Connie Desmarais
Barker,NY
Summary
Experienced and dynamic professional with 30+ years of leadership in non-profit management, early childhood development, and infant mental health systems. Expertise in project coordination, strategic planning, and cross-sector coalition building. Proven history of supporting reflective supervision and technical assistance initiatives across diverse programs, including Healthy Families New York. Passionate about promoting equitable and relational approaches that strengthen families and communities.
Professional with solid expertise ready for this consulting role. Skilled in problem-solving, client communication, and technical support. Known for strong collaboration, adaptability, and delivering results. Adept at navigating complex issues to provide effective solutions. Dependable team player with focus on continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Project Support Consultant, Healthy Families Chautauqua
Jamestown Community Learning Council
10.2024 - Current
- Conduct monthly individual supervision sessions with JCLC Program Manager
- Participate in planning and strategy development
- Develop/support training and technical assistance opportunities for staff and/or families
- Advise as necessary the HFC maternal/early childhood goals, outcomes, success indicators and assessment strategies
HFNY Project IECMH Basics Trainer, Consultant
New York State Alliance for Infant Mental Health (NYS-AIMH)
03.2024 - Current
- Review NYS-AIMH training materials, Competency Guidelines, and Alliance resources to ensure alignment with content and delivery
- Deliver 2-day Infant Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Basics trainings
Community Coalition Coordinator
Niagara County Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
Niagara County, NY
01.2023 - Current
- Coordinated community outreach initiatives to promote mental health and substance abuse awareness.
- Developed and delivered training programs aimed at equipping staff with effective client engagement strategies and service delivery techniques.
- Developed partnerships with local organizations to enhance resource availability for clients.
- Implemented strategic plans to improve service accessibility and client outcomes across programs.
- Organized successful events and conferences, raising awareness about the coalition''s purpose and accomplishments.
- Created detailed progress reports for key stakeholders, maintaining transparency about successes and areas requiring improvement.
- Continuously sought feedback from members and partner organizations to refine strategies and make improvements where necessary.
Project Support Consultant
Strong Starts Chautauqua
09.2021 - Current
- Directed technical assistance and strategic planning for maternal/early childhood programs
- Supported implementation of evidence-based models including Healthy Steps, Therapy, and PCIT
- Facilitated trainings, updated systems of care, and partnered with medical providers on IECMH alignment
Interim Program Manager, Healthy Families Chautauqua
Jamestown Community Learning Council
01.2023 - 05.2024
- Established and managed a new Healthy Families site, integrating state protocols and best practices
- Facilitated outreach and training for staff and community partners
Director, Parenting Services
Native American Community Services
Lockport, NY
08.2020 - 11.2021
- Oversaw budgeting processes, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and resource allocation.
- Implemented performance evaluation systems to assess program impact and staff effectiveness.
- Mentored and trained staff, fostering professional development and skill enhancement.
- Optimized staff performance by designing comprehensive training programs tailored to individual needs.
Interim Director
Community Connections of NY, Inc.
11.2019 - 08.2020
- Collaborated at multi-county and state levels with community stakeholders and initiative partners to increase Help Me Grow’s visibility
- Provided high-level oversight of client intake and referral tracking system database
- Ensured all required data is collected to facilitate accurate and timely reporting for Help Me Grow National Center, partner agencies, and grantors
Outreach Coordinator
Niagara University
05.2017 - 11.2019
- Cultivated relationships with child-care programs, community partners, social service agencies, pediatric care providers, parenting resources, and other community
- Created and implemented an innovative, impactful community outreach education campaign on early childhood development
- Increased the number of partnering organizations by 263%, contributed to an increase of 240% of children served, 218% increase in number of children screened, and 77% increase in provider knowledge
Program Director
Family & Children’s Services of Niagara
02.2004 - 05.2017
- Championed family-centered interventions that fostered trust and strengthened parent-child relationships
- Cultivated strategic partnerships with funders including DSS, United Way, foundations, and NYS for collaborative planning
- Spearheaded innovative programming in response to emerging needs, including Fatherhood Initiative, lactation support, and Doula services
Education
Master of Arts - Clinical Psychology
Pepperdine University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
SUNY at Oswego
Skills
- Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) competencies
- Reflective Supervision & Consultation
- Endorsement promotion and training delivery
- Cross-system collaboration and coalition leadership
- Technical assistance and training program development
- Strategic planning and gap analysis
- Data tracking and outcomes-based evaluation
- Google Suite, Zoom, and social media communication tools
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Attention to detail
- Flexible and adaptable
- Dependable and responsible
- Multitasking Abilities
- Excellent communication
- Critical thinking
- Computer skills
- Organizational skills
- Calm under pressure
- Problem resolution
Accomplishments
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
- Achieved [Result] by completing [Task] with accuracy and efficiency.
- Supervised team of [Number] staff members.
Timeline
Project Support Consultant, Healthy Families Chautauqua
Jamestown Community Learning Council
10.2024 - Current
HFNY Project IECMH Basics Trainer, Consultant
New York State Alliance for Infant Mental Health (NYS-AIMH)
03.2024 - Current
Community Coalition Coordinator
Niagara County Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services
01.2023 - Current
Interim Program Manager, Healthy Families Chautauqua
Jamestown Community Learning Council
01.2023 - 05.2024
Project Support Consultant
Strong Starts Chautauqua
09.2021 - Current
Director, Parenting Services
Native American Community Services
08.2020 - 11.2021
Interim Director
Community Connections of NY, Inc.
11.2019 - 08.2020
Outreach Coordinator
Niagara University
05.2017 - 11.2019
Program Director
Family & Children’s Services of Niagara
02.2004 - 05.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
SUNY at Oswego
Master of Arts - Clinical Psychology
Pepperdine University
SPECIALIZED TRAININGS
- Ages & Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional
- Ages & Stages Questionnaire-3rd Edition
- Cultural Humility
- Get Set Capacity Building Initiative
- Human-Centered Design
- Infant-Toddler Mental Health
- Knowledge of Therapeutic Models: Applied Behavior Analysis, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Family Systems, & Solution Focused
- Motivational Interviewing
- Reflective Supervision
- Results-Based Accountability
- Social-Emotional Child Development
- Solution-Focused Therapeutic Intervention
- Trauma Informed Care