Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
RESOURCE SPECIALIST
VIRGINIA VETERAN AND FAMILY SUPPORT
09.2016 - Current
Provide one on one care coordination to the SMVF population including all veterans regardless of length of service or character of discharge, veteran families, veteran caregivers, widows, transitioning service members, military spouses, and those serving in the National Guard and, Reserve not under title 10 or 32 orders
Appointments conducted both in-person and telephonically utilizing a comprehensive service needs assessment to identify needs, screen for suicidal ideation, and or other behavioral health concerns, and refer to community partners for connection to services
Maintains connection to veterans through in-person, or virtual modalities to monitor the progress of referrals made to service providers ensuring an appropriate resolution of identified needs
Provides outreach and awareness of all Department of Veterans Services programs to community partners both locally and statewide, including maintaining an itinerate site at the Hampton Roads Veteran Employment Center in Norfolk Virginia, and provides DVS & VVFS presentations during the 'After Taps Workshop' starting in 2018 - present
Promotes upcoming ASIST Trainings hosted by VVFS locally and statewide to ensure DVS staff, and community partners are receiving continued valuable, and lifesaving suicide prevention training
Have successfully co-facilitated all DVS ASIST trainings over the last four years, and have mentored all provisional ASIST trainers within in the agency over the last twelve months to ensure they advance from provisional trainer to fully certified.
Maintains and tracks ASIST training data, including keeping a database of future participants
Provides VISR training monthly to onboarding DVS Benefits employees.
Provisional Safe TALK instructor April 2023.
Served on the grant review panel for the DVS Suicide Prevention and Opioid Addiction Services Program in April 2023 and September 2023.
COMMAND OMBUDSMAN
(VFA) STRIKE FIGHTER SQUARDRON THREE ONE
04.2018 - 11.2019
Appointed as the command ombudsman by the commanding officer of (VFA) Strike Fighter Squadron Three One from April 2018 to November 2019, to serve as an information link between command leadership and families
Trained to disseminate official Department of the Navy (DoN) and command information, command climate issues and local community opportunities
Provided resource referrals and was instrumental in resolving family issues before they required command attention
Responsibilities included acting as a liaison between command families and the commanding officer
Welcoming arriving families to the area, providing resources and connection to assistance
Developed and distributed a command monthly and quarterly newsletter
Established and maintained an up-to-date telephonic and email distribution list to share information quickly
Compiled and submitted monthly data reports, detailing command numbers, incidents, outreach events, and other pertinent information
Provided monthly training to new command service members detailing ombudsman services available
Served as a source of emergency and crisis information
Distributed information regarding Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSCs) programs and other support organizations information for connection and support
Represented the command at local ombudsman assembly meetings, command safety briefings, along with pre and post deployment meetings
Coordinated services for families during deployment, mobilization or geographic separation
Performed all other official roles, functions and duties as assigned by the commanding officer.
VIRGINIA VETERANS CORPS NAVIGATOR
AMERICORPS
09.2014 - 09.2016
Served over eighteen hundred hours as Virginia Veterans Corps Navigator through a grant funded AmeriCorps program to assist Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program (VVFS) carry out its mission of connecting veterans dealing with military stress related disorders and traumatic brain injuries to support services within the community
Responsibilities included assessment of veteran needs and providing direct linkage to VVFS Resource Specialist for additional services
Participated with fellow Virginia Veterans Corps Navigators in monthly meetings and community service projects
Promoted awareness of Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program through veteran engagement at posted service site, community engagements, and resource tables.
CLIENT SERVICE ASSISTANT AND CASEWORK LEAD
NAVY-MARINE CORPS RELIEF SOCIETY
01.2014 - 09.2016
Assisted over five hundred active duty, retired, activated reservist, and transitioning service members with loans, grants, and financial education to provide relief during hardships and unforeseen circumstances
Referred eligible veterans and family members for additional support services to the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program, rebranded in 2015 to Virginia Veteran and Family Support Program
Responsibilities included providing excellent customer service to clients, answering questions and addressing concerns
Additional duties included verifying applicant requests to ensure accuracy during intake process, and managing daily computer appointment calendar
Mentored and trained current and new volunteers on client intake procedures, casework policy, and customer service skills
Reviewed case notes within client service system for errors and missing information
Redesigned client data sheet used during intake and interview process ensuring more accurate information was collected
Presented with a merit award for personally providing $183,000 in financial assistance to over two hundred clients, within a twelve month period
Transitioned into lead casework role within six months of start date.
Facilitated a six week learning series for Veteran Spouse Network, February 2024- March 2024.
Groups
Currently serves as steering committee member for NEXUS : (Mission) Advancing and connecting Military and Veteran Service Organizations to develop a collaborative support network within the Hampton Roads Community : January 2024 - Present
Current member of the Virginia Governor's Challenge to Prevent Suicide : June 2023 - Present