Virginia Certification Board (VCB) is a private, non-profit corporation which offers voluntary credentialing to substance use, community health and other behavioral health professionals. VCB implements standards and testing for certification of addiction counselors, prevention specialists, clinical supervisors, peer recovery specialists and community health workers. VCB establishes, safeguards, and monitors certification standards for professionals in the substance use, community health and other behavioral health fields. It advocates for quality, comprehensive services. Members of the Board of Directors provide oversight and guidance for standards of credentialing of substance use, community health and other behavioral health professionals. Develops areas of advocacy to improve comprehensive services throughout Virginia.

Lead and direct all peer recovery services programs and staff throughout the agency. Oversee the operations of the S.E.E. Recovery Center Program, the Community Based Peer Recovery Services Program, mentor all supervisors that oversee Peer Recovery Specialists and Family Support Partners, oversee and manage the Harm Reduction Initiative, Project Equity at Intercept Zero, and the Peer Recovery Specialist Certification Initiative. Seek out and apply and contribute to grant funding. Lead data analytics for all peer recovery services. Provide information and advocate for service provisions to better serve the community at large. Advise and support senior management and executive staff with subject matter expertise in services and initiatives related to all aspects of Peer Recovery Services.

Oversee and provide guidance for the S.E.E. (Support, Encourage, Empower) Recovery Center, a peer led, living room model of service provision available to all members of the the community who are in need of mental health and substance use recovery services, connection to community resources, peer support, and/or connection to regular services or a high-level of care. Oversee, manage, and lead the Peer Recovery Program which includes Peer Recovery Specialists working throughout the agency. Provide guidance and supervision for the Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor. Oversee the general operations of the Community Based, Jail Based, and Rapid Response Peer Sections.Seek additional opportunities to expand recovery services, the peer program, and the continuum of care for members of the Rappahannock Rapidan Community.

Plans, organizes, and supervises the daily operation of the certified peers or peers working towards certification in outpatient, inpatient, community based, and jail settings.

Provide 72 hour DBHDS approved Peer Recovery Specialist Training four times per fiscal year hosted and sponsored by Rappahannock Rapidan Community Services. Guide recent graduates on their next steps for certification and employment as a Peer Recovery Specialist. Advise and assist in the placement of peer position within the Community Services framework.

The Get On Track Program serves young adults recently diagnosed with serious mental illness (e.g. Schizophrenia) or co-occurring serious mental illness and substance use disorder (e.g. Schizophrenia and Alcohol Dependence). Services are primarily provided outside the office, in the community or in the client's home and are geared to helping these young adults accomplish their employment and educational goals. The Therapist I Peer Support Specialist position have lived experience and success in treatment and recovery. Provide services to adults with serious mental illness or substance use disorder, knowledge of recovery model practices, and the ability to run various groups (psycho-educational, social and skill building groups).

Responsible for conducting intake eligibility screenings for Veterans and Veteran Families who are at risk of becoming homeless or are currently homeless. Process applications and coordinate supporting documentation for the Veterans our agency is serving. Provide relevant resources to all who call our intake line seeking assistance and guidance.

Working with the Supportive Services for Veteran Families team to end Veteran homelessness through Rapid Rehousing and Homeless Prevention. Using the evidenced based housing first model we build housing stability by addressing housing needs first, then with a case management technique we link veterans and their families to additional resources and opportunities to enhance housing stability.

As a Research Fellow at Defense Suicide Prevention Office (DSPO) through an MSW Field Education Practicum at George Mason University I worked directly within the Research and Evaluation Portfolio, I was able to interact and work with Data and Surveillance, Outreach and Engagement, and Policy. This unique opportunity allowed me to see how effective working in an integrated environment can be at accomplishing tasks. During my time I was able to work on multiple projects including the Career Outcomes study, Means Safety, Help-Seeking, Postvention, survey development, and policy evaluation. Throughout my time I was able to attend multiple events that DSPO participated in, the Cohen’s Veterans Care Summit, the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families, the Elevate Social Work Conference, and a culminating experience at the 52nd Annual American Association of Suicidology Conference. For the Elevate Social Work Conference I was able to assist in preparing a presentation on “Suicide Prevention: What does the research tell us?” given by Dr. Adam Walsh and serve as a panel member for the discussion portion. Finally, I was on the abstract review committee for the 2019 VA/DoD Suicide Prevention Conference assisting in the selection of panelists, breakout session leaders, and poster presentations for the upcoming conference. My time at DSPO was an invaluable experience where I learned every facet of the applications of Social Work moving through micro, mezzo, and macro practice. Through the DSPO teams constant inclusion and encouragement I have been able to being my path as an early career suicidologist to do my part in preventing suicide among our service members, veterans, and society as a whole.

Provide Peer Support to 15 - 25 year olds with their first episode of psychosis. Developing coping skills with consumers and applying them within their lives. Teaching adaptive skills for life enrichment. Assist consumers along their path of recovery.

-Coordinate, implement, and supervise a random drug testing program to deter illegal substance abuse by employees which deterred 99% of illegal substance abuse.-Reported statistical data concerning in depth illegal substance abuse in categories such as drug type, demographics, and age groups; comparing gathered data for the military component to statistical data in the civilian sector to higher management with recommendations to improve the current Substance Abuse Prevention Program.-Develop, implement, and conduct a substance abuse prevention training plan that educates over 1,000 personnel on the dangers, health risks, and consequences of substance abuse.-Counsel, mentor, and recommend treatment for personnel identified with a substance abuse problem to assist in recovery which enables them to improve productivity in the work place.-Maintain meticulous records concerning drug testing and personnel treatment records to comply with the Privacy Act of 1974 and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 standards keeping the company within legal parameters.-Develop and conduct surveys to determine the effectiveness of the substance abuse prevention program which enables analysis and implementations of an improvement plan.

-Consulted as a subject matter expert in infantry tactics, training, and equipment to ensure accuracy within the curriculum.-Developed distance education courses to teach and refine specific skill sets for personnel which were available world wide to enhance overall productivity throughout the Marine Corps.-Participated in the course development process which includes: needs assessment, initial idea and planning, end state goal develop, learning objective development to achieve end state goals, layout, formatting, design, final editing, publishing, and distribution.-Analyzed survey and testing statistical data to identify, formulate recommendations, and develop an action plan to improve identified deficiencies. -Researched Marine Corps and Department of Defense Doctrine which ensured that courses were published with 100% accuracy concerning current tactics, techniques and procedures.

-Supervised the daily security operations of the installation ensuring the safety and security of the Marine Corps senior officials and over 1,000 employees and residents of the installation. -Supervised the conduct and procedures of Intrusion Detection System operations and the Advanced Digital Video Recording Equipment enhancing the safety and security of the installation.-Conducted in depth analysis of procedures and physical security measures to submit improvement recommendations to higher headquarters.-Developed and implemented improved security procedures.-Developed and implemented into current procedures the Mass Notification System for a streamlined integration which enhanced the over all safety of all personnel and visitors in the event of an emergency.-Developed and implemented an emergency response plan by utilizing internal security assets and coordinating with federal and local first-response units which enhanced the safety and security of the thousands of employees and visitors of the installations. -Maintained positive and engaging relationships with the community and government services which allowed the installation to renew and renegotiate Memorandum's of Understanding with local and federal government services and the municipality of Washington, D.C.-Coordinated with Personal Security Details and the U.S. Secret Service to enhance security during visits from foreign dignitaries and high level politicians.-Lead, train, mentor, supervise, and screen Marines for service in the Presidential Support Program.-Evaluate and made recommendations for over 400 Marines to be assigned for service at the White House, Camp David, and the White House Communications Agency.-Initiated background investigations for over 400 Marines to receive a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartment Information Category II which verified eligibility to work around high level personnel within the U.S. government including the President of the United States.

-Successfully employed a section of 36 employees through all training events preparing them for operations in a demanding kinetic, dynamic, and fluctuating environment.-Accounted for $700,000 dollars of government issued equipment throughout an 8 month period in a constantly changing environment.-Planned and executed over 100 mounted patrols in areas with a high threat of improvised explosive devices in a kinetic area.-Planned and executed 75 searches for improvised explosive devices and 6 searches for weapons caches coordinating with other government agencies, tactical air support, law enforcement support, and adjacent units which resulted in finding over 2,000 pounds of explosives and 4 large caches of weapons used by the anti-coalition forces.-Investigated, apprehended and detained 15 insurgents, 3 of which were high value targets, using ingenuity, coordination, and adaptability which decreased the threat in the area of operations.-Demonstrated a high level of leadership, teamwork, and initiative while handling higher level positions which resulted in successful operations in a challenging environment.

Non-profit fundraising organization developed to support the Brain Aneurysm Foundation. In January of 2011 BrainSTRONG was incorporated into the Brain Aneurysm Foundation activities fundraising branch to assist fundraising efforts Nation wide.

Tracking all stock inventory. Ensuring proper pricing. Secondary count on all deliveries. Assisted Shift Manager when needed. Trained stock personnel.