Shayla Cruz

Shayla loved animals when she was a child. She wanted to be a zookeeper or a veterinarian. If an animal appeared to be in trouble, she was sure to bring them home to care for them. She was usually trying to tame the wild cats in the neighborhood, which resulted in her being covered by scratches and trying again the next day. 

Shayla is passionate about many different social issues, but the best way to sum them all up is loving people. She said, “So much of our world is fueled by hatred, and I am passionate about trying to change that.” Feeling that no one is more in need than children in foster care, Shayla entered the field of social work.

Shayla graduated from the University of Nebraska at Kearney with a Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work and a minor in art. She began her career working with individuals with disabilities, then worked at the Department of Health and Human Services as a Children and Family Services Specialist for five years. Shayla then transitioned to Compass to become a licensed foster parent and Foster Care Specialist. Currently, Shayla serves as the Foster Care Lead for Compass. 

Shayla is married to Cesar. They have beautiful twin boys, two dogs, a cat and a fish. Her boys keep her busy, so her hobbies include sleep, naps, and coffee.