Madeline Sierra Mitchell
Duluth
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Treatment Court Coordinator – Mental Health
Minnesota Judicial Branch – 6th Judicial District
01.2024 - Current
- Collect and input on participant and programmatic data, generate reports, and produce innovative tracking documents to identify areas of growth.
- Facilitate annual Mental Health Court Conference garnering national and global attendees (i.e., 400+ attendees annually with 3 keynote speakers).
- Manage communication between judges, attorneys, and key justice partners to facilitate information exchange and wrap-around case planning.
- Problem-solving multidisciplinary conflicts.
- Aid up to 50 participants in navigating social service, justice, and mental health systems.
- Promote and adhere to evidence-based practices for Treatment Courts, including the development of training or program materials for new staff and participants.
- Development of program onboarding procedures.
- Grant writing and management for program sustainability and continued operations.
- Manage project timelines for successful completion, ensuring milestones are met and deadlines are adhered to.
- Develop internship program that expands organization's community outreach and knowledge base.
- Enhance public image, engagement, and promote prosocial lifestyle development through participant and community events (e.g., Annual Talent & Art Show, Local Picnics, Community Garden Program)
Volunteer Helpline & Hospital Advocate
Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA)
01.2022 - Current
- Obtained official Minnesota state-mandated 40 hour Sexual Assault Advocacy Training.
- Provided support to survivors through crisis intervention and emotional assistance.
- Cultivated crisis intervention and de-escalation techniques through knowledge of community resources.
- Facilitated helpline and hospital setting advocacy .
- Participated in community outreach initiatives to raise awareness of sexual assault issues.
Dispositional Advising Intern
Office of the Public Defender – 6th Judicial Circuit
08.2022 - 01.2023
- Work under a dispositional advisor to gain insight in clinical social work.
- Development of life history reports
- Assist in submission of specialty court and treatment referrals.
- Complete pre-screens for Minnesota competency evaluations (chemical dependency - Rule 25 and mental health - Rule 20)
- Provide community resources to divert defendants from further cycling through the criminal justice system
- Conducted legal research to support case preparation and strategy development.
- Engaged with clients to gather information, ensuring thorough understanding of their needs in the community and in custody.
LTC Waiver Case Manager
Thomas Allen, Inc.
05.2023 - 12.2024
- Developed individualized and creative case plans for county waiver applicable clients, ensuring alignment with their unique needs and goals.
- Advocated for clients' rights within healthcare systems, securing necessary services and supports on their behalf.
- Educated clients on available programs, benefits, and services, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care needs.
- Facilitated access to community resources, enhancing client support and promoting independence.
- Trained and mentored new case managers, fostering a collaborative team environment and knowledge sharing.
- Provided peer training on new state case management software.
Mental Health Direct Support Professional
Sevita
09.2021 - 06.2023
- Promoted skill development and behavioral interventions for 4-8 clients with SMIs/SPMIS to manage symptoms.
- Monitored client behavior and emotional well-being, documenting significant changes to the care team for timely interventions.
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Assisted with crisis intervention to de-escalate challenging behavior and maintain wellbeing.
- Facilitated engaging activities that promoted prosocial interaction and community integration for clients.
- Maintained clean, safe, and well-organized patient environment.
Education
Ph.D. - Clinical Psychology
Walden University
Minneapolis, MNB.A.Sc. - Psychology
University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN05-2023
B.A. - Criminology
University of Minnesota Duluth
Duluth, MN05-2023
Associate of Arts -
Alexandria Technical And Community College
Alexandria, MN01.2020
Skills
- Technical: SPSS statistical analysis and software proficiency – Quantitative Reasoning & Analysis (5 cr), IRB/regulatory compliance and submissions – Writing a Quality Prospectus in Psychology (6 cr), public speaking and presentations
- Data Management: data collection, integration, analysis, and interpretation (independent, local, and government systems), ethical data sharing, APA formatted article and figure development
- Program Management: multidisciplinary team management, program sustainability, community outreach, community partnership development and maintenance
- Clinical: Ethics Standards of Psychological Practice (5 cr), direct support services, case management, case conceptualization, CBT – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (6 cr), peer consultation – Consultation & Supervision (6 cr), HIPAA compliance
Affiliations
All Rise (Treatment Courts) Membership – 2024/2025
Certification
Minnesota Sexual Assault Advocacy (40 Hour) - 2022
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
- 2023 Associate Professor, Teaching Assistant – Courses: “Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System” and “Forensic Psychology”
- 2023 Guest Lecturer, Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System Course Presentation – “Innovative Criminal Justice Interventions – Mental Health Courts”
- 2023 Guest Lecturer, Mental Illness in the Criminal Justice System, Course Presentation – “Treatment Courts as Community-Based Mental Health Approach”
GRANTS AWARDED
2025 Minnesota Department of Human Services - Mental Health Court Programming and Sustainability, 2 years, $275,000/year
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
2023 UROP Symposium Presenter – “The Public Perceptions of Mental Illness in Moroccan Culture”
2023 University Honors Capstone Scholarship Presenter – “The Public Perceptions of Mental Illness in Moroccan Culture”
2023 Annual Mental Health Court Conference Coordinator/Facilitator
2024 Annual Mental Health Court Conference Coordinator/Facilitator
2024 Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Trainer. “Mental Health Courts & Outcomes”
2025 Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Trainer. “Mental Health Courts & Outcomes”
Minnesota Governor’s Advisory Committee on Mental Health & Subcommittee on Children’s Mental Health – “Mental Health Courts: Overview, Process, & Emerging Directions”
2025 American Bar Association – 6th Circuit. Lunch & Learn Presenter – “Mental Health Courts: Who We Are and Why We Need Attorneys”
RESEARCH INTERESTS
- Treatment Courts – Mental Health Type
- Innovative Justice Programs
- Recovery Capital
- Multiculturalism Perceptions of Mental Health
- Resilience & Recidivism
- Crisis Prevention
- Barriers to Jail Diversion Programs
- Native American Healing
COMMITTEES
2025-Present Minnesota Judicial Branch, Mental Health Justice Initiative (MHJI) Advisory Committee – Non-Metro Treatment Court representative for the State of Minnesota.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
- 2025-Present Mental Health Competency Pre-Screen & Full Evaluation Comparisons for Minnesota State Contracted Licensed Clinical Psychologist (LP)
- 2023 Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) – University of Minnesota
- 2022-2023 Undergraduate Research Study Abroad – Morocco. The Public Perceptions of Mental Illness in Moroccan Culture
PUBLICATIONS
BOOK CHAPTERS
Submitted and in review.
- Buffington J. & Mitchell, M., 2025. Deliberate indifference? Individuals with mental illness in the criminal justice system.
ARTICLES
- Mitchell, M. S. (2023). The Public Perceptions of Mental Illness in Moroccan Culture. https://primo.lib.umn.edu/permalink/01UMN_INST/mlk885/cdi_umn_repository_v2_oai_conservancy_umn_edu_11299_253816
* Under peer review, published in university archives
Currently writing.
- Buffington. J. & Mitchell, M. Application of drug court best practice standards to mental health courts.
RELEVANT TRAINING
- All Rise – Annual Conference, On-Demand Trainings, Mental Health Court Specific – 2024-Present
- Minnesota State Treatment Court Conference – 2025
- Franklin Covey Six Critical Practices for Leading a Team – 2025
- Quarterly Professional Development – 2024-2025
Timeline
Treatment Court Coordinator – Mental Health
Minnesota Judicial Branch – 6th Judicial District
01.2024 - Current
LTC Waiver Case Manager
Thomas Allen, Inc.
05.2023 - 12.2024
Dispositional Advising Intern
Office of the Public Defender – 6th Judicial Circuit
08.2022 - 01.2023
Volunteer Helpline & Hospital Advocate
Program for Aid to Victims of Sexual Assault (PAVSA)
01.2022 - Current
Mental Health Direct Support Professional
Sevita
09.2021 - 06.2023
Ph.D. - Clinical Psychology
Walden University
B.A.Sc. - Psychology
University of Minnesota Duluth
B.A. - Criminology
University of Minnesota Duluth
Associate of Arts -
Alexandria Technical And Community College