​Management Consulting | System Design | Government Administration​

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HIGH PROFILE PROJECTS FOR FLORIDA's SYSTEM OF CARE

Assistant Director for the Children’s Mental Health System of Care (CMHSOC)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Founder and CEO
​Prognosis Hope
May 2017-Present
Responsible for developing organizational capacity and person-centered communication vehicles that support internal and external stakeholders. Sets, plans and maintains budgetary and fiscal accountability. Sets the tone and establishes the organizational culture as one that is dedicated to its mission, maintains the highest level of integrity, and is strongly oriented to delivering critical, measurable results in the community. Manages staff and volunteers in order to ensure fidelity to strategic plans and long-range program plans. Develops and supervises the delivery of programming for advocacy and awareness initiatives and patient and family support efforts. Leverages personal and professional contacts and relationships in order to secure positive outcomes for the organization’s constituents. Works closely with local and state agencies to create mutually beneficial public-private partnerships. Utilizes rapid-cycle process improvement in order to address organizational deficits and rapidly scale beneficial strategies.  

​Accomplishments
  • ​Assisted in the design and implementation of policies related to the COVID-19 public health emergency response.
  • Utilized SJT to create messages increasing vaccine awareness and uptake.
  • Increased adoption of digitalization to enhance information sharing and create a culture centered on a digital-first framework.
  • Enacted enhanced crisis management for business and operational continuity. Assessed and advised on best practices to mitigate disruptions to on-going functionality, implementing a shift to remote work and reduced travel.
  • Created the IP for CoV-Ending (Vending) Machine for dissemination of COVID-19 Rapid Antigen at-home tests. 
  • Partnered with the Florida Executive Office of the Governor to increase the graduation rate of students with rare diseases.
  • Partnered with the Georgia Executive Office of the Governor to pass House Bills 944 and 945 ensuring that the Board of       Commissioners and Board of Education maintain compliance as it relates to reapportionment and redistricting.
  • Increased the number of successful reunifications of families with children living with rare diseases. 
  • Increased the number of vocational opportunities for differently-abled youth. 
  • Increased awareness surrounding Myalgic Encephalomyelitis through digital marketing and community outreach campaigns. 
  • Assisted client biotechnology firms in the development and dissemination of clinical study outcomes. 
Assistant Director, Children's Mental Health System of Care Statewide Expansion
​Department of Children and Families
Tallahassee, FL
June 2015-May 2017
Facilitate collaboration and integration of local key partners, including Child Welfare, Department of Education, Department of Juvenile Justice, Substance Abuse and Mental Health, primary care and family organizations utilized throughout the state. Set, plan and manage State System of Care Expansion Team meetings. Develop and implement strategies to enhance internal accountability. Develop communication vehicles to disseminate information to stakeholders. Manage the activities and events of staff working across the state to ensure the implementation of Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services. Facilitate the State Advisory Team to ensure alignment of local and state plans. Oversee expenditures, manage provider contracts, account for budgetary and programmatic performance and required federal funding for the Children’s Mental Health System of Care Expansion Initiative. Ensure effectiveness through continuous evaluation, data collection and analysis, and reporting to state and federal reviewers. Chair the State Communication and Marketing Team to promote social inclusion, develop partnerships, and reduce stigma.

​Accomplishments
  • Authored the SAMHSA-Funded System of Care Expansion and Sustainability Project. Award Number: 1H79SM063422-01. Award Amount: $12 Million.
  • Added Cultural and Linguistic Competency (CLC) language and terminology to DCF contracts and State Block Grant.
  • Collaborated with the Agency for Health Care Administration to add Downward Substitution Codes H2022 to Florida’s Medicaid Managed Care Plan for Community Based Wraparound Services and Revenue Code H2015HE for Comprehensive Community Support Services.
  • Established partnerships with 242 organizations that collaborated, coordinated efforts, and shared resources with System of Care Sites.
  • Entered into formal written agreements (MOUs, MOAs) with 96 organizations to improve mental health-related practices/activities.
  • Increased the amount to 121 family members and consumers who served on System of Care work groups, advisory teams, and coordinating councils.
  • Increased the amount to 218 family members and consumers representing consumer/family organizations involved in ongoing mental health-related planning and advocacy activities.
  • Allocation of $1,784,115.40 in additional funding for specific mental health-related practices and activities.
  • National Implementation Center 2016 Wraparound Innovation Award Winner
  • National Excellence in Community Communication and Outreach 2017 Award Winner: Parents and Caregivers
  • National Excellence in Community Communication and Outreach 2017 Award Winner: Professionals
Lead Instructor
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
August 2011-June 2015
Instructor for the following courses: Contemporary Human Communication (large in-class lecture and fully online formats); Mass Communication and Society; Communication, Innovation and Ethics; Persuasion and Bioethics. Project management: Responsible for developing and managing course curricula, as well as ensuring completion of semester-long projects for graduate assistants and online mentors. Strategic Communication: Responsible for strategically communicating course objectives and expected outcomes to 200 students, graduate assistants and online mentors each semester. Worked with diverse population of students, including many international students, and developed strategies to respond effectively to a wide range of educational and cultural backgrounds. Used online learning management systems to organize content and communicate with students. Collaborative Planning: Responsible for creating a community-oriented approach to scheduling activities and assigning duties that highlights unique strengths of each graduate assistant and online mentor. Research Analysis and Reporting: Utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods to assemble and analyze data produced during research studies. Composed technical reports detailing the research conducted and implications of findings.

​Accomplishments
  • Assisted the Department maintain accreditation through successful adoption of the Faculty Expertise and Advancement System web application, which supports the management of faculty information, teaching activities, and scholarly and creative activities.
  • Developed course curricula for advanced seminars in Innovation and Ethics.
  • Developed course curricula for advanced seminars in Persuasion and Bioethics.
  • Maintained a high student satisfaction rating for courses taught.
LSU Mental Health Services Social Work Intern
LSU Mental Health Clinic
Baton Rouge, LA
Conducted individualized psychotherapy sessions and initial consultations for respective clients of Louisiana State University. Assigned diagnoses, developed treatment plans and interventions based on theoretical models appropriate to specific clients and treatment setting. Monitored the effectiveness of treatment based on assessment scores and tracking clinical outcome measures. Taught and co-facilitated LSU seminars on anxiety and mood management. Conceptualized and presented case scenarios for internal review and multi-disciplinary agency staffings.

​Accomplishments
  • Maintained a case load of 11-13 clients per week.
  • Successfully developed effective treatment plans and interventions with clients, and assessments indicated that clients experienced improved symptomatology, improvement in Global Functioning, and improvement in academic performance.  
  • Used client-specific, theoretically-based psychotherapeutic techniques to ensure positive treatment outcomes including reduced dependence on illicit substance use and a reduction in the total amount of pharmaceuticals required to manage each client’s particular diagnosis.
Family and Community Partnership Intern
YWCA Early Head Start
Baton Rouge, LA
​August 2009-May 2010
Provided comprehensive educational and health services for pregnant adolescents, children of adolescent parents, young children with disabilities, and children living in poverty and their families. Interacted one-on-one with infants to assess progress in language and literacy, cognition and general knowledge, approaches to learning, physical development and health, and social and emotional development. Established and maintained community partnerships in order to build comprehensive, integrated services for children and families and increase community investment. Developed information systems to support families and program outcomes. Authored two crisis communication agency policies that were ratified and reviewed by Federal Project Officers for possible large-scale implementation. Monitored and supported the Family Advocate team in providing family services. Expanded the Cultural Understanding and Positive Identity Development (CUPID) project through grant writing and literacy drives. Co-facilitated Dedicated Dad’s meetings at Glen Oaks and Istrouma campuses. Composed technical reports for the organization.

​Accomplishments
  • Captured additional federal funding to expand program capacity from 60 to 120 children.
  • Increased the number of children who gained access to high quality early childhood services that promote their growth and school readiness in the 5 essential developmental domains.
  • Increased the number of positive treatment outcomes for substance exposed infants, infants experiencing developmental delays, and functionally impaired infants.
  • Increased the number of family reunifications.
  • Reduced the number of teenage parents who dropped out of high school.
  • Increased the number of contact hours between infants and their fathers
English Teacher/Consultant
Instituto Evangelico de Virginia Sapp
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
February 2009-August 2009
Served as an English Teacher and Consultant at Virginia Sapp Elementary School, Tegucigalpa, Honduras. Responsible for teaching and evaluating English as a second language.
Domestic Violence Awareness Campaign Manager
Southern Pataula Domestic Violence Taskforce
Colquitt, GA
September 2006-February 2008
Assisted the Chair of the Southern Pataula Circuit Domestic Violence Taskforce (which includes Early, Miller and Seminole Counties) in organizing the program for Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Managed the team responsible for the design, editing, and dissemination of Domestic Violence media drives—including the October Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Prepared literature utilized for awareness, education, and prevention of Domestic Violence. Responsible for extensive Domestic Violence research and statistical analysis. Provided statistics and personal narratives which were used to educate concerned citizens. Interviewed survivors and participated in the Domestic Violence program as a guest speaker.

​Accomplishments
  • Increased the number of individuals exposed to domestic violence awareness through community-wide forums, educational symposia, and prevention trainings.
  • Established a Board of Education Certified High School based program that provided education to students about domestic violence in dating relationships. The program also provided counseling to those already experiencing domestic violence.
  • Increased the number of survivors who accessed Safe Houses.
  • Increased the number of survivors who gained access to necessary legal documents.
OTHER: Educational Coordinator for Miller County Elections Division

EDUCATION

Doctorate of Philosophy in Communications and Bioethics
Florida State University
​In Progress
  • College of Communication and Information Most Innovative Research Project
  • Doctoral Student of the Year Award
  • SSCA Top Student Paper in the Philosophy of Communication Ethics Division
  • SSCA Top Paper in the Kenneth Burke Interest Group
Master of Social Work, 4.0
Louisiana State University
August 2009-May 2011
  • Concentration in Cross Cultural Communications and Psychotherapy
  • Nominated for the Brij Mohan Social Justice Award
Bachelor of Arts in English Literature, 4.0
Mercer University
​December 2007
  • Achievement in English Award
  • Community Outreach Award

PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

Publications
  • McNease, K. (forthcoming 2019). Review of Michael Hyde's The Interruption that We Are: Communication Ethics, the Lived Body, and Our Posthuman Future. Journal of Rhetoric and Public Affairs. 
  • McNease, K. (2017). Will Technology Help Us Transcend the Human Condition? The Philosopher’s Magazine 79(4).
  • McNease, K. (2015). Limitless? There's a Pill for That: Filmic Representations as Equipment for Living. In Palgrave Handbook Of Posthumanism in Film and Television. pp. 225-235. (Eds.) Hauskeller, M., Philbeck, T.D. & Carbonell, C. 
  • McNease, K. (2014). Soma, Sema, Sacred: Prolegomena to an Ethics of Suffering. Zarytheus 1(1), p. 26-32.  
  • McNease, K. (2014). Love Sick or This is Your Brain on Dengue. [eBook]. Publisher: Author. 
  • McNease, K. (2010). Brij Mohan: Person, Pioneer and Professor: Journal of Comparative Social Welfare, 26, 275-281. 
Conference Presentations
  • McNease, K.R. (2015). Improving Organizational Structures through Operationalizing Culturally and
    Linguistically Appropriate Service Standards. Northwest Region System of Care Conference. Jacksonville, FL. 
  • McNease, K.R. (2015). Developing Strategic Partnerships in Systems of Care. Florida’s Department of
    Children and Families’ Annual Child Protection Summit. Orlando. FL.
  • McNease, K. R. (2014). "Moving On: Envisioning the Future of the Field." Philosophy and Ethics Interest Group. Chair of Panel. Southern States Communication Association. New Orleans, LA.  
  • McNease, K. R. (2013). Technology and the Tao: Biotechnological Enhancement and Embodied Humanism: An Interdisciplinary Dialogue. Top Student paper for the Philosophy of Communication Ethics division of the Southern States Communication Association.
  • McNease, K. R. (2013). Cat on a Hot Tin Roof: Performing Fluidity. Paper to be presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Social Sciences, University of Louisville - Center for Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods, Honolulu, Hawaii. (International)
  • McNease, K. R. (2013). Limitless? There's a Pill for That: Filmic Representation as Equipment for Living. Selected as one of the top papers for the Kenneth Burke Interest Group at Southern States Communication Association.
  • McNease, K. R. (2013). Excavating the Past, Creating the Self: Applying Retrospective Sense-making to Wordsworth's "The Prelude." Paper to be presented at the Hawaii International Conference on Social Sciences, University of Louisville - Center for Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods, Honolulu, Hawaii. (International)
  • McNease, K. R. (2013). Social Stigma and Cultural Identity Among Arab Americans. Paper to be presented at Hawaii International Conference on Social Sciences, University of Louisville - Center for Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods, Honolulu, Hawaii. (International)
  • Gaston, J., McNease, K. R. (2013). Suicide and the Golden Gate Bridge. Paper to be presented at Hawaii International Conference on Social Sciences, University of Louisville - Center for Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods, Honolulu, Hawaii. (International)
  • Gaston, J., McNease, K. R. (2013). Effect of Time Constraints on Mathematics Test Performance of Undergraduate College Students. Paper to be presented at Hawaii International Conference on Social Sciences, University of Louisville - Center for Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods, Honolulu, Hawaii. (International)
  • McNease, K. R. (2013). The "Paradox" of Passing: Connecting Across Invisible Identities. Panel Presentation. National Communication Association. Washington, D.C. 
  • McNease, K. R. (2012). If It's Hysterical, Why Aren't Women Laughing? The Role of Gender in the Social Construction of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Paper presented at National Communication Association, Routledge, Taylor & Francis, Orlando, Florida. (National)
  • McNease, K. R. (2012). The Ideological Roots of Western Man: Promise, Peril, and Potentialities. Paper presented at Hawaii International Conference on Social Sciences, University of Louisville - Center for Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods, Honolulu, Hawaii. (International)
  • McNease, K. R. (2012). Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: A Gendered Disease. Paper presented at Hawaii International Conference on Social Sciences, University of Louisville - Center for Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods, Honolulu, Hawaii. (International)
  • Gaston, J., & McNease, K. R. (2012). The Resounding Sounds of Cultural Resonance: Social Work Practice in the Hawaiian Context. Paper presented at Hawaii International Conference on Social Sciences, University of Louisville - Center for Sustainable Urban Neighborhoods, Honolulu, Hawaii. (International)