Shannon Edam, Ma, Med Email & Phone Number

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Researches legislation and policy related to disability employment across 50 states and U.S. territories to populate the LEAD website (data was previously published on the the Data and Resources to Inspire a Vision of Employment (DRIVE) website). Supports NDI research projects related to disability, poverty and race, mental health disabilities, and improving employment and financial capability for individuals with disabilities. Led and implemented transition between meeting software platforms to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities. Negotiated contract with new provider, set up accounts and trained staff to use it. Reduced costs by over 38% in the first year and 59% the second year. Resident Zoom expert and online meeting host.

Supported an innovative pilot program connecting banks with State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVRAs) to support employment services for low and moderate income individuals with disabilities via funding related to the Community Reinvestment Act.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Coordinated events, trainings and online meetings for technical assistance team serving State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVRAs), with the ultimate goal of improving employment outcomes for individuals with disabilities. Planned national events, trainings, technical assistance sessions and organized several Communities of Practice (CoPs). Designed online surveys to survey agency and partner needs to improve collaboration, organized responses and communicated results, prepared evaluation reports after training sessions, and managed staff travel. Edited training materials to ensure accessibility for individuals who are blind or low vision. Trained team to use software that was accessible to blind users, and to provide other reasonable accommodations for online and in-person events.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Ended homelessness for 12 individuals with mental health disabilities in one year. Built trust with individuals experiencing homelessness, helped them obtain identification, apply for housing vouchers, apply for apartments and move into their new home. Coordinated furniture delivery, purchase of household goods and connection with wrap-around services.Conducted vulnerability assessments for individuals still experiencing homelessness, to help them secure housing vouchers and mental health treatment. Accompanied clients to substance abuse treatment centers, hospitals, psychiatric wards, medical appointments, court dates, meetings with parole or probation officers and social services offices. Advocated for clients in all of these settings. Ensured clients living on the streets had food, water, clothing, blankets and access to medical services.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Provided community-based mental health services to individuals experiencing homelessness (or with previous experience of homelessness) with mental health disabilities. Advocated for clients in hospitals, psychiatric wards, courts, parole services, Social Security offices and apartment complexes. Billed 20+ hours weekly to Medicaid for ACT services and kept detailed case notes. Ended homelessness for two individuals experiencing homelessness in one year, moving them off the streets into their own apartments. Conducted a six-month action research project on preventing burnout in mental health workers, focusing on my own team at Pathways to Housing DC. The agency used my findings to improve working conditions for staff.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Earned a master's degree in Ethics, Peace and Global Affairs (EPGA) with a concentration in Human Rights and Social Justice while working part-time for the Co-Director of the EPGA program as reasonable accommodation for her disability. Assisted with teaching in-person and online courses, creating course content, facilitating classroom discussions, student advising and planning EPGA events. Accompanied professor on international research trips and participated in research symposia in Italy and Northern Ireland.

Master Of Education - M.Ed.

Master Of Arts - Ma

Certificate Of Attendance: Specialized Human Rights Program

Bachelor Of Arts, International Relations And Affairs