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Specialty Mental Health Probation in NC: Safer Communities through Enhanced Supervision
SESSION INFO
Sunday, June 30, 2024
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Session Type: Workshop
Individuals with serious mental illnesses under correctional supervision have complex needs, elevated criminogenic risks, and present challenges to correctional professionals who supervise them. The NC Department of Adult Correction, Division of Community Supervision has innovated special programs and initiatives to equip officers with the skills and tools needed to optimize criminal justice and mental health outcomes for individuals with mental illnesses and co-occurring substance use disorders. In this interactive workshop, participants will learn about these efforts and gain experience with brief assessments of mental and social determinants of health; strategies to facilitate consultation with mental health professionals; and de-escalation techniques to diffuse emotional situations.
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SESSION PRESENTERS
Ashlee Barnes
Licensed Mental Health Professional, NC Department of Adult Correction
Ashlee Barnes is a Mental Health Professional with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Division of Community Supervision. Ashlee graduated from East Carolina University in 2012 with a Master of Social Work and Substance Abuse Treatment Certificate. She is licensed as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has 15 years of mental health and substance use treatment experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, including correctional institutions, a psychiatric hospital, VA Medical Center, community health center, and substance use treatment center.
Brian K. Gates, MPA
Director of Program Services, NC Department of Adult Correction
Brian Gates has over 30 years of experience with probation and parole and has worked in multiple districts across the state, starting as a parole officer and eventually moving to the Division Administrator with management of 22 counties and 8 judicial districts. Currently, Director Gates is the Director of Program Services and is responsible for the oversight and administration of North Carolina Division of Community Supervision’s policy development, technology, training, and programming sections, including the supervision of all specialty caseloads.
Amber Livengood
Licensed Mental Health Professional, NC Department of Adult Correction
Amber Livengood is a Mental Health Professional with the North Carolina Department of Adult Correction, Division of Community Supervision. She has a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Western Carolina University and maintains licensure as a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, and Certified Clinical Supervisor. She has 13 years of experience working in addiction and mental health treatment. She has 13 years of experience of addiction and mental health treatment within inpatient and residential settings, including correctional institutions and a State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Treatment Center (ADATC).
Jason Szybka
Mental Health Probation/Parole Officer, NC Department of Adult Correction
Jason Szybka is a Probation / Parole Officer with the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, Division of Community Supervision. Jason graduated from Ashford University with a bachelor's degree in Applied Behavioral Science and completed Masters-level coursework in a Marriage and Family Therapy program. Jason is retired from 20 years of active service with The United States Marine Corps and spent 2 years working with and supervising a Mobile Crisis team in North Carolina. He is currently supervising a specialized caseload of individuals with serious mental illness and co-occurring substance use disorders in Duplin County, NC.
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