Lisa Walker received her BS degree from National University in 2001, with a major in Psychology and a minor in Addictive Disorders.

Earlier, she began work with preschool aged children in 1985. Her focus shifted to at-risk adolescents in 1992, beginning at Hillcrest Receiving Home, and then transferring to Polinsky Children's Center when it opened.

During the time period she worked at Polinsky, she also worked part-time with adolescents who were hospitalized for suicidal ideation at UCSD Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Services (CAPS).

Lisa is currently working as a Protective Services Worker II in the Residential Services Teen Unit, having worked for the Department of Health and

Human Services for 14 years altogether. She has recently been appointed to a new part-time position for Team Decision Making, to begin in November 2006.

In addition, she leads a Foster Youth Mentor Ministry through her church, recruiting and training individuals to be mentors for San Diego County's foster youth. She coordinates these efforts with County staff in the County foster youth mentoring program.

In March 2007, she led a team and organized (along with a team of about 7 people) the first annual "Youth in Paradise" Walk at Lake Miramar to increase awareness of the Volunteer Mentor Program, to recruit new mentors, and to raise funds to support activities and enrichment opportunities for foster children and their Mentors. www.youthinparadise.com