Crissy Mombela is the Director of Programs and Initiatives for the RSSI REACH initiative through the Partnership for Resilience, where she fosters collaboration and leads efforts to strengthen trauma-responsive, community-centered education across Illinois public schools. With over twenty-five years of experience as a special education teacher and administrator, she specializes in developing systems that foster connection, innovation, and a sense of belonging within school communities. Crissy oversees the implementation of the Whole Child Program and facilitates the RSSI REACH initiative, working to improve outcomes for children by fostering strong partnerships among schools, families, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Crissy earned her B.S.Ed. with a concentration in special education from Northern Illinois University and her M.Ed. in Educational Administration from Loyola University.  Crissy currently holds an Illinois Professional Educator License for teaching and administration with endorsements for directing special education programs and teaching English Language Learners.