Deirdre Berry, Ed.M., has more than 20 years of experience in the juvenile justice and social services field. Ms. Berry brings extensive knowledge of children, youth, and family social services and private and governmental juvenile justice systems to OPEN MINDS.rnrnPrior to joining OPEN MINDS, Ms. Berry served as Cultural and Linguistic Competency Coordinator for Rural CARES, a Children’s Mental Health Initiative (CMHI) program dedicated to the improvement of mental health outcomes for children, youth, and families served by the foster care system. In this role, Ms. Berry established and facilitated organizational development processes that focused on the acknowledgment and integration of cultural and linguistically competent practices throughout the system of care. Through this role she made sure sought-after services were obtainable regardless of race, socioeconomic status, religion, gender, or sexual identity.rnrnPreviously, Ms. Berry was a Resource Specialist Supervisor for the Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) based in Baltimore, Maryland, where administered and managed the resource unit that supported the consultation-based services for referred youth. In this role, she provided consultation and direction to case managers and probation officers regarding difficult and sensitive juvenile cases. In addition, she tracked case progress, developed proactive program plans and viable alternatives for case plans, and developed treatment needs for youth.rnrnPrior to her role with the DJS, Ms. Berry was a Case Worker for George Junior Republic based in Grove City, Pennsylvania. In this role, she conducted group and family counseling support session, completed crisis intervention services, and assisted in provision and evaluation of coordinated aftercare programs for post-placement teams.rnrnShe has also served as a Senior Treatment Director for VisionQuest, in South Mountain, PA, Legal Secretary for Tobin Law Offices based in Rapid City, South Dakota, and as a Client Advisor for Community Alternatives of the Black Hills, South Dakota. Ms. Berry began her career as a Juvenile Detention Officer at the New Haven Juvenile Detention Center in New Haven, Connecticut, subsequently fueling her passion for the field of juvenile justice.rnrnAside from her professional career, Ms. Berry is an avid writer and has served as a freelance writer for a number of publishers in the Baltimore area. Her writing is focused around improving the world through social services.rnrnMs. Berry received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Psychology from Southern Connecticut State University and her Masters of Education from Capella University.