Operationalizing the vision of the CEO and Board of a non-profit Community Mental Health Center. Oversight of global organizational operations, Human Resources, Quality and Compliance, Development, and more. Professional cat wrangler, fixer, and doer.

Trauma therapist supporting people in recovering from some of their darkest moments and supporting them in finding the light. The resiliency that people have to overcome their experiences is a gift, I help them uncover their strength and find stability after disruptions to the sense of safety and security many of us take for granted.

Manage a diverse team of individuals in administering the State Opioid Response grants valued at over $65M. Collaborated with Managed Care Organizations to execute contracts and review deliverables to ensure funds are being spent judiciously. Engage stakeholders in listening sessions and receive feedback on the priorities of the Department. Oversee programs funded through the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SAPTG through SAMHSA) including counselor education and credentialing, problem gambling, community reentry, involuntary commitments for substance use, and more. Promote the work of the Department through public speaking engagements, training, and seminars. Develop cross-systems relationships with the Department of Healthcare Policy and Finance, the Department of Regulatory Agencies, Department of Housing, Department of Labor and Employment and others for pilot programs, continued funding options and expanded access.

Functioned as the state’s authority on opioid use disorders and treatment best practices including the FDA-approved medications and their use in various levels of care. Completed site and desk audits of all medication-assisted treatment programs throughout the state and monitored their compliance with state and federal guidelines. Prepared written reports and engaged in correspondence with licensed providers throughout the state in response to audits and corrective action plans. Navigated Opioid Treatment Programs in the State of Colorado through the COVID-19 pandemic by securing additional funding for necessary supplies to support patients through modified service delivery. Engaged in Rule promulgation to enhance service delivery to individuals suffering from substance use disorders, specifically those with opioid use disorders.

Served as the state's authority on women's mental health and substance use treatment services and best practices as outlined by SAMHSA. Completed site and desk audits of various SUD program throughout the state and monitored their compliance with state and federal policies. Directed a Medicaid waiver program for federal priority populations, specifically pregnant and parenting individuals. Facilitated only and quarterly meetings for the Substance Exposed Newborn Policy work-group and the Women's Treatment Provider group to ensure participate from state representatives and community partners. In this position I had the opportunity to pilot toolkits aimed at address substance use and intimate partner violence, as well as present nationally on our efforts to address child welfare removals and reunifications through early intervention, treatment, and pilot programs such as mobile childcare.

Support the Divison of Pharmacologic Therapies in developing standard operating procedures for the provision of the DATA 2000 waiver program. Created solutions for practitoners to expedite the processing of waivers creating access for individuals to Medications for Opioid Use Disorders. Executed issuance of formal letters of approval to thousands of practitioners using advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite. Supported Opioid Treatment Programs with regulatory questions and clarification. Advocated for diversity and inclusion and engaged on various workgroups within the department.

Established eligibility for clients needing substance use treatment who lacked resources to pay for recovery services. Managed an individual caseload of clients who are Rule 25 eligible for treatment services, worked with them to identify treatment needs, barriers, and placement upon release, collected data to approve/deny ongoing treatment and funding needs, met with clients in the community or at the office to conduct R25 assessments and updates, worked with specialized groups including adolescents and pregnant women, conducted site visits to community providers to establish rapport and gain feedback and insight into various programs for client placement, etc. Established the role for chemical health within the Safe and Healthy Start pilot for clients who were pregnant and had prenatal exposure, in an attempt to avoid child protection involvement; and visited multiple treatment centers to establish rapport and be a resource and direct contact for them at the county level.

Managed an individual caseload of clients utilizing a harm reduction focus that included navigating payment and housing options for clients on MAT, followed Rule 31 guidelines for paperwork and program expectations, worked with an interdisciplinary team to address client needs in a holistic manner. On a daily basis I met individually with clients, completed treatment plans and followed up throughout the duration of the client's treatment, assisted with case management tasks such as referrals for mental health, housing, and aftercare planning, some light housekeeping duties, and documentation.

Managed an individual caseload of clients utilizing a harm reduction focus that included navigating payment and housing options for clients on MAT, followed Rule 31 guidelines for paperwork and program expectations, worked with an interdisciplinary team to address client needs in a holistic manner. On a daily basis I met individually with clients, completed treatment plans and followed up throughout the duration of the client's treatment, assisted with case management tasks such as referrals for mental health, housing, and aftercare planning, some light housekeeping duties, and documentation. During my time here I initiated the implementation of a women's curriculum to focus on trauma and recovery, presented staff trainings on working with sex offender clients and trauma-informed care, assisted in a lecture focusing on sex and recovery, and brought about conversations related to race and male privilege with staff and clients.

Managed an individual caseload of 10-12 co-occurring male and female clients, followed Rule 31 guidelines for paperwork and program expectations, specialized in familiarizing myself with Hennepin County Drug Court program and procedures, implemented staff training in culturally sensitive services and trauma-informed care, and maintained the integrity of the program through community representation and involvement. Assisted in organizing a presence at the Minnesota Walk for Recovery, helped the program connect with different community providers including MADD Dad's, The Father Project, Ujamaa Place, and several community mental health providers. I was also able to help incorporate a mental health and trauma-informed lens to the scope of professional services that were being provided to clients in our care.