JENNISE NIEVES M.A.
Brick
Summary
With over 20 years of experience, I specialize in promoting, creating, and implementing innovative support services for youth, families, schools, and community organizations. My focus is on facilitating access to crucial resources for prevention, education, and treatment. My mission is to bridge the gaps in academic achievement, mental health, addiction, and social and emotional wellness.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Assistant Principal and Assistant Director of Prevention and Wellness Services
Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District
01.2018 - Current
- Co-founder and board member of the K.E.Y.S. Academy (Knowledge Empowers Youth & Sobriety) Recovery High School of Monmouth County, New Jersey. K.E.Y.S. was awarded $1 million dollars under the Recovery Access Grant which resulted in three years of the district receiving $3 million dollars for the Recovery High School to provide free tuition and transportation for students seeking substance abuse recovery while he/or she is completing the course work to meet NJDOE graduation requirements. 2024-2025 marks the 8th academic school year of the recovery high school.
- An innovative and visionary leader in designing the K.E.Y.S. Recovery Wellness Model that integrates a multidisciplinary approach with recovery motivational interviewing, relapse & violence prevention programming, cognitive behavioral therapy and mental health counseling, coordination of care between treatment agencies, health and nutrition, and youth psychoeducation that are aligned with educational standards and recovery based supports.
- Designed individualized academic programming integrating district curriculum, trauma-informed and restorative practices, NJDOE standards, and homeschool graduation requirements to ensure each student's academic programming meets graduation, post-secondary, and career development goals.
- Supervise, evaluate, and conduct student intake process, reviewing students' transcripts, grades, and state assessments, discipline and attendance records, family dynamics and support systems, Juvenile Justice Probation, Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P) involvement, and clinical treatment recommendation for both psychiatric and addiction.
- Supervise compliance with students' individualized educational plan (IEPs), 504 plans, accommodations, and modifications in coordination with each student's child study team representative.
- Developed a partnership with Brookdale Community College to provide K.E.Y.S. students with an opportunity to attend college while working on their high school diploma through their dual enrollment program.
- Worked as a team with MARSD, BCC, and treatment providers to offer outpatient substance abuse counseling services at K.E.Y.S. Academy which is located on the BCC Lincroft, NJ campus.
- Created a comprehensive wellness and recovery model integrating 12 Step to Recovery NA/AA self-help groups, nutrition and cooking, boxing and fitness, yoga and mindfulness, equine therapy, creative arts and music therapy, community service opportunities, job and career exploration, substance abuse testing, and access to recovery coaches.
- Coordinate daily administrative school operations and responsibilities with curriculum and instruction, scheduling, transportation, facilities management, safety and security drills, crisis management, counseling and state testing scheduling, compliance with protocols and procedures from MARSD and BCC.
- Liaison between all stakeholders that include students, parents, school districts, treatment providers, prevention agencies, county and state officials, and outreach programming for youth recovery and mental health.
- Coordinate and implement fundraising activities and assist with budget and school finance planning.
- Supervise district school counselors conducting observations, providing SEL resources and professional development, and implementation of wellness and SEL programming throughout the district.
Student Assistance Counselor
Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District
09.2016 - 01.2018
- Monitor and assist in supervising student academic needs, instruction, and growth; ensure data documentation through a student information system.
- Provide individual substance and mental health assessments for students experiencing challenges due to substance abuse, mental health, social & emotional issues, and behavioral problems that interfere with their learning, health, safety, and well-being.
- Responsible for researching, developing, and implementing prevention and supportive services for students, parents, and the school community. Services with a special focus on addressing concerns for at-risk families of mental health, addiction, violence prevention, and high school drop-out.
- Provide individual and group psycho-educational supportive counseling services such as Life Skills Support Group, GIRLS Empowerment Group, Bilingual Acculturation Group for ESL Students, and Strengthen Families Program for families.
- Community Outreach Liaison between school and key stakeholders on a local, county, and state level with the Police Department, Bayshore Medical Center-Crisis Unit, Monmouth Medical Center, YMCA, New Hope Foundation, CPC Behavioral Healthcare, Preferred Behavioral Health, Prevention First, Mental Health Association, Society of Suicide Prevention, Division of Mental Health & Addiction Services, Perform Care & Mobile Response, Prosecutors & Sheriff's Office, NJ Student Assistance Counselors Association and others. My role is to create, strengthen, and collaborate on services, training, and grant funding programs to better serve our school community at a greater capacity.
- Provide training and professional development on substance abuse prevention programs, treatment resources, behavioral strategies for at-risk students, and trauma-based theories and techniques.
- Worked as a team with district leadership, administrators, counselors, and nurses on district policies and procedures for substance abuse, alcohol, tobacco, anti-bullying, and other related policies.
- Serving as a mentor for guidance and student assistance counselors.
- Manage funds with established programs, fiscal requirements, and present proposals.
- Work in collaboration with the Central Office, High School Administration, Guidance Department, and district Child Study team. Assist and implement culturally diverse programs and serve as a Bilingual Counselor.
- Advocate and implement programs that assist students and families struggling with financial hardship, trauma & crisis situations, unemployment, health concerns, and legal matters to ensure access and equity.
- Provide ongoing professional learning opportunities for staff in collaboration with the Special Education and C&I Department.
- Coordinate with C&I the New Jersey Student Learning Assessment (NJSLA) and Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Assessment (ASVAB). In addition, collaborate with BCC to provide the College Board Accuplacer test in preparing for post-secondary education.
Student Assistance Counselor
Long Branch High School
06.2006 - 06.2016
- Provided assessment, intervention, referral and counseling services to students experiencing difficulties due to substance abuse, mental health, and behavioral problems.
- Developed, coordinated and monitored substance abuse prevention and intervention programs for students and families within the school. Programs include changes in the Substance Abuse District Policy, monitoring chain of command for toxicology testing, establishing a relapse prevention model, and initiative of an Alcohol breathalyzer. Parent involvement, students, and about fifteen (15) local, county, and state organizations participate in a state-of-the-art substance abuse pre-prom prevention program.
- Worked in collaboration with substance abuse treatment providers, prevention organizations, and other community programs. Organizations include Monmouth Medical Center – Pollack Clinic, DCPP, Prevention First, YMCA, Planned Parenthood, Traumatic Loss Coalition, and Providing Hope.
- Served as the liaison between the school district and law enforcement including the Long Branch Police Department, Prosecutor's office, Family Crisis Intervention Units (FCIU), Juvenile Justice Commission – Probation and Family Division.
- An essential role in the creation and implementation of the Positive Intervention Program (PIP) with the Long Branch Alternative School forty-five (45) Day Program. Program designed to provide and assess intervention services for students transitioning back to the district, students that were not successful in the high and/or middle school and/or alternative school. The individualized academic, emotional, medical, and behavioral program was designed to meet each student's specific needs while working with their parents, school, and treatment organizations. The district was able to save significant funding of approximately $500,000 per year, and developed and provided a vital service for at-risk students in need which kept students in the district; providing them with the ability to access additional services within the community.
Bilingual Counselor
180 Turning Lives Around
05.2003 - 01.2006
- Established and reinforced rapport with community agencies, organizations, and faith-based communities to provide and improve services for victims of domestic violence. Principle focuses on providing culturally applicable services for Latina Women in the community and their families.
- Provided psycho-educational support group counseling, advocacy, crisis intervention, intake assessment, case management, extensive outreach, family supportive services, and support to victims of domestic violence.
- Successfully enriched and created programs, and workshops for community health clinics, schools, agencies, organizations and churches in domestic violence education and prevention, with a special focus on the Latino and undocumented community.
- Implemented an effective Bilingual parenting class in various communities across Monmouth County.
Legal Secretary
Riley & Gutman, Attorneys at Law
10.2001 - 10.2002
- Post-closing documents; transmission of mortgages, deeds, affidavits, and surveys to clients, lenders, title companies, and county clerk's office.
- Contact with clients, mortgage companies, realtors, title companies, county clerk's office, municipal offices, and law firms to expedite post-closing disbursement.
Bilingual Legal Secretary
Victor M. Covelli, Esq.
05.1998 - 09.2001
- Interpret for Spanish-speaking clients (Bilingual Spanish/English).
- Responsible for case management of municipal, criminal, divorce, child support, bankruptcy/Chapter Seven, and worker's compensation cases.
- Accountable for calendar management of court hearings.
- Trained and supervised secretary and receptionist.
Education
MA-Masters of Arts - Psychological Counseling
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ05.2006
BA -Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
Monmouth University
West Long Branch, NJ05.2003
Skills
- Mental Health and Addiction Specialist
- Educational leadership
- Public Relations coordinator
- Academic development initiatives
- School facilities and operations
- Funding & community outreach coordinator
- Trauma Informed Practices
- Program & Project Management
- Data-driven instruction
Achievement Awards
- High School Employee of the Month, 2009, 2012, 2016
- Coastal Monmouth Municipal Alliance to Prevent Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, Youth Prevention, 2010
- Fidelity Lodge (Freemasons), Award for Community Service, 2013
- The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), President's Community Service Award, 2014
- Latino American Association of Monmouth County, Award of Outstanding Contribution to Education and Community Service, 2015
- Senate and General Assembly Award by Senator Beck and Assemblywoman Angelini and Casagrande, 2015
- Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition by Frank Pallone, 2015
- Remarkable Women's Award by Trinity AME Church, 2017
- Community Affairs & Resource Center (CARC), Community Service Award, 2018
- Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce- Beacon of Hope Award, 2024
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Certification
- NJ State Principal Standard Certificate, December 2021 | Foundation for Educational Administration, NJExcel
- NJ State Supervisor Certificate, December 2018
- NJ State Substance Awareness Coordinator Certificate, January 2012
Timeline
Assistant Principal and Assistant Director of Prevention and Wellness Services
Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District
01.2018 - Current
Student Assistance Counselor
Matawan Aberdeen Regional School District
09.2016 - 01.2018
Student Assistance Counselor
Long Branch High School
06.2006 - 06.2016
Bilingual Counselor
180 Turning Lives Around
05.2003 - 01.2006
Legal Secretary
Riley & Gutman, Attorneys at Law
10.2001 - 10.2002
Bilingual Legal Secretary
Victor M. Covelli, Esq.
05.1998 - 09.2001
BA -Bachelor of Arts - Criminal Justice
Monmouth University
MA-Masters of Arts - Psychological Counseling
Monmouth University
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