Tawana Young
Madison,AL
Summary
Dedicated and results-driven Behavioral Health and Community Outreach Specialist with 27+ years of experience in crisis intervention, victim advocacy, and substance abuse counseling. Proven ability to engage diverse communities, build strategic partnerships, and coordinate outreach programs. Adept at public speaking, relationship building, and faith-based engagement, aligning seamlessly with the mission of the Faith-Based Support Specialist (FBSS) Recruiter role.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Court Referral Education Program Instructor
RECOVERY SERVICES
02.2021 - Current
- Deliver structured educational programs to individuals mandated by the courts, focusing on substance use and abuse, related laws and consequences, and develops coping and communication skills to prevent future offenses.
- Regularly attends professional development workshops to stay current with industry trends and best practices in education, enhancing overall instruction quality.
- Mentors new instructors within the department, providing guidance on teaching methodologies and classroom management strategies.
- Promotes a growth mindset among students by celebrating achievements along the way while also emphasizing the value of learning from setbacks and challenges faced throughout the program.
- Inputs case and class notes into the Model Integrated Defendant Access System
Case Manager
RECOVERY SERVICES
09.2021 - 12.2022
- Evaluated clients' mental and physical health, addiction, or problematic behavior and assessed their need or readiness for treatment.
- Assessed Basic Living Skills and performed psychoeducational services.
- Provided individual and group counseling, crisis intervention, and facilitated group therapy sessions.
- Conducted human needs assessments and participated in rehabilitation team meetings.
- Supported clients in building a strong recovery network, including connecting them to 12-step meetings and other peer support groups.
- Maintained up-to-date documentation of client progress notes, treatment plans, and discharge summaries in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Improved client satisfaction through empathetic listening and tailored support for individual needs.
HelpLine Crisis Counselor
CRISIS SERVICES OF NORTH ALABAMA
09.2020 - 09.2021
- Answered hundreds of calls on the National and local suicide and crisis helplines
- Provide a listening ear and help clients see options for change possibilities
- Provide a safe source of support for individuals in any type of crisis; Assess clients for risk of suicide
- Counsel clients to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse
- Refer patient, client, or family to community resources for housing or treatment to assist in recovery from abuse, mental or physical illness, following through to ensure service efficacy
Behavioral Health and Wellness Team Manager
US ARMY
11.2017 - 12.2018
- Evaluated clients' physical or mental condition through interviews, observation, or tests
- Assessed patients for risk of suicide attempts; monitored, track high-risk Soldiers and their medication use; maintained confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment for over 2000 Army Recruiters
- Provided peer-to-peer counseling; Guided clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems
- Acted as client advocates to coordinate required services or to resolve emergency problems in crisis situations
- Collaborated with nine other staff members to perform clinical assessments or develop treatment plans
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
US ARMY
07.2016 - 10.2017
- Oversaw programs of sexual assault awareness, prevention, training, victim advocacy and education briefs to emphasize the commitment to foster an environment free of harassment and discrimination for eight battalions
- Responded after an alleged report was made; Provided crisis intervention, referrals and ongoing non-clinical support
- Presented information on available options and resources to assist the victim in making informed decisions and filling out forms
- Provided case management of all reported cases; Received and monitored formal and informal complaints and assign Victim Advocates to assault and harassment cases
- Served as liaisons between client and supporting departments(Criminal Investigative Division, Chaplain, medical and legal agencies) to facilitate immediate response in a team approach for sexual assault cases
- Conducted focus groups and Command Climate Assessments
- Maintained all documentation and case records in a confidential and secure manner within the Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database (DSAID) and Integrated Case Reporting System (ICRS)
Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Counselor
US ARMY
09.1995 - 06.2016
- Counseled clients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes
- Completed and maintained client related paperwork, including federal and state mandated forms, client diagnostic records, and progress notes
- Guided clients in the development of skills or strategies for dealing with their problems; Developed and implemented treatment plans for life after leaving therapy
- Advocated for clients in the resolution of emergency or crisis situations; Met with families, probation officers, police, or other involved parties to exchange necessary information during the treatment process
Education
Court Referral Education Program Instructor - Court Referral Education Program
ALABAMA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS
Montgomery, AL04-2022
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator -
US ARMY SHARP ACADEMY
Fort Leavenworth, KS12.2016
Equal Opportunity -
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LEADERS COURSE
Fort Sill, OK08.2013
Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention -
ARMY SEXUAL HARASSMENT/ASSAULT RESPONSE AND PREVENTION PROGRAM
Guantanamo Bay, Guantanamo02.2013
Master Resiliency Training -
LEADER DEVELOPMENT DIVISION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Columbia, SC09.2011
Bachelors of Science - Human Services
WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Plainview, TX04.2008
Army Instructor -
218TH REGIMENT LEADERSHIP SCHOOL
Columbia, SC10.2004
Rehabilitation - Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation (Group) Training
US ARMY ACADEMY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
San Antonio, TX09.2004
Rehabilitation - Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation (Ind) Training
US ARMY ACADEMY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
San Antonio, TX10.2000
Traumatology -
THE TRAUMATOLOGY INSTITUTE, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
San Antonio, TX08.2000
Skills
- Top Secret Security Clearance
- Written/Oral Communication
- Compliance
- Training and Development
- Team Building
- Risk Mitigation
- Inventory Management and Distribution
- Strategic, Operational and Tactical Sustainment
- OIF
- OEF
- OND
- Equal Opportunity Leader
- Crisis Counseling
- Public Speaking
Certification
- Faith Based Support Specialist
- Court Referral Education Program Instructor
- Crisis Counseling
- Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Level III Certification
- Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Level I Certification
- Equal Opportunity Leader
- Texas Certification Board of Addiction Professionals #1368-96
- Texas Certification Board of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors #1368-96
Timeline
Case Manager
RECOVERY SERVICES
09.2021 - 12.2022
Court Referral Education Program Instructor
RECOVERY SERVICES
02.2021 - Current
HelpLine Crisis Counselor
CRISIS SERVICES OF NORTH ALABAMA
09.2020 - 09.2021
Behavioral Health and Wellness Team Manager
US ARMY
11.2017 - 12.2018
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
US ARMY
07.2016 - 10.2017
Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse Counselor
US ARMY
09.1995 - 06.2016
Equal Opportunity -
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LEADERS COURSE
Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention -
ARMY SEXUAL HARASSMENT/ASSAULT RESPONSE AND PREVENTION PROGRAM
Master Resiliency Training -
LEADER DEVELOPMENT DIVISION AND THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
Bachelors of Science - Human Services
WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY
Army Instructor -
218TH REGIMENT LEADERSHIP SCHOOL
Rehabilitation - Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation (Group) Training
US ARMY ACADEMY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Rehabilitation - Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation (Ind) Training
US ARMY ACADEMY OF HEALTH SCIENCES
Traumatology -
THE TRAUMATOLOGY INSTITUTE, FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY
Court Referral Education Program Instructor - Court Referral Education Program
ALABAMA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF COURTS
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator -
US ARMY SHARP ACADEMY
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