Serves as a Coach and Trainer for Child Welfare Development Services. Creates curriculum, develops training, and provides coaching.

Develop curriculum and deliver trainings for social work/mental health professionals working with African American families.

Providing therapy for individuals, families and groups.

A Strengths Finder Coach though the Strength Consultant Group, primarily working with social workers across San Diego County to help use their strengths to develop their leadership skills, ability to collaborate and excel at their roles as a social worker.

The Lyrical Groove is an award-winning band that combines spoken word and live instrumentation, cohesively crafted to inspire and entertain. Blending a musical style that balances elements of Spoken Word, Jazz, Hip Hop, Blues, R&B, Gospel and Soul, The Lyrical Groove (LG) infuse a potent message with social consciousness and a spiritual awareness that sings to your humanity and moves your soul. In 2014, LG won a San Diego Music award for Best Hip Hop/Soul Artist Album and 2013 they won a SDMA for Best Hip Hop/Soul artist.The Lyrical Groove was formed under the motivation of spoken word artist, Kendrick Dial, to have live music accompany his performance poetry and it turned into so much more. Kendrick sees his life’s purpose as a mission to blend the arts with social work/social justice. Every since he completed his graduate studies at USC’s school of social work, he’s found ways to combine his love for music and poetry with working with populations who truly are able to benefit from the healing within his music. This is also why the Lyrical Groove are able to navigate so many different venues and audiences. They can go from entertaining a thousand folks on Friday night at the House of Blues, to wine tasting on a Saturday afternoon, a political rally that evening and a mother’s day service on Sunday morning. The Lyrical Groove are often compared to Arrested Development and Floetry, yet feel like something refreshing and new in the mist of today’s musical climate. Their musical influences include Outkast, ATCQ, The Roots, E. Badu, Emily King, Robert Glasper, Kirk Franklin, Santana, Marvin Gaye and the Foreign Exchange. They have had the privilege of opening up for artist such as Hiatus Kaiyote, Anthony David, Algebra Blessett, as well as Zo!, Carmen and Sy Smith of the Foreign Exchange.

Adjunct Counselor in EOPS Dept.

Instructs Personal Growth course for primarily fist generation and minority students. Includes critical thinking, self awareness, psychology, job search, interviewing, research, analysis, understanding conflict resolution, diversity and life skills and job skills.

Kendrick Dial facilitates the ART, Exchange, Intercultural Communication and Life Skills trainings. After serving as a substance abuse counselor in the U.S. Navy for 9 years, he went on to work in the mental health field. He graduated from USC with a graduate degree in Social Work/Community Organization Policy and Administration. His primarily served the severely emotionally disturbed youth, homeless, runaway and foster care youth. His additional training includes Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing and elements of artistic expression.

Kendrick Dial is an artist who interweaves a sensitive blend of spoken word, music, songwriting and entertainment with a message. He has been a performance poet for over 7 years and is a member of the poetry ensemble Collective Purpose. After serving as a performance poet for several years Kendrick Dial recognized his love for live music, he began writing and performing with a live band, the Lyrical Groove. Their music is a fusion of R&B, soulful jazz and hip hop. He has developed relationships with non-profits such as the Y.M.C.A, N.A.M.I (National Association of Mental Illness) and the San Diego Youth Services to support the extension of the utilization of the arts when dealing with mental illness with adults and youth. In 2007, he collaborated with Mental Health Systems to write a spoken word and musical piece that MHS was able to use on their website as an outreach effort for people who came to the site looking for services.Ultimately, he recognizes the impact art can have on reality searches to create elevating artistry that life will one day reflect. Kendrick is the reflection of what happens when you take a desire to positively impact the world bridging reality and creativity.

Serves as an adjunct instructor for various general educations course requirements (i.e. Critical Thinking & Introduction to Psychology) for participants working to be respiratory therapists, dental hygienist and physical therapist. Instruct adults with varying learning styles and academic levels (Associates and Baccalaureate), cultural backgrounds and professional experiences. Made theory and classroom instruction practical with real world application through the use of lecture, active learning strategies, and multi-media presentation.

Conducted legislative analysis, evaluating program, fiscal and workload impacts on Child Welfare Service (CWS); prepared departmental responses, recommendations and proposed County stances to existing and potential legal cases. Provided various administrative duties that include preparation and maintenance of CWS Board Letters, CWS training materials for staff and Chaired/ led various CWS task forces, work groups, and multi-disciplinary teams (i.e. The Crossover Youth Protocol and Positive Youth Justice Program). Prepared annual CWS business plans for management review. Participated in regional CWS meetings with State and California Welfare Director’s Association (CWDA) representatives and served as liaison between CWS and other civic entities such as San Diego and Grossmont Unified School Districts, CWS divisions (i.e. residential/foster care, Juvenile Justice, etc.) and/or community agencies (i.e. San Diego Youth Services, Save San Diego, etc.).

Currently supports the program coordinator for the Foster Care Independent Mentoring Program, through youth and mentor assessments for appropriate matching. Creates mentor recruiting opportunities and outreaches to communities, organizations and businesses to recruit mentors and foster care youth in need of mentors. Train mentors to appropriately engage with foster care youth in a manner that is trauma informed.

Mentored homeless and runaway youth as an added support while they were undergoing outpatient treatment. Coordinated services through collaborations with therapist. Enabled youth to exercise and utilize personal growth through case management, developing youth's independent learning skills.

In accordance with established guidelines, provided individual counseling for residents with psychological and/or emotional challenges. Managed resident case loads that include conducting and preparing documentation of resident Social History Evaluations (SHE), progress reports, assessments, treatment plans, and correspondence to family and medical providers as needed. Provided timely reports documenting residents' progress, and dissemination of information to treatment team members as required to comply with departmental policies and procedures. Utilized knowledge, communication skills and experience to effectively collaborate with team members to successfully address and meet the needs of the CWS residents.

Provided workshops, group and individual counseling to participants in a Driving Under the Influence Program. Workshop topics included sober living, the physical impact of drugs and alcohol. Held a case load of 7-12 clients.

Facilitated group and individual psychotherapy for drug and alcohol dependent personnel. Responsible for patient screening, intake, orientation, psychosocial assessments, treatment planning, documentation, motivational counseling, case management, crisis intervention, client education, referrals, record keeping and consultation and educational workshops, which include goal setting, social skills, development of self-esteem, and anger management.