About Me
I serve as the Lead Substance Abuse Specialist within the Student Behavior and Supports department at Kern High School District, one of the largest high school districts in California. I hold a Master of Social Work (MSW), a Master of Business Administration (MBA), and am a certified SUDCC IV (Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor – Level IV).
I oversee a team of 21 certified Substance Use Disorder (SUD) counselors who provide prevention, intervention, and intensive support services to students across our district. My work is grounded in the PBIS–MTSS framework, where I support the development and implementation of Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 systems to improve student outcomes.
I am passionate about integrating mental health and substance use services in school settings and ensuring students receive timely, evidence-based interventions such as Seeking Safety, CBISA, and Motivational Interviewing. I also focus on building systems that promote consistency, accountability, and measurable impact through the use of data, fidelity tools like the Tiered Fidelity Inventory (TFI), and strong collaborative practices.
What should people talk to me about?
- School-based substance use prevention and intervention programs
- PBIS–MTSS systems (Tier 2 and Tier 3 development and coaching)
- Evidence-based practices for youth (e.g., Seeking Safety, CBISA, Motivational Interviewing)
- Developing and scaling SUD programs in educational settings
- Data systems, progress monitoring, and program evaluation
- Staff training, onboarding, and system implementation
- Building partnerships between schools, families, and community agencies
I’m always open to collaborating on strategies that improve student wellness, strengthen systems of support, and expand access to effective services.
