Josh Higgins Email & Phone Number

Rochester, New York Metropolitan Area

As the Community Provider Engagement Specialist at the NYS Trauma-Informed Network and Resource Center (NYS TINRC), I am dedicated to promoting and supporting trauma-informed care across New York State. My role involves engaging with community providers to foster connections, share knowledge, and enhance the implementation of trauma-informed practices.Key Responsibilities:Outreach and Engagement: Build and maintain relationships with community providers, organizations, and stakeholders to promote trauma-informed care and wellness practices.Program Coordination: Organize and coordinate events, and initiatives, such as the "TINRC on Tour" events, to support learning and professional development. Resource Development: Identify, curate, and disseminate resources related to trauma-informed practices, equity-focused mental health initiatives, and wellness strategies.Collaboration: Work closely with the Advisory Council, Operations Director, and other team members, and community organizations to align efforts and amplify the impact of TINRC's initiatives.Communication: Assist in development of the TINRC newsletter, contribute to the and creation of online and print content that highlights the work of TINRC and its partners.Advocacy: Amplify the implementation of trauma-informed practices and equity-focused mental health initiatives by engaging with policymakers, funders, and community leaders.

Ithaca, New York, United States

Vocalist/MC/Songwriter/Producer for live hip-hop band Gunpoets. Responsibilities include social media marketing, promotions, booking, event management, and content creation in all forms of media. Gunpoets have released 3 albums one live album and have cultivated an impressive regional following.

Buffalo, New York, United States

Content Contributor for Buffalo, NY based hip-hop collective The Indie-Visuals.

Rochester, New York Metropolitan Area

• Successfully Integrated 4 Medicaid fee-for-service programs into existing framework of the agency.• Responsible for the management of up to 8 staff who provided community-based mental health services to over 250 youth and families.• Created and managed internal systems on staff development, program operations and quality measures.• Successfully aligned funding and program priorities to produce outcomes for stakeholders.• Played instrumental role in developing and facilitating trainings for staff in Electronic Health Records Management, and youth development.• Developed policies, procedures and evaluation protocols resulting in high quality programming that ensured contract and regulatory compliance.• Served as the lead representative providing staunch public advocacy for not only Compeer's services but for peer-based mental health services at the local and state level.• Developed synergy across programs including mechanisms for Medicaid billing, staff collaboration, increased internal referrals and recruiting, as well as shared training resulting in enhanced care for youth and families, and increased staff retention and increased enrollment. • Managed consistent fiscal growth resulting in long-term sustainability.

Rochester, New York Metropolitan Area

Participated in a year long fellowship developing community-based presentations related to anti-racist action, diversity, equity and inclusion. I developed 2 presentations entitled, "Decolonizing Mental Health Care" and "Engaging Youth in Discussions about Race and Racism."

Rochester, New York Metropolitan Area

Developed and implemented a specialized day treatment program geared to assist developmentally disabled adults in making successful transitions from state-run institutions into community-based group homes. Managed and supervised employees and participants; conducted daily operations including direct care and programming; oversaw management of funds; created curricula that specialized in developing vocational, academic, and social skill-building.

Ithaca, New York, United States

Created and led enrichment activities during out-of-school hours for pre-teen and teen participants in rural communities. Duties included facilitating programs; recruiting and enrolling students and volunteers; managing distribution of finances; assessing the needs of at-risk youth; and coordinating multiple successful community-based fundraisers and reporting to stakeholders.

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Psychology

Associate Of Science - As, Music Recording Technology