Faculty, Director of MCC Social Work Program

• 2011 - Present

Teach a diverse range of social work courses to a diverse student population, advise and mentor students and adjunct faculty, develop syllabi/course outline/course material, evaluate and monitor student knowledge and scholastic records, prepare and grade exams. Responsible for course creation and design of traditional, online and hybrid classes. Develop social work class schedule and three year strategic plan. Plan field trips to enhance student learning. Created MCC SW logo/motto/brochure, Facebook page and MCC Social Work Club. Member of AZ SW Articulation Council, MCC Service Learning Advisory Board and Strategic Planning Committee. Show less

Psychotherapist and Agency Owner

• Nov 2002 - Present

Assist individuals, families, agencies and businesses to feel better and do better. Provide therapy, employee assistance counseling, consultation, and training. Contract with most all major insurance plans and employee assistance programs. As a LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I assess, diagnose and treat mental health issues. As a CEAP, Certified Employee Assistance Professional I work with employers and employees to help them achieve work and life balance. As an ERYT-500 I incorporate a holistic approach to health and wellness utilizing yoga and mindfulness techniques for well-being. Show less

President

• Jul 2018 - Jul 2020

Adjunct Faculty Instructor

• Aug 2004 - Jun 2013

Teach classes for Fitness and Wellness Department as well as the Counseling Department, Behavioral Health Science Program. Successfully taught over 80 credit hours! Teach classes for Fitness and Wellness Department as well as the Counseling Department, Behavioral Health Science Program. Successfully taught over 80 credit hours!

District School Social Worker

• Aug 2006 - Jul 2011

Responsible for managing social work services at Title I schools in the district including an alternative program. Duties included assessment of mental health issues, individual and group counseling, resource/referrals, and crisis intervention. Provided clinical supervision for BSW/MSW interns at various district placements. Offered training and consultation to faculty, staff, and district administration as well as creation and coordination of the PESD Community Collaboration. Responsible for managing social work services at Title I schools in the district including an alternative program. Duties included assessment of mental health issues, individual and group counseling, resource/referrals, and crisis intervention. Provided clinical supervision for BSW/MSW interns at various district placements. Offered training and consultation to faculty, staff, and district administration as well as creation and coordination of the PESD Community Collaboration.

Faculty Associate, School of Social Work

• 2010 - 2011

Taught a range of social work classes to a diverse student population in the BSW and MSW programs. Develop/modify/update written syllabi, grading rubric, and course materials; evaluate knowledge of subject matter taught and monitor student scholastic records, prepare and grade exams/papers; utilize Blackboard and progressive classroom technology. Taught a range of social work classes to a diverse student population in the BSW and MSW programs. Develop/modify/update written syllabi, grading rubric, and course materials; evaluate knowledge of subject matter taught and monitor student scholastic records, prepare and grade exams/papers; utilize Blackboard and progressive classroom technology.

School Social Worker

• 2000 - 2006

Responsible for social work services at five elementary/ middle schools. Provided assessment of mental health issues, individual and group counseling, resource/referrals, and crisis intervention for students, including CPS referrals. Created the GESD Internship Training Program, provided clinical supervision to ASU social work interns. Worked with school faculty, staff, and administration to implement individual and school-wide programs, including Community Collaboration Breakfast and Health/Wellness Fair. Show less

Child Protective Specialist III Investigator

• 1998 - 2000

Investigated referrals of child physical/emotional/sexual abuse and neglect utilizing family-centered assessment and family group planning. Worked extensively with court system, law enforcement, schools, mental health and community resources. Investigated referrals of child physical/emotional/sexual abuse and neglect utilizing family-centered assessment and family group planning. Worked extensively with court system, law enforcement, schools, mental health and community resources.

Advocate and Resource Specialist

• 1997 - 1998

Provided case consultation, mediation, counseling, and specialized resource referrals for individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families. Created and implemented new programs based on research to increase council’s effectiveness, such as training programs for parents. Initiated advocacy projects for developmentally disabled, including participating on advisory panels to offer input on government policy. Provided case consultation, mediation, counseling, and specialized resource referrals for individuals with developmental disabilities, and their families. Created and implemented new programs based on research to increase council’s effectiveness, such as training programs for parents. Initiated advocacy projects for developmentally disabled, including participating on advisory panels to offer input on government policy.

Project Consultant

• 1997 - 1997

Project Coordinator for the Maricopa County Transition Survey Project, designed to measure if participation in Headstart affected how children perform in public school, and to better understand needs of parents. Developed a specialized survey to evaluate outcome-based criteria, facilitated countywide focus groups with parents and staff; analyzed data, formulated program recommendations, and published results. Project Coordinator for the Maricopa County Transition Survey Project, designed to measure if participation in Headstart affected how children perform in public school, and to better understand needs of parents. Developed a specialized survey to evaluate outcome-based criteria, facilitated countywide focus groups with parents and staff; analyzed data, formulated program recommendations, and published results.

Family Support Specialist and Multidisciplinary Team Coordinator

• 1992 - 1997

Worked in-home with families utilizing a family-centered practice approach on case plan goals and objectives toward family reunification. Applied knowledge of child development, family dynamics, developmental and behavioral problems, mental health needs, parenting skills, and accessing community resources. Coordinated three community-based case consultation teams utilizing a wrap-around service approach with local schools, agencies, and professionals involved in the treatment of complex interagency child abuse and neglect cases. MDT provided consultation for multiple agencies including CPS, schools, and law enforcement. Show less

Private Contractor

• 1989 - 1992

Private contractor with DDD. Created and implemented a pre-school program for children with developmental disabilities in my home while staying at home with my own three children. Private contractor with DDD. Created and implemented a pre-school program for children with developmental disabilities in my home while staying at home with my own three children.

Social Worker

• 1985 - 1986

Responsible for a 90 client case load, provided daily therapy sessions, interviewed clients, conducted risk assessments, created psycho-social history, resource/referral, and developed and implemented treatment plans. Responsible for a 90 client case load, provided daily therapy sessions, interviewed clients, conducted risk assessments, created psycho-social history, resource/referral, and developed and implemented treatment plans.

Social Worker

• 1982 - 1985

Shift director in residential treatment centers. Provided group facilitation, substance abuse counseling, developed and implemented behavior modification programs, participated in individual and family therapy sessions. Shift director in residential treatment centers. Provided group facilitation, substance abuse counseling, developed and implemented behavior modification programs, participated in individual and family therapy sessions.