Villages Highlight: Claudia Tascon-Pena

Meet Claudia Tascon-Pena

Evansville foster care case manager and trainer

Claudia Tascon-Pena joined The Villages a year ago after hearing about the opening from a friend. She has brought unique perspective and experience to the team.

Claudia moved to the United States 30 years ago immigrating from Colombia, South America. She knows being bi-lingual is valued in most organizations, yet her valuable experience at The Villages also includes working for Indiana DCS until 2017 and fostering children until 2019. She says the number one thing she loves about her job is working with future foster parents and sharing her perspective.

“Bringing the experience of being a former foster parent helps potential foster parents be put at ease,” says Claudia. “They’re hearing from someone who has gone through what they’re about to go through. I think I’m a good example for these future foster parents.”

Claudia says being raised in Colombia, she was taught to help people, “I think it’s in my blood.” She says when she talks to parents who are interested in fostering, she wants to be sure parents have stability both financially and emotionally. “You have to prepare yourself to see different cases. It doesn’t matter if someone is helping one or 20 children, as long as you’re helping one child that’s all that matters.”

Since joining the Evansville team last August, Claudia has brought a fresh perspective looking for ways to expand relationships in diverse communities. “I like colors… Color for me is happiness, diversity and being different.”

She says when she suggested the office team should connect with the Hispanic and Latino communities, she felt supported and envisions making progress in the future. “The Villages is a great place to work. It’s a place where you can think outside the box. We’re given opportunity to express ourselves and execute ideas,” she says.