Lisa “LJ” Von Dohlen, MSW, LCSW, has been the Program Coordinator for the NCDPI Foster Care Education Program since July 2023 and provides training and support to school districts, educational partners, community organizations, and state agencies. Ms. Von Dohlen prepares best practice materials for foster care points of contact, monitors school districts and charter schools, and provides training at the state and national level. She began her service in public education in 1992 as a school social worker and has worked with or on behalf of students in foster care throughout her career. She has served in administrative capacities as a coordinator of social work services, McKinney-Vento liaison, and lead social worker. She is a licensed clinical social worker and is licensed by NCDPI as a school social worker, principal, and superintendent. Ms. Von Dohlen has been an adjunct instructor in higher education and served on advisory boards in public education, higher education, and non-profit organizations.

In 2006, she was named the Social Worker of the Year by the National Association of Social Workers – Virginia Chapter. She was the 2013-2014 Buncombe County Schools’ Social Worker of the Year. In 2016, she was recognized as the NC School Social Worker of the Year. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish from Lenoir-Rhyne University, a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina, and a Post-master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University.

In her spare time, LJ enjoys spending time with her family, kayaking, camping, and going to the beach, where you will find her looking for seashells.