During my 20 years in Oregon, I have focused on equity, justice, the mechanisms of poverty, and training for community support positions. I received my Master’s in Social Work from Portland State University in 2001 after interning with the Portland Public School System, working with youth and family systems. I then spent time in the non-profit sector with housing organizations, received certificat
ions in mediation and suicide intervention, and became accredited for supervision for licensure of Professional Counselors and Social Workers. I am a Jewish lesbian wife and mother who became a social worker because I believe through social justice we can build a better world. For the past 18 years, I have helped new social workers, interns, and staff develop professionally, become licensed, and graduate with practical field experience. I also created and taught workshops on supervision, outcomes for social work, and best practices for de-escalation. I lived in Costa Rica and Mexico City before settling in California for eight years. While in California, I worked for community organizations that served young people and their families. I am originally from New York City and grew up in a not-so-religious Jewish household.