Founder and Executive Director
Angela Tobin
Angela Tobin OTD, OT/RL is passionate about facilitating community and peer-led supports for kinship families. With a background in occupational therapy and educational psychology, Angela has taken an interdisciplinary and holistic approach to supporting kinship families. She founded Kinship Caregivers Connect in June of 2020, bridging her personal experiences in kinship care with knowledge from research to create a safe and much-needed space for caregivers through support groups. She also has over 5 years working as a researcher in the field of kinship care with a specific interest in peer supports and kinship caregiver well-being. Dr. Tobin’s interest in working with kinship families stems from her own family, as she witnessed her both her grandparents and parents raise her cousin (their grandson/nephew).
Board Members
Joseph Warden - President/Chair
Joseph K. Warden Attorney Advocates for Basic Legal Equality: Admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1989, a Graduate of Wittenberg University and the University Dayton School of Law, Mr. Warden works as a Staff Attorney for the Medical Legal Partnership (MLPC) in the Dayton Office. Upon assuming this position in 2014 Mr. Warden expanded the MLPC to include Five Rivers Health Centers and the Community Health Centers who along with Dayton Children’s Hospital serve as primary partners for the MLP. Attorney Warden’s cases include, representing children who have been victims of domestic violence, abuse and neglect as well as kinship caregivers such as grandparents who seek to obtain custody of their grandchildren who have been abused and/or neglected.
Attorney Warden has been featured in Ohio Lawyer Magazine for his case work on behalf of a Domestic Violence Victim and in 2015 accepted on behalf of the Medical Legal Partnership the Center for Healthy Communities 19th Annual Health Promotion Program Award.
Sarah Anderson - Secretary
Sarah E. Anderson, PhD, OTD, OTR/L is a licensed occupational therapist and Research Assistant Professor at The Ohio State University School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, where she directs the Transdisciplinary Rehabilitation Extended Reality Lab (T-REX). Sarah’s research and teaching focuses on addressing digital equity and inclusivity, designing digital technologies for health and education, and implementing evidence-based programs. Sarah’s clinical OT experiences focus on neurological injuries, and she previously worked as an OT at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Through her role at OSU, Sarah works closely with community partners (e.g., Level Up Land Ohio, the Ohio Council for Home Care and Hospice) to improve the health, function, and safety of Ohioans.
Tangie Taylor
Tangie Taylor, aka Nana, is a second generation kinship caregiver raising her 9 year old grandson. She took emergency custody of him when he was 2. She most recently adopted him to make them both more secure. They reside in Warren County, Oh. Tangie has been a part of KCC since the beginning. She has served as a research partner, peer support, and advocate for kinship caregivers
Ashley Hicks
Ashley A. Hicks, PhD, IMFT-S, is a licensed marriage and family therapist, AAMFT-approved supervisor, and Clinical Associate Professor at The Ohio State University, where she directs the OSU Couple and Family Therapy Clinic. Her work centers on addressing mental health concerns such as disordered eating, anti-Black racism, race-based stress, and trauma-informed care through trainings and presentations nationwide. Ashley's clinical practice and research focus on supporting Black individuals and families, including womxn and those navigating body image and eating challenges. She is the founder of Our Lineage Our Legacy LLC, a practice dedicated to culturally relevant mental health services, clinician training, and community well-being.
Holly Anna Gibbs
Holly Anna Gibbs is an Instructional assistant - Special Education, and formerly a Family Ambassador, at Columbus City Schools. Her professional career has allowed her to advocate in leadership roles for nonprofit organizations, private consulting, teaching, and program development. Holly Anna is an active member of the community partnering with several organizations, civic groups, businesses, and agencies to create meaningful change.
Holly Anna and her husband have permanent custody of their 7 year old grandson. The struggles they faced when they unexpectedly became responsible for their grandson at 5 weeks old led them to Kinship Caregivers Connect. There, they were able to receive the knowledge and support they needed. Becoming a part of the KCC community provided Holly Anna the opportunity to begin her advocacy work for other kinship caregivers.
Darlene Roberson
Darlene Roberson, AKA Nana is a Payroll Specialist and has been with Kinship Caregivers Connect since it was founded in June 2020. She and her husband didn’t realize all the challenges they would face while caring for their 9 year old grandson with special needs. They have learned of so many resources and outlets for their grandson. They received custody of him when he was 1 ½ years old from his foster mother, who is now his Godmother. She has been a caregiver since 2002; then in 2008 her oldest grandson came to live with her and her husband for several years. They also took in their niece-in-laws after her grandson left. Darlene previously served as a Ohio Grandparents Kinship Coalition board member and is an advocate for all kinship caregivers through research projects, sharing her story, and welcoming new members to KCC. Together as Kin, We Can!
Team Members
"Yaya" Lumpkin - Caregiver Engagement Specialist
Meet Lenora Lumpkin who goes by Yaya, a resilient caregiver who has taken care of her 2 grandsons since Aug 18,2020. It was a life changing event from depression, resentment, anger and feeling so alone to eventually losing who I was as a person. Trying to navigate the system for resources and financial help was a challenge and had me feeling beyond defeated. In 2020 I joined an online support group for caregivers taking care of their loved ones was the best resource ever. KCC has helped me connect with other caregivers like myself , helped me with resources, helped me deal with my emotions as a caregiver.
After 6 years the challenges and emotions are still present in my life. However, being a part of KCC support group makes a difference and gives me that extra strength to continue to be a caregiver and keeps me connected with other caregivers and has motivated me to be an advocate for other caregivers like myself.
Sydney Pinder - Kinship Family Well-Being consultant
Hi all! My name is Sydney Pinder, and I am so grateful to be a part of the KCC community as a Family Well-Being Consultant. While earning my degree in occupational therapy at The Ohio State University, I had the opportunity to complete a doctoral capstone project with KCC. During this time, I came to understand kinship care, learn and collaborate with the caregivers, and really get involved with the support group. In my current role, I aim to work with caregivers and their families in a way that enhances their well-being. To work towards this goal, we go over topics that directly relate to each caregivers’ situation and include (but are not limited to) self-care, caring for a child with higher needs, self-regulation, family bonding, and sensory well-being
