Veronica Vaughn
Flora,MS
Summary
Worked for over 25 years in the mental health field. Encouraging manager and analytical problem-solver with talents for team building, crisis response, and management of state and federal grants. Proficient in using independent decision-making skills and sound judgement to positively impact the people severed. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Division Director, Branch of Coordinated Care
Mississippi Department of Mental Health
04.2018 - Current
- Oversight of Department of Mental Health’s Office of Consumer Support which manages Helpline 24 hour, 7 days week
- Responsible for 988 operations of MS’s call centers
- Operate referral and grievance reporting system and conduct subsequent investigations to ensure individuals receiving community‐based services through public mental health system have objective avenue for accessing services and resolution of grievances
- Responsible for day-to-day operation of Mobile Crisis Response Services: admissions of individuals to safe areas and discharges
- Individuals with no place to live
- Develop partnerships with private hospitals, chancery clerks, jails -to assist individuals in accessing services
- Coordinates Specialized Planning, options to Transition Team (SPOTT)
- SPOTT’s, main goal is to support people with mental illness, substance abuse disorder, and Intellectual/developmental disabilities that have a history of high recidivism
- Creating crisis call center to expand and support statewide toll-free number where all crisis calls would be received in one location, documented, and triaged.
Division Director, Adult Services
Mississippi Department of Mental Health
07.2017 - 06.2018
- Responsible for day-to-day operation of adult and crisis services
- Coordinates Specialized Planning, options to Transition Team (SPOTT)
- Operates federal grants from SAMHSA, Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program, Cooperative Agreement to Benefit Homeless Individuals (CABHI), and CABHI Enhancement (employment and disability income)
- Oversight of Creating Housing Options In Communities for Everyone (CHOICE) program which provides housing options to shift individuals with serious mental illness into community-based settings with support services.
Division Director, Office of Consumer Support/Community Placement
Mississippi Department of Mental Health
08.2011 - 06.2017
- Responsible for oversight of DMH’s 24 hour, 7 days week Helpline and National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Operate referral and grievance reporting system and conduct subsequent investigations to ensure individuals receiving community‐based services through public mental health system have objective avenue for accessing services and resolution of grievances
- Coordinates Specialized Planning, options to Transition Team (SPOTT)
- SPOTT’s, main goal is to support people with mental illness, substance abuse disorder, and Intellectual/developmental disabilities that have a history of high recidivism
- Operates federal grants from SAMHSA, Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) program, Cooperative Agreement to Benefit Homeless Individuals (CABHI), and CABHI Enhancement (employment and disability income)
- Oversight of Creating Housing Options In Communities for Everyone (CHOICE) program which provides housing options to shift individuals with serious mental illness into community-based settings with support services
- Also conducts certification visits for Department of Mental Health certified programs to include Mental Health, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Service Providers.
Division Director II, Bureau of Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
Mississippi Department of Mental Health
04.2000 - 08.2011
- To develop and provide technical assistance/training and serve as an informational source to all community programs serving individuals with mental retardation/developmental disabilities
- Monitor these programs for compliance with Department of Mental Health’s Minimum Standards Oversee Peer review process for Bureau of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
- Served as member of DMH Disaster Team responsible for emergency preparedness and response for agency, and communities experiencing disasters, spending 18 months on MS Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina assisting effected communities to assist people with finding housing and access to mental health services
- Also coordinated access to mental health services for those affected by Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010
- Worked as part of DMH’s Housing Initiative with Technical Assistance Collaboration (TAC) to increase statewide availability of safe, affordable, and flexible housing options and services that support individual’s recovery and quality of life in community
- Conducted certification visits for Department of Mental Health certified programs to include Mental Health, Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Service Providers.
Program Planner and Evaluator, Division of Professional Licensure and Certification
Mississippi Department Of Mental Health-Central Office
12.1998 - 03.2000
- Managed application process for Mental Health Therapist, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Therapist and Licensed Mental Health/Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Administrators credentials Assisted in development and administration of exams for LMH/IDDA’s
- Organized and oversaw IDD renewal process.
Special Education Coordinator/Psychometrist
Willowood Developmental Center
07.1996 - 11.1998
- Prepared Individual Education Plans for children with developmental disabilities
- Conducted psychological testing for placement and re-evaluations for children with State Department of Education rulings
- Wrote assessment team reports and maintained current files for children both Department of Mental Health and Department of Education.
Special Education Teacher
Jackson Public Schools
08.1994 - 06.1996
- Taught individuals with special education rulings grades 1-3
- Wrote annual Individual Education Plans based on each child’s individual needs
- Developed and implemented weekly lesson plans.
Special Education Teacher
Copiah County Schools
08.1992 - 06.1994
- Taught children with developmental delays ages 3-5 in Child Development Center
- Wrote Individual Education Plans
- Developed and implemented weekly lesson plans.
Education
Master of Science, Psychometry / Special Education -
Mississippi College
Clinton, MS05.1997
Bachelor of Science, Special Education -
Mississippi State University
Starkville, MS05.1992
Skills
- Budget Management
- Building Relationships
- Team Management
- Crisis Management
- Rules and regulations
- Strategic Planning
- Department Oversight
Certification
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) (2013)
- Crisis Counseling Program (2007) recertification (2011)
- Stennis Institute (2008)
- Psychological First Aid (2006)
- Licensed Department of Mental Health Administrator (2004)
- Licensed Intellectual and Developmental Disability Therapist (2002)
- Mental Health Therapist (1998)
- MS State Personnel Board, Certified Public Manager Program (2002)
- Certified Additions Therapist (2021)
Timeline
Division Director, Branch of Coordinated Care
Mississippi Department of Mental Health
04.2018 - Current
Division Director, Adult Services
Mississippi Department of Mental Health
07.2017 - 06.2018
Division Director, Office of Consumer Support/Community Placement
Mississippi Department of Mental Health
08.2011 - 06.2017
Division Director II, Bureau of Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities
Mississippi Department of Mental Health
04.2000 - 08.2011
Program Planner and Evaluator, Division of Professional Licensure and Certification
Mississippi Department Of Mental Health-Central Office
12.1998 - 03.2000
Special Education Coordinator/Psychometrist
Willowood Developmental Center
07.1996 - 11.1998
Special Education Teacher
Jackson Public Schools
08.1994 - 06.1996
Special Education Teacher
Copiah County Schools
08.1992 - 06.1994
Master of Science, Psychometry / Special Education -
Mississippi College
Bachelor of Science, Special Education -
Mississippi State University
Similar Profiles
Monica Webber PhD, ThD, D.D.Monica Webber PhD, ThD, D.D.
Office Manager, Scheduling Coordinator at Camelia Home HealthOffice Manager, Scheduling Coordinator at Camelia Home Health
Temekia McInnisTemekia McInnis
Mental Health Therapist at Southwest Mississippi Mental Health ComplexMental Health Therapist at Southwest Mississippi Mental Health Complex
Narayan ThapaNarayan Thapa
Cleaner (Relief) at Mental Health Department, Department of HealthCleaner (Relief) at Mental Health Department, Department of Health
Paxson StanfordPaxson Stanford
Buss Boy at Koestler PrimeBuss Boy at Koestler Prime
Glinda ThomasGlinda Thomas
Clinical Research Coordinator at Olive Branch Family Medical CenterClinical Research Coordinator at Olive Branch Family Medical Center