Susan Bechara

Over 30 years experience working with juvenile and adult offenders with mental health issues, Domestic Violence, truancy, gangs and youth at risk that are involved in SARB and the Juvenile Justice System. Detailed oriented, confident and poised in interactions with individuals of all levels. Excellent organizational and time management skills, and able to multi-task effectively. High performance standards, strong leadership and managerial skills.

Prison program Coordinator - AIDA (Awareness into Domestic Abuse) - Soledad CTF facility Ca.

(2023-01)

Bringing awareness to eradicate violence against intimate partner relationship to inmates at the Soledad CTF facility Ca.

CEO/Owner - Comprehensive Behavioral Service Intervention/Prevention Counseling

(2016-01)

Consultant and Director - KYJO Reshape CBS Intervention/Prevention program

(2014-01 - 2017-12)

Implement the CBS program curriculum activities and management.

• Coordinate, plan and organize the classes for students and families.
• Work and maintain contact with Law Enforcement Agencies, Schools to coordinate partnerships with the program to improve and expand services including the rural areas, to the population the program serves.
• Conduct Training and workshops in Mental Health First Aid, Conflict Resolution, Time Management, Communication and Listening Skills, Gang Awareness, for the KYJO staff and Foster Parents.
• Supervise staff, interns and volunteers.
• Develop specialized pre and post assessment tools for behavioral tracking and monitoring for program outcome.

Program Manager - Life Arrow Comprehensive Behavioral Services

(2012-01 - 2014-12)

Responsible for the development if the program curriculum, and implementing the overall program activities and management.

• Plan, design and coordinate the classes which increase students and parents participation.
• Maintain contact with Public and Private Agencies to coordinate partnerships with the program to improve or expand services to the population the program serves.
• Conduct training and supervise staff and volunteers.
• Developed specialized assessment tools for the overall behavioral tracking and monitoring.
• Provide training and workshops in Mental Health First Aid and Conflict Resolution Peace Keeping Circles through the Restorative Justice Model, prepare and deliver presentations for various schools, agencies and the community at large.

Community Liaison/Intervention/Prevention Specialist - Promesa Behavioral Health

(2009-01 - 2012-12)

• Coordinate and work collaboratively with other social services agencies and outside community organizations to assist the agency with resources for services.
• Plan, coordinate and implement community development techniques.
• Prepare and present written and verbal reports for agency's executive management and Board members to assist the agency with expansion and the effects the new legislation may have in program funding.
• Attend professional conferences, meetings, seminars and workshops as a representative of the agency.
• Facilitate Anger management groups for agency clientele.
• Provide comprehensive specialty mental health services, for the purpose of providing intensive behavioral interventions for agency clientele, accompanied by activities designed to enhance self-esteem.

Case Manager/Therapeutic Behavioral Coach/Peer Specialist Outpatient Mental Health Services - Genesis Family Center

(2007-01 - 2009-12)

Responsible for implementing the Plan of Care to provide comprehensive specialty mental health services to agency clientele.

• Assist in the development and coordination of activities, programs and resources which directly support and assist clients and family members in achieving wellness and recovery.
• Conduct outreach and acted as liaison between the clients, family members and service providers.
• Responsible for providing essential expertise and consultation to the entire team to promote a culture in which client's point of view are recognize, understood, respected and integrated into treatment rehabilitation and community self-help activities.

Founder/Executive Director - House of Hope for Youth Inc.

(1987-01 - 2007-12)

Responsible for overall fiscal and program management.

• Responsible for training and supervision of staff.
• Develop and implement curriculums Gang Intervention/Prevention program.
• Responsible for the development of the program curriculum, and implementing the overall program and the program management.
• Conduct classes for at risk youth in the community, the California Youth Authority, the Department of Probation Juvenile Division.
• Facilitate and assist in mediation between rival gangs to stop violence working in conjunction with law enforcement agencies.
• Prepared written and verbal reports for agency's Executive Board members to assist the agency with expansion, and maintain relationships with funding sources.

Consultant - Casa Education Advocacy Project

(2007-01 - 2007-12)

Developed Education Advocacy project for 0-5 population. Responsible for curriculum development and provided training and workshops for potential Advocate volunteers.

Account Executive - SER Job for Progress

(1991-01 - 1992-12)

Develop employment opportunities for economically disadvantage youth in the rural areas.

Job Developer/Gang Prevention/Intervention Director - Refugee Resource Center

(1990-01 - 1991-12)

Developed employment opportunities and training for eligible SE Asian refugees. Developed education, intervention and gang prevention program for SE Asian gang members, and provided mediation and outreach services to school and parents.

High School Program Coordinator/Admission Counselor - Heald 4C's Business College

(1987-01 - 1989-12)

Prepared and delivered presentations to various high schools to increase student awareness regarding vocational education and coordinating activities sponsored by the college.

Foreign Student Advisor - National College

(1986-01 - 1987-12)

Responsible in the development of the foreign student department, assisting them with housing location, and implementing a Remedial English program for non-English speaking students.

BA - Music - Vienna Music Conservatorium

LRSM Music Credential - Music - Royal School of Music London England

St. Paul's French Convent Catholic School Hong Kong

Stonar Grammar High UK

Teaching Permit - Hong Kong Department of Education