Public Administration & Marriage Therapy Professional
Resume:
JAMES MORRIS LAWSON III 5153 Onacrest Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90043
E-Mail: ********@*****.*** Home Phone: 323-***-**** EDUCATION
California State University, Northridge, Northridge, California. Master’s in Public Administration
(MPA). DMH Cohort. Coursework completed 2012.
Pacific Oaks College, Pasadena, California. Masters of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy Program (MFT). 2010
Denver University (Iliff School of Theology), Denver, Colorado. Master of Arts of Religious Studies (M.Div.) 1991
Pfeiffer College, Misenheimer, North Carolina. Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English Writing (B.A.). 1988
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
● has experience working with all populations of people; variety of environments
● has worked on a multidisciplinary team
● knowledge of Windows, Word, Excel, and other computer programs
● has real gifts for teaching and continues to develop administrative/management skills PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Department of Public Social Services
Los Angeles County
IHSS caregiver, 20 hours per week
(December 2024 – present, 20 hours week)
Provide care for clients identified by DPSS as needing on-home care. This may include cleaning house, preparing meals, running errands, h re loping with daily mail, scheduling medical appointments, etc., etc. Unemployed Caregiver/Job Seeker, Los Angeles, California
(June 2018 – 2024, 40+ hours/week) – Coordinating the care for elderly parents which includes transportation to medical appointments, scheduling home care, handling meal preparation and in- home health aids as required.
Attending job fairs, combing career websites and government job websites, applying to various positions weekly, taking online and in-person assessment examinations, getting on numerous employment lists, scheduling interviews, attending interviews, which is part of the employment process and experience for many employers, with the intent of securing a full time position. Robert Half Talent Solutions, Los Angeles, CA
Temporary 3-month Assignments (November 2019 – May 2022) Department of Mental Health, Los Angeles County, Los Angeles, CA Training Coordinator, Mental Health (November 3, 2011 – June 26, 2018, 40+ hrs/week) - Working with the Juvenile Justice Transition Aftercare Program to coordinate and develop programs which meet the training needs of the JJTAS staff, oversee the quality assurance of programs provided, develop outside and internal trainings, assist with documentation and other needs to improve or support staff performance. Develops trainings, facilitates work groups, and writes program policy as needed. Also serves as the Quality Assurance Coordinator for the particular Evidence Based Practices used by the clinicians. Utilizes quality Lawson Resume Page 2 of 4
assurance tools to track performance and outcome measures. Prepares reports, interprets contracts, develops program guidelines and provides ongoing monitoring and programmatic development. Interprets data as it unfolds, provides written position papers to explain STATS reports, IS reports or other data as it pertains to the program. Assists with management and supervision of administrative staff when Division Chief indicate; confers with administrative personnel concerning fiscal matters, billing, and data reports; participates in the formulation of fiscal policies for the program and handles special projects when assigned; assists with the formulation of staff assignments and agendas; leads projects or assignments to assist in the program operations and performance; analyzes highly sensitive data, prepares charts and advises when requested; serves as liaison with other divisions, programs and departments in regard to JJTAS activities. Mental Health Service Coordinator II (January 4, 2010 – November 2, 2011)
- Working with the Child, Youth, and Family Program Administration (CYFPA) as the Healthy Families Coordinator. This involves overseeing the Healthy Families program as it pertains to DMH and its mental health providers and serving as liaison with other County and City departments. Managed contracts to assess adequate fulfillment by contracted agencies providing health Family services. This position also conducts provider trainings, implementation, interpretation and creation of policies and procedures. This position also coordinates the Interagency Placement Screening Committee when needed and handles DMH follow-ups with hospitalized children.
Mental Health Service Coordinator I (June 8, 2009 – December 31, 2009, 40 hrs/wk) - Working in the Administrative Support Bureau (ASB) as Section Manager of the Special Events and Technical Assistance (SETA) area. Provided technical assistance to DMH conferences which included Board letter development and processing, and following County Procurement and Purchasing policy guidelines. Interacted regularly with the CEO, the Board of Supervisor offices, nonprofit agencies and community groups throughout Los Angeles County in order to coordinate various events and handle myriad issues as they arise. This position has oversight of DMH Workplace Programs, and processing ceremony set-up requests. Developed budget requests, interviewed personnel, and served as liaison with other County and City departments. Supervised several support staff who also worked within the SETA area. Patient Resource Worker (June 2008 – June 5, 2009, 40 hrs/wk)
- Working in the Revenue Management Division assisting DMH programs with identifying benefits available to clients. Includes assisting clients in gaining access to benefits and overcoming barriers to mental health services; providing ongoing training and research regarding viable resources; conducting RMD reviews of DMH programs and County contracted programs to determine if appropriate benefits are being utilized for the client and as a revenue source.
Consulting Collectives, Los Angeles, CA
Therapist/MFT Registered Intern (January 2011 –April 2016, 15 hrs/wk)
- Provide clinical mental health services for a variety of men, women and children who are referred to this nonprofit agency through insurance or sliding fee scale. Provide services for foster families, victims of crime, insurance referrals and walk-ins. Also provide therapy for hospice and nonprofit programs assisting people with end of life and grieving issues. Assist in management of several bachelor’s level staff Pasadena Mental Health Center, Pasadena, California
MFT Trainee/Intern (Sept. 2006 – Sept. 2007, 20 hrs/wk)
- Providing mental health services to self-referred population of San Gabriel Valley. Also providing services for the 1rst Offenders youth program through the Pasadena Police Department. Facilitated a psychoeducational group for boys at the Cleveland Elementary School in Pasadena. ML3 Enterprises Inc. (DBA “QuikFix”), Monrovia, California CFO/Co-Owner (May 2005- June 2007, 40+hrs/wk)
- Handles the day-to-day financial issues involved in running a business. Engage clients in problem solving techniques, assist callers in resource development and support office team in fulfilling contract obligations. Lawson Resume Page 3 of 4
MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION, Santa Monica, California Health Care Services Coordinator - ALS Division (Sept. 2002-June 2005, 40+hrs/wk)
- Coordinated services for families dealing with Lou Gehrig’s disease including conducting home visits, facilitating grief groups, providing individual and family counseling, coordinating medical care, advocating for transportation, Medicare and Medi-Cal. Involved identifying issues affecting this community and developing strategies and programs to assist in the solution. Developed yearly budgets and served as liaison with other nonprofit agencies as well as County and City departments. Served as administrator for four ALS/Lou Gehrig’s Disease Clinics throughout the Los Angeles area. This position also developed and implemented yearly fundraising events such as an Annual ALS Dinner, coordinating the yearly ALS segments of the MDA Marathon, an annual ALS Walk-a-thon as well as various other fundraising activities throughout the year. This position worked extensively with numerous nonprofit agencies and community groups throughout Los Angeles County.
CALIFORNIA PSYCHCARE, Encino, California
Department Manager – Behavior Respite Services (Sept. 2001- August 2002, 40+hr/wk) - Department Manager for a behavioral respite program serving the LA County Regional Centers. Prepared behavioral treatment plans for developmentally disabled children in their homes. Hired and trained people in behavioral techniques such as DTT and other modification tools for utilization in the homes. NORTH LOS ANGELES COUNTY REGIONAL CENTER, Van Nuys, California Service Coordinator (Jan.2001 – June 2001, 40+hrs/wk)
- Case Manager serving clients with developmental disabilities. Coordinated services, prepared, documentation for DCFS and DMH, coordinated quarterly medical and psychological care, kept ongoing observation of living situation and any concerns brought to the forefront, assisted department supervisor in inspecting group homes and recertification investigations. ACTION HOME HEALTHCARE, Los Angeles, California
Staffing Coordinator/Medical Records (Temp. Position - Nov. 2000 – Dec. 2000, 40+hrs/wk) Coordinator of staff placement for patients needing in-home care. Ability to accurately assess what the client is seeking and what the client actually needs in order adequately match the correct patient with the correct employee or medical practitioner.-
IMPACT PRINCIPLES, INC., Pasadena, California
Caseworker (Jan. 1999 – Nov. 2000, 40+hrs/wk)
- Case Manager with persons 18 – 70 years of age seeking help with substance abuse illnesses. This involved empathic listening, group facilitating, writing session notes, observing client behavior and interaction with others, working on an interdisciplinary team. Also assisted in ongoing program development within the agency.
GATEWAY HOSPITAL & MENTAL HEALTH CENTER, Los Angeles, California Counselor (Oct.1997-Dec.1998, 40+hrs/wk)
- Worked with newly released inmates with mental issues seeking re-entry into mainstream communities. This involved 1-1 sessions, employment counseling, community outreach, overseeing medication compliance, etc.
HOLMAN UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, Los Angeles, California Social Services Designee (June 1995- Sept.1997, 40+hrs/wk)
- Coordinated services for elderly including food bank, health assistance, Medicare benefits, referral to services in the community. Assisting community with identified issues needing address. SERENDIPITY HOUSE, FAMILY & EDUCATIONAL ADVISORY ASSOCIATION, Nashville, Tennessee Specialized Care Social Worker (July 1991- June 1995, 40+hrs/wk)
- Specialized Care Social Worker with abused and neglected children ages 7 – 15. This involved coordination of medical, social, mental and emotional services, weekly 1-1 meetings and outings, family training, educational involvement, school IP involvement, weekly visits, documentation for state and local Lawson Resume Page 4 of 4
agencies. Helping agency and family identify concerns and develop programs. Served as liaison with other nonprofit agencies as well as County and City departments. Professional/Volunteer Experience
California Suicide Prevention Plan Advisory Committee (2007 – 2008) KPFK (90.7 FM) Pacifica Foundation – Member (1995 – Present) American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) – Member (1995 – Present) Union Station Homeless Services – Volunteer (2006 – Present) Impact Inc. – Volunteer (2001 – Present)
Professional Affiliations
California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (CAMFT) Los Angeles County Psychological Association (LACPA) American Psychological Association (APA)
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