Wayne Nuness
Buffalo
Summary
Passionate and dedicated professional with a strong desire to make a positive impact in the field of mental health and human services. Seeking a challenging opportunity at the Buffalo Federation Neighborhood Center to utilize skills and expertise in helping individuals in need. Committed to providing compassionate care and support to improve the well-being of the community. Eager to contribute to a team that shares values and commitment to making a difference in people's lives.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Director
Best Self Behavioral Health, Inc.
09.2023 - Current
- Assertive Community Treatment / Program Director
Senior Counselor
Best Self Behavioral Health, Inc.
02.2020 - 09.2023
- Assertive Community Treatment / Senior Counselor
IDDT Specialist
Best Self Behavioral Health, Inc.
06.2014 - 09.2020
- Assertive Community Treatment / IDDT Specialist
- Specifically tasked with providing Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment
- Specifically tasked with providing Integrated Dual Disorder Treatment for a dual diagnosed population.
- Identify, assess and create the necessary referral for inpatient CD TX and or other treatment options.
- Provide individual therapy and or weekly group therapy to address specific substance use and abuse issues.
Case Manager
Lakeshore Behavioral Health, Inc.
04.2013 - 06.2014
- Assertive Community Treatment / Case Manager
- The Case Manager assists enrolled clients with obtaining needed medical, social, psychosocial, educational, financial, vocational and other services, and serves as a broker for the consumer.
- Identifies, assesses and monitors the use of multiple resources benefiting individuals identified as "high risk/heavy users of services" and who have problems accessing care
- Addresses appropriateness, quality, adequacy, continuity and cost effectiveness of needed resources and services. Intervene in crisis or pre-crisis situations to limit or contain problems.
- Assists consumers with SPMI in making informed choices, accessing the most appropriate services to meet their needs and achieving maximum level of independence in the most appropriate and least restrictive environment.
Forensic Case Manager
Bissonette House Prison Ministries
06.2012 - 04.2013
- Forensic Case Manager
- Help staff with intakes and referrals of new clients that have just been released from prison.
- Document detailed information pertaining to the client’s progress in the program.
- Help develop plans of care with men upon their arrival to the program. These are goals that the client and I develop to help assist in the success of re-entering into society.
- Work with men that have not graduated from high school and assist in obtaining their G.E.D.
- Partner with outside agencies in helping these men to further their education either at a two or four year local college
- Facilitate talk therapy groups that discuss various topics such as family, education, everyday living, creating opportunities, choices, and spirituality.
Street Outreach Specialist Team Leader / MICA Specialist
Lakeshore Behavioral Health, Inc.
04.2007 - 06.2012
- Street Outreach Specialist Team Leader / MICA Specialist
- Performed Case Finding, intake assessment and linkages and direct one on one contact with street homeless.
- Maintain Outreach database.
- Facilitate team meetings and Supervise day to day operations of the Outreach team. Intervene in crisis or pre-crisis situations to limit or contain problems.
- Identify the homeless and substance abuse population as well as the needs that best serve this population and create avenues to support their needs.
- Initiate community linkages with mental health, and substance abuse counseling, care coordination and housing.
Supportive Housing Program Case Manager
Buffalo Federation Neighborhood Centers
04.2006 - 04.2007
- Supportive Housing Program Case Manager
- Managed a case load of 20-25 adult individuals with mental health disabilities.
- Coordinate, and advocate services for targeted population.
- Assist program director with ADL’s and monitor medical compliance.
- Initiate housing search, coordinate services between landlords and clients.
- Maintain audit ready charts.
- Responsible for monthly face to face contact in various community settings.
Intake Specialist
Heat Energy Assistance Program
06.2001 - 08.2006
- Intake Specialist
- Responsible for interviewing and approving qualified applicants for HEAP assistance.
- Documented information received from external customers and served as a liaison between applicants and various utility companies.
HIV/AIDS Education Instructor
Western New York American Red Cross
08.1995 - 05.1998
- HIV/AIDS Education Instructor
- Counseled at risk population with information on the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Substance Abuse counselor
New York State Department of Correctional Services
01.1994 - 01.1998
- Substance Abuse counselor (1994-1998)
- Counseled substance abuse clients utilizing the twelve step program.
- Instructed seminars on Aggressive Replacement training (A.R.T.).
- Conducted conflict resolution and a variety of transitional life skills.
- Prepared statistical reports, assessments, interim and final evaluations and scheduling.
Education
Masters - Social Work
State University of New York at Buffalo
Buffalo, New York09.2013
Bachelors of Science - Community and Human Services
Medaille College
Buffalo, New York01.1995
Certification
- Counseling Aid I and II Apprenticeship Certificate of Achievement / NYS DEPT of Labor
- Chemical Dependency/Medaille College
- Forensic Aid Counseling/Medaille College
- Substance Abuse Counseling /Medaille College
Timeline
Program Director
Best Self Behavioral Health, Inc.
09.2023 - Current
Senior Counselor
Best Self Behavioral Health, Inc.
02.2020 - 09.2023
IDDT Specialist
Best Self Behavioral Health, Inc.
06.2014 - 09.2020
Case Manager
Lakeshore Behavioral Health, Inc.
04.2013 - 06.2014
Forensic Case Manager
Bissonette House Prison Ministries
06.2012 - 04.2013
Street Outreach Specialist Team Leader / MICA Specialist
Lakeshore Behavioral Health, Inc.
04.2007 - 06.2012
Supportive Housing Program Case Manager
Buffalo Federation Neighborhood Centers
04.2006 - 04.2007
Intake Specialist
Heat Energy Assistance Program
06.2001 - 08.2006
HIV/AIDS Education Instructor
Western New York American Red Cross
08.1995 - 05.1998
Substance Abuse counselor
New York State Department of Correctional Services
01.1994 - 01.1998
Bachelors of Science - Community and Human Services
Medaille College
Masters - Social Work
State University of New York at Buffalo
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