Leadership Team
Darryl WIlson, Committee Co-Chair
Professional School Counselor
Professionally certified school counselor with considerable knowledge in the techniques and principles of child and family development, family systems theory, crisis therapy intervention, individual, family, group and play therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and trauma response, child abuse and family violence, and trauma focused interventions. Recognition of “at risk” clients and treatment of mental disorders and psychosocial problems, with the aim of preventing further psychological deterioration. Efficient and effective treatment and management of clients with chronic emotional and/or health problems. Competency Restoration Training (CRT) for clients and inmates who have been deemed Incompetent To Proceed (ITP) within the Judicial System. Provides an array of comprehensive assessments and evaluations to assess functioning, determine specific needs, and to provide relevant recommendations. Experience as a director for an emergency shelter, food, and counseling for troubled youths and their families. Prior work involving the rescue kids from lives of victimization and crime, and in so doing, helping our community ensure that the youth have an opportunity to become productive members of our society.
Emily Lockard, Committee Co-Chair
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Energetic and organized Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who applies principles and models of bio-psychosocial assessment, case conceptualization, theories of human development and concepts of normalcy and psychopathology; leading to diagnoses and appropriate counseling plans, including the principles of diagnosis and the use of current diagnostic tools such as the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM). Assessment and treatment of individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Areas of expertise include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education. Evaluates the strengths and limitations of individuals, provide personal and vocational counseling, and arrange for medical care, vocational training and job placement. Interprets school and medical reports to confer and plan with physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists and employers to determine the capabilities and skills of the individual in tandem with research and teaching in the overall field of human development and interpersonal relationships.
Denise Pennaman
Licensed Practical Nurse
Enthusiastic, compassionate nursing professional who possess incomparable knowledge of the nursing processes, professional standards of nursing and a track record of maintaining confidentiality and protecting sensitive data at all times. Dynamically capable of initiating discharge planning based on assessed needs specifically keeping in mind the organizational and department safety standards. Diversely experienced in conducting clinical assessments. Substantial knowledge of coordinating occupational health programs and advising employees on prevention of illness and injury. Well versed in providing emergency treatment for injury and illness, communicating with management on occupational health issues along with proficiently handling health screening procedures. Current Florida State Licensure as a Practical Nurse and BLS certificate. Devoted to providing the utmost level of ease and care to patients.
Michelle Laurent, Director of Educational Programming
Master of Science in Exceptional Student Education
Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership
Professionally Certified Educator
Special education expert in the accommodation of various types of disabilities that may qualify students for special education programs not limited to: specific learning disabilities, speech or language impairments, mental retardation, emotional disturbance, multiple disabilities, hearing impairments, orthopedic impairments, visual impairments, autism, combined deafness and blindness, traumatic brain injury, and other health impairments. Provide evaluation, informal training on IDEA and special topics; teach Pro-Social Skill Curricula to students; write Functional Behavioral Assessments; provide behavioral consultation to teachers, bus drivers, parents; collaborate with counselors and other professionals working with students. Delivers intensive individualized instruction, problem-solving assignments, and small-group work. Develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for each student receiving special education. Works closely with parents to inform them of their children's progress and suggest techniques to promote learning outside of school.
Brenda Sears, Director of Educational Technology
Master of Science in Educational Technology
Professionally Certified Educator
An education specialist whose success reflects a solid background in teaching to diverse populations. A career dating back to 1988 has set educational standards, goals and established the policies and procedures required to achieve them. The ability to supervise managers, support staff, teachers, counselors, librarians, coaches, and other employees. The development of academic programs, monitoring students’ educational progress, training and teacher motivation and other staff, management of career counseling and other student services, administering recordkeeping, preparing budgets, and performing all other administrative duties. Further specialization in educational operations, administration, school start up and daily operations. Utilization of research-based strategies to provide strategic direction, motivation, leadership and instructional methods to reach a multicultural client base.
Regine Vendrys
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Licensed Mental Health Counselor with invaluable experience with individuals, families, and groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote mental health. Training in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues such as depression, anxiety, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, trauma, low self-esteem, and grief. Expertise is also utilized to help with job and career concerns, educational decisions, mental and emotional health issues, and relationship problems in addition to community outreach, advocacy, and mediation activities. Works closely with other mental health specialists, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurses, and school counselors. Fluent in English, Spanish, French, Creole (Haitian), and Portuguese.
Donald Kelly
Master of Science in Clinicial Psychology
Licensed Mental Health Counselor
Behavioral scientist that has a special focus on the areas of personality and its development and course, and psychopathology and its prevention and remediation. This emphasis includes the full span of psychopathological disorders and conditions, etiologies, environments, degrees of severity, developmental levels and the appropriate assessments, interventions and treatments that are associated with these conditions. An understanding of ethical principles, diversity and of cultural context which are integral components of the knowledge base of all aspects of Clinical Psychology. Knowledge of the developmental and sociocultural normative expectations for the individual(s) assessed. Proficient in the assessment of attitudinal, cognitive psychophysiological, affective and/or behavioral functions of individuals and groups is used to identify and measure unique characteristics which may require modification or amelioration to facilitate performance and social competence. Knowledge includes that of theoretical and applied principles of measurement and assessment, administration and scoring, and interpretation of results across diverse populations throughout a life span.
Larry Handfield, Esq.
Attorney and Counselor of the Law
An esteemed attorney who has received three (3) gubernatorial appointments throughout his distinguished career. First, appointed to the Sentencing Guideline Commission by Governor Robert Martinez. Second, the appointment to the Judicial Nominating Commission for Miami-Dade County Court System by Governor Lawton Chiles, Chairman of that commission. Last, Governor Charlie Christ appointed Attorney Handfield to the position of State Commissioner to the Statewide Ethics Commission for the State of Florida. Attorney Handfield is the immediate past Chairman of the Public Health Trust, which oversees the operation of Jackson Health System, an integrated healthcare delivery system, consisting of twelve (12) primary care centers, seven (7) school-based programs, two (2) long-term care nursing facilities, six (6) Corrections Health Services clinics, a network of mental health facilities, Jackson South Community Hospital, Jackson North and its centerpiece, Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Michael Martin
Certified Public Accountant
Strategic financial management professional with 25+ years experience in accounting, finance and business operations for start-up companies and mid to large corporations. Expertise in directing cross functional teams in enhancing productivity through financial and operational evaluation and the implementation of process improvements to achieve company objectives. Highly skilled in directing all new project operations each project from inception to completion. Strong ability to manage budgets, streamline processes and negotiate vendor contracts which reduce expenses and increase profitability
Carita Facey
Professionally Certified Educator
Dedicated, resourceful and goal-driven professional educator with a solid commitment to the social and academic growth and development of every child. An accommodating and versatile individual with the talent to develop inspiring hands-on lessons that will capture a child's imagination and breed success. Warm and caring teacher who wants all children to be successful learners and works to create a classroom atmosphere that is stimulating, encouraging, and adaptive to the varied needs of students. Committed to professional ethics, standards of practice and the care and education of young children. A self-directed, action-oriented professional with over 8 year's experience in education and community service.
Tiffannie Small
Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Behavioral Science
Criminologist that integrates social sciences, behavioral sciences, and humanities with a professional approach that address topics such as terrorism, drug abuse, computer crime, criminal investigation, ethics, and legal issues. Interests are as follows; first, enjoyment with working with people; second, assertiveness and aptitude to make quick decisions; third, having a preference for a hands-on, immediate approach to resolving difficulties and problematic issues. Further interests include program implementation to resolve discrepancies in the criminal Justice system as it pertains to minorities. With years of experience in criminal justice, a strong advocacy has been developed for the re-entry and diversion programs to help address the overwhelming costs and overpopulation of prisons.
Walter Howard, Executive Director
Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist
Professionally Certified Educator
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Florida State Professionally Certified Educator in mathematics with an exceptional academic background. Self-directed in the design of challenging, enriching, and innovative activities that address the diverse interests and needs of students. Possess outstanding communication skills emphasizing the relevance of class material to the world beyond the classroom. Experience in a variety of therapeutic, behavioral healthcare, and social work settings including child welfare, substance abuse, outpatient services, crisis counseling, domestic violence, and clinical therapy with children, adolescents, adults and families.