Trainer Biography
Judith Lefler, BSN, CLNC
Judith Lefler received her BS in Nursing from the University of California San Francisco in 1972. She completed her 5th year post-graduate study in Public Health Nursing and has a certification in School Nursing. In addition, Ms. Lefler was certified as a Pediatric Intensive Care Specialist in 1982 and Certified as a Legal Nurse Consultant in 1992.
In 1987, Ms. Lefler became a licensed foster parent through San Francisco County to a medically fragile infant. This child later became her adopted daughter. Because of this experience and the need for medical advocates for fragile children, Ms. Lefler became the first public health nurse in the Bay Area supporting the care of medically fragile foster children. Many of the statewide policies, guiding the care of Medically Fragile Infants and Children were developed by Ms. Lefler during the time she was employed in San Francisco child welfare.
In 2000, Ms. Lefler began her career with the Bay Area Academy and for the past 8 years has been the Assistant Director. In this capacity she oversees child welfare training in 12 Bay Area Counties. In this capacity she sits on several state committees including AB12 work group, CAPP Oversite Committee, CalSWEC board, CDOG, STEC and Macro Evaluation.
In addition, M. Lefler has trained locally in the Bay Area, California and Nationally. She has served as an expert witness in child abuse cases, including but not limited to: Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, HIV infections, serious head injuries, attachment and loss and grief. She also currently serves as a medical guardian ad litem for Solano County Superior Court. She was also selected as a member of the Solano County Blue Ribbon Committee in 2003.