Marshalle Manriquez didn’t arrive in the early childhood field by accident. With a background in justice studies and nearly a decade working in child welfare, from the Maricopa County Juvenile Court to Arizona’s Administrative Office of the Courts, she’s seen firsthand how systems touch families, for better or worse.
Now, as the Statewide Safe Babies Court Teams Coordinator at Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, Marshalle uses that experience to drive real change. Her mission is rooted in one core belief: families are the most important protective factor a child can have.
Strong, supportive families are essential for children to thrive.
She advocates for practices and policies that don’t just respond to crisis but actively work to prevent harm. Her focus on building systems that support families from the very start, not after something has gone wrong.
The Brain Science That Fuels Her Work
Marshalle’s dedication isn’t just based on professional experience—it’s grounded in science. What we now know about early brain development and trauma has reshaped how she sees the role of systems, policy, and prevention.
Trauma doesn’t start at age six; it starts at conception.
The first three years of life are the most critical for brain development, and trauma during this window has lasting effects, even if a child can’t express it verbally. “Their body remembers,” Marshalle says. “They can’t tell you the story, but their reactions to the world paint that picture for us.”
This is why early interventions matter. It’s not about eliminating all adversity, but about mitigating harm and building strong relationships that support healing. Marshalle believes Safe Babies Court is one of the most powerful tools we have for doing just that.
