Melody Riefer Email & Phone Number

Tucker, Georgia, United States

Advocating for more humane and respectful support for people who interact with the behavioral health system, especially people who are poor, of color, experience language barriers, and/or LGBTQ.

Greater New York City Area

Utilizing distance training and coaching tools, Melody is working with the OnTrackNY project which addresses first episode psychosis in young people. She provides training and supervision to individuals and teams participating in this research based practice supported by Columbia University School of Psychiatry and the New York Department of Mental Health.

Nationwide / International

Melody is widely recognized as an organized and positive consultant. She provides engaging training and presentations that are educational, motivational, and translate into real world application. Expert in wellness and recovery, culture shifts, self-care, peer specialist training, hiring and supervision of peer specialists, humor, and spirituality. Discounts for peer-run organizations.

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Greater Atlanta Area

Advocates for Human Potential, Inc. provides technical assistance, training, and evaluation services to government, non-profit, and other organizations to improve services and outcomes in human services, housing, and workforce investment systems. We have expertise in housing, behavioral health, homelessness, employment services, case management and criminal justice program development, operations, and evaluation.As a Senior Project Manager, Melody will work in a number of areas including:**Recovery to Practice (RTP) program supports the expansion and integration of recovery-oriented care delivered by mental health providers. RTP fosters a better understanding of recovery, recovery-oriented practices, and the roles of the various mental health professions in promoting recovery**National Center for Trauma-Informed Care and Alternatives to Seclusion and Restraint (NCTIC) - NCTIC supports interest in developing approaches to eliminate the use of seclusion, restraints, and other coercive practices and to further advance the knowledge base related to implementation of trauma-informed approaches. The principles of a trauma-informed approach and trauma-specific interventions are designed to address the consequences of trauma in the individual and to facilitate healing.**State Technical Assistance - to further the development of effective Planning and Advisory Councils and efficient and well-ordered use of block grant funds**Homeless and Housing Resource Network (HHRN) - HHRN is the SAMHSA training and technical assistance center that shares knowledge and best practices for preventing and ending homelessness. Audiences include grantees; homeless, housing, and service providers; peer workforce and individuals in services; policymakers; researchers; and public agencies at federal, state, and local levels.

In this role, I work with the development team and help design the software, decision aids, and additional resources that are a part of CommonGround. a communication and 'shared decision making' tool used by people in mental health and addiction recovery services. I then developed the curriculum and trainings used by our customers. I have also developed a train-the-trainer model that leads to a certification as a CommonGround Specialist.

Development and implementation best practices for CommonGround - a complete intervention supporting an increased voice in decision making.

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Atlanta, Georgia

Msw, Policy, Administration, & Advocacy

Clinical Social Work

Bsw, Social Work, Psychology, Religion, Music