Suzanne Biggs Gavenus
Director of Counseling and Wellness at NCSSM-Morganton- Claim this Profile
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Bio
Credentials
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Services to Armed Forces Reconnection Workshop Facilitator
American Red CrossOct, 2020- Oct, 2024 -
Disaster Mental Health Services Responder and Supervisor
American Red CrossJan, 2009- Oct, 2024 -
Certified School Social Worker, Masters Level
North Carolina Department of Public InstructionAug, 2001- Oct, 2024 -
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
NC Work Certification and Licensure BoardJan, 1997- Oct, 2024
Experience
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NCSSM-Morganton
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United States
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Primary and Secondary Education
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1 - 100 Employee
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Director of Counseling and Wellness
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Jul 2022 - Present
Provides vision and leadership for counseling services for the NCSSM Morganton campus. Specific duties include: Leadership: Foster a sense of common purpose and community. Monitor internal and external school counseling and mental health trends and needs. Advocate for the needs of the department and the School. Personnel: Provide support, supervision and clinical supervision to counselors and counseling interns. Manage staff members’ goals, work plans, performance appraisals, and improvement plans. Serve as the hiring manager or assistant hiring manager for departmental faculty and staff. Crisis Intervention and Personal Counseling: Provide personal counseling to students. Provide on-call coverage during and after hours, including but not limited to crisis intervention, suicide screening, crisis response, crisis planning, creation of safety plans, and appropriate follow-up. College Counseling and Planning: Provide college counseling to students and families. Communicate and collaborate with college representatives to support the college counseling needs of students and families. Academic Counseling: Provide academic counseling to students experiencing academic challenges. Budget and Purchasing: Assist the Dean and Program Assistant in setting annual budgets for State, Foundation, and other departmental accounts. Administrative Coordination and Communication: Coordinate with other departments and divisions to ensure counseling services goals are achieved. Address concerns of faculty, staff, parents, and students, consulting with the Dean as needed. Instructional Duties: Teach a college and career planning class
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Buncombe County Schools
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United States
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Education Management
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700 & Above Employee
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Student Support and Transition Specialist
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Jan 2019 - Jul 2022
District SuccessEd (SE) and Section 504 Compliance Specialist to 45 schools in district, providing Section 504 and SE Platform training and support to district 504 Coordinators District Naviance Manager overseeing all aspects of implementation including providing professional development for staff, tracking, and accountability of personalized graduation plans for all students grades 8-12. Trainer and District Coordinator for Check and Connect Mentor Program Collaborate with school and district teams to train and implement SEL, Panorama, Restorative Practices, and Early Warning Response System interventions in schools Development of a district Title IV Plan to include Student Services goals and activities related to College and Career Readiness (CCR), SEL, behavioral health supports, and parent, student, and community engagement in the college and career planning process
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Mountain Heritage High School
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United States
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1 - 100 Employee
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Clinical School Social Worker and Senior Counselor
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Aug 2003 - Jan 2019
Mountain Heritage 2003-2009 and 2011 - present: Senior academic counselor facilitating post-high school college and career plans, referral to community job placement agencies and community social service agencies as needed Collaborate with staff to coordinate activities relating to GEAR UP and NC IRIS goals Coordinate College Board SAT, AP & Services for Students with Disabilities programs Coordinate several parent nights and senior scholarship awards night annually Completed training in school mental health with additional certification as a trainer Individual, group and family counseling; case management for high risk students Supervision of graduate & undergraduate level Social Work & Counseling interns Yancey County Learning Academy (YCLA) and Burnsville Elementary Schools 2009-2011: Individual, group and family counseling; case management for high risk students Coordinator for referrals to YCLA, classroom observations, and transition back to home schools Lead member of Crisis Intervention Team and implementation of behavior plans at YCLA Member of the district Autism Problem-Solving Team
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Avery County Schools
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Education Administration Programs
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100 - 200 Employee
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Clinical School Social Worker
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2001 - 2003
Individual, group and family counseling; case management for high risk students Alpine Tower Instructor Grant writing for school system Closing the Achievement Gap Committee Member, clinical consultant for Behavioral Assistants' monthly training, and coordinated training for faculty Supervision of Social Work and School Counseling interns Individual, group and family counseling; case management for high risk students Alpine Tower Instructor Grant writing for school system Closing the Achievement Gap Committee Member, clinical consultant for Behavioral Assistants' monthly training, and coordinated training for faculty Supervision of Social Work and School Counseling interns
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Appalachian State University
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United States
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Higher Education
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700 & Above Employee
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Academic Coordinator & Adjunct Faculty - System of Care NC FACES/PAL Project
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1999 - 2001
Oversight and facilitation of implementing the federally funded System of Care NC FACES/PAL Project, including contract maintenance, liaison to contractor: NC Child and Family Services Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, budget development and monitoring, grant writing and project development Coordination of project faculty from 14 disciplines at three separate academic institutions Developed and presented classroom lectures and workshop presentations teaching System of Care, CASSP Principles and Public Academic Liaison philosophy of NC-FACES Project Liaison to faculty, community agencies, and families on project development Taught undergraduate Social Work Direct Practice or Group Skills course each semester
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High Country Psychiatric Services
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United States
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Medical Practices
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Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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1999 - 2001
Private psychotherapy practice, specializing in child and adolescent issues, play therapy, women's issues, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and sexual abuse survivors’ issues Private psychotherapy practice, specializing in child and adolescent issues, play therapy, women's issues, personality disorders, anxiety disorders, mood disorders, and sexual abuse survivors’ issues
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New River Behavioral Healthcare
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Individual and Family Services
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1 - 100 Employee
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Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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1996 - 1999
Individual, Group & Family Therapy with children, adolescents, and adults Case management, crisis intervention, and emergency services Collaboration with community agencies and schools, including as Alpine Tower Instructor Grant writing for agency Member of Area Program’s Quality Management Committee Chairperson of Professional Education and Training Committee Supervision of Social Work interns Individual, Group & Family Therapy with children, adolescents, and adults Case management, crisis intervention, and emergency services Collaboration with community agencies and schools, including as Alpine Tower Instructor Grant writing for agency Member of Area Program’s Quality Management Committee Chairperson of Professional Education and Training Committee Supervision of Social Work interns
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Lead Therapist
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Jun 1995 - Jun 1996
Individual, Group and Family Therapy with child and adolescent inpatient population Member of Management Team; coordinated clinical staff in the delivery of therapeutic services Community liaison, case management and discharge planning for all patients Individual, Group and Family Therapy with child and adolescent inpatient population Member of Management Team; coordinated clinical staff in the delivery of therapeutic services Community liaison, case management and discharge planning for all patients
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Assessment and Referral Counselor
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May 1995 - Jun 1996
Performed clinical assessments to determine treatment needs for clients on-site Screened and evaluated clients in the community on an emergency basis for crisis intervention and to determine treatment needs Performed clinical assessments to determine treatment needs for clients on-site Screened and evaluated clients in the community on an emergency basis for crisis intervention and to determine treatment needs
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Social Worker
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Aug 1994 - May 1995
Solution-focused/empowerment-oriented practice with teen parents for individual, family and group therapy; center-based and outreach; case management & program development Solution-focused/empowerment-oriented practice with teen parents for individual, family and group therapy; center-based and outreach; case management & program development
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Senior Residential Counselor
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May 1993 - Aug 1994
Assisted in program development and implementation of pilot residential treatment unit Supervised and trained staff in delivery of resident care with a census range of 5-9 adolescents Assisted in program development and implementation of pilot residential treatment unit Supervised and trained staff in delivery of resident care with a census range of 5-9 adolescents
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Mental Health Technician
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May 1992 - Aug 1994
Facilitated groups; individual counseling with adults and adolescents Initiated and coordinated weekly parenting group for women Facilitated groups; individual counseling with adults and adolescents Initiated and coordinated weekly parenting group for women
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Therapeutic and Outdoor Adventure Recreation Technician
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Jul 1989 - Aug 1990
Planned and led schedule of wilderness and outdoor activities for adolescents Led programs for patients from in-patient substance abuse program Developed and implemented a recreation program for mentally ill adults Hiring, training and supervision; budget responsibility and program evaluation Planned and led schedule of wilderness and outdoor activities for adolescents Led programs for patients from in-patient substance abuse program Developed and implemented a recreation program for mentally ill adults Hiring, training and supervision; budget responsibility and program evaluation
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Education
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1994 - 1995
University of New England
Master of Social Work (MSW), Clinical Social Work -
1990 - 1992
Christopher Newport University
Bachelor of Arts (BA), Social Work -
1988 - 1990
Virginia Western Community College
Associate of Arts and Sciences (A.A.S.), Mental Health Counseling/Counselor
Community
