Director Of Student Support Services

• Jul 2022 - Present

• Led Peace Prep’s vision for a trauma-informed, healing-centered school and student support system• Ensured that each element of the school aligns with the school's mission, beliefs, priorities, and initiatives• Created, implemented and maintained policy, procedure and systems that effectively support students identified with tier 3 needs• Served as liaison with contract therapists to ensure timely and adequate therapeutic services for students • Served as mental health crisis support lead when student expressed suicidal or homicidal ideation by completing risk assessments, safety plans, and determining most appropriate next steps for student and other’s safety• Served as case management resource when needs arose for families and students, including but not limited to housing and food assistance, outside medical and therapeutic services, etc. • Supported and managed volunteers or programs who assisted the goals of the Student Support Team• Monitored student attendance and coordinated efforts and intervention plans to improve student attendance• Worked with the Dean of Students and Director of Instruction to ensure behavioral and academic programming across the school is meeting the needs of our students• Coached and Developed the Student Support Team and respective interns• Facilitated cross-departmental Student Support Team meetings and Student Success meetings with parent/guardian(s), student, teacher(s), and other applicable staff• Supported the procurement of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and psychologicals or non-IEP individualized plans for all students in need of academic, behavioral and/or attendance related Intervention Services• Analyzed data and set goals for ongoing improvement of programs and services in coordination with teachers and other department heads• Coordinated a positive, safe learning environment for students by promoting, training, and monitoring teachers in the use of Restorative Practices Show less

School Based Community Therapist

• Aug 2021 - Jul 2022

Consultant Coach; Child Welfare, Lived Experience

• Sep 2022 - Present

Consultant; Child Welfare, Lived Experience

• Apr 2019 - Sep 2022

• Provided critical review & analysis on "Healthy Sexuality and Pregnancy Prevention for Youth in Foster Care"• IV-E Prevention Plan project • Session planning member for the 2021 Virtual Child Welfare Expo, "Advancing Racial Equity in Child Welfare" for over 1,000 child welfare professionals across the U.S.• Continuous Quality Improvement, Kentucky Department for Community Based Services - Led Communication Planning Strategy & Stakeholder Voice for project• Assisted in the development of materials on behalf of the Children’s Bureau to clarify the three levels of prevention and demonstrate their application, value and impact in a child maltreatment context • Adoption Call to Action, federal initiative - Presenter in national webinar, "Moving from Barriers to Solutions: Across State Lines - Inter-jurisdictional Placements - Presenter in national webinar, "Moving from Barriers to Solutions: Engaging Older Youth Perspectives on Adoption" - Session planning member and speaker for Adoption Call to Action Summit, Washington D.C., January 2020• Speaker and session planning member in 2020 CWVE, "Strengthening Families Through Prevention and Collaboration" for over 1,000 child welfare professionals across the U.S.• Moderator for CWVE 2020 Follow-Up Session on 'Building Prevention Centered Systems: Key Leadership, Workforce and Community Roles in Shifting and Sustaining Culture'• Participated in focus groups to inform the Children's Bureau my assessment of the needs of the child welfare system• Participated in The Center’s Strategic Planning efforts• Panelist participant in the 2019 CWVE for nearly 1,000 child welfare workers across the nation; Speaker in two sessions, "Becoming a Workforce of Everyday Scientists: Frontline Staff in Agencies and Tribes" and "The Power of Feedback: Using Data to Tell Our Story, Generate Feedback, and Promote Improvement" Show less

Adjunct Field Liaison

• Jan 2020 - May 2022

• Served as the primary link between student field placements and the School of Social Work • Supported the student and field instructor through the field experience by providing support by phone, email, and through regularly scheduled field site visits. Additional agency visits were required if at any time a problem, conflict or request happened in field • Provided guidance and feedback, and ultimately approved the learning contract agreement created by the student and field agency • Served as the primary link between student field placements and the School of Social Work • Supported the student and field instructor through the field experience by providing support by phone, email, and through regularly scheduled field site visits. Additional agency visits were required if at any time a problem, conflict or request happened in field • Provided guidance and feedback, and ultimately approved the learning contract agreement created by the student and field agency

Program Executive Director for Crossroads

• May 2018 - Sep 2021

• Developed new program, and directed daily operations, serving children ages 0-21 and their families• Prepared and executed annual operating plans for the department, and worked with other department executives in syncing cross-departmental initiatives • Secured a contract with the state of Georgia as 1 of 5 child placing agencies to complete foster care related adoptions• Created and brokered authentic, effective partnerships and coalitions among organizations • Led conversations and change at organization around diversity, equity and inclusion • Served as an organizational/program spokesperson for various media and community outlets• Created and managed annual budget and financial reports for the program• Expanded program to include 5 fulltime staff and 6 contractors • Created and maintained policy and procedures based on contractual requirements and best practices • Assisted Development team in completing grant applications and maintaining grant criterion• Trained community members, partners, and staff on trauma-informed, culturally competent practices • Participated in creation and implementation of organization’s 5-year strategic plan Show less

Program Director for Crossroads

• Oct 2017 - May 2018

Assessment Coordinator

• Nov 2016 - Jul 2018

• Performed assessments on children and youth, across the state of Georgia, who are possible survivors of Domestic Minor Sex Trafficking/Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children in a 24-hr response time • Worked with various partner and custody agencies including DFCS, juvenile justice systems, and school systems to communicate needs and made recommendations for youth • Made individualized referrals to various services that youth may be in need of • Remained on-call 24/7 for emergencies and assessments • Conducted trainings and participated in partner meetings to increase collaboration *later served as a Hotline Contractor Show less

Victim Advocate, MSW field placement

• Jan 2016 - May 2016

• Completed intakes for staff, faculty and students at The University of Alabama who are survivors of interpersonal violence, including sexual assault, rape, dating/domestic violence, and stalking • Provided academic, legal, and personal advocacy to clients • Served as an on-call advocate; available to provide crisis counseling and hospital accompaniment • Worked in partnership with campus and community stakeholders including Department of Title IX, University's Police Department, and various task forces • Guided clients to appropriate referrals when necessary • Shadowed licensed therapists to gain greater clinical knowledge • Facilitated Artist’s Way group bi-weekly for faculty and staff of the Univ. of Alabama Show less

Family Visitation Supervisor

• Nov 2014 - Apr 2016

• Facilitated meetings between client, mother, and step-father bi-weekly • Assessed the family situation and provided professional opinion to the courts • Transported the child to various activities during visits • Gained broader understanding of working with a family demographic • Facilitated meetings between client, mother, and step-father bi-weekly • Assessed the family situation and provided professional opinion to the courts • Transported the child to various activities during visits • Gained broader understanding of working with a family demographic

Therapist and Case Manager for Juvenile Sex Offenders

• May 2014 - Apr 2015

• Conducted individual therapy and various aspects of case management under supervision • Contributed in multi-disciplinary treatment team meetings • Completed documentation such as psychosexual/socials and risk assessments • Co-led group therapy sessions for 6-12th grade students in alternative school • Conducted individual therapy and various aspects of case management under supervision • Contributed in multi-disciplinary treatment team meetings • Completed documentation such as psychosexual/socials and risk assessments • Co-led group therapy sessions for 6-12th grade students in alternative school