Meet the dedicated team
Discover the passionate individuals driving the Shield & Refuge Initiative. Our team is united by personal experience and a shared commitment to protecting vulnerable children and inspiring change.
Monique Peyre: A mother's enduring advocacy
Monique, a previous foster parent and adoptive mother of a sibling group of three, brings profound personal experience to our team. Her oldest son, Isaiah, inspired legislation due to the impact of visitation with abusive caregivers on his well-being. Monique's journey embodies the dedication and resilience needed to advocate for children's safety and health within the system.
Kevin Watson: From experience to advocacy
Kevin Watson, a foster parent himself, joined our team with a unique and powerful perspective as a former foster youth. His personal journey fuels his passion for seeing fundamental change within the child welfare system. Kevin's insights are invaluable in shaping our initiatives to better protect and support vulnerable children.
Jeremy and Dr. Kylie: Legislative impact and expertise
Jeremy and Dr. Kylie, a married couple and dedicated foster parents, are an incredibly valuable asset to our team. With a wealth of knowledge gained from their experience in previous legislative sessions, they have been instrumental in helping to pass crucial legislation. Their expertise ensures our advocacy efforts are both impactful and well-informed.
Nicole and Joe Egbert: A network of support
Nicole and Joe Egbert fostered Isaiah previously in 2019, which connected them to Monique and the Shield & Refuge Initiative. As experienced foster and adoptive parents, their contributions to the team are significant. Their firsthand understanding of the foster care system strengthens our collective ability to advocate for better protections and outcomes for children.
"With God's hand leading us and guiding us, we were able to pass legislation this past session. It just goes to show absolutely anyone can do it!"
- The Shield & Refuge Initiative Team