Debra Briggs
St. Paul
Summary
A Guild to address Professional Trauma in a Correctional work environment Accomplished and respected Ramsey County Probation/Parole Officer-retired Excellent organizational skills, presentation skills and group facilitation skills Sound reputation for excellence and professionalism Diverse educational background in Criminal Justice System, Social Work, Cultural Diversity and Macro Systems Experienced Adjunct Instructor in Criminal Justice education providing educational instruction, educational assessment, educational support, and evaluation to adult learners High energy, organized, excels in working independently and in teams
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health Professional/Qualified Supervising Professional-Contracted Position
Ainga Mental Health and Consulting
Brooklyn Center
01.2024 - 01.2025
- Coordinated and implemented care conferences to enhance collaboration among stakeholders.
- Make sure the individual treatment plan (ITP) and all EIDBI services provided consider the person’s and family’s values, goals, preferences, culture and language.
- Develop, monitor, approve and sign the person’s initial ITP and each updated ITP.
- Supervised and managed EIDBI services, treatment, and documentation to ensure compliance and maintain fidelity to standards.
- Oversaw EIDBI services provided by level I, level II, and level III providers, ensuring accuracy of billing and documentation.
- Performed all clinical supervision functions required by the professional licensing board.
Probation/Parole Officer
Ramsey County Community Corrections
St. Paul
01.1989 - 01.2025
- Evaluated offenders' risk and needs using objective risk assessments and screening instruments, developed treatment or case plans, and made referrals for relevant treatments/programming.
- Develop case plans, conduct motivational interviewing, assess offender's readiness for change, and engage offenders in change process; assist with relapse prevention.
- Conducted investigations, researched backgrounds, evaluated findings, and prepared and presented reports and recommendations for Court-ordered investigations of adults.
- Communicate, verbally and/or in writing, with other community justice partners, including judges, law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, child protections etc., regarding offenders/clients, including providing information to law enforcement recommending arrest or detention of offenders/clients.
- Maintained accurate documentation of case activities, including contacts with offenders/clients, victims, concerned parties, and treatment agencies.
- Contact crime victim advocates with information about Court procedures and advise victims of their rights and resources for assistance.
Part-Time Mental Health Practitioner I
People Incorporate
Burnsville
01.2020 - 01.2021
- Coached adults in life skills to enhance personal development and coping strategies.
- Executed assessments to evaluate suicidal risk and safety for clients, facilitating appropriate interventions and support.
- Performed assessments for COVID-19 symptoms and exposure risk to ensure client safety and health compliance.
- Utilized motivational interviewing techniques to facilitate client engagement.
- Maintain accurate documentation to colleagues, supervisor, program manager.
- Provided a safe, tobacco and drug free environment.
- Communicated verbally with colleagues during meetings and phone calls to support clients and staff.
Education
Master of Social Work -
Augsburg College
Minneapolis06-2010
BA - Sociology
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Milwaukee, WI12-1981
Skills
- Cognitive behavior skills
- Assessment and evaluation
- Crisis intervention and management
- Client referrals
- Peer support facilitation
- Life skills coaching
- Client-centered practice
- One-on-one counseling
- Group counseling sessions
- Suicidal assessments and interventions
- Supervision and oversight
- Client intake processes
- Treatment plan development
Certification
License Independent Clinical Social Worker, 07/01/22
Training
- 01/01/25 - 12/31/25, Certificate 2025 Autism Symposium: Actionable Strategies for Trauma’s Impact on Sensory and Emotional Processing, PESI Inc.
- 01/01/24 - 12/31/24, Certificate Serving Law Enforcement: Law Enforcement-PTSD / Law Enforcement Grant Training, Adler Graduate School
- 01/01/21 - 12/31/21, Traumatic Stress Management Trainer, KSL, Research, Phoenix, AZ
- 01/01/21 - 12/31/21, Evidence-Based Practices and Treatment Options Webinar, Crisis De-escalation, Stages of Change Webinar, Recovery from Mental Illness, People Incorporate
- 01/01/20 - 12/31/20, Trauma Curriculum Facilitator Training: Healing Trauma, A Brief Intervention for Women, MN CarePartner
- 01/01/20 - 12/31/20, Trauma Curriculum Facilitator Training: Exploring Trauma: A Brief Intervention for Men, MN CarePartner
- 01/01/20 - 12/31/20, Co-occurring Disorders Webinar, First Aid/CPR Certification, Mental Health Crisis Response, HIPAA Overview, Person Centered Care/Practices, People Incorporate
- 01/01/14 - present, Secondary and Vicarious Trauma, Minnesota, Association of County Probation Officer & Minnesota Community Corrections Association
Professional And Educational Associations
- NASW (National Association of Social Workers)
- NASW-MN Chapter
- Black Social Worker MN Chapter
Relevant Skills And Experience - Counseling Skills
- Extensive years of providing cognitive behavior skills, assessments, case planning, crisis intervention and referrals to adult probationers and their significant others at Ramsey County Community Corrections Field Unit in St. Paul, MN.
- Engaging in peer support for colleagues in Ramsey County Corrections
- Crisis management and intervention (adults and adolescents)
- Life skills coaching
- Client center practice, one to one counseling and groups (Families and couples)
- Suicidal assessments with adults living with mental illness
- Supervision to volunteer phone room counselors
- Client intake, assessment and creating treatment plans
Timeline
Mental Health Professional/Qualified Supervising Professional-Contracted Position
Ainga Mental Health and Consulting
01.2024 - 01.2025
Part-Time Mental Health Practitioner I
People Incorporate
01.2020 - 01.2021
Probation/Parole Officer
Ramsey County Community Corrections
01.1989 - 01.2025
Master of Social Work -
Augsburg College
BA - Sociology
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee