She has worked within the Rhode Island prison system since 2006 and is a court-appointed special advocate for children in state care. She has excellent working relationships with a variety of state agencies, including the correctional staff and administration, and has served as a consultant, instructor, and researcher with the RI Department of Corrections. In addition, she has provided training in cross-cultural communication for medical and social work staff who work with special populations throughout New England. Her current research is focused on the relationship between childhood trauma, drug use, and adult incarceration.