Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Walton.
Hi Nicole, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey into this field began with a deep passion for helping families heal, grow, and thrive. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and early in my career, I had the privilege of working with children on the autism spectrum. That experience profoundly shaped my understanding of the importance of individualized support, patience, and meeting children and families where they are. It taught me how vital it is to create structured, nurturing environments that foster both trust and progress.
As I transitioned into behavioral support and case management roles, I encountered many families struggling to navigate the child welfare system—often without the guidance, emotional support, or resources they needed. I realized that I wanted to do more than provide temporary solutions—I wanted to help families build lasting change.
That calling led me to establish Distinguished Journeys, a program grounded in family-centered, strengths-based care. While the vision started with me, I’ve never walked this journey alone. I’m deeply proud of the incredible team behind Distinguished Journeys who helped bring this vision to life. Their insight, passion, and commitment have shaped our agency into what it is today.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like most meaningful work, the path hasn’t always been smooth. One of our biggest challenges has been navigating the complexities of the child welfare system while advocating for the real needs of families. At times, we’ve faced red tape, resource gaps, and frustrating barriers—but each challenge has strengthened our resolve.
We’ve also placed a strong emphasis on building a team that not only brings technical expertise, but also leads with compassion. Training our staff to approach each case with cultural humility, empathy, and adaptability has been key to our success. Through it all, we’ve remained anchored in our core values—Trust, Honesty, Respect, Integrity, Vision, Excellence, and Safety (T.H.R.I.V.E.S.)—which serve as the foundation for every decision we make and every family we support.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Distinguished Journeys?
Distinguished Journeys is a staffing agency that partners with DFCS to provide direct support to children and families with open foster care cases. We offer behavioral aide services, parent aide support, transportation, and drug screening services. Our services are rooted in empowerment—we don’t just help families get through a checklist; we walk alongside them, offering guidance, structure, and hope.
What sets us apart is our intentional focus on relationship-building and family empowerment. We believe in equipping families with the tools they need to succeed long after our services end. Our team leads with empathy, accountability, and an unwavering belief in the potential of every child and parent we serve.
We are proud to be known not just for the services we provide, but for the way we provide them. From our frontline staff to our leadership team, every member of Distinguished Journeys shares a common mission and a deep commitment to doing this work with excellence.
What are your plans for the future?
Looking ahead, we’re excited to continue growing and evolving. While we’re currently serving families across 15 counties in Georgia, we’re preparing to expand into additional counties this summer to meet the rising demand for services.
We’re also investing in advanced training for our staff, particularly in areas like trauma-informed care, mental health support, and supporting children with autism and other developmental differences. We want to ensure our team is equipped with the knowledge and skills to serve families with sensitivity, confidence, and care.
Ultimately, I envision Distinguished Journeys becoming a statewide (and eventually national) leader in family empowerment. We don’t just want to provide services—we want to help reshape how families experience support during one of the most challenging seasons of their lives. We want every family we serve to feel seen, heard, and strengthened—and I believe we’re just getting started.
