Meet the CACCT Team

Debra Longley was appointed as the Executive Director at the Children's Advocacy Center of Central Texas in June 2021. Debra has experience in program management for over 12 years. Debra served as the Children's Ministry Director where she organized fundraising events, vacation bible school, and day camps for over 200 children in the Central Texas community. In 2013, Debra began working as the Manager for Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC®). There she assisted with the Student 2 Student® (S2S™) initiative implemented in over 700 elementary, middle, and high schools around the globe. Debra loves traveling with her husband, Mitch, and enjoys spending quality time with her children and grandchildren.

Renay Smith joined the Children's Advocacy Center of Central Texas in February 2022 as the Finance and Office Manager. She is thrilled to serve the children of this area by supporting the CACCT Team in every way possible. She brings years of experience in bookkeeping, office management, and HR administration. She has lived in the Central Texas area since 2003 with her husband and daughter. They travel to Zambia on a regular basis to serve the orphaned and vulnerable children in that country. Locally, they enjoy hanging out with friends, being involved in their church, weekend getaways and just laying low.

Kasey Frye was born and raised in San Antonio, TX, and graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio. She went on to receive her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Tulsa College of law. During her time in law school, Kasey focused on child advocacy and interned doing attorney ad litem work. Kasey was honored to receive the Order of Barristers which is awarded to law school graduates who have demonstrated exceptional skills in trial advocacy, oral advocacy, and brief writing. After graduating from law school, Kasey worked at a children's advocacy center in Kansas City, MO. She came back to Texas and joined the Child Advocacy Specialist team at CASA of Travis County. Kasey is excited to be part of the CAC of Central Texas where she utilizes her expertise, education, and training to support and strengthen the CAC program. In Kasey's free time, she loves to read, snuggle with her animals, and spend time with her family.

Lisa Wilkerson graduated from Tarleton State University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Social Work degree. She has been with the Children's Advocacy Center of Central Texas for 10 years and was the Director of CASA for four years before their separation from CACCT. Lisa is currently the Data Intake Coordinator at CACCT.

Coming Soon!

Ashten Gallagher is a licensed clinical social worker and doctoral candidate. She received her undergraduate degree in applied science with a concentration in business administration from Texas A&M-Central Texas before going on to Our Lady of the Lake University to pursue a master's degree in social work. Ashten has experience in different levels of care including inpatient, partial hospitalization and outpatient settings. Working in a range of settings has allowed Ashten to gain experience with several populations in mental health including children and families in crisis, trauma focused military programs for active duty and dependents, as well as dual diagnosis and persistent and severe mental illness. During the course of her career, Ashten discovered her passion for trauma focused work and has continued her education through pursuing a doctor of education degree in community care and counseling with a focus in trauma counseling. She is in her dissertation phase and when she is not serving CAC families, she is working on her dissertation research. Ashten is originally from Northern New Jersey, but after serving six years in the Army, decided to call Texas home. Ashten has been settled in Bell County since 2011 and loves to Enjoy Lake Belton, travel the state in her camper with her husband, remodel thrifted furniture, and spend quality time with her three children.

Lidia Belle was born in the Cape Verde Islands and immigrated to Boston, MA at age 7. Military wife to an Army Aviator, mother of 4 children and 1 dog; 21 and 19-year-old daughters, 10-year-old fraternal twins, and an adopted terrier/lab mix. Lidia is a Christian and remains active within her community and church by teaching Sabbath school for early teens and operating their community free/thrift store once per month. She attended Excelsior College, NY for her undergraduate studies and received her Master's in Social Work at the oldest school of social work nationwide - Simmons University, Boston, MA. She believes in empowering children and their families with the tools they need to heal and work through challenges this world will certainly give us all. Lidia believes in sitting on the floor for therapy, walking in the rain without umbrellas, and resting in the comfort of silence. Her personal tools for self-care are ocean waves, the magic in a paintbrush, and the possibility of words in print.

Kendra Queen is originally from Austin, Texas and moved to San Antonio, Texas for her undergraduate degree at The University of Texas at San Antonio. She continued her education to obtain her Masters of Science in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling at Walden University and is now a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate. Kendra has gained extensive experience in working with youth and adults and advocating for their mental health needs. She is skilled in individual, family and group counseling. Kendra also has experience in working with clients on the Spectrum and conducting behavioral interventions that aid them in the ability to master individual living skills. She also has experience in working with clients with substance abuse, depression, and members of the LGBTQ+ community. Kendra loves spending time with her spouse and son, going on adventures out of town, and spending genuine quality time with her family.

Aaron is originally from Tacoma, Washington having moved to Bell County at the age of 17. He was born to a military family who traveled all around the United States. He is a single father of his seven-year-old son, who resides with him and their two dogs. He aimed extensively in his education at University of Texas - Arlington (MSW) to learn about children and families from a social work perspective and has served as the Shelter Director for Option House - Central Texas Youth Services, a shelter for foster care children and homeless youth. Aaron offers comfort and care in a holistic and peaceful fashion while demonstrating strong social work ethics and professionalism. He believes that people are more than their circumstances and simply the creators of their own change. "I'm really grateful to be here for the children, it's been an amazing opportunity to work for such a distinguished agency."

Kristen Martinez is a licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) who enjoys working with children and families of all ages and stages of life. Kristen strongly believes in the power of positive encouragement and emphasizes the importance of identifying strengths throughout the healing journey. Kristen initially became interested in social work after encouragement from her family and high school art teacher. As a teenager, Kristen volunteered at a local homeless shelter and dreamed of using her passion for art to help others. Kristen now encourages creative expression to help convey difficult feelings and emotions associated with trauma and adverse life events. Kristen obtained her undergraduate education at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (UMHB) and later moved to the DFW-area to pursue graduate school at the University of Texas in Arlington (UTA). Although Kristen has worked with parents, children, and youth for several years she considers herself a "lifelong learner" and is always looking for new opportunities to professionally (and personally) grow. In her spare time, Kristen enjoys walking her dog, spending time with friends/family, exploring neighboring cities and towns, and finding unique restaurants and shops. Kristen believes anything can become an adventure with the right team, and is looking forward to furthering her social work journey with the great opportunities and people found at the CAC of Central Texas.