Healthy Start Staff

Kristen Copenhaver
(She, Her, Hers)

Director of Grants Management
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Kristen Copenhaver is the Director of Grants Management at The Family Tree Information, Education and Counseling Center. She was previously the Healthy Start Project Director and has over 15 years of experience in working with women, children and families. Kristen received a Bachelor’s of Applied Life Sciences Degree from University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1998 and her Master’s in Counselor Education Degree from University of Louisiana at Lafayette in 2005. She is also a Certified Doula and Certified Lactation Counselor.

Kristen is the proud single mother of two amazing young men. When her boys are not on the basketball court, Kristen loves to read. As a child, her love of reading started when her mother paid her a penny a page so naturally she started with the encyclopedias. She also enjoys spending time with family and getting together with friends. Originally, from a small town in southwest Missouri, Kristen relocated to Lafayette in 1994 to attend USL. After 25+ years, she considers herself an honorary Cajun.

Tonya Hoover, RSW, CLC, CD
(She, Her, Hers)

Case Manager Supervisor
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Tonya Hoover is a registered social worker with the Louisiana State Board of Social Work Examiners, a Certified Lactation Counselor and a Certified Doula. She attended Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA where she graduated in May 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. Tonya’s primary focus in the field of social work has been supporting and empowering families with young children so they may achieve their greatest potential. She is passionate about making a difference in families long term outcomes.

Tonya hails from the booming city of Natchitoches, but moved to the Acadiana area over 20 years ago. Tonya enjoys spending time with her family and friends, doing fun things with her son.

LaShanaa Brown, MS, Psy.M

(She, Her, Hers)

Case Manager Supervisor
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LaShanaa Brown is one of the Case Manager Supervisors for the Healthy Start program here at The Family Tree. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Louisiana-Lafayette and a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology-with a specialization in Child and adolescent development. She has over 7 years working with families, children, and women in the mental health field. Her work during this time, and strong passion to help build strong healthy families ultimately guided her to shift gears. As a supervisor for healthy start, she is currently helping assist families with challenges raising small children.

LaShanaa truly believes that the most important part of building healthy families is ensuring they have the tools, resources, and knowledge to do so. Some of her favorite pastimes include traveling, selling homes as a licensed Louisiana realtor, and spending time with her mother and amazing daughter.

Shelly Daigle, M.S., M.Div., PLCP, NCC
(She, Her, Hers)

Mental Health Case Manager
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Ms. Shelly is a provisional licensed professional counselor and is perinatal mental health certified (PMH-C). She joined The Family Tree as the mental health case manager in the fall 2019. She holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Oklahoma State University (2019) and a master’s of divinity from Claremont School of Theology (2004).

Shelly is passionate about supporting families through the transition of parenthood, whether that is welcoming your first or sixth child. She regularly utilizes her training as a counselor, breastfeeding specialist and doula to help her empower moms in Acadiana through individual, couples or family counseling, support groups and postpartum phone calls. Shelly seeks to support her clients through a person-centered, strength based and self-compassionate approach. She has also been trained in EMDR and is interested in the interplay of attachment, brain development and trauma and how those connections can impact the therapeutic relationship and work.

Shelly has lived throughout the U.S. before relocating to Lafayette with her family in 2019. She previously worked in leadership of local churches, with domestic violence organizations and foster care agencies. She and her husband, Adam, are raising 4 dynamic children. While she has been married to her Cajun husband since 2011, she is learning more about the food and fun that comes with living in Cajun Country.

Mayci Doucet
(She, Her, Hers)

Community-Based Doula Coordinator
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Mrs. Mayci Doucet was born and raised in Carencro, Louisiana, and has relocated to Scott. She is a graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she received two bachelors of arts degrees-sociology and English Linguistics with a minor in Spanish. After graduating, she joined The Family Tree team and was a case manager for the Healthy Start Program for one year before being promoted to the Community Action Network (CAN) Coordinator. Her volunteer and professional experience has fueled her desire to help moms and families recognize and reach their full potential by not just surviving through life but thriving.

Mayci is happily married to her college sweetheart, Joshua. Her favorite pastime is exploring the world with her husband. Lastly, her long-term goals are to earn a master’s degree in social work and apply all of the Healthy Start knowledge to a family of her own.

Laurie LaFeur

(She, Her, Hers)

CAN Coordinator
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Laurie was born and raised in Broussard, La. She is genuinely honored and overjoyed to join the The Family Tree Healthy Start team as the (CAN) Community Action Network Coordinator. She has worked two previous tenors with The Family Tree Healthy Start Program from 2005-2010 and in 2014- 2016 when Healthy Start was relaunched and again now in 2023. Her previous experience of over 15 years with the Healthy Start program and other non- profits will be vital to make connections with the community to creating new and lasting relationships and collaborations. Her unwavering commitment remains dedicated, strong and passionate to fulfilling the mission of The Family Tree Healthy Start program. She is fully dedicated to serving and meeting the needs to provide community resources for mothers, babies and families in our community. Laurie and her husband Chris, enjoy traveling, home projects, traveling with Chris’ Cajun band, sharing quality time with their 3 beautiful grandchildren, and daughter/son-in law and rescue cat Kalle.

Amber Savoy, LSP, CPST, CBS

(She, Her, Hers)

Lead Case Manager 
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Ms. Amber Savoy was born and raised in Breaux Bridge, LA. She obtained her bachelor’s in Child and Family Studies with a minor in Sociology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Amber finds great joy in helping families find the services they need. Her creative and innovative thinking, coupled with precise attention to detail has enabled a long history of working with individuals with developmental disabilities. She is excited to take this experience and work with a variety of families to locate appropriate resources for every individual of the family unit. Amber is passionate about improving the quality of life of families here in the Acadiana community and looks forward to continuing her education so that she may better serve families in her community.

Amber truly believes that family is one of the most important things in a person’s life. Her greatest passion in life is spending time her husband and daughter making beautiful memories. In the rest of her spare time, she enjoys cooking, reading, fishing, and riding in their boat.

Jonathan Amanoua

(He, Him, His)

Father Case Manager
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Jonathan is from Côte D’ivoire (Ivory Coast) located in the West of Africa. He moved to the US when he was 12 years old with both of his parents. Being the only child, in a different country and even different continent was not easy at first, but he adapted quickly. He is currently attending the University of Louisiana at Lafayette pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business. When he was presented the opportunity to work with the Family Tree Healthy Start Program, he did not hesitate as he takes pride in helping others. Jonathan is also a firm believer in doing good deeds for others.

Christopher Lazard, CD, CBS

(He, Him, His)

Fatherhood Case Manager
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Christopher Joseph Lazard was born in Opelousas, LA. Chris attended LSUE and All Nations Biblical Study Center. In 2010, Chris accepted the call to preach and in 2014, he brought into fruition Spirit of Elijah Life Institute Church where he is the Founder and Senior Pastor. Learning to cope after the suicide of his cousin, Dominique Domino in 2016, Lazard started the Domino Effect – an organization geared towards the prevention and education of suicide. He is also the owner and operator of Lazting ImpressionZ LLC. Since the age of 12, Chris has played the piano, which helped him in the transition of becoming both a recording artist and a songwriter. His love for the betterment and empowerment of the world led him to the social service field. In his spare time, he enjoys singing, writing, traveling, and laughing whenever the chance presents itself. If asked what he is doing, his response would be “I’m trying to make the world a better place!”

Krystal Edwards, LSP, CPST, CBS

(She, Her, Hers)

Case Manager
[email protected]

I was born and raised in Carencro, La. I received my bachelor’s degree at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette in Child and Family Studies with a minor in Psychology. I was a toddler teacher for 3 years, where I learned the importance of interacting with different types of families and encouraging them along their journey! I feel that being able to make a difference in a family’s life no matter how big or small is what pushed me into this field of work! My passion and goal is to help as many people reach their highest potential as I can. Some of my hobbies consists of binge watching popular shows, traveling, shopping and most importantly spending time with my family and friends.

Destiny Gordon, LSP, CPST, CBS

(She, Her, Hers)

Case Manager
[email protected]

Destiny Gordon was born and raised in Kenner, Louisiana. She is a graduate of The University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she received her bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies, with a minor in Psychology. She has worked with children and their families since she was 16 years old and always knew that working with families would be her passion. She finds much joy in doing what she loves & believes that she can be a little part in shaping a big future for children. She had been a childcare teacher for 7 years and enjoyed working with young children & She also Interned for the Family Tree Healthy Start program and is thrilled that she has made her way back full time. In her free time, Destiny enjoys trivia, swimming, watching, and singing Disney movies, going on adventures with her friends & family, and shopping.

Mya Hall, LSP, CPST, CBS
(She, Her, Hers)

Case Manager
[email protected]

Mya Hall was born and raised in Opelousas, Louisiana. She is a graduate of The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, where she received her Bachelor’s degree in Child and Family Studies with a minor in Spanish. Ever since she was a little girl, Mya always had a heart for helping others. She first learned empathy when it came to growing up with her younger brother who has autism. Everyone has a voice and deserves to be heard. This is what she stands by. While being in college, she gained an interest in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Whenever she learned the importance of what mental health looked like for herself, it gave her the desire to help others navigate their own mental health journeys as well. She will be going to graduate school to pursue a Master’s degree in the Mental Health field. In Mya’s free time, she enjoys to relax outside in a nice, cool breeze. She is an introvert at heart. What gets her through her day is her faith and support system. Anytime she can be of any encouragement to those around her, she takes heed to that—even if silence is all that is needed.

Jasmine Ledet, LSP, CPST, CBS

Case Manager
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Ms. Jasmine Ledet was born and raised in Lafayette, La. She Recently Graduated from University of Louisiana at Lafayette majoring in Child and Family Studies with a minor in Psychology. Growing up Jasmine always had the passion of teaching and giving back to the community. When Jasmine has free time, she loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. During her internship with The Family Tree Healthy Start Program, she loves helping families and encouraging others.

Skasa Rideau

(He, Him, His)

Fatherhood Case Manager
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Jasonnaye Wilson, CBS
(She, Her, Hers)

Community Health Worker/Outreach 
[email protected]

Ms. Jasonnaye Wilson was born in California. The “spoiled one” of the crew due to being the youngest child and the only girl out of four children. After losing her first child to SIDS, she was overcome with grief and gave up on high school. However, she found the determination to go back and with faith and hope, she graduated high school at William Daylor High School in 2018. Ms. Wilson continued to beat the depression that was constantly trying to take over her mind, body and soul. The grief never stops but she is determined to beat the odds. She now serves as the full-time Community Health Worker for the Healthy Start Program. Being a former participant in the Healthy Start Program made her believe she had a purpose here. Her goal is to do all she can to make other parents aware of not only SIDS, but also infant mortality. She is also determined to help parents give their families a better, healthier life. Everything she does is dedicated to her late son, Najea Jr., and her beautiful daughter! She is determined to achieve great things, including opening a nonprofit that focuses on SIDS and SUIDS deaths. She will not let Najea Jr.’s death be in vain and hopes that by sharing her story, she can bring awareness to these deaths and hopefully save a child’s life.