Lincoln Staff Highlights
We have a great team at Lincoln! Our employees are mission-driven, passionate individuals who have come together from all walks of life and experiences to serve children, youth and families. We share common goals to disrupt the cycles of poverty and trauma, to face issues of race, equity and diversity, and to make a difference in our communities. In order to try to acknowledge these outstanding employees, we will be highlighting several of them over the course of the next few months.
Elizabeth Parady
Elizabeth Parady – EXCEL Contra Costa
Elizabeth Parady sets the bar high in the Integrity of service she delivers. Elizabeth returned from her leave in January 2015 and immediately re-engaged in impressive work with a variety of clients. Elizabeth adheres to the principals of Lincoln Child Center in every aspect of her work. Elizabeth takes pride in her relationships with school staff, parents and colleagues. Elizabeth is focused on providing quality care, while also prioritizing her documentation and timeliness. Elizabeth demonstrated courage and integrity when she took on a newly developed Intensive Classroom Program, where she knew she would be working with a teacher whom she had experienced challenges with, in the past. Elizabeth did not waiver in her commitment to her clients and her excitement about the potential benefits of the new program. Likewise, Elizabeth took it upon herself to initiate positive contact with a challenging teacher, instead of waiting for a more official meeting, which ended up not being necessary, due to Elizabeth’s diligence. Elizabeth turned that potential into a reality by launching the new ICE Program at Rancho Medanos Junior High School. Elizabeth has provided excellent care, at times without a fully staffed program, based mostly on her passion and commitment. Elizabeth has fought through any challenges that arose by using a team-based, respectful approach, recognizing strengths in others and a common desire for her clients to succeed. Elizabeth works with one student who has been especially challenging, however, she has been able to balance holding him accountable while reality testing his intense life experiences. Elizabeth provides consistency that certain clients need and offers them the benefit of a stable person in their life. Elizabeth approaches her work with a level of integrity that exemplifies social work practice and has lead to the rapid success of a new program.
Sharin Friedman
Sharin Friedman – HOPE Contra Costa
Sharin Friedman (Intervention Specialist at Los Medanos Elementary)- She joined us late in the year from the EXCEL program and immediately jumped in and was asking what she can do to support the school and program. She was flexible and proactive. There were several changes as soon as she started - the therapist went out on maternity leave and a month later the other team member moved schools and she was left to "hold down" the school on her own. We were confident that Sharin could take this on as she had established positive relationships with school staff as well as clients. She has gone above and beyond to support clients in continuing to receive services by helping us to get treatment plan signatures from clients and families. She now has a new therapist on board and from day one has been a great team player supporting her in getting familiar with the school and clients. It's as if she was part of our program from the beginning of the year! We are grateful to have her on our team!
Angelia Johnson
Angelia Johnson – Project Permanence
Angelia has worked as a Clinician with Project Permanence for almost 2 years, joining us after receiving her MSW from Cal. State East Bay. Like many Lincoln programs, ours is team-based, so that requires a Clinician to develop and practice skills as an individual – but also as a team mate. As an individual, she engages very successfully with youth and families by explaining our program in a clear and honest way; by not over-promising, and by not imposing an agenda --- but by encouraging them to tell their own stories and describe their own needs and goals. As cases progress, she is very active in locating and developing resources, and advocating in many different settings. And when circumstances change, she quickly adjusts her own efforts and energies to meet the new challenges.
She shows strong appreciation for her team mates, describing openly how one “saved” a Family Team Meeting, or another made a terrific intervention, or another secured a great resource. Her team mates feel valued by her, and as a result, she is deeply respected by them. She inspires all of us to do better, with her warmth, intelligence, and work ethic. And she’s just being herself.