National Association for Rights Protection and Advocacy
Lisa St. George, M.S.W., C.P.R.P.
Lisa St. George has worked for Recovery Innovations (formerly META Services) since September 2000. She has been instrumental in the planning, development and start-up of many of the Peer Support, and she has provided training and consulting services extensively as an expert in developing a recovery focused culture in systems providing mental health care. As the Regional Vice President of Recovery Innovations of California, she brings unending belief in the inherent courage, wisdom, and strength of people served by the mental health systems of California.
Ms. St. George has been a social worker for 25 years. Her diverse career has taken her from child oncology social work, to child welfare, to family systems wellness, to a faculty associate at Arizona State University, where she taught “Mental Illness, Recovery, and Social Justice” to graduate students in the School of Social Work. She is a consultant for mental health systems as far away as New Zealand. She has written four books and developed many tools, and articles that support mental health care from a recovery perspective. She has worked with children who have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused and their families.
She participated in the start up of the first Islamic School in Phoenix where she taught second and third grades and acted as the first assistant principal. She worked in print, runway and commercial modeling as well as television production for twenty-two years before becoming a social worker.
Ms. St. George is a member of The National Association of Social Workers, The Islamic Social Service Association of the United States and Canada, The International Association of Psycho-Social Rehabilitation Specialists, and the Arizona Society for Clinical Social Work and Psychotherapy. She also conducts seminars that are geared to helping people have a better understanding of Muslims and Islam.
"I bring a unique gift with me to [my work], the first hand experience of serious mental illness. My knowledge and a kind gentle heart take the traumatic experiences of my life and turn them into a gift. I use this unique perspective to help others with a diagnosis and my professional peers understand the devastating effects of mental illness and the possibilities for recovery.
"It is my opinion that life and recovery are enhanced by giving back and the giving that comes from one who has walked the same path increases the receiver’s ability to view themselves as capable of recovery."
Lisa St. George, MSW, CPRP
Certifications: Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Provider, United States Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation
Education:
May, 2003, Masters of Social Work degree from Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society for excellence in scholarship
Curriculum focused on skills of an advanced generalist practice
Masters research project “Outcomes of Peer Support Training in Maricopa County Arizona”
Excellent research background
December, 1988, Bachelor of Social Work degree from Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA Magna Cum Laude
Scholastic All-American Award
National Dean’s List
National Honor Society
University Dean’s List
December 1985, Associates Degree Psychology with Honors
Who’s Who in American Junior Colleges
Work History:
Regional Vice President, Recovery Innovations of California 9/2007 to present
Develop and provide consultation to programs embarking on a Psychosocial Rehabilitation/Recovery Focused service provision.
Counties Manakau, New Zealand
Ventura County, CA.
Oversee all current programming, budgets, and supervision in Southern California
San Diego: Consumer Run Services: 2/2007- present (Awarded Mental Health Director’s Mental Health Program of the Year for 2008)
San Diego: Consumer and Family Academy: 9/2008 – present
San Diego: Consumer Liaison Services: 2/15/09-present
Ventura: Recovery Education and Peer Support: 4/2008- present
Develop and provide ongoing training and education for staff
Create unique opportunities for people with lived experience of recovery from mental illness to keep working or return to work
Develop and provide training to organizations locally, nationally, and internationally using lived experience with recovery as a guiding force for creativity and development of hope
Supervised over 400 people in recovery over the past 9 years in various programs
Recovery Services Administrator II, Recovery Innovations of California 2/2007-9/2007
Start-up and management of Peer Run Program funded but San Diego County to provide wellness classes and other services to people who use mental health system for psychiatric care in San Diego County. Provided on-going supervision as well as training to all peer support staff
Recovery Services Administrator II, META Services, Phoenix, Arizona 9/2000 to 2/2007
Developed training and employment project for people with serious mental illness, to work as supports for people who also have a diagnosis of serious mental illness. (Peer Support Specialists) Prior to moving to San Diego I was supervising the following programs:
Managed and supervised Peer Advocacy Services:
Peer Support Specialists (PSS) on this team work in the County Psychiatric Facilities, 2 on each of 9 units. Team of 24 Peer Support Specialists
PSS also conducts a weekly class for a Jail Diversion project designed to help people whose psychiatric symptoms have caused them to end up in jail. This program helps them to start their recovery from mental illness and keeps them out of jail so they can receive appropriate care
Worked on the first scientifically sound research project on the Effects of Peer Support on the Person that is on Outpatient Court Ordered Commitment. This research project is being conducted in conjunction with Boston University Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation and funded by SAMHSA
Teach people to develop Mental Health Power of Attorney. Wrote and developed materials to walk people through the process of developing a POA for mental health care
Managed and supervised Peer Recovery Team:
Team of 40 Recovery Coaches/Peer Support Specialists
This team of PSS went out in the community and worked with people in their homes
They provided support and encouragement to people with a psychiatric diagnosis and help them begin their recovery
These PSS also helped people reconnect to the community around them to begin to rebuild their support system, find activities that they enjoy, and help them find meaning and purpose in their lives
Managed and Supervised Restart Temporary Housing Program
Teams of PSS provided one to one and community support along with skill development to people exiting the County psychiatric hospital system
Three small apartment complexes provide comfortable, safe, clean, and cozy apartments where individuals can begin their recovery journey once released from the hospital
This team engaged people to begin to move about the community, learn to ride the buses, get ID, find employment, arrange Food Stamps and other subsidies, and ensures they have food and toilet articles as well as support them in taking their medications. This team is also highly focused on recognizing side effects and behaviors that could be cause for concern
This team’s focus is on supporting the person through difficult moments
Managed and Supervised Community Building Housing Program
Used Peer Support Specialists to support people as they located housing and signed a lease
Provided monthly housing subsidy to people for one year
Peer Support Specialists provided employment supports for those persons who desired to go to work
Recovery Education Center provided a broad range of classes to help people develop skills to live in the community, develop employment skills, begin working towards a college degree in Mental Health Recovery
Temporary Manager for Another Chance Program
This HUD funded program serves homeless men and women in the City of Phoenix who are engaged in substance misuse
Provided supportive services to assist individuals in abstaining from substance misuse
Provided long-term support with Peer Support Specialists to help individuals obtain housing, locate employment, develop community supports and move on with their lives
Used Recovery Education Center classes to support individuals in their education endeavors
Other duties included:
Provide information about recovery to community organizations, state agencies, and departments where people with psychiatric disabilities receive services
Conduct New Hire Orientation at a variety of locations and agencies to help staff understand the training of, and benefits of Peer Support Specialists and recovery from serious mental illness
Developed the first team of Peer Support Specialists to work in a hospital setting on the continental United States
Provide training to agencies in other states on how to develop a peer workforce, and psychiatric recovery in general. This training has also been provided for agencies from New Zealand, Australia, and Scotland
Training regarding symptoms of and range of side effects from medications
Wrote extensive amount of training materials, and workbooks for people to use to help them in their recovery from serious mental illness
Teach diversity training in New Hire Orientation and Peer Employment Training as well as throughout the community
Faculty Associate: Arizona State University 2003/2007
Taught graduate students in the ASU West School of Social work about recovery focused mental health care and social justice for those who receive mental health care in the public system and private sector. This unique class developed alternate perspectives about mental illness, recovery, social justice, and how to focus on strengths and hope for persons served by the mental health system. Class name: Mental Illness, Recovery, and Social Justice
Elementary School Teacher/Assistant Principal, PMIS 7/1998-8/2000
Instrumental in the start-up of this successful private school. Completed initial preparation and planning for start-up. Reviewed and purchased textbooks to correspond with developed curriculum needs
2nd and 3rd grade teacher, PMIS
Created weekly and yearly lesson plans according to Kyrene District curriculum. Lesson plans included specific goals to be met and the activities designed to meet those goals. Each goal had a specific tool for measuring the achievement of those goals
Used extensive knowledge of child development to help each child reach his/her academic goals
Used high level of creativity for developing or enhancing activities to be fun, stimulating and educational
Vice Principal, PMIS School
Responsible for all school activities during principal’s absence
Supervised 17 teachers regarding teaching methods, workplace behavior
Developed individualized learning plans for children with special needs
Social Work Case Manager, The Family Place 1996-2000
Conducted intake assessments for families and individuals in crisis
Developed Individualized Service Plans and referred to various community resources that might assist in resolution of presenting problem
Conducted one-to-one marital supportive counseling
Worked with extremely culturally diverse population
Provided community education regarding cultural sensitivity to hospitals, hospice groups, schools, church groups, ASU students and various other community groups
Child Protective Services Specialist III, Arizona Department of Economic Security, 1988-1993
Provided direct case management services to children and families referred to a state agency due to reports of physical abuse, sexual abuse and physical and emotional neglect
Conducted investigations into allegations of abuse
Used knowledge-based skills to ascertain if the child(ren) was in imminent danger necessitating removal or if the family could be referred for services or if the allegations appeared to be false
Developed and implemented case plans designed to rehabilitate the family and protect the child(ren)
Prepared detailed reports and testimony for the Maricopa County Juvenile Court, Arizona Foster Care Review Board, and treatment staff meetings
Conducted all resource coordination and provided one-on-one intervention
Conducted extensive research regarding maternal cocaine and drug abuse during pregnancy Assisted in development of a case management project that focused on immediate supportive intervention of these “at risk” infants and their mothers following delivery
Attended mediation training and all required training designed to implement new methodologies and development of case management skills
Periodic acting supervisor of Child Protective Services Unit
Prioritized and assigned incoming cases. Reviewed all investigations. Performed examination and review of all court reports and file documentation produced by unit caseworkers
Provided instruction and guidance to new workers that helped them develop the necessary skills to become a valuable team member
Resource Coordinator, Children’s Cancer Center at Phoenix Children’s Hospital 1984-1987
Facilitated group for adolescent siblings of pediatric cancer patients
Provided support and community resource coordination to families of children diagnosed with cancer
Provided comfort and support to child and/or family during invasive procedures. (Bone marrow aspirations, spinal taps and chemotherapy through IV…)
Aided families during diagnosis, treatment, remission, and terminal phases of illness
Developed and prepared a monthly newsletter for children with cancer and their families
Assisted with program development and implementation. Projects developed included Family Night, Camp Rainbow, Rainbow Kids Recreation Group, FYI Program, and Greeting Card Project
Public Speaker 1982 to present
Topics range from cultural sensitivity training to psychosocial ramifications of a diagnosis of childhood cancer, physical, emotional, or mental disability
Subjects are approached from a theoretical perspective and brought clearly into focus with first hand experience with childhood cancer, blindness, emotional and mental disability, hospital systems, and cultural and religious diversity
Discussion topics also include differing cultural and religious approaches to death and dying
Most recent experience includes discussion about mental health recovery
Participated in videotape developed for teaching hospitals regarding childhood cancer and its effects on the family system. Worked with University of Southern California, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, and Dom DeLouis to create this teaching tool/supportive tool available through Institute for Families of Blind Children Los Angeles Children’s Hospital
Audio and videotapes available upon request
Papers and Presentations
Identifying and Developing Emerging Leaders in our Mental Health Systems, Auckland, New Zealand, (2009)
Recovery in our Alcohol and Other Drugs System of Care, Auckland, New Zealand, (2009)
Incorporating IT-Related Issues and Skills into Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training for New Consumer and Family Member Employees, California Information Management Conference, Anaheim, (2009)
Recovery Practices in Leadership and Supervision, Auckland, New Zealand (2007, 2009)
Recovery Culture, and the Interplay of Culture and Ethnicity in Mental Health Systems of Care San Diego, (2009)
WRAP Ambassador Training: Learn how to Support People in Use of Their WRAP Ventura, (2008), San Diego (2009)
Creating Alternatives to Hospitalization: Short Term Interventions with Long Term Affects, conference workshop, Meeting of the Minds, San Diego, CA, October (2008)
Creating a Recovery Environment in Mental Health Settings, Sacramento, CA, Protection and Advocacy conference September (2008)
Continuing Education for Peer Employees, USPRA Conference workshop, Chicago, Ill. June (2008)
Recovery Practices in Leadership and Coaching/an Overview, USPRA Institute, Full Day, Chicago, Ill. June (2008)
Peer Employment a Bridge to Recovery, conference workshop, Meeting of the Minds, San Diego, CA. October, (2007)
Advance Peer Support Training, Auckland, New Zealand June (2008)
Advanced Peer Support Training, Auckland, New Zealand August (2007)
Supervising a Peer Workforce and Developing Systems for Organizational Supervision that Promote Recovery Services and System Transformation, Auckland, New Zealand August (2007)
Developing a Recovery Focused System for Mental Health Care, Peer Support Summit with Jean Campbell, Omaha, Nebraska (2005)
Turning Wounds into Gifts, presented at Creating Trauma Sensitive Peer Support Services Conference, CONTAC, Shery Mead and MHA, in Charleston West Virginia (2005)
Outcomes of Peer Support Training in Maricopa County Arizona Master’s Thesis, (2003)
Re-hospitalization Prevention Plan, (2003)
Discharge Recovery Plan, (2003)
Using Recovery Tools in Practice to Support the Journey of Recovery, IAPSRS Conference San Diego (2003)
Outcomes of Peer support in a Psychiatric Hospital, IAPSRS Conference San Diego (2003)
Recovery and Your Rights, How to take your power back! Using Mental Health Power of Attorney or Advance Directive for Mental Health Care to Regain Your Power, presented at Alternatives (2004 and 2005)
Worksheet for Special Treatment Plan, (2003)
Peer Support a Bridge to Employment, Presented at the International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Specialists yearly conference in Toronto, Canada (2002)
Mental Health and the Muslim Community, Islamic Social Services Association of Canada and the United States conference in Montreal, Canada (2002)
I am not My Diagnosis (Presented as part of New Hire Orientation for Arizona Department of Economic Security Division of Vocational Rehabilitation ongoing)
Managing Conflict Creatively in the Workplace, Partners in Employment Conference Phoenix, Arizona (2003)
Diagnosis Retinoblastoma in coordination with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles with Dom DeLouise (Video tape 1991)
Coping with a Diagnosis of Retinoblastoma in Your Child (Presented at Margaret Bundy Scott Research Symposium 1983)
Helping the Drug Addicted Mother and New Born, Alternatives to Foster Care (Presented at the Nation Child Abuse Prevention Conference 1989)
Conference Productions:
2008 San Diego Wellness and Recovery Summit: March 2008
2009 San Diego Wellness and Recovery Summit: Making San Diego a Wellness City with Freedom from Restraints: March 2009
Publications
Recovery is REAL, Health info/Salud info San Diego, 2009
Recovery is for Us, Our Families, Our Systems of Care, 2009
Advocacy for Positive Outcomes, for County of San Diego, 2009
Transformational Advocacy, 2009
Peer Provider Training for the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, co-author 2003
Recovery and Your Rights: How to Take Your Power Back with a Mental Health Care Power of Attorney, for Recovery Innovations, 2004
USPRA Workbook for Certification: 2006 Co-wrote chapter on assessment
Medication for Success: 2007 workbook and facilitator manual for Recovery Innovations
Let’s Talk about Solutions: January 2007 Behavioral Healthcare Magazine, co-author with William Anthony, Ph.D. and Lori Ashcraft, Ph.D.
Consultation Services : Counties Manakau Behavioral Health, New Zealand, Ventura County, CA
Boards and Associations
Member NASW
Member United States Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Ex Board President CHEEERS (formerly Survivors United)