Experience

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  United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley

  • Lehigh Valley

  • Creative Collaborator, Dyamic Problem Solver

    • Apr 2009 - Present
    • Lehigh Valley

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  United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley \

  • Lehigh Valley, PA

  • Vice President, Education

    • Apr 2009 - Present
    • Lehigh Valley, PA

    Passionately leading strategic development of the Lehigh Valley Reads campaign to ensure that all children in the Lehigh Valley read on grade level by 2025 and are able to achieve lifelong success. Lehigh Valley Reads will support all 17 school districts, equip families as partners in their children's education and mobilize the community at large in support of literacy success. Community Schools continue to be a key strategy in this effort as well as the work of the LV Early Childhood Coalition, the LV Summer Learning Coalition, the Challenge 5 Attendance Awareness campaign, LV Trauma Awareness Collaborative and an intentional focus on quality explicit instruction in the classroom. Progress is taking shape through intentional and authentic partnerships with school districts, businesses, corporations, higher education, communities of faith, youth serving non-profits, students, families, staff, faculty and community members at-large. Look for more information on an official launch in October 2018!

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  Catholic Charities, Diocese of Allentown

  • Lehigh Valley

  • Case Management Supervisor HOPE VI Project

    • Aug 2005 - Apr 2009
    • Lehigh Valley

    Actively worked with and supervised a team Case Managers throught a federally funded Housing Revitalization project involving many community partners on the East Side of Allentown. The Case Management team was put in place to work with the 400+ families living the identified area to increase in their individual levels of self-sufficiency through the procurement of additional education, training, employment, benefits, etc. The Case Management team was to provide quality services, ensure social justice through the practice of proper housing protocol throughtout the relocation transitions, connect clients to applicable community resources and track results through hard data.

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  Catholic Charities Diocese of Allentown

  • Allentown, PA

  • Therapist

    • May 2004 - Jul 2008
    • Allentown, PA

    Independent counseling work with couples, families and individuals; children and adults. Handled bilingual (english-spanish) cases and a several spanish speaking only. Supervised heavily conflicted adult-child relationships through a supervised visitation program with referrals from Northampton County Custody Masters. Utilization of varied therapeutic approaches including Cognitive Behavioral and PsychoanalyticalConducted complete psychosocial assessment to identify needs/goals and counsel, refer as appropriate.Creation and maintainance of active treatment plans and other pertinent agency forms for each client.

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  Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.

  • Bethlehem, PA

  • Family Support Specialist

    • Aug 2002 - Aug 2005
    • Bethlehem, PA

    Worked with families identified as being in crisis anc actively enrolled on the Northampton County Children and Youth Services caseload. Responsible for intensive involvement with client and immediate influencers, families and others to address conflict, anger management techniques, drug and alcohol use and abuse, gang involvement, mental health issues, violence, truancy, etc. Actively counseled clients, utilizing skills related to problem solving, goal planning, networking, documentation, translation, report writing and clear and conscise court testimonies.

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  KidsPeace National Centers

  • Bethlehem, PA

  • Mental Health Worker, Afternoon Treatment Program

    • Jun 1999 - Aug 2002
    • Bethlehem, PA

    •Facilitated individual/group learning, centered on improving life skills, social skills, anger management, coping skills and self-esteem for youth ages 5-16, identified as having a DSM IV diagnosis.•Conducted groups geared toward career exploration/personality traits•Maintained clear, current records, with proper documentation to support specified treatment plan goals, medication, etc. as outlined by JCAHO. Trained in HIPAA Compliance/Confidentiality.•Communicated regularly with family members and other connected agencies as necessary. •Consultations with Psychiatrist•Provided translations (english-spanish)