When case management services began in Tennessee I was one of the first ones hired by at that time Plateau Mental Health Center (later Volunteer Behavioral Health). At this time, there were no set guidelines or parameters. A care manager had to use inventive thinking in setting goals with clients to improve their behavioral health needs. A case manager taught clients about their illness and discussed treatment options. A case manager was to provide outreach to schools, courts, housing, and to community leaders in order to promote understanding and acceptance. These were just a few of many hats that I have been able to wear through the years. I also served on the Board of Directors for the Eckerd Youth Camp. It is and has been my pleasure to serve my communities in the great state of Tennessee and those that I have served through the years. I have worked with and continue to work with Upper Cumberland School systems, individual schools, principals, teachers, and even the youth services officers within the juvenile court system.I continue to volunteer with the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network and remain as active within my community through church as I can.Coming from an educational background it was an easy transition for me to share and educate community leaders and systems to better understand mental health awareness. I still enjoy this after over 20 years and still get calls to this day from kids that I have helped in the past.