turn messes into messages, by using her story to educate and advocate for the needs of foster youth. In addition, she wants to promote equity and inclusion by discussing the unique experiences LGBTQ individuals face in foster care. She is currently the lead of an LGBTQ foster youth support group, known as LGB-Tea Tuesdays. She is also working on an Independent Living Skills curriculum to be utilized throughout the state of Alabama.
CAS Team Lead
205-251-7148 EXT. 401 (O/C)
swhitely@childrensaid.org
Jamal Cumbie
Jamal Cumbie is a December 2025 graduate of the University of Alabama. He has a B.S. in Secondary Education with a focus on Social Studies and he has hopes to eventually become an educator. During his time at UA, Jamal was an active member of the Alabama REACH program, helping to support students from foster care backgrounds. He founded and served as president of the REACH for Success student organization, where he worked to empower and mentor fellow foster youth. Jamal’s passion for education and advocacy continues to drive his commitment to making a difference in the lives of young people.
CAS IL Youth Consultant
jcumbie@childrensaid.org
State DHR Staff
Bill Benson
Bill Benson serves as the Independent Living Coordinator for the Alabama Department of Human Resources with more than 20 years of experience working in the foster care system. The primary focus of his role is to develop and provide resources to DHR county staff, current youth in foster care and live-experience youth who have left or aged out of the Alabama foster care system. The goal of the work done through Alabama ILP is to help youth successfully prepare and enter adulthood. Some of the resource programs that Bill coordinates include the Fostering Hope Scholarship, Educational Training Voucher program and Foster Youth to Independence. These resources provide ongoing assistance to current and prior Alabama foster youth through obtainment of post-secondary education services, certifications for employment and housing vouchers.
DHR ILP Coordinator/Program Supervisor
334-353-4494 (O)
334-202-8529 (C)
Bill.benson@dhr.alabama.gov
Darlene Flowers
Darlene currently serves as the Independent Living Consultant – North Region. She wants to help youth and young adults become self-sufficient adults that learn that they can have it all if they choose. She believes there is only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self. Two of her passions are working with YOUTH and caring for pets.
State Northern Region Consultant
256-216-6428 (O)
Darlene.Flowers@dhr.alabama.gov
Tracy Hubbard
Tracy Hubbard graduated from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelors in Psychology in August 2010. She started her career with DHR at Calhoun County in 2013 in food assistance before moving to the foster care unit in 2015 at Etowah County. She has specialized working with older foster youth towards permanency. She currently serves as the State Central Region ILP Consultant since December 2024.
State Central Region Consultant
205-423-4578 (O)
Tracy.Hubbard@dhr.alabama.gov
Brady Butler
Brady Butler grew up in an abusive home but uses his childhood experiences to fuel his work. Brady has been involved in youth ministry for most of his adult life, he desires to help teens in foster care navigate some of the same challenges he faced growing up and to help them in successfully obtaining independence as adults. Brady is an Auburn fan, his favorite music artist is Lynyrd Skynyrd and his favorite color is green.
State Southern Region Consultant
(334)725-2110 (O)
George.Butler@dhr.alabama.gov
Teryn L. Anderson
Teryn L. Anderson, M.A., MSW, graduated from The University of South Alabama with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and minor in Gerontology. In 2009, she graduated with her Masters in Marriage and Family Counseling from the University of Mobile. In 2021, she graduated with her Masters in Social Work. She began working with DHR in 2005 in Mobile County as an On-going Protective Service Worker. Later, she transferred to Autauga County DHR in 2011 as an OPS and CAN worker. She was promoted to supervisor in 2012 over CAN, Intake, and Adult Protective Services. In September of 2016, she was promoted to Program Specialist in the Independent Living Division of Family Services at State DHR as a Fostering Hope Mentor. She absolutely loves what she does and has a passion for helping our children transition into their independent life well.
DHR Fostering Hope Mentor
334-353-1045 (O)
Teryn.anderson@dhr.alabama.gov
Cecelia Williams
Cecelia Williams, LMSW is from Huntsville. She graduated from the University of South Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in English and minor in African American Studies. She went on to receive a Master’s in Social Work from Alabama A&M University, and became a Licensed Master’s Social Worker in 2014. She has worked as a case manager at a therapeutic foster care agency, as well as an adjunct Social Work instructor at the University of Alabama in the Graduate Social Work Program. Cecelia worked at Madison County DHR as a case aid, then became a student intern in CAN and Intake, before becoming a Senior Child Welfare Social Worker in the Family Drug Court unit in 2015. In July of 2022, she was promoted to Program Specialist in the Independent Living Division of Family Services at State DHR as a Fostering Hope
Mentor. She is passionate about Social Work and is dedicated to assisting foster youth in successfully transitioning into independence and adulthood.
DHR Fostering Hope Mentor
334-353-1045 (O)
Cecelia.williams@dhr.alabama.gov