Tara C. Raines

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT TARA C. RAINES

I’m a policy strategist, advocate, and former tenured professor who cares deeply about making systems work better for children and families.I am currently working to build a profession that centers behavioral health promotion and prevention. In my former role as Deputy Director at the Children’s Advocacy Alliance, I led statewide work focused on early childhood, children’s mental and physical health, and child welfare. I work across sectors to move good ideas into policy, especially those that center equity, reflect the lived experiences of families, and are grounded in what kids actually need to thrive. I build coalitions that are committed to action and community-driven solutions. Before stepping into full-time advocacy, I spent years in academia as a tenured professor and clinical training director in school psychology. That experience shaped how I approach policy, with a deep respect for practice, for data, and for the people doing the work on the ground. I’ve also had the privilege of teaching and mentoring future practitioners. I’m especially passionate about children’s mental health, early intervention, and building a strong, supported workforce to care for our youngest learners. I believe in the power of relationships, in leading with both head and heart, and in pushing systems to be not just responsive, but transformational.If you’re working to create lasting change for kids and families, I’d love to connect.