DEBRA PETERS, M

DEBRA PETERS, M.A., C.S.W., L.P.C.

7095 Old Lantern Dr., S.E.

Caledonia, MI 49316

(616) 698-2324 (H)

(616) 224-7552 (W)

EDUCATION: MBA Candidate

Grand Valley State University

M.A. Counseling and Educational Psychology

Michigan State University

B.A. Sociology

Calvin College

RECOGNITION: 2000 Creativity and Entrepreneurship Business Plan of the Year

Grand Valley State University, MBA Program

CERTIFICATION/ TRAINING: Business Ownership – S.B.A., G.R. Chamber of Commerce Certified Solution Focused Trainer

Licensed Professional Counselor

Certified Addictions Counselor

Certified Social Worker

MEDIA INTERVIEW

EXPERIENCE: ABC World News Tonight

CNN

Grand Rapids Press, Local Network and Print Media

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

Director of Kent County Program Operations

Bethany Christian Services (March 2000 – Present)

Fiscal and Contractual Management for 8 Program areas with combined yearly revenues of over $1.6 M, and 35+ employees

Promote and Direct opportunities for Program Growth and Expansion including Negotiating with Kent County and the State of Michigan related to new and existing contracts

Preparing Contract Bids, Budgets, Proposals and Programming Initiatives

Managing for Total Quality Assurance in all program areas

Management of Staffing related to Hiring, Performance and Evaluation

Provide a Leadership role in multiple Corporate, County & State Committees

Fund Raising/Advancement Responsibilities

Development and Implementation of Strategic Planning, Relationship Management and Marketing Initiatives

National and International Presenter with Multi-Cultural Expertise

Software Technology Development Team for Bethany’s Early Impact Program

Personally Initiated a Sales/Marketing plan that lead to the first external sale of a Bethany Initiated Technology Program

Program Manager of Grand Rapids Home Based Service Programs, Bethany Christian Services.

Early Impact Program

Life Skills Program

Home Based Substance Abuse Counseling Services

Families First Program

Homebound Program

* Program Management of Home Based Service programs with 13 employees.

* Fiscal and Contract Management of about $650,000.00 in program budgets.

* Clinical supervision and consultation

* Internal program development and expansion

* Community leadership and consultation in new program development and expansion

Program Supervisor, Bethany Christian Services

Early Impact Program; Families First Program

* Program administration and clinical supervision of a nine

person staff who provide home based counseling services to families who have abused/neglected their children and whose children are at risk of removal from the home.

* Fiscal and contract management of a half million dollar program

* Committee and liaison work with State and County Contractors

community groups and internally within the agency.

* Program development, expansion and growth

* Training and professional education

Clinical Consultant, Grand Rapids Fertility & IVF,P.C., Douglas C. Daly, M.D. (March 1992 - 1998)

* Private practice specializing in issues related to infertility

* Psychosocial assessments, individual, marital and group counseling

* Training and education services

Adjunct Professor, Calvin College School of Social Work Program, (1994)

* Taught course work on Child Welfare Policy and Practice and In Home Based Counseling Services
Program Supervisor, Bethany Christian Services

Family Reunification Project, Early Impact Program, Foster Care Therapists and Treatment Foster Care (Program Development and Implementation),

* Administrative responsibility and clinical supervision of a seven person staff

* Fiscal and contract management

* New program development and implementation

* Staff training and education

Therapist, Bethany Christian Services:

Pregnancy Counseling Program

Caseworker, Bethany Christian Services:

Foster Care Program

Coordinator, Calvin College:

Big Sister Student Volunteer Services Program
Committee Responsibilities: Current Leadership Activities:

Appointed Member of the Total Quality Management Team, Bethany Christian Services

Kent County Child Welfare Quality Management Review Team

Permanency Planning Committee, Kent County

Sunday School Superintendent

Perspective 21! Kent County Community Leadership Team

Michigan Management Team, Bethany Christian Services

Designated Speaker List, Bethany Christian Services

Michigan Home Based Family Service Association Board

Past Leadership Activities:

Co-Chair 1995 State of Michigan Families First Conference

Quality Assurance Committee, State of Michigan Families First Program

Personnel Project Team, Bethany Christian Services

Early Childhood at Risk Advisory Council, Kent County

Personnel Project Team-Chair, 1989; Bethany Christian Services

Building Committee, 1989 and 1994; Bethany Christian Services

OSHA Standards Committee, 1993; Bethany Christian Services

Chair, Registration Committee, 1994; State of Michigan Families First Conference

Pathways to Permanence Committee; Kent County

Advisory Board, Directions High School

Program Development/Expansion Project Team, Bethany Christian Services

A Sample of Presented Training’s Include:

The Early Impact Program: "A Longitudinal Study of It's Success"

Presented for The Children's Charter of the Courts of Michigan, Inc.

· Testifying in Court: Preparation for Prelim, Formal, Review and Termination Hearings (Co-Presenter: David Gersch, Kent County Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Juvenile Division) I’ve been classified as an expert witness by the Kent County Probate Court

Life Decisions (Co-Presenter: Probate Judge Randall Hekman)