Meet the Team
Lori Nichols
Foster Care Licensing Supervisor
Lori Nichols is the Foster Care Licensing Supervisor for the fifteen rural counties in the state. Her passion is to see children in foster care be placed in safe, trauma-informed homes that provide excellent parenting.
Lori’s greatest lifetime achievement is her family, consisting of her husband of twenty-five-years, Steven, and their four amazing children – Jacob (20), Sam (17), Grace (17) and Zachary (15). In her free time, Lori likes to cook, snuggle her dogs, read and watch movies with her kids.
Shelby Riley
Foster Care Licensing Specialist
Shelby Riley is Rural Nevada’s Foster Care Recruiter. Shelby has a wealth of experience in child welfare as an ongoing CPS case manager from 2018 to 2021.
Shelby is dedicated to improving the quality of outcomes for people affected by the child welfare system. She believes that foster homes play a big role into the strength of our communities’ future generation. Shelby is here, and ready to answer your questions about becoming a foster parent in Nevada!
Tawney Simpson
Foster Care Licensing Specialist
Tawney born and raised in Reno, Nevada and is the mother of two. She has worked in the foster care field for thirteen years and has enjoyed her time working with foster parents in her community and watching foster children bloom in loving and supportive homes. She appreciates opportunities to learn new skills and to gain knowledge as this is an ever-growing field. She is hardworking, dedicated, and enjoys collaborating with other professionals to ensure the best standard of care.
Ashley Smith
Foster Care Licensing Specialist
Ashley is a Foster Care Licensing Worker for Rural Nevada. She has been with the licensing team for the past year and previously worked with youth in the Juvenile Probation System. Her experience has shown her how a nurturing environment can positively impact youth and prepare them for their future. She is passionate about integrity, ensuring youth are in a safe and loving environment, and advocating for both youth and foster families. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys traveling with her husband and spending time with her fur children.
Sheila Guzzetta
Licensing Administrative Assistant
Sheila is the Administrative Assistant II for Foster Care Licensing in Rural Nevada. She previously worked in the private sector as an administrative assistant in both the real estate and non-profit industries. In her role, Sheila is known for her exceptional organizational abilities and compassionate approach, ensuring that everything runs smoothly while prioritizing the needs of those she supports. Her dedication to her work shines through in every task she undertakes, as she is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of others. In her free time, Sheila enjoys going to the movies and concerts with her family, going on cruises, and spending warm summer days at Lake Tahoe, soaking up the sunshine.
Shana Rogers
Foster Care Licensing Specialist
Shana Rogers is a Foster Care Licensing Specialist with the Nevada Division of Child and Family Services. Shana has dedicated her career to helping others and has over ten years of experience working with youth and their families. Shana is passionate about working with families and ensuring children in her community have safe, loving homes that are adequately trained, prepared, and trauma informed. When Shana is not working, she serves on the Young Professionals Committee for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northern Nevada.
Estefany Rodriguez-Gonzalez
Foster Care Licensing Specialist
Estefany is a Foster Care Licensing Worker for Rural Nevada. She joined the team in October of 2024 and previously worked as a Developmental Specialist for Nevada Early Intervention Services. Estefany is dedicated to ensuring that families meet the requirements to provide a stable, safe, and nurturing environment for children in need. She believes in making sure every foster child has the opportunity to thrive in a loving home and understands the importance of a strong, supportive partnership between the agency and our foster families.