April 2016 – Present
Accessibility Specialist
West Virginia State University
As the designated disability services professional on campus, responsible for provision of accessibility services for college students inclusive of formulating goals and objectives and selecting and/or producing needed materials. Specific duties include:
March 2013 – April 2016
Career Development Specialist
Putnam County Schools
As the initial specialist for the district, was responsible for creation, implementation and monitoring of a district wide career development program for middle school and high school students inclusive of formulating goals and objectives and selecting and/or producing needed materials. Specific duties included:
September 2008 – March 201
Rehabilitation Counselor
WV Division of Rehabilitation Services
Provided a full range of vocational rehabilitation services for a transition caseload consisting of high school and post-secondary students with disabilities including:
August 2006 – August 2011
Substance Abuse Counselor
Goldsboro Assessment and Treatment Services
With minimal clinical supervision, provided substance abuse treatment services to individuals following charges of driving under the influence in order to meet DMV requirements for reinstatement of driver's license or as condition of court imposed sentence. Duties included:
May 2006 – August 2008
Vocational Evaluator II
NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Provided vocational evaluation/career assessment services to individuals with a range of disabilities, educational levels and work experience to assess the individual’s potential for vocational training and employment or related vocational rehabilitation services. Duties included:
January 2006 – April 2006
Rehabilitation Counselor - Intern
NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Under supervision of clinical supervisor, responsible for the design and implementation of a comprehensive plan of vocational rehabilitation services for person with mental health and/or substance abuse conditions. Duties included:
January 2006 – April 2006
Substance Abuse Counselor - Intern
Goldsboro Assessment and Treatment Services
Under supervision of clinical supervisor, provided substance abuse treatment services to individuals following charges of driving under the influence in order to meet DMV requirements for reinstatement of driver's license or as condition of court imposed sentence. Duties included:
August 2002 – May 2006
Student
Department of Rehabilitation Studies, Graduate School, East Carolina University
Feb 2000 – Aug 2002
Mental Retardation Habilitation Coordinator II (Group Home Director)
O'Berry Center, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Responsible for coordination of habilitation services to dually diagnosed (developmentally disabled and mentally ill) residents in a state institution and directly accountable for the habilitation planning, programming, and related services for the residential unit. Duties included:
Oct 1997 - Jan 2000
Habilitation Specialist II (CAP-MR/DD Case Manager)
Developmental Disabilities Services, Wayne County Mental Health Center
Provided case management to assigned caseload of Community Alternatives Program for Individuals with Mental Retardation/Development Disabilities (CAP-MR/DD) cases which included dually diagnosed individuals (intellectual disabilities / mental illness). Duties included:
May 1996 – September 1997
Habilitation Specialist I (Respite Coordinator)
Wayne County Mental Health Center, Goldsboro, NC
Provided supervision and management for a respite care program, providing relief care for families with individuals with mental retardation/developmental disabilities. Duties included:
Accessibility Specialist
West Virginia State University
As the designated disability services professional on campus, responsible for provision of accessibility services for college students inclusive of formulating goals and objectives and selecting and/or producing needed materials. Specific duties include:
- developing, coordinating, and monitoring accommodations for students
- coordination of accommodations on campus
March 2013 – April 2016
Career Development Specialist
Putnam County Schools
As the initial specialist for the district, was responsible for creation, implementation and monitoring of a district wide career development program for middle school and high school students inclusive of formulating goals and objectives and selecting and/or producing needed materials. Specific duties included:
- developed, coordinated, and monitored a meaningful career education initiative in our middle schools
- coordination of district wide events for all secondary education students including post-secondary and career fairs, post-secondary visits and related career development activities
- communicated with administrators at both the district and school levels as well as school staff regarding career development programs and related issues
- provided professional development for school staff on career development and career education programs
- marketed available services and programs to school staff, students and parents
- provided career counseling and assessment to high school students
- networked with business and industry representatives through the local chamber of commerce including serving on the chamber education committee
- interfaced with business and industry representatives and provide input on policies and procedures through serving on the advisory council for the school district’s career and technical center.
September 2008 – March 201
Rehabilitation Counselor
WV Division of Rehabilitation Services
Provided a full range of vocational rehabilitation services for a transition caseload consisting of high school and post-secondary students with disabilities including:
- seeking referrals
- conducting initial interviews
- completing applications
- securing diagnostic information
- arranging evaluations
- making eligibility determinations
- developing individualized plans for employment
- providing counseling and guidance
- arranging and monitoring training, physical restoration and other services
- assisting with job placement and follow up
- administered achievement and aptitude tests
- maintained relationships with schools, physicians, employers, community rehabilitation programs and other members of the community
August 2006 – August 2011
Substance Abuse Counselor
Goldsboro Assessment and Treatment Services
With minimal clinical supervision, provided substance abuse treatment services to individuals following charges of driving under the influence in order to meet DMV requirements for reinstatement of driver's license or as condition of court imposed sentence. Duties included:
- conducting initial intake and assessments
- providing group and/or individual therapy as required
- completing required documentation/record keeping
- reporting compliance and completion status to Department of Motor Vehicles, probation officers, and/or court staff
- coordinating all services as needed
- reporting any problems to immediate supervisor
- completing discharge/aftercare planning
- setting up schedule for after hours counseling/group
May 2006 – August 2008
Vocational Evaluator II
NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Provided vocational evaluation/career assessment services to individuals with a range of disabilities, educational levels and work experience to assess the individual’s potential for vocational training and employment or related vocational rehabilitation services. Duties included:
- administering, scoring, and interpreting an extensive variety of vocational interest, achievement, aptitude and psychometric tests
- providing findings, implications and recommendations to the individual and rehabilitation counselor through staffing and written reports for use in developing vocational rehabilitation/employment goals
- providing reports for use by other agencies for assistance in determining disability benefits or compensation
January 2006 – April 2006
Rehabilitation Counselor - Intern
NC Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Services
Under supervision of clinical supervisor, responsible for the design and implementation of a comprehensive plan of vocational rehabilitation services for person with mental health and/or substance abuse conditions. Duties included:
- evaluating diagnostic data to determine eligibility
- determining impediments to employment and client’s service needs
- developing a written plan of services in conjunction with the client
- providing supportive counseling
- monitoring the client’s progress
- working directly with community partners in order to enhance employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities
January 2006 – April 2006
Substance Abuse Counselor - Intern
Goldsboro Assessment and Treatment Services
Under supervision of clinical supervisor, provided substance abuse treatment services to individuals following charges of driving under the influence in order to meet DMV requirements for reinstatement of driver's license or as condition of court imposed sentence. Duties included:
- providing initial intake and assessments
- providing group and/or individual therapy as required
- completing required documentation/record keeping
- coordinating all services as needed
- reporting any problems to immediate supervisor
- completing discharge/aftercare planning
- setting up schedule for after hours counseling/group
August 2002 – May 2006
Student
Department of Rehabilitation Studies, Graduate School, East Carolina University
Feb 2000 – Aug 2002
Mental Retardation Habilitation Coordinator II (Group Home Director)
O'Berry Center, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
Responsible for coordination of habilitation services to dually diagnosed (developmentally disabled and mentally ill) residents in a state institution and directly accountable for the habilitation planning, programming, and related services for the residential unit. Duties included:
- ensuring appropriate active treatment and compliance with State and Federal regulations such as ICF-MR
- managing a residential unit
- selecting, administratively supervising and conducting performance evaluations for professional, para-professional and support staff
- independent accountability for the coordinating and implementing habilitative plans
- negotiating with professional disciplines in service delivery
- maintaining communication with parents/guardians regarding status, condition and issues with residents
Oct 1997 - Jan 2000
Habilitation Specialist II (CAP-MR/DD Case Manager)
Developmental Disabilities Services, Wayne County Mental Health Center
Provided case management to assigned caseload of Community Alternatives Program for Individuals with Mental Retardation/Development Disabilities (CAP-MR/DD) cases which included dually diagnosed individuals (intellectual disabilities / mental illness). Duties included:
- interviewing individuals and/or their parents/guardians in order to -
- determine eligibility for the CAP-MR/DD program,
- determining client's needs,
- preparing comprehensive habilitative programming
- coordination and case management services
- ensuring plan of care is followed and changes are implemented as needed
- reviewing of documentation and progress
- performing fiscal activities involved in support of cases to include budget preparation, budget revisions, and billing reviews
- counseling clients as needed regarding such topics as self-control, setting goals, and specific skills such as financial management
May 1996 – September 1997
Habilitation Specialist I (Respite Coordinator)
Wayne County Mental Health Center, Goldsboro, NC
Provided supervision and management for a respite care program, providing relief care for families with individuals with mental retardation/developmental disabilities. Duties included:
- supervising and scheduling 16 part-time staff
- maintaining communication with families served
- billing and reconciling payments for services provided
- providing personnel management including recruiting, selecting and hiring staff as well as providing performance reviews
- documenting in client record as needed
Other Experience
July 2014 - July 2015
Vocational Evaluator
Self-Employment
Provide vocational evaluation services as a vendor of the Division of Rehabilitation Services on an as requested basis.
January 2004 - May 2006
Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professional
Self-Employment
Provided QDDP services on a contracted, part-time basis while attending graduate school. Services included service planning and clinical supervision of habilitation staff, documentation of services provided, and training of staff as needed.
March 2003 - September 2003
CAP MR/DD Case Manager (temporary position)
Johnston County Mental Health Center
Provided case management services for individuals served through the community alternatives program for individuals with mental retardation/development disabilities while attending graduate school.
June 1995 – December 2009
Health and Safety Instructor
Self-employment
Provided instruction in first aid and CPR, according to American Red Cross guidelines. Marketed services available.
July 2014 - July 2015
Vocational Evaluator
Self-Employment
Provide vocational evaluation services as a vendor of the Division of Rehabilitation Services on an as requested basis.
January 2004 - May 2006
Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professional
Self-Employment
Provided QDDP services on a contracted, part-time basis while attending graduate school. Services included service planning and clinical supervision of habilitation staff, documentation of services provided, and training of staff as needed.
March 2003 - September 2003
CAP MR/DD Case Manager (temporary position)
Johnston County Mental Health Center
Provided case management services for individuals served through the community alternatives program for individuals with mental retardation/development disabilities while attending graduate school.
June 1995 – December 2009
Health and Safety Instructor
Self-employment
Provided instruction in first aid and CPR, according to American Red Cross guidelines. Marketed services available.