About Elise Colquitt, MSW
Child Trauma Response Specialist
Elise Colquitt is a dedicated advocate and child trauma specialist with extensive experience supporting children and families through multidisciplinary approaches to healing. As a Family Advocate at a Children’s Advocacy Center, she provides critical support to families navigating the complexities of the child welfare and legal systems following disclosure of abuse. Her compassionate guidance helps families understand investigation processes, access needed resources, and maintain stability during challenging transitions.
As a therapist specializing in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Elise works directly with children ages 3-17 who have experienced trauma, helping them process difficult experiences and develop resilience. Her therapeutic approach emphasizes creating safe spaces for healing while equipping children and caregivers with practical tools for managing trauma responses.
A passionate advocate for children’s voices, Elise regularly provides court advocacy, accompanying children through testimony and legal proceedings with trauma-sensitive preparation and support. She has become a trusted resource for those seeking to create more child-friendly environments that minimize additional trauma within the legal system.
Beyond her direct service work, Elise is the founder of SPARK Advocacy Collective, where she channels her frontline experience into training and consultation services. Through SPARK, she provides specialized training for professionals working with children across various systems, including mental health, education, legal, faith-based organizations, and child welfare. Her consultation services help organizations develop and implement effective protocols that better serve children while sustaining the wellbeing of staff.
Elise is known for her innovative integration of evidence-based practices with practical, real-world application. Her unique combination of clinical expertise and systems knowledge allows her to bridge gaps between different disciplines, creating more cohesive support networks for children who have experienced abuse. She is particularly interested in enhancing professional practice while maintaining the human connection essential to healing.
Elise is committed to sharing her expertise through presentations at conferences, workshops for professionals, guest lectures in higher education settings, and consultation with agencies seeking to enhance their prevention, intervention, and support practices. Through SPARK Advocacy Collective, she continues her mission of enhancing practice and transforming systems to better protect and support our most vulnerable children.
About Alexia Ardón, LMSW
Latinx Community Engagement & Training Lead
Alexia Ardón is a bilingual mental health professional, educator, and advocate committed to advancing trauma-informed care and child abuse prevention, especially within Latinx communities. With roots in both direct service and systems-level change, Alexia brings deep compassion and cultural insight to every aspect of her work.
Fluent in English and Spanish, Alexia specializes in bridging service gaps for Spanish-speaking families who often face added layers of fear, stigma, or isolation when navigating abuse disclosures or accessing mental health support. Whether through therapy, advocacy, or community outreach, she works to ensure that every child and caregiver feels heard, supported, and empowered.
Alexia has experience facilitating trauma-focused therapy for children and adolescents impacted by abuse, and providing guidance to families through legal and child welfare processes. Her calm presence and culturally attuned approach make her a trusted ally for families during some of their most difficult moments.
As part of her work with SPARK Advocacy Collective, Alexia leads bilingual trainings and workshops for professionals across disciplines- helping schools, clinics, legal teams, and faith-based organizations strengthen their responses to trauma and abuse. Her prevention-focused sessions are designed to demystify complex topics and equip communities with tools to take action, especially in historically underserved populations.
Alexia is passionate about expanding access to education and creating spaces where caregivers, children, and professionals alike can grow in confidence and connection. Her work lives at the intersection of healing and justice—working toward a future where all children, regardless of language or background, are protected, supported, and empowered to thrive.
About SPARK Advocacy Collective
Our Mission
Support, Prevention, and Recovery for Kids (SPARK) Advocacy Collective empowers professionals across all disciplines to enhance their prevention, response, and support services for children who have experienced child abuse or other trauma.
Our Vision
Empowering those who serve children to recognize trauma and respond with healing.
We envision a world where every professional working with children is equipped with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to create safe, healing-centered environments.
Our Core Values
Trauma Informed Excellence
We champion evidence-based, trauma-informed practices that prioritize the healing and well-being of children while supporting the professionals who serve them.
Professional Empowerment
We equip professionals with the knowledge, tools, and support needed to excel in their roles and create positive systemic change.
Child-Centered Focus
We work to reshape systems and institutions to better serve and protect children, creating lasting positive change through education and advocacy.
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
We foster meaningful partnerships across disciplines, recognizing that effective advocacy requires diverse perspectives and unified effort.
SPARK Advocacy Collective 