In 2009 we were licensed foster parents and adopted two children from the system. After adopting I knew I couldn't take in any more placements as I had a house full with 5 children. However, I wanted to continue to make a difference in the lives of children and families . I worked as a foster care case manager part-time for several years. My heart has always been with families walking this journey and being in the thick of it myself, I understand the ups and downs that go into being a foster parent.
I have been married to my husband, John, for almost 27 years. We have five children, three teens who are still living in the home with us. I am a grandma to two amazing little girls who have stolen my heart. Our family loves to go boating, fishing, play games, go on walks, and travel when we can. 

Hi, I'm Rebekah, I am a wife, mom to adult daughters, and Grandma/Mimi to four. I enjoy spending time with family and creating memories with my grandchildren through adventures in travel, camping, gardening, riding bikes, and reading. I work in child welfare because I am passionate about making a difference in our communities. 

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meet our team

Karmen, Case Manager

Melinda moved to Paonia Colorado from the windy state of Kansas in the early 70's. She grew up in the Paonia area and graduated from Paonia High School. Melinda married her high school sweetheart and raised her family in Hotchkiss CO, where she still resides. Melinda came on board with KinConnect in September 2022 as an Office Assistant. She is excited to be part of a team that makes a positive difference in the families on the Western Slope. When not working for Kin Connect, Melinda enjoys spending time with her grandkids and family . Hobbies include camping, 4-wheeling, scrapbooking and quilting. She is an active member in her church and volunteers at Sunday school and VBS in the summer.

Hi everyone my name is Kaitlyn and I am a case manager and licensing specialist with Kin Connect. I have been working in foster/kinship care since 2021 and have loved every second of it! I truly enjoy working with both the families and kids everyday. My husband and I recently moved back to Montrose and are expecting our first baby in May. I enjoy spending time outside with my dog, Lulu, my brand new baby, and gardening.

I'm Tina Veitch and I am a Case Manager with Kin Connect. Originally from Bellingham, WA, I've always been drawn to the Western Slope of Colorado and two years ago my husband, son Liam and I relocated to Delta County. I love working with foster families because they are extraordinary individuals and being part of the Kin Connect team adds purpose to my life. My favorite aspects of this job include supporting those who are supporting children and advocating on behalf of my foster homes and parents. What is challenging for me is learning the myriad of acronyms! I have been fortunate to develop wonderful relationships with my parents and the children they care for. In my spare time, I enjoy raising and training horses, mountain biking, paddle boarding rivers and spending time with family and my two dalmatians. 

Rebekah, Executive Director

Melinda, Office

Kaitlyn, Social Media Specialist and Admin Assistant

Tina, Family Time Director and Certified TBRI Practitioner

Janis was born in Norton, Kansas and is the 9 th child out of 10 children. Her parents moved to Paonia, Colorado when she was 3 years old, where she spent her childhood. Janis graduated high school and received a Bachelors in Counseling Psychology at Mesa State College. Janis found her passion working with the at risk population while volunteering at the Partner’s Program during her college years. Janis obtained a part job working at a shelter for troubled and runaway teenage girls prior to graduating college. She found a true passion for the criminal minded youth coming out of the Division of Youth Corrections and Probation. Janis spent 31 years working with a local child placement agency in a variety of roles with the at risk population from case manager, recreational coordinator and a probation officer with low risk offenders. During these years it became apparent as children/youth were being removed and placed in foster homes, kinship care started to become a better solution. Biological families were stepping up to help close the gap with a family member in care, but were receiving little to no support compared to a traditional foster home. Janis found another passion and it was in the kinship world and felt very blessed to join the team with Rebekah at Kin Connect as Placement Supervisor. Janis reports working with Kin Connect was the best decision she could have made for herself because Rebekah shares the same passion for children/youth and foster parents as she does. Janis appreciates the services Rebekah pours into these families so the outcome of success can create a healing environment for children/youth suffering from losses and trauma in their lives. When Janis is not working she enjoys spending time with her family, grandchildren and escaping to the mountains to camp and ride ATV’s. She reports vacationing with family on secluded beaches is also a bonus when time allows

Janis, Supervisor

Hello, my name is Maxine Abbott. I have been working in the Social Service field for over fifteen years. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. I care about people and have a deep passion for the family. I am the oldest of six children. Three of which are adopted. Having a personal experience in the foster/adoption world has given me firsthand experience on some of the challenges that can come up but also the many rewards. I have also previously provided counseling services to children in foster care that were living in group homes and have seen the effects of the trauma they experienced. I hope by being a case manager with Kin Connect and working with foster/kinship families, I can support not only the children but the foster parents to provide what is in the best interest of the children while navigating the foster care process and experience. My goal is to provide support and empathy to foster/kinship families specific needs and challenges and just overall want to help in any way I can to these families that are providing a safe and loving home when children need it the most.
I am a wife and mother to five children. Four on earth and one in heaven. We love to camp, hike, hang out with family and friends, work on home projects to update our 1970s home and spend time with our animals on our constantly growing hobby farm

Maxine, Case Manager

After being a stay at home mom for over 20 years I earned my bachelor's degree and began my career at the age of 40. I worked as a case manager for another agency for two years before taking a year off to help with my husband's food truck. Then in October 2024 I started with Kin Connect. I have wanted to be a foster parent since I was a teenager, but it has not worked out for me to do so (yet). This job is right where I want to be. I really enjoy working with foster families and children! 

I have four kids, one grandchild, and another on the way. I have lived in Western Colorado since 1994. I love the area where I get to enjoy spending time outdoors. I also like to read and get creative through crochet. 

Andrea, Case Manager

Hi Everyone, My Name is Krystal and I have been a case manager with Kin Connect since December 2024. Previous to that I worked as a Social Case Worker for Mesa County and have also been a teacher here in Grand Junction for grades K-2. I have a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Elementary Education. I've always been drawn to a career that allows me to help individuals and families who find themselves in situations that they cannot navigate alone. It can be scary and overwhelming for both children and adults when they find themselves involved with the foster care system overnight. My goal is to make the experience feel safe and manageable. I am originally from Canon City but moved to Grand Junction in 2010. I absolutely love the Western Slope and all it has to offer. I have been married to my amazing husband for 8 years now and we have two wonderful boys. When we clock out, we spend our time at home tending to our goats and chickens, driving our boys to and from sports practice or fishing up on the Mesa. 

Krystal, Case Manager

I have been with Kin Connect since April 2025. After graduating college with a BA in Criminal Justice and Sociology, I have worked as a Detention Deputy and lead Special Educator of a behavioral program for all aged students. Having a deep passion for working with children, I found Kin Connect and have enjoyed every minute working with the team and clients. Working with Foster Parents and the children has been an incredibly fulfilling journey. When I’m not working, you can typically find me in the mountains with my two huskies and husband.

Haley , Case Manager and Admin Assistant

Megan, Support Services and Case Manager

Hello, my name is Megan Sandoval. I have worked in the Social Services field for about 6 years. I started my career in Child Welfare and made the transition to Kin Connect in June of 2025. I have a bachelor's degree in Psychology and also contract with the Dolphin House. I fell into the Social Services field, but have always had the desire to help people in some way. I truly love and have a passion for helping families in the Child Welfare system. I am currently a case manager for traditional and kinship certified homes. I also run the Support Services program and this work has brought me so much joy. I work with youth and families who need guidance and assistance through either assessments or cases. Our goal for this program is to help families through the Child Welfare system, and limit the amount of intervention from the County. Some families don't have the village necessary to raise children while feeling supported, and I can provide that for those families. My goal is to build up the families I work with so they feel empowered to have a voice and seek help themselves when I no longer am working with them. We as humans seek connection and in providing that for this community, I have felt truly blessed.