Brandy Cortes
Erie,PA
Summary
Dedicated Professional with a broad range of experience in delivering specialized services including administrative duties, as well as direct services, such as counseling and comprehensive case management to children, adolescents and adults within a variety of social service programs in Erie and Erie County. Also an educator in higher education at a local University. Accomplished in fostering meaningful relationships, team work, and developing effective short-term and long-term goals and plans to achieve individualized client, family and agency goals. Committed to the understanding and delivery of culturally competent services and advocacy to our community, over the past 30 years, including participation in 3 local Boards that advocate for Hispanic/Latino and DEI issues.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Project Coordinator
County Of Erie Office of Drug & Alcohol Abuse
Erie, Pennsylvania
07.2023 - Current
- Coordinated with department leads to identify and outline solutions to client-specified challenges, barriers and needs, reporting back to Department of Drug and Alcol Programs (DDAP)
- Coordination of Regional Recovery Hub with additional Project Coordinators
- Created a Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan in collaboration with Mercyhurst Civic Institute Staff
- for DDAP regarding Recovery-related needs of individuals and families in Erie County
- Monitored progress of projects to ensure timely completion.
- Created and Facilitated community and treatment provider committees in Erie County to help encourage networking, collaborating and sharing resources amongst Recovery-related social and Treatment services
- Facilitated monthly Certified Recovery Specialists (CRS) meetings to encourage networking, peer supports and providing support and resources
- Created and hosted Diversity Community Roundtable discussion
- Provides free Narcan and prevention supplies to the community as well as connecting people to overdose trainings and information
- Provided Technical Assistance
Adjunct Professor
Gannon University
Erie, PA
12.2021 - Current
- Delivered course lectures using modern technology to enhance student comprehension.
- Prepared, administered and graded exams and assignments to evaluate student progress.
- Assisted students in achieving completion of learning objectives.
- Created and Presented course on Dual Diagnosis (Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders) to undergraduate students and created lesson plans, tests and assignments to ascertain how well students retained class material.
- Designed exams, lecture material and writing assignments.
- Adjunct Professor in Gannon University's Psychology and Social Work Programs
Counselor
New Directions Healthcare
Erie, PA
01.2019 - 07.2023
- Provided individual and group counseling for relapse prevention in Medication Assisted Treatment
- Developed and monitored comprehensive treatment plans addressing individualized needs, and SNAP
- Completed Assessments and ASAMS for appropriate Levels of Care for Substance Use Disorders
- Referred clients to other programs and community agencies to enhance treatment processes.
- Created and Facilitated therapy group for Latino patients diagnosed with substance use disorders and worked with Interpreter
- Assisted with monitoring and scheduling trainings for staff, as well as monitoring and tracking group attendance
- Peer audits of charts
- Participated in weekly Team Clinical Supervision for Case Consultations
- Creation and facilitation of Creative Coping Skills group therapy for Substance Use Disorders
- Facilitated Outpatient Orientation Group
Clinical Assessor
Pyramid Healthcare Inc.
Erie, PA
11.2013 - 12.2018
- Completed Substance Abuse Assessments and Intakes
- Completed Diagnostic Impressions and Treatment recommendations
- Completed ASAMS and Level Of Care Recommendations
- Provided Individual and Group Therapy
- Marketing of Treatment Programs and Agency
- Made referrals to community agencies
Housing Specialist/Assessor/Support Coordinator
Erie County Care Management/ CMSS
Erie, PA
04.2002 - 11.2013
- Completed Mental Health Assessments and Diagnostic Impressions
- Managed Shelter Plus Care Grant funding for Homeless Individuals with Substance Abuse Disorders and/or Mental Health Diagnosis
- Treatment recommendations and referrals
- Approval of County Funding for Mental Health Treatment
- Created Individual Service Plans
- Support Coordination for individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Dual Diagnosed
- Managed and approved funding for clients' services
- Facilitated Team meetings
- Networking with other Community Agencies
- Worked on The Warren State Project
Mobile Therapist (part-time)
Sarah A. Reed Children's Center
Erie, PA
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Performed therapy sessions with children and/or their families in the home, community or school
- Evaluated progress against goals for all clients
- Charted progress notes
- Created and administered Treatment Plans
- Scheduled recurring Therapy appointments to provide client care as needed.
- Coordinated Treatment with Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS)
- Facilitated Social Skills training
- Worked Independently and as a Team
- Completed all paperwork as requested
Mobile Therapist (part-time)
Family Services of NorthWest PA
Erie, PA
04.2002 - 10.2002
- Performed therapy sessions with children snd/or their families in the home, community or school
- Evaluated progress against goals for all clients
- Charted progress notes
- Created and administered Treatment Plans
- Scheduled recurring Therapy appointments to provide client care as needed
- Coordinated Treatment with Therapeutic Staff Support (TSS)
- Facilitated Social Skills Training
- Worked independently and as a Team
- Completed all paperwork as requested
Mental Health Counselor
Perseus House/ Florence Crittenton Home
Erie, PA
03.2001 - 04.2002
- Conducted Therapeutic Individual and Family Therapy sessions for pregnant teenagers.
- Provided Skills Streaming
- Conducted Group Therapy
- Coordinated Treatment updates with OCY, Juvenile Probation and the Legal system
- Networked with community agencies
- Worked closed with onsite medical team, consisting of Psychiatrist and nurse
- Assisted TReatment Team with Crisis Management at Residential Treatment Facility during 911
Program Supervisor/ TSS Supervisor
Bethesda Chidren's Home
Erie, PA
02.1999 - 03.2001
- Maintained client records in compliance with local, state, federal, agency and contractual regulations
- Assisted Director with the management and administration of The "Wrap Around Programs" (Mobile Therapy and Therapeutic Staff Support) as well as other day-to-day activities
- Supervised and Trained all staff under the Director (Including Supervisors and PHD candidates)
- Developed and administered Training curriculums
- Worked directly with Psychologist for Medical necessity of Treatment programs
- Completed paperwork for insurance company to authorize all treatment services
- Trained as a Supervisor by CASSP
- Networked with Community Agencies and coordinated services
- Managed Employee timesheets for Payroll
- Managed Employee files in Erie office and assisted Human Resources with hiring, firing and staff related issues
- Assisted with Audit and JCAHO Accreditation
TSS/ Mental Health Counselor/ Child Development
Sarah A. Reed Chidren's Center
Erie, PA
06.1995 - 07.1998
- Collaborated closely with treatment team to appropriately coordinate client care services (TSS) in children and adolescent's homes, community and schools
- Reviewed and implemented Treatment Plan goals (Direct Behavioral supports) and Therapeutic interventions with clients and their families
- Implemented Treatment interventions and direct supervision of children and adolescents in Specialized After School Programs, targeting Behavioral and academic issues/needs in public schools
- Implemented Treatment programs and interventions as well as direct supervision of children and adolescents in Residential Treatment Programs
- Coordinated with academic treatment programs for children
- Supervised children and adolescents in Residential Treatment in the community
Education
Master of Science - Counseling Psychology
Gannon University
Erie, PA12.1998
Bachelor of Science - Mental Health Counseling
Gannon University
Erie, PA05.1996
Skills
- Clinical Assessments (Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders)
- Case Management
- Individual, group and Family Therapy (children, adolescents, adults and family, in Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders)
- Completion of ASAMs for Level of Care Treatment Recommendation with Substance Use Disorders
- Diagnostic Impressions for Mental Health and Substance Abuse
- Working with MAT programs (especially Suboxone, Subutex, Sublocade, Vivitrol and Methadone)
- Cultural Competency training
- Networking with Community programs and, agencies
- Referrals to community agencies and other Treatment providers
- DDAP Trainings
- Cognitive Behavioral Training and Motivational Interviewing
- First Aid & CPR
- Leadership skills
- On the Erie Latino Leadership Association Board since 2019, currently Secretary (Erie's only Non-profit Hispanic/Latino Board)
- On the 1st Erie County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Commission since 2022, 1st female County Commissioner for Diverse Erie, currently Secretary/ Executive Committee member
- Founded & Facilitated the development of Erie's 1st Hispanic/Latine Advisory Board (HLAC) to the Mayor of Erie in 2022 to present
- Created and Facilitated Group Therapy targeting the cultural needs of the Hispanic/Latino community in Erie, who are diagnosed with Substance Use Disorders at NDHC 2019 to 2023
- Created and Facilitated an Undergraduate course at Gannon focused on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders in January 2022 Currently in the Gannon University Psychology and Social Work Departments (currently specializing in Psychopathology and Intro to Psychology)
INTERNSHIPS
SECONDARY GUIDANCE COUNSELOR
MERCYHURST PREPARATORY HIGH SCHOOL
SEPTEMBER 2, 1998 TO DECEMBER 10, 1998
CASE MANAGER
HAMOT MEDICAL CENTER
JUNE 25, 1998 TO AUGUST 10, 1998
MENTAL HEALTH AIDE
SARAH A. REED CHILDREN'S CENTER
1995
References
- Available Upon Request
Timeline
Lead Project Coordinator
County Of Erie Office of Drug & Alcohol Abuse
07.2023 - Current
Adjunct Professor
Gannon University
12.2021 - Current
Counselor
New Directions Healthcare
01.2019 - 07.2023
Clinical Assessor
Pyramid Healthcare Inc.
11.2013 - 12.2018
Mobile Therapist (part-time)
Sarah A. Reed Children's Center
01.2007 - 01.2008
Housing Specialist/Assessor/Support Coordinator
Erie County Care Management/ CMSS
04.2002 - 11.2013
Mobile Therapist (part-time)
Family Services of NorthWest PA
04.2002 - 10.2002
Mental Health Counselor
Perseus House/ Florence Crittenton Home
03.2001 - 04.2002
Program Supervisor/ TSS Supervisor
Bethesda Chidren's Home
02.1999 - 03.2001
TSS/ Mental Health Counselor/ Child Development
Sarah A. Reed Chidren's Center
06.1995 - 07.1998
Master of Science - Counseling Psychology
Gannon University
Bachelor of Science - Mental Health Counseling
Gannon University