SPEAKER. TRAINER.
CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER.

I help professionals and families navigate challenges around the journey of foster care and adoption.

Trauma-informed strategies from someone who’s lived it.

As an adult who has experienced her own childhood trauma, social worker and adoptive parent Leslie Hales brings genuine wisdom to professionals and families in the foster care and adoption journey through training, speaking engagements, and consultations that tackle the tough topics.

“When I think of words to describe Leslie, I think of ‘relentless pursuit in adversity, overcomer, humor, vulnerability, wisdom and hope.”

Tonya Sauder, Adoptive Parent

About Leslie

Leslie Hales, LICSW, PIP, is a trauma-certified, dedicated professional with over 24 years of experience in social work. She is also an adoptive parent herself, with a 26-year-old daughter and co-parent to a sibling group of five, all from foster care.

Originally from Laurel, Mississippi, Leslie earned her undergraduate degree in social work from the University of Southern Mississippi (1999) and her Master’s in Social Work from The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa (2003). Leslie’s career in social work began with Jefferson County DHR, where she worked in child welfare, focusing on preservation, foster care, and quality assurance.

  • She later joined Children's Aid Society of Alabama, taking on roles such as Family Support Worker, Post-Adoption Support Services Coordinator, and Coordinator of Pre-Adoption Services for adoptive families. In addition, Leslie coordinated state and federal services for teens in the foster care system, as well as homeless and runaway youth.

    In 2017, Leslie transitioned to Medical Social Work, specializing in discharge planning at Grandview Medical Center of Birmingham, Alabama. Currently, she serves as a Regional Managed Care Manager for Alahealth, offering oversight and supervision to Area Agencies on Aging that provide services for Medicaid members on the Elderly and Disabled and Transition Medicaid Waiver Programs.

    Leslie's commitment to her field also extends to her role as a Credentialed Course Instructor & Field Liaison at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Social Work since 2019.

Speaking | Trainings | Workshops

Most Requested Topics

Topics tailored for audiences of professionals or parents.

  • Navigating Expectations During Foster and Adoption
    Transitions Effective strategies for adoptive and foster parents to navigate and balance their expectations during significant family transitions, ensuring a smoother adjustment for everyone involved.

  • Guiding Adoptive and Foster Youth into Adulthood
    Guiding and supporting foster and adoptive families as they transition their children into adulthood, helping them build the skills and resilience needed for a successful independent life.

  • Fostering Stronger Sibling Relationships
    Navigating the connections between siblings in foster care and adoption, with valuable insights for both professionals and parents.

  • Unpacking the Mental Impact of Trauma
    Understanding how trauma affects our mental well-being and, in turn, its influence on our interactions and relationships.

  • Equipping Staff for Success in Child Welfare
    Effective strategies and tools for supporting staff members from diverse backgrounds and experiences in their roles in the child welfare system, supporting them to make a meaningful impact on families and children's lives.

Don’t see what you need? Contact Leslie to commission a training specifically for your conference or training.

What people are saying about Leslie

  • “As a training coordinator, I've had the privilege of engaging Leslie's expertise in youth and families for various occasions, including conference sessions, webinars, consulting referrals, and a keynote address. In my experience hiring over two hundred speakers, there are several aspects in which Leslie stands out. Leslie's relentless curiosity and collaborative spirit enable her to tailor each training session to our specific needs while deeply resonating with our audience, ensuring that every event feels like a genuine partnership rather than simply a canned presentation. She always seeks feedback, refining her content and training methods for maximum effectiveness. What truly distinguishes Leslie is her authenticity and empathy. Her genuineness and presence foster a welcoming atmosphere, making even the most challenging topics approachable. I wholeheartedly recommend Leslie's services to anyone seeking impactful training or consultation.”

    Brock Sellers, LICSW, PIP

  • "I met Leslie several years ago at a conference when she led a workshop titled Lying, Cheating, and Stealing. I was a newly licensed foster parent at the time, and I still implement techniques from that training today. As an adoptive parent of four kids who are 13, 10, and two 8-year-olds, I have reached out to her several times for advice. As the Vice President of the Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Association, I reached out to Leslie to be a speaker at our annual conference. I asked her to speak on what life is like after adoption with a special needs child. She did not have this training at this time but was willing to develop one. We spoke several times throughout the process, and not only did she do an amazing job, but she exceeded my expectations."

    Heather Branam
    Vice President of Adoptions for Alabama Foster and Adoptive Parent Association

  • "As an adoptive parent, I want to hear from Leslie because she's been there. She has cried with me, laughed with me, and hoped with me when circumstances looked dire. If there isn't a resource to help, Leslie is the friend and mother who is a trailblazer and goes and makes one. When I think of words to describe Leslie, I think of "relentless pursuit in adversity, overcomer, humor, vulnerability, wisdom and hope." While knowledge can definitely be powerful, knowledge is worth more than gold when forged through real-life experience in the trenches. Thank you, Leslie, for being an advocate, for sharing your heart, your stories, and for caring enough to participate in mine."

    Tonya Sauder
    Adoptive Parent

Training. Consulting. Guidance.

Book Leslie today for your next event!