Rebecca Walters Email & Phone Number

Pflugerville, Tx, Us

Austin, Texas

Assisting with Human Resources issues, staff development and complaint resolution.

Austin, Texas

Served as a member of the agency's Executive Management Team. Directed day to day operations for the centralized placement, residential contract care and parole division. Managed the Youth in Custody Practice Model project, a technical assistance collaboration with the Center for Juvenile Justice Reform at Georgetown University, designed to move the agency toward national best practices for deep end juvenile offenders. Provided training and clinical supervision to master’s level social work intern. ● Developed and implemented the project management plan for assessing agency policies and practices against best practice as described in the Youth in Custody Practice Model. Led workgroup to perform gap analysis, develop vision statements, quality and outcome measures and implement work plans.● Led agency to assess, monitor racial and ethnic disparities within the system, and to make changes to correct disparate outcomes based on data and root cause analysis. Assisted in developing curriculum for training staff on unconscious/inherent bias.

Austin, Texas

Directed day to day operations for secure institutions, halfway houses and parole district offices serving in excess of 2000 youth and employing over 2000 staff. Ensured continuity of care from intake to re-entry, quality of treatment and case management services through management of cross functional work groups. ● Developed and launched program for rehabilitation and accountability for most aggressive youth in Texas within state-operated secure facilities. Within 60 days of project initiation, directed team to conceptualize, develop and implement all policies and procedures; develop cross-divisional staffing and budget model; recruit and train staff in treatment and tactical response; presented program to governing board and screened and admitted youth to program. ● Merged several autonomous departments into one cross-functional division. Developed and enhanced unified team following agency merger by creating opportunities for collaboration within one cross-functional department. Gained efficiency and increased morale by sharing technical and subject matter expertise. Eliminated 2 redundant positions, saving $150K/year.

Austin, Texas Area

Led treatment and case management team members across the state to provide an evidence-based approach for rehabilitation for juvenile offenders. Developed policy and procedures to facilitate continuity of care and ensure positive youth outcomes. Developed and implemented training curriculum to provide consistent training and education to case management staff.● Supervised and coordinated production of annual treatment effectiveness report. Led cross-divisional team to evaluate effectiveness of rehabilitative programs for delinquent youth in state agency. Published and presented comprehensive document for review by outside stakeholders, thereby increasing awareness of agency’s adherence to national best practices and positive youth outcomes. ● Realigned staffing and budget models. Realigned positions within correct budget strategy/activity codes, closed unnecessary positions and created new positions to address changing agency needs. Saved $500,000 and aligned personnel costs to proper budget strategy, enhancing accurate reporting to legislative budget board regarding cost-efficiency measures. ● Re-conceptualized and expanded specialized treatment services to youth within state agency. Transformed methods for delivery and accountability of specialized treatment services. As result, youth get services needed for improved lives, public is safer and taxpayers’ finances are safeguarded. ● Originated unique multi-disciplinary team. Coordinated with cross divisional staff members at over 15 field sites to identify and discuss strategies for working with some of most challenging youth in state agency. Worked collaboratively to find solutions, provide coaching for staff during meeting, and ensure adherence with best-practices.

Corsicana, Texas And Beaumont, Texas

Managed day to day operations and delivery of case management and treatment services for secure residential facilities for youth with multiple and complex needs who are committed to the state for delinquency. Responsible for all aspects of operations including educational programs, budget management, personnel management, ensuring safety and security of staff and youth. Ensured provision of specialized treatment services for youth with chemical dependency, mental health, medical, violent offender, and sex offender treatment needs. Managed all daily operations, a budget of 15 million and over 300 staff members.● Converted the Corsicana facility from a co-educational juvenile residential treatment center, to a facility serving male youth committed to the state for felony offenses in 30-days.● Evacuated and reopened the Al Price facility during/after Hurricane Rita. Within 3 days of weather system being identified, facilitated complete evacuation of facility, with emphasis of secure and safe transportation of 300 juvenile offenders. Worked with maintenance, finance and training staff to develop and execute plans for facility reopening. Launched opening of new and improved facility 5 months later.

Austin, Texas Area

Formalized the process of transfer for juvenile offenders from the juvenile to adult system in accordance with determinate sentencing law reforms. Wrote, implemented and trained the policy and procedures governing the process, developed oversight reports and initiated working relationships with judges and attorneys. Testified in over 100 court hearings as an expert witness.● Mediated victim/offender dialogue. Prepared for and facilitated dialogue between prisoner serving sentence for murder and the mother of woman he killed. As a result, both parties experienced relief and were able to take steps forward in healing processes.

Giddings, Texas

Program Administrator, Capital Offender Treatment ProgramSupervised and coordinated provision of treatment services to juvenile offenders in a nationally-recognized program for youth who have killed. Provided training and clinical supervision to staff, bachelor’s and master’s level social work interns. Served as a primary program therapist. ● Initiated and nurtured collaboration with victim rights groups in work with youth who have killed. The now nationally-recognized program was enhanced to engender increased empathy, improve staff/youth relationships, and facilitate healing for victims. Prior Position at Giddings State Home and School: Director of Social Work, Medical/Psychiatric Caseworker, Social Service Administrator, Caseworker I/II/III

Master Of Social Work (M.S.W.), Social Work

Bachelor Of Science (B.S.), Social Work

High School Diploma