Health Specialist/Mental Health and Disabilities Services Coordinator at Le Jardin Community Center, Inc
Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area
Health Specialist/Mental Health and Disabilities Services Coordinator at Le Jardin Community Center, Inc
Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area
My professional experience includes several management and supervisory positons as well as services for individual development for children and adults. My experience thus far has concentrated on serving ages 2 to 50 years in the field of educational and personal development. Future career plans include work with geriatric and hospice populations as well. I will be continuing my education by pursuing a Masters Degree in Psychology with an interest in biological/neurological psychology. I will also devote time to research at some point in my career. For personal interest and pleasure I study physics and other areas of scientific innovation.
Personal philosophy: Optimal service for individual mental health and development issues must consider the person as a whole. Every individual is unique with talents and gifts that can be utilized in therapeutic programs to improve areas of weakness. Biological considerations such as brain function and hormonal issues contribute to mental health disorders, but we must also consider the individual, his/her culture and interactions within society- all play an intrinsic role in individual mental health and the attainment of therapeutic goals. Utilization of community resources and organizations to assist individuals in obtaining basic needs is sometimes necessary; enabling the individual to concentrate on resolving personal mental health issues and contribute fully to society.
Problem solving/re-organizing programs increasing efficiency, services and eliminate excess
Construct/implement Individual Education Plans and Individual Development Programs;
Identify/cultivate character traits and talents in individuals to increase professional development
Create service teams of excellence through optimum utilization of individual talents
Constructung/Implementing trainings for professional and personal development courses.
(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Education Management industry)
August 2006 — Present (3 years)
Coordinate all mental health, health and developmental services for 380 Head Start and 16 Early Head Start enrolled children and families. Service advisor for 40 children enrolled in Child Development Services Program. This includes working closely with the Community Action Agency, other community service organizations, local medical and therapy service providers and Miami-Dade County Public School system to provide comprehensive services to enrolled children and families.
(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Education Management industry)
August 2006 — November 2006 (4 months)
Responsiblities include recruitment, enrollment and service tracking for caseload of 80 children and famlies in Head Start program. Provide needed support and services to enrolled children families through various opportunities for informational workshops, trainings and utilization of local, county and federal services to meet individual family needs. Duties extend to assist in supervision of 10 education and support staff to maintain services and building environment.
(Privately Held; Myself Only; Individual & Family Services industry)
August 1997 — June 2006 (8 years 11 months)
Complete curriculum planning and implementation for students grade 1-12. Course Design and implementation of special education programs for struggling/disabled students; Develop effective learning strategies for youth with diagnosed impairments including but not limited to: ADHD, Autism; Instruction and services included life skills programs (Finance, Drivers Education, etc.) Advisement and college application assistance; Comprehensive services included working closely with student, family and schools to insure appropriate level of instruction and academic achievement; Interpretation of special educational testing as needed
Bachelors , Psychology/Social Work/Sociology , 1979 — 1984
Graduated with honors- Summa Cum Laud
Outstanding Academic Performance Dec. 1983
Major area of study was changed from social work to psychology to better coincide with interest in other areas of science, i.e. neurology, brain function, physics,etc.
Associates , Social Work/Psychology/Sociology , 1978 — 1983
Outstanding Academic Achievement - Spring Term 1979
Dean’s List - Spring Term 1983
Major area of study as undergraduate spent in Social Work
Professional areas of interest are neurological, biological and developmental psychology, physics, professional development and networking, working with youth of all capacities, Personal interests include outdoor activities, reading,learning new information/skills, attending cultural events, volunteering in the community, language studies in Latin and German, spending time with friends and family
SLU Alumni Linked In, We Care Mental Health Action Team, Link_Florida, Mental Health America, Health Services Advisory Committee, St. Leo Spirit Alumni, Ft. Lauderdale Museum of Art, BSA, FLPTA and PALS
Graduated with honors- Summa Cum Laud
Psychological First Aid for Terrorist and Disaster Victims- certified by the DEEP Center
Outstanding Academic Performance Dec. 1983
Dean’s List - Spring Term 1983
Outstanding Academic Achievement - Spring Term 1979
NATO Nuclear Missle Manuevers - Perfect Score in Exercise
US Army Expert Marksman award
US Army Marksman award
Unit Commissioner Service Award
Cub Leader Service Award
Unit Leader Service Award
Tiger Leader Service Award
Adult Trainer Service Award
Quality Unit Member Award- 6 years