Maria Voigts, Ph.D. abd

MDT Coordinator

Maria Voigts joined the Hope Haven team as the MDT Facilitator in June of 2026. Before joining Hope Haven, Maria worked for three years as the Program Director for Canopy’s South Mississippi Child Advocacy Center with sites in Gulfport and Pascagoula MS. Prior to moving to Mississippi in 2019, Maria worked as a Quality Specialist for Eckerd Connects Project Bridge which is a juvenile justice program in Florida dedicated to providing second chances to at risk youth. Maria has worked in Florida for Child Protective Services as an investigator, a Victim Advocate for the Circuit 9 State Attorney’s office in the Sex Crimes and Child Abuse division, a Regional Director for AMIKids supervising 18 sites throughout the state of Florida with the focus on mental health and substance abuse treatment for juvenile justice youth and a forensic specialist for Lakeside Alternatives managing Orange County’s adult competency program. This past year, Maria presented in several conferences including Children’s Advocacy of MS One Loud Voice, where she presented on the Dark Triad and its link to Child Sexual Abuse, the 2026 AG MPA Prosecutors Conference where she presented on Internet Risks for Youth and 2025 Canopy Children’s Mental Health Summit. Maria has an extensive history working with children,, families, and communities. Maria earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Florida State University and a Master and Doctorate Degree in Counseling from Barry University. Maria also played professional golf on the LPGA from 1995-1998.