Unemployed Over 50: An American Crisis

Armed with a substantial background in behavioral healthcare and a proven track record of advocacy in New York City, I’ve decided to focus attention specifically on the plight of the long term unemployed over 50 for my upcoming master’s thesis.  Here’s my professional and academic background in greater detail:

2/2007 to present Faculty Course Designer and Educator – Alcoholism Council of New York (ACNY) – New York, NY • Research and design evidenced based course content for the Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) training program for licensure issued by the New York State Office of Alcohol and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS)• Instruct and train beginning students and practicing professionals in the field of alcohol and drug abuse treatment and counseling services

6/2009 to present New York State Coordinator; Co-Chair Marketing Committee –VOR Washington, DC Initiative Conference Volunteer & Legislative Advocate • Serve as VOR’s New York State Coordinator and advocacy liaison to help ensure the civil rights of those most affected by profound and severe intellectual and developmental disabilities are protected and given a voice in Congress

• Successfully lobbied New York Congressional Delegation on Capitol Hill in June of 2009, 2010, 2011 & 2012 to help garner bi-partisan co-sponsors for H.R. 2032 (formerly H.R. 1255) – a bill co-authored by Rep. Barney Frank and Rep. Debbie Wasserman-Schultz designed to ensure parents and guardians of profoundly and severely disabled individuals remain informed and given the choice to opt out of federally funded class action lawsuits that determine where their loved ones will reside

11/2008 to 5/2009 Community Affairs & Constituent Services – Academic Internship Office of Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer – New York, NY • Researched and drafted A Guide to Accessing Healthcare for the Uninsured in New York City – a handbook outlining available healthcare services for targeted populations in New York City • Provided administrative support throughout the 2009 Community Board member appointment process including conducting candidate interviews and contributing to evaluations of applicants • Assisted constituents with questions and concerns through telephone communications, drafting correspondence and conducting research to facilitate problem resolution

1999 to 2006 Clinical Director Rehabilitation Services – Cornerstone of Medical Arts Center Hospital – New York, NY • Managed and designed program for a 35 bed in-patient substance abuse rehabilitation unit • Coordinated medical and clinical team, provided clinical supervision and annual evaluations for 13 staff, managed CASAC internship program • Facilitated direct admissions from citywide referral sources including family treatment courts, hospitals and other treatment facilities • Worked as liaison with citywide employee assistance programs, judicial system & health management organizations • Implemented performance improvement programs in compliance with government licensing, accreditation and certification entities such as OASAS, The Joint Commission, and the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities • Hospital wide Administrator on Duty/On Call responsibilities provided night and weekend coverage consultations to all hospital staff during monthly rotation schedule

EDUCATION

Master of Arts Social Policy – Graduation expected fall 2012 (Current GPA 4.O) State University of New York (SUNY) Empire State College, School for Graduate Studies, Saratoga Springs, NY

2012 SUNY School of Graduate Studies Dean’s Medal recipient; 2012 SUNY School of Graduate Studies Roger Keeran Outstanding Scholarship Award; 2012 SUNY Association of Council Members and College Trustees  (ACT) Award for Excellence and Student Initiative Scholarship

2011 SUNY Graduate Diversity Fellowship Program recipient  Awarded Empire State College Foundation Scholarship for Fall 2010 and Spring 2011 terms, 2011 Student Advisory Board Member, SUNY Empire State College, School for Graduate Studies

Bachelor of Science, Public Health Policy – GPA 3.97 November 2009 SUNY Empire State College, Saratoga Springs, NY Associate in Science, Interdisciplinary Studies – GPA 4.00 February 2008 SUNY Empire State College, Saratoga Springs, NY

Honors: SUNY 2010 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence recipient; Invited by Empire State College to speak at the Center for Distance Learning Graduation ceremony in June 2008

Publications: On Progress and Privacy: Protecting Patient Confidentiality in Electronic Medical Records, May 2009, Prof. Nicola Martinez, Ph.D. blogspot; Queen Lili’uokalani’s Imprisonment Quilt: Indomitable Spirits in Protest Cloth. Femspec Interdisciplinary Journal. Volume 9, Issue 2. 2008

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT April 2012 – April 2014  Appointed to serve as Member, Community Board No. 2, Manhattan, New York City, NY by Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer.

2002 to present Carmine Street Block Association, New York, NY • Executive Committee Member and event coordinator for “Meet The Chefs” fundraiser for local non-profit Greenwich Village organizations featuring food donated by over 40 South Village restaurants serving over 3,000 people

2006  The Imagine Project, Org., Brooklyn, NY Volunteer, songwriter, performer and digital video producer for the Imagine Project at Shea Stadium. www.imagineproject.org/

CERTIFICATIONS 1997 – present Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC) New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services