Michele Y. Bennett, M.A.

Experience

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  Bridges Residential Treatment Center

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2005

  Mental Health Counselor

  Residential Treatment Center that Provides a Safe & Nurturing Environment for Children and Adolescents with Chronic Mental Health Problems• Provided daily counsel to youth on age-appropriate behavior and appropriate interactions with peers and counselors• Counseled youth on anger management and problem-solving techniques while directing therapeutic discussions of feeling and past experiences• Actively participated in the development of individual resident treatment goals with resident, teachers, and doctors• Supervised and assisted youth groups with activities from morning through bedtime including personal hygiene, dressing, mealtime, education, and recreation• Coordinated with other agencies to provide continuity of care• Demonstrated ability to foster safe client’s environment driven by the principles of “First Do No Harm” Show less

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  Loudoun County Government

  Jan 2005 - Jan 2010

  Provides Progressive and Professional Criminal Justice Services and Community Assistance to Loudoun County Citizens• Competitively selected as member of the Civil Disturbance Unit, Search and Rescue Team• Selected and certified as a Project Lifesaver Specialist and Domestic Violence Liaison• Actively participated in specialized Search and Rescue, Investigative Techniques including Internet Crimes Against Children and in-depth training relating to constituents with Alzheimer’s disease• Appeared regularly in General District Court, Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court, and Circuit Court for adjudication of criminal and traffic offenses personally pursued• Responsible for the preservation of public peace and protection of life and property while enforcing and upholding laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and Loudoun County Ordinances • Collected and preserved crime scene evidence including fingerprints and DNA• Enthusiastically worked with culturally diverse populations with sensitivity and empathy• Successfully completed duties exhibiting critical thinking coupled with a keen sense of urgency to direct positive outcomes• Compiled accurate and detailed written investigative reports• Ensured compliance with operational procedures, legal statutes, and constitutional rights• Developed strong knowledge, and sensitivity to, cross-cultural environments and customs• Demonstrated adaptability to be appropriately resourceful and innovative Show less Manages Criminal Cases and Traffic Violations for the towns, county, state, and Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police• Furnished administrative support to the acting judge during traffic court dockets, arraignments, and trials• Prepared and proofed court papers and documents like warrants, garnishment papers, and summons• Researched and produced written or verbal accurate responses to inquiries by the public, attorneys, defendants, or government organizations for information regarding court compliance and processes Show less

  • Patrol Deputy | Field Operations

    Jan 2007 - Jan 2010

  • Deputy Clerk

    Jan 2005 - Jan 2007
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  Jacksonville Police Department

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2015

  Police Officer II

  A Nationally Accredited Law Enforcement Agency Serving the City of Jacksonville, NC, and Maintaining Public Safety of 74K citizens• Assisted Special Operations Division with narcotics enforcement including participation in undercover operations• Prepared arrest warrants, testified in court, and communicated with court personnel such as judges and district attorneys• Successfully responded to high-risk situations to include domestic violence, drunk driving, combatant individuals, suicide attempts, narcotics investigations, and medical emergencies resulting in no loss of life• Conducted preliminary inquiries, field interviews, and full-scale investigations to gather information and evidence that lead to the apprehension of hundreds of suspects• Presented role model behavior and displayed ability to work well under pressure and consistently meet deadlines Show less

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  EASTERN CAROLINA COUNCIL AGENCY ON AGING

  Jan 2013 - Jan 2017

  Chair of the Board of Directors

  EASTERN CAROLINA COUNCIL AGENCY ON AGING | Onslow County, NC | Volunteer 2013 to 2017Competitively Selected Volunteers to Serve as a Direct Liaison to the Ombudsman of Eastern Carolina Council Agency on AgingNURSING HOME/ADULT CARE HOME COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE | Chairperson 2014 to 2017NURSING HOME/ADULT CARE HOME COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE | Board Member 2013 to 2014• Performed various activities including training, visiting adult care homes and assisted living facilities, talking with residents, listening to concerns and complaints, and report writing• Supported all aspects of the “human experience” including but not limited to the development, education, data collection and analysis, project facilitation, and other leadership development in areas related to change management and patient-centered care• Applied housing regulations and procedures accurately and effectively to ensure compliance and meet deadlines Show less

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  U.S. Army Recruiting

  Jan 2016 - Jan 2017

  General Clerk II

  • Supplied sole administrative support to Company Command Leadership Team and six Recruiting Centers with approximately 40 soldiers• Accurately prepared and managed official government correspondence that streamlines and accelerated Company Command Center and Army Command Staff communication

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  Rankin Plastics, LLC

  Jan 2017 - Jan 2019

  Personal Assistant To Co-Owner

  • Maintained relationships with clients, organized meetings, made travel arrangements, implemented new procedures, and managed correspondence• Drafted correspondence, conducted online research, provided pickup and delivery courier service• Prepared and reconciled expense reports• Produced high-level communications ranging from highly confidential to policies and procedures• Performed bookkeeper duties for the company to include tracking and monitoring company invoices, billable assets, and monthly bills Show less

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  Share the Table

  Jan 2017 - now

  Chair of the Board of Directors

  SHARE THE TABLE, INC | Hampstead, NC | Volunteer 2017 to presentFaith-Based Community Food Ministry Assisting Those Who Struggle with Food InsecurityBoard Chairperson 2020 to present Treasurer 2017 to 2019Participated in a capital development project to expand and relocate the facility to include initial planning, research, and schematic design phases; Actively managed the development and execution of the comprehensive fundraising plan by qualifying and cultivating prospective donors for the Capital Fund Campaign; Flexible and adaptive leadership style to productively engage with internal and external stakeholders at all levels; Demonstrated ability to implement annual strategic and action plans that include both charitable and in-kind donations Show less

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  Physician Alliance for Mental Health LLC

  Jul 2019 - Mar 2022

  Support Individuals with Mental Illness on the Journey to Recovery by Providing Effective, Efficient and Integrated Services Orchestrated a successful high-profile first-time event based on a needs assessment for our clients and families handling all aspects of the “Vaccine Celebration” breaking down barriers between vaccines and mentally ill patients to include a raffle, free lunch, and transportation; Successfully collaborated with Novant Health to provide free mammograms for our clients using the mobile mammography services that included a donated ladies’ lunch; Fostered teamwork, team engagement, and community involvement in leveraging diversity and inclusion in support of quality care; Delivered intensive case management-linkage and referral to formal and informal support; Exhibited leadership to the patient experience team in support of strategic cultural and behavioral improvement efforts; Supervised work, coached, mentored, evaluated, and developed three support and office staff; Delivered weekly training covering relevant trends, regulations, policies, and procedures of housing services to staff and team; Completed oversight of all housing staff and practices within the organization; Resolved patient complaints Show less ACTT is the highest level of outpatient mental health service for an adult outside of a residential treatment setting; Oversaw the administrative operations of a transdisciplinary team of 12 members, interns, medical residents, and a psychiatrist serving a client population suffering from severe and persistent mental illness; Served as the Housing Expert and assisted office staff, support staff, interns, team members, and medical staff in solutions to challenging housing issues; Analyzed, developed, created, and implemented best practices policies and procedures within council guidelines; Conducted home and apartment inspections to identify safety issues and needed repairs; Coordinated monthly facility housing meetings and independent living skills; Collaborated with the team to complete exit strategy for high-risk cases following DHS protocols; Completed function needs assessments to determine the scope and anticipated outcomes of the services; Provided timely customer service to property owners, beneficiaries and public with tact and diplomacy; Negotiated and mediated leases, damage claims, and landlord/tenant disputes Show less Active role in screening referrals and assessing beneficiaries at intake; Facilitated file maintenance by referencing third-party resources and communication with community agencies; Participated in person-centered planning meetings that encompass all the client’s support systems; Assisted in client daily living skills development to stabilize and maintain housing; Prevented and mitigated housing crises for beneficiaries including acting as point of contact for landlord concerns, connection with financial and in-kind support to set up and maintain household Show less

  • Practice Manager | Physician Alliance For Mental Health

    Aug 2021 - Mar 2022

  • Assistant Team Lead | Physician Alliance For Mental Health

    Feb 2021 - Jul 2021

  • Housing Specialist | Physician Alliance For Mental Health

    Jul 2019 - Feb 2021
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  Cape Fear Council of Governments

  May 2021 - now

  Chair of the Board of Directors

  Cape Fear Homeless Continuum of Care | Wilmington, NC | Volunteer 05-2020 to presentCape Fear Area HUD-approved homeless Continuum of Care (NC-506) for Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender CountiesCONTINUUM OF CARE COMMITTEE | Chairperson 05-2021 to presentCONTINUUM OF CARE COMMITTEE | Board Member 05-2020 to 05-2021Solid knowledge of housing best practices, emphasis on Housing First; Demonstrates strong ability in the organization, leadership, time management, communication, teamwork, project management, and systems thinking; Successfully takes the initiative to manage multiple tasks and projects at a time to drive innovative ideas and exceeding goals; Experience with grants management and federal regulations, including ranking federal fund recipients; Consistent and intricate knowledge of CoC practices; Coordinated Entry, and HUD Housing Vouchers Show less

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  New Hanover County

  May 2022 - now

  Steering Committee Member | Resiliency Task Force

  Advocates and educates on trauma and racial disparities to reach long-term goals; Assists in the development of local organizations’ Trauma-Informed policies and practices; Develops and maintains relationships with organizations that drive business results and goals

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  Novant Health

  May 2022 - May 2023

  Community Engagement Manager

  ***COMPETITIVELY SELECTED & GRADUATED FROM THE WILMINGTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 2023 LEADERSHIP CLASS***Individual contributor; Community-facing role instrumental in developing and facilitating local programming that drove member connections; Contributed to improving existing community offerings, identifying opportunities and gaps in the member market and developing strategies/solutions to engage local membership; Built new relationships and partnerships locally to enhance member experience; Identified business development opportunities to collaborate and develop a relationship with health and community organizations; Created programming and facilitated content tailored to meet member needs; Researched and gathered data to understand community needs and track success; Accountable for two annual $500k funding grant cycles – Workforce Development & Education and Community Enrichment to include monitoring and selection recommendation; Ensured state and federal compliance of $500k grant funds that addressed social determinants of health vital to each communities’ well-being; Responsible for KPIs that indicate member satisfaction and retention; Actively drove mission awareness, donor relations, and corporate giving through events, volunteerism, and relationship engagement Show less