Candidate for
Member City Council; City of Chico

Education, Training and Certifications:

Masters Degree, International Institute of Restorative Practices, Counseling and Restorative Justice, 2010

Masters Degree, University of LaVerne, Educational Psychology, 2005

Bachelors Degree, Ithaca College, Comparative Religious Studies, 1993

- California Certified Mediator
- California Certified Crisis Counselor
- McKinney Vinto Homeless Act + Access and Implementation
- AB2034 Chronic Mentally Ill Homeless Act + Housing and Services for Dual Diagnosis
- Public and Private Violence Threat Assessment and Risk Management
- Institute for Community Health Outreach (CHOW) Harm Reduction Integration

Relevant Professional Experience

Family Violence Education Program - Educator/Group Facilitator - Chico, CA - 9/2011 -present

Facilitate groups to court ordered offenders in Anger Management, Domestic Violence Education, Child Endangerment, and Chemical Dependency. Work with diverse clientele including parolee and probationers. Make referrals as needed for self-sufficiency and management. Use restorative practices to better achieve compliance with educational and behavioral goals.

Treatment Trends - Confront - Addiction Counselor - Allentown, PA - 7/2009 - 7/2010

Provide one-on-one substance abuse counseling to individuals 18-58 in out -atient setting. Completed intake assessments, psychosocial assessments, medical and drug/alcohol histories. Assigned primary group placements including motivational enhancement, conflict resolution, criminality, parenting and addiction education. Was responsible for completion of all client files for billing, HIPAA, and licensing compliance. Included use of restorative practices particularly in relation to family dynamics/conflicts. Provided weekly individual counseling to clients including those with developmental disabilities, TBI's, co-occurring disorders, and individuals who were incarcerated.

YouthStar + Griot Evaluation Systems - Consultant - Santa Rosa, CA 1/2003 + 6/2009

Provided consulting services including organizational development, group facilitation, grant writing, strategic planning, and database development. Developed and trained in crisis intervention policy and procedure for youth and adult service centers. Assisted with policy development including ADA awareness training, cultural sensitivity, and crisis intervention. Supervised social workers in Foster system, trained foster parents and provided individual counseling to minors in the foster and guardianship system. Worked with the Homeless and Unaccompanied Youth Taskforce and McKinney Vinto Act enforcement.

Habitat for Humanity of Butte County - Executive Director - Chico, CA - 8/2006 + 6/2008

Directed the activities of local Habitat affiliate including the successful financial and organizational restructuring of the agency. Worked directly with Habitat homeowners to provide on-going support and education. Supervised the selection and cultivation of future Habitat homeowners. Provided direct client services for first time home buyer workshops, budget counseling, and acted as an advocate for homeowner family needs. Was responsible for all aspects of fiscal management, personnel oversight, program management, and Re-Store productivity. Conducted organizational orientations and training for individuals and groups. Supervised interns, volunteers, youth programs, interfaith and community partners. Represented the agency through community speaking engagements and outreach to service groups.

Chico Community Shelter Partnership - Executive Director - Chico, CA - 5/2000 + 7/2005

Secured grants of over $3 million for operations and construction of public and government funded homeless shelter. Was responsible for overall management and administration of agency including: Hiring, training, and supervision of 12 person staff, program development and oversight, grant writing and administration, fiscal management, fundraising and development, board recruitment, and public relations. Established and maintained partnerships with county agencies, city government, nonprofit agencies, and multiple service associations for collaboration on public benefit projects. Recruited, trained, and supervised volunteer base of over 500 volunteers per year.

Service on various local boards and task forces including:

- Chico Housing Improvement Program - Associate Board Member
- Greater Chico Homeless Task Force
- League of Women Voters - Social Policy Chair
- City of Chico Sustainability Task Force
- Butte County Association of Governments Social Services - Technical Advisory Committee
- Emergency Food and Shelter Board
- City of Chico Housing Element Task Force
- Interfaith Council

Biographical Statement

I am running for Chico City Council because I feel passionately about preserving and enriching our community. With a focus on sustainability (social, environmental, and fiscal) I will work to ensure that future generations enjoy the same or a better quality of life in Chico that I cherish. With a solid history in social services and community involvement, I have the skills and experience to be a city leader. I have worked with diverse constituents in my role as Executive Director of the Torres Shelter and Habitat for Humanity. As a counselor and educator, I am able to communicate respectfully with all people, not just those with whom I am in agreement.

In both my career and personal life, I have been dedicated to giving back and creating a better, more egalitarian community. Professionally, I have worked with both victims and offenders of Domestic Violence, directed the local homeless shelter, worked as an advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities, served as the director of a self-help housing organization, and counseled those suffering from addictions. In my personal life, I have volunteered for the City of Chico Youth Diversion program, and have been a crisis-line volunteer, a park volunteer, a foster parent, and have rescued numerous animals from the shelter.

With a strong commitment to ethical and legal standards and a focus on accountability and personal responsibility, I will always work in the best interest of the City. I believe in compromise but do not think that consensus is always possible. That said, I am interested in making sure that Fair Process is observed (The three principles of fair process are: Engagement--involving individuals in decisions that affect them by listening to their views and genuinely taking their opinions into account; Explanation--explaining the reasoning behind a decision to everyone who has been involved or who is affected by it; and Expectation clarity--making sure that everyone clearly understands a decision and what is expected of them in the future).

I will be an excellent Council person not only because of my experience but because of my personal integrity and work ethic. I will work hard for the City of Chico and its residents. I will be fair and thoughtful in my decision making, and I will always seek clarification and additional information so that I can make the best, most informed decisions.