Cynthia Breen

Social Services & Psychological Crisis Care Professional (612) 217-0425 | cindy@cindybreen.com

Career Statement
I have dedicated my entire professional life to working directly in the social service system: providing care for those affected by mental illness or needing psychological crisis services and delivering services and advocacy for underserved populations. Whether as an employee or volunteer, I practice individualized care in dynamic team environments, recognizing the importance of flexibility; adaptable skills; collaborative problem solving and strict adherence to regulatory and licensure protocols in all aspects of my profession. The client always is my #1 priority.

Employment History
The Cynthia Breen Advocacy Foundation
Executive Director, Officer / 612-564-9777 Founder and executive director of 501(c)3 non-profit, non-partisan advocacy foundation whose mission is to increase public awareness of mental illness; directly support the mentally ill and those affected by mental illness and related disorders; and provide advocacy and support services for the population affected by mental health issues in the Hennepin County region of Minnesota; In my role responsibilities include imparting to the general public, elected policymakers, social service program administrators and service providers the need for continuing innovation in program design and delivery; consumer-centered models for delivery of services; non-putative modes of treatment for those suffering from mental illness; Oversee implementation and efficient execution of programs that directly assist persons with mental illness and those affected by mental illness in identifying, contacting and completing the application process for services, programs and benefits provided by governmental, non-profit and private entities; 2013 goals: Develop programs, initiatives, events and consumer-focused projects independently and in cooperation with other entities, individuals and groups to improve the lives (and quality of life in the future) of those affected by mental illness;

(June 2009 Present)

Development of systems to enable management of individuals across providers, points-of-

entry and payer to enable true outcome-based treatment planning in which a single entity or individual (such as a social worker or ACT Team) can monitor and provide continuum-of- care to individuals regardless of the service, system or payer at any given point of the clients care journey;

Development and implementation of pilot program for multi-dimensional metrics-based

program/initiative scoring system, based on client success and achievement of specific goals following their participation in a program offering services to clients where specific outcomes are expected (housing/employment/CD treatment/MI treatment/etc.)

Assessment and publication of results of these pilot efforts for review by all stakeholders as
well as interested entities outside of Hennepin County Long-term initiatives (24-36 month): societal and individual harm caused by the marginalization, stigmatization and lack of awareness by those who are not directly affected by mental illness through public education campaigns, stigma-relief efforts and events Resume of Cynthia Breen Mental Health & Social Service Professional

612-217-0425 cindy@cindybreen.com

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People Incorporated / Nancy Page Crisis Residence

Mental Health Practitioner Minneapolis, MN / 612-870-3787

(Dec 2008 Dec 2012)

Integral leader within mental health crisis care team working in high-volume, fast-paced short-term crisis residence, working directly with clients spanning the diagnostic and functional spectrum in individual and group settings; On a daily basis, responsible for conducting individual crisis assessments; treatment planning and empowering clients to complete their treatment goals; collaborate in assisting clients in mental health crisis develop and complete Crisis Response Action Plans, Relapse Prevention Plans, Wellness Plans and other personalized efforts to mitigate the crisis environment for each individual client; Key responsibilities included providing treatment interventions to clients in accordance with their treatment plans; this involves promoting, encouragement, and training clients to develop the skills essential to gain independence, self-sufficiency for their basic living needs; In the course of my employment, I was responsible for or directly involved in training (new hires and peer skill development); scheduling a 3-shift, 24-hour operation; coordinating care on a group and individual client basis; providing leadership in multiple scopes; collaboration with other People Inc. facilities, COPE, HCMC, law enforcement and referral partners; integrated treatment planning with other social services providers; A unique and unwavering dedication to customer service in all client interactions; working as a role- model for new hires and junior staff, including frequently providing advice and direction when not working when called by co-workers seeking advice on a client or needing guidance on procedures; frequently described by peers and clients as supportive; motivational; effective at problem-solving; willing to go the extra mile to get the job done; empathetic listener and fully engaged. Utmost dedication to the safety, security, responsible care and ethical treatment of clients, while ensuring program operations follow both the letter and intent of all rules applicable by the relevant oversight entities.

Advanced Behavioral Health

(Jan 2008 Aug 2008)

Therapist (Practicum Intern) Brooklyn Park, MN / Joanne Williamsen, Director / 612-560-8331 As an interning therapist for my Masters Degree practicum, I was actively involved in therapy sessions both in-group and individual settings for adults with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries, and autism spectrum disorders, completing 700 hours of internship in conjunction with my Masters Degree in Psychology. I lead multiple group sessions within ABHs Pilot Program, a therapy based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) and the Pesso Boyden System (PBSP) method; this approach was designed to complement the concrete thinking patterns of the people we served. The Pilot Program is a process that required the entire team to serve each individual, offering broad learning opportunities with diverse clientele needs. As appropriate, I provided individual client- centered counseling, gestalt therapy, strengths-based counseling, cognitive therapy, anger management training and behavioral analysis.

Resume of Cynthia Breen Mental Health & Social Services Professional

612-217-0425 cindy@cindybreen.com

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Hennepin County Mental Health Local Advisory Council

(Feb 2008 Present)

Advisory Board Member (Appointee) Minneapolis, MN / Kelsey Walton, Assistant to Commissioner Gail Dorfman / 612-348-4304 By annual appointment by the full County Board, I advise the Hennepin County Commissioners on adult mental health issues as part of the countys Local Advisory Council (LAC). In addition to serving the full Hennepin County Board, my role allows close work with Commissioner Gail Dorfman, a long- time advocate for those affected by mental illness. As a designated advocate for consumers of county mental health services, my responsibility within the greater LAC body includes ensuring that policy and planning recommendations from the council reflect present and future needs by consumers for services; addressing shortcomings in the existing system; and facilitating interagency cooperation with social service providers at the neighborhood, city, regional and state level to optimize consumer quality of care, efficiency and proper budget allocation. My commission also involves research and presenting findings to the board to determine if findings meet policy guidelines. In December 2008, I was elected co-chairperson of the advisory group through the end of 2009; I was re-elected chair in 2010, and remain on the council following renewal of my appointment in 2011.

Hazelden Center for Youth and Families

Admissions Specialist / CD Technician Plymouth, MN / 651-213-4200

(Aug 2003 Aug 2007)

Responsible for initiating and managing the client admission process; this involved extensive records management, including confidential client medical records, financial materials, payment instruments and discharge information. I often worked with clients and their families to arrange special financing, hybrid insurance coverage and other mechanisms to allow less-affluent individuals to access Hazeldens programs Additional responsibilities included lecturing on chemical dependency issues; implementation of and coordinating the completion of treatment plans. I was involved regularly in direct client counseling, including 12-Step education; dual-diagnosis awareness; anger management; grief/loss counseling; and off-site meeting supervision

Minnesota State Senate

Legislative Intern St. Paul, MN / Secretary of The Senate / 651-296-0504

(Fall 1997 Winter 2002)

I have diverse and multi-faceted experience working for individual State Senators while part of the Senate Page Program. As a Legislative Intern, I corresponded with Senators constituents and the media to educate and provide awareness of pending legislative matters I also provided political guidance on particular issues in the Senators district, utilizing statistical research to target constituents so that customized and tailored communications would be sent based upon a given citizens interests, concerns and hot-button issues.

Resume of Cynthia Breen Mental Health & Social Services Professional

612-217-0425 cindy@cindybreen.com

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Education & Certifications

Northwestern College St. Paul, MN Bachelor of Science in Psychology Graduate (2004) Saint Marys University/Minnesota Minneapolis, MN Masters of Arts in Psychology Graduate (2008)

Skills & Training

Johns Hopkins Training Program Group therapy management, individual therapy and applied psychological assessment Experience working with challenging client populations, including the autistic, intellectually disabled youth, adults with SPMI /chemical dependency issues Strong communication and organization skills, with proven experience in high-volume and task- intensive work environments. Excellent written and verbal communications, including fluency in APA style and extensive client charting and reporting utilizing Procentive Self-guided independent contributor, as well as proven abilities as team-oriented contributor Fluent in Microsoft Office. Experienced using Google Apps (Docs/Collaboration/SaaS/Cloud) tools Multiple professional certifications for crisis care, advanced training, special programs

References & Resources

Many recommendations available on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/cindybreen) Contact Cindy Breen: cindy@cindybreen.com / 612-217-0425 / 612-396-3852 Many additional references available upon request

Resume of Cynthia Breen Mental Health & Social Services Professional

612-217-0425 cindy@cindybreen.com