INTERNATIONALLY CERTIFIED SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROFESSIONAL Resume of Qualifications

Dear perspective employers:

On November 1, 2010, I began a new management position with a Georgia CSB, as Supervisor of an Intensive Substance Abuse Treatment Facility for men. I was later transferred to the women's facility due to a problem within the program involving misconduct by someone within the women's program, her subsequent administrative leave and termination, and the need to have a certified addictions counselor work with the women. While my income level did not change, my freedom to make my own decisions and run a free standing unit did. I have discovered that program management is in my blood, and am seeking work that will again allow me to make important decisions for the programs within which I work that so seriously effect the addicted individuals with whom I work.

My former position within the field of Substance Abuse included Contract Assessment in-home counseling work using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) throughout Atlanta's Fulton County. The work was completed through S & T Assessment and Counseling Service, Inc. for Fulton County's Department of Family and Children's Services. Due to 2009 state budget cuts within the state of Georgia, I did not receive adequate income last year, and it became necessary for me to accept a position at a lower level and pay-grade than I have worked in years.  I look forward to returning to program management, the work I know and love. At this time I will consider relocation to another state for a position that satisfies both my career and financial goals.

My former work history includes a number of supervisory and management positions within the field of Substance Abuse. In the past year, I have also focused on physical fitness and improvement of written communication skills, working at Curves For Women, and publishing over 500 on line articles on Substance Abuse and other subjects of interests. My writing has been read by over 86,000 readers and I have developed over 400 loyal fans. My hub-score ranking has hit the ultimate high 100 score mark numerous times, and has been rated as highly as number four of over 165,000 writers. I am very interested in empowerment of consumers and staff through the practice of healthy diet and exercise for physical fitness, writing and other art forms, and perhaps training dogs for service dog status for those who desire or require them.

I have enjoyed many years of counseling and program management experience within the Substance Abuse field, have excellent writing and documentation skills, and the ability to encourage consumers and staff to be the best they can be through personal achievement empowerment. I believe a full satisfying life is its own relapse prevention. I also value traditional relapse prevention training methods and incorporate them into many other interests. I meet deadlines and hold others accountable for doing the same. I am also available as a Life Coach to those hoping to enhance their alcohol or drug addiction recovery experience. If you are an Atlanta resident, we could begin working together immediately.

Please contact me directly via email through this site if you would like to discuss contract or full time work opportunities with me. My resume of qualifications is included below this general cover letter.

Sincerely,

Valerie D Belew, M. Div., ICADC, CADC

Certified Contract Substance Abuse Assessment Counselor

RESUME

Valerie D. Belew, M. Div., ICADC, CADC

Contact through Hubpages

0BJECTIVE: Contract or Full time position within the field of Substance Abuse/Social Services Management or related area in which education and experience will be of value.

SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS

Experienced and competent in the areas of Substance Abuse Program Management, Professional Website Design, Commercial Freelance Writer of over 500 published Internet articles through Demand Studios and Hubpages related to Substance Abuse Treatment, Cancer Prevention, Exercise and Fitness, Dog and Cat Breed profiles and other popular topics

Knowledgeable and competent health services professional with extensive experience in Mental Health/Substance Abuse Treatment, Clinical Supervision and Clinical/Program Direction; skilled in crisis intervention and mental health assessment. IC & RC Internationally Certified Alcohol/Drug Counselor, Certified Alcohol/Drug Counselor by Alcohol/Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia.

Highly proficient skilled public speaker; experienced in group presentations, skilled in Employee Training, Substance Abuse Community and Client Education Instruction and Workshop Presentation.

Experienced in establishing annual budgets for Residential, Day Services Outpatient, and Residential Alternatives Programs, budget revisions and maintaining budget goals throughout year for all new Choices programs.

Served as Client Care Review Team Quality Control Chair for Chemical Addiction Recovery Effort, Panama City, FL., January 2000-September 2000, served as President of the Bay County Homeless & Hunger Coalition, Panama City, FL., July 1999-July 2000.

Selected as Employee of the month for Daystar, Inc., October 31rst, 1995, Professional skills in counseling and supervision include strong evaluation/assessment capabilities and resolution skills, innovative/creative in problem solving.

Strong leadership capabilities and supervisory skills. Experienced in recruiting, hiring and disciplinary procedures, excellent coordination/organizational abilities. Maintain high standards for work performance, able to motivate others to excel.

EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CREDENTIALS

Internationally Certified Alcohol/Drug Counselor (ICADC) by IC&RC, Certified Alcohol/Drug Counselor (CADC) by Alcohol/Drug Abuse Certification Board of Georgia, August 2001.

MASTER OF DIVINITY with specialization in PSYCHOLOGY AND COUNSELING, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, New Orleans, LA, 1996

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE, PSYCHOLOGY, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA, 1976.

RELATED EXPERIENCE

November 2010-Present

Residential Consumer Support Supervisor, Community Service Board in GA, ( I do not disclose the name of my present employer due to my very visible position as published writer for hubpages.com, and the publishing of various work related articles on facebook; none of my hubs include client information, but many reveal beliefs that might alienate others in the workplace and elsewhere ); please contact me personally if you wish to have this information, thank you. Initially managed Residential Substance Abuse Treatment facility for men; conducted Intensive Group and Individual counseling and scheduled and supervised Houseparent Staff. Presently conduct addiction counseling sessions for residential addicted females and complete all related documentation.

December 2006-November 2010

Freelance Addiction Assessment (Contract) Certified Substance Abuse Counselor; completed in-home Substance Abuse Assessments and other counseling assignments for residents throughout Fulton, Henry, Bibb, Clarke, Coweta, Decalb, Forsyth, Monroe, and Spalding Counties, for DFCS and The Department of Juvenile Justice. Referrals from S & T Assessment & Counseling Service, Inc.

October 2007-January 2008

Program Director: Westcare Foundation, Westcare, Georgia, Decatur, Georgia. Served as start up program director for three methamphetamine clinic sites, in Atlanta, Augusta, and Rome, Georgia. Purchased furniture, hired and began training of clinical staff, followed all state and federal regulations.

October 2001-September 2004

Clinical/Program Director:McIntosh Trail MHDDAD CSB, Barnesville, GA.

Directly and indirectly supervised a staff of 30 part time and full time employees; responsible for all clinical supervision and program direction. Directed four programs within the New Choices facility; responsible for setting annual budgets, completing budget revisions, and keeping program costs under control. Carried out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the agency’s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities included interviewing, hiring, and training employees, planning, assigning and directing work; appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving problems. Responsible for writing and updating policies and procedures for New Choices Programs. Responsible for implementing and directing entire scope of activities of all New Choices Programs.

July 1998-September 2000

Clinical Supervisor: Chemical Addiction Recovery Effort, Inc., Panama City, FL.

Directly supervised 13 staff (Clinical and support staff) in female specific residential substance abuse treatment facility. Carried out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the agency’s policies and procedures. Interviewed, hired, trained employees and planned, assigned and directed work. Served as facility representative, responsible for the quality of component services delivered and the ethical and professional development of self and staff. Worked to promote positive image of excellence and quality to customers, through customer service skills.

May 1997-July 1998

SUBSTANCE ABUSE PROGRAM COORDINATOR AND COUNSELOR

Southwest Alabama Mental health/Mental Retardation Center, Atmore, AL.

Coordination of Intensive Outpatient Substance Abuse Program. Responsibilities included assessment and evaluation of clients for substance abuse treatment, individual and group substance abuse therapy, and the administration and presentation of educational didactic therapy group topics and related research, verbal and written communication with all client referral sources, Police, State and Federal Probation/Parole Offices, and Circuit Judges, and the maintenance of all related records. Work involved completing all client documentation in an accurate and timely manner and participating in QA evaluation and supervision at scheduled times. Coordinators were also responsible for the promotion of good public relations through positive representation of the organization within the community.

November 1992-June 1996

CRISIS EVALUATOR,Daystar, Inc., Kenner, LA. Evaluation and assessment of mental healthand substance abuse clients within the Jefferson Parish area on an independent on-call basis. Responsibilities included telephone and face to face contact withclients in crisis situations, suicide assessment, crisis intervention, resolution of disposition, consults with on-call doctors and crisis supervisors, and maintenance of all related records. Clients included adults, adolescents and children in the Jefferson Parish area.

June 1995-August 1995

COMMUNITY CRISIS COUNSELOR, Volunteers of America, New Orleans, LA.

Temporary position working in conjunction with FEMA to provide individual, family and group counseling to persons in need of crisis mental health intervention due to physical, emotional, or financial problems brought about by the May 8^th flood. Designed and implemented assessment instrument for the assessment of mental health assessments for the entire VOA Flood Relief Program.

January 1989-November 1990

MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATE,Southern Regional Medical Center, Riverdale, GA. Responsible for extensive interaction with patients in social and family crisis situations, including drug abuse, child abuse, and sexual abuse at all ages. Provided crisis intervention to rape victims and led rape support group. Additionally, made public speaking appearances to a number of groups on behalf of the hospital in order to heighten community awareness on social problems.