BATON ROUGE, LA

Jena Ourso is currently the Team Lead 2 in PSH at Start Corporation in Baton Rouge, La.  Jena graduated from Nicholls State University with her undergraduate degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice. Jena continued her education at LSU obtaining her Master's in Social Work with a Gerontology certification. She currently holds a full certification in A-CRA, an evidence-based substance use program.  Jena has previously worked as a therapist in community-based state and federal organizations. She also worked as a care coordinator and a crisis assessor for local hospitals. Jena has conducted various community and clinician workshops including, “Working with LGBTQ+ youth in Schools and Culturally Competent Practice with LGBTQ+ individuals.” Jena is currently an ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) facilitator for Mayor Broome's Healthy City Initiative. In Jena's free time, she enjoys being outdoors with her wife and son as well as their cat, dog and 2 chickens! 

Kevin Drayton is a Team Lead with the Start Corporation Permanent Supportive Housing project in Northeast Louisiana. He began work with Start Corporation specializing in Disaster Rapid Rehousing, and was responsible for assisting March 2016 flood victims and their families with housing stabilization, Kevin is a college graduate, and has more than 36 years of professional level work experience in Federal, State and Municipal government. He has worked in Federal and State agencies as a Department Head, Wraparound Services, and Non-Profit Continuum of Care agencies in Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing. His current work involves identifying HUD eligible chronically homeless persons with disabling conditions, and assisting them with securing permanent housing with case management supports, utilizing the HUD housing first model.  

Amanda was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from Oakland City University and her Master’s degree in Social Work at LSU. Amanda enjoys working with all ages. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends.