Travis Paustian brings a lifelong desire to work with kids to his position as residential director with O’Connell Children’s Shelter. He started as a part-time teaching assistant while in college, and after graduating in 2005 with a degree in psychology moved into a case coordinator role. In his current role as residential director Travis works with case coordinators and teaching assistants to provide the nurturing and supportive environment that makes O’Connell Children’s Shelter successful.

Travis is a certified Mandt System trainer. The Mandt System is a relationship-based crisis interaction program with a focus on building trust and supporting people. Travis trains all OCS residential staff in the Mandt System and serves as the lead in this program.

In his spare time, Travis shoots hoops and enjoys the challenges of fishing.