The Heart of ACCT's Effectiveness
The heart of ACCT’s effectiveness is the quality of our people. At ACCT, we believe that programs don’t change lives. People do. Every day, our attorneys and advocates bring their expertise, passion, and determination to ensure that children in foster care are seen, heard, and protected.
Together, we form a community of professionals and volunteers committed to standing beside children in some of the most difficult moments of their lives, so they know they are not alone, and that someone is always fighting for their future.
Keith D. Halcomb
Guardian ad Litem, Director of Legal Advocacy
Keith Halcomb brings both professional expertise and personal dedication to his role as Guardian ad Litem at ACCT. With a career rooted in advocacy, Keith has fought for the educational rights of children with disabilities, defended the civil rights of underserved communities, and now represents children in foster care to ensure their voices are heard in court. Drawing on his background in education and criminal law, he advocates not only for safety and permanency but also for the educational opportunities every child deserves.
Keith’s passion for advocacy is deeply tied to his own journey as a parent. After the loss of his children’s mother, Keith stepped away from his career to devote several years as a full-time father to Cole and Kaelyn. The strong bond he built with them reflects the same unwavering commitment he brings to the children he serves through ACCT. Today, Keith continues to model resilience and dedication, whether on the Katy Trail, cheering for Arsenal soccer, or advocating in court for a child’s best interest.
Albert Greive
Guardian ad Litem, Family Formation Director
Albert is a Guardian ad Litem, attorney, author, and speaker who brings both lived experience and professional expertise to his work at ACCT. A former foster youth, Albert has transformed his own challenging childhood into a lifelong mission of advocating for children. His career has spanned law enforcement, litigation, training, and writing, including his books Little One, You Are Loved and The Fear to Persevere. Through it all, he has remained focused on giving children the tools, voice, and safety they need to thrive.
Albert is also a proud and devoted father of three boys. His oldest son, a scholar athlete, is pursuing his education at Dartmouth College; his middle son competes at the national level in AAU sports; and his youngest keeps the family laughing with boundless energy. For Albert, breaking cycles and building opportunities for his children is one of his greatest triumphs, an experience that informs his trauma informed advocacy for children in foster care. With compassion and determination, Albert ensures that the youth he represents are seen not only for their struggles, but for their potential to heal, grow, and succeed.
Jeanne Richardson
Program Coordinator
Jeanne brings more than three decades of experience in Missouri’s court system to her role as Program Coordinator at ACCT. She previously served as Judicial Executive Assistant to Chief Justice Paul C. Wilson and as Administrative Coordinator with the Office of State Courts Administrator, where she supported judges, clerks, and statewide court operations.
In addition to her professional expertise, Jeanne’s life has been shaped by her compassion and dedication to serving others. A former foster parent and current homeless ministry leader at her church, she understands firsthand the challenges children and families face in crisis. She is also a proud mother of three, whose experiences as both parent and advocate deepen her commitment to ACCT’s mission.
Tonie Hill
Legal Consultant
Tonie brings nearly two decades of experience with Missouri’s Department of Social Services to her role as a legal consultant for ACCT. She assists and advises ACCT attorneys on relevant laws, legal procedures, and the preparation of forms and motions, ensuring each case is supported with accuracy and efficiency. With a strong background in legal administration and a dedication to serving Missouri families, Tonie plays a vital role in helping our attorneys advocate effectively for children in foster care.
The Board of Directors
- Alex LeCure, President
- Paul Cordia, Vice President/Treasurer
- Chris Krautmann, Secretary
- Sharon Lowder
- Peter Boyer
- Kyle Peek
- Penny Mueller
Our Vision
ACCT’s vision is a system that protects and empowers children by providing them with nurturing, forever homes secured by authentic connection between youth and their families, role models, peers and their community. Foundational to establishing connections is forceful legal advocacy that shatters barriers to building permanent connection.
Our History
ACCT was founded in 2023 by a group of child welfare volunteers who saw, firsthand, how often the needs of children in foster care went unmet. They recognized that children truly needed was someone with the training, authority, and commitment to stand up for them, loudly and effectively.
From that vision, ACCT was born: a legal advocacy organization devoted to ensuring that every child in foster care has a highly trained attorney fighting for their best interests. Our founders understood that real change happens when someone is not just present, but empowered to hold systems accountable and demand better. That’s what we do, every day, for every child we serve.