All eyes were on NYS this year as we found ourselves at the epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic. The role of social workers became even more critical as we were called to the frontlines to help not only the general public but our fellow health care workers cope with the trauma that became our new normal. The need for mental health services is ever more pressing as we help fellow New Yorkers rebuild the economy all the while prioritizing both health and safety. We saw an understandable national outcry of support for nurses and doctors, some being offered unprecedented incentives and top pay to come work in our state. Many of us answered the same call yet we were asked to volunteer. Constantly fighting to be acknowledged as essential workers who deserve hazard pay. Social workers are essential. Yet a lot of us work without significant wage increases nor comparable pay like our counterparts' reason being, social workers need social workers. We are notoriously great at advocating for our clients but not for ourselves. As your vice-president & Chair of Diversity, I will work to build awareness of the value of our profession. I will help to craft a cohesive message to increase public awareness of what we do and why its in the best interest of the nation that we not only succeed but thrive. We can both increase access to services for our clients while advocating for equitable pay. Let me champion that cause.

I work as a onsite provider, Providing team members with referrals to mental health services, and concrete services to help them succeed in their daily life.

New York City Department of Education Vendor providing psycho-educational programs and life skills. Generate and implement therapy directives for a psycho-educational, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy based girls counseling group curriculums.Designed and implemented directives to enhance communication between parents and teens.Utilized skills of assessment, communication, and perceptive attention to develop effective individualized treatment.Developed and implemented a gender specific culturally competent psycho-educational program for women and girls designed to strengthen relational relationship skills in the “Respect is Love” group at a domestic violence shelter.

Staff psychotherapist

Provide psychotherapy/psychoeducational support to children, staff members and family

Provide Mental Health CounselingPsycho-educational therapyWorking with Families in CrisisDelivered individual supportive counseling to clientsDelivered case management services to clients on an as needed basisDeveloped and implemented psycho-educational program for women and girls Served as a liaison between clients and government agenciesConduct comprehensive mental health assessments.Plan and administer therapeutic treatmentObserved residents to detect indications of abnormal physical or mental behavior

Delivered goal-oriented short-term psycho-educational therapy to clients with Groups Create intake assessments Helped to create a mental health mandateResearch assistantAdvise the court on sentencing recommendationsMental Health referralsPerform Suicide/risk assessments

Maintained a close working cooperation with parents, administrators, advisors and teacher’s aide in an effort to make sure the children are completing assigned work and have a knowledgeable grasp of completed lessons plans.Worked with curriculum planning and developed innovative strategies to make their creative arts program engaging for Special Education Students in inclusive teaching environment. Fulfilled both short- and long-term teaching assignments across all subject areas, effectively teaching students of varied academic/age levels (grades K-12) and diverse cultural backgrounds.Volunteered with after school groups, teaching dance to special education students.Filled in for permanent teachers at a moment’s notice; closely adhered to lesson plans; and kept students motivated, engaged and focused.

A boutique PR company that provided consulting services, event planning, Event Coordinating, and divide strategic PR plans.

Writer, editor, field producer

Writer, photographer, editor