Program Specialist V
Health and Human Services Commission
Austin, Texas
Yvonne Rivas, MSW, recently joined the Children's Mental Health team as a program specialist, overseeing the Behavioral Health Partnership Program. In this role, she is utilizing her extensive experience to lead her team in serving children, families, school personnel, and school communities by providing them with necessary resources and access to behavioral health services in their communities and across the state of Texas.
Yvonne's professional journey includes working with survivors of domestic violence, where she provided vital crisis intervention, safety planning, and supportive counseling to help individuals and families navigate through difficult circumstances. Additionally, Yvonne has served as a dedicated youth care worker in a residential setting, working closely with foster youth to ensure their well-being, stability, and access to necessary resources.
In her previous roles, Yvonne has also provided behavioral health support within the realm of housing and homeless services, addressing mental health and co-occurring substance use concerns to advocate for stable housing solutions for individuals experiencing homelessness. Her comprehensive understanding of the complex intersections between housing instability and mental health challenges allowed her to effectively support the individuals she served.
Furthermore, Yvonne has served as a social worker in various school settings, working with elementary, middle, and high school students to address social-emotional needs, provide counseling services, and collaborate with teachers, parents, and other professionals to create a supportive educational environment. Her experience within educational settings has enabled her to develop effective strategies for identifying and addressing specific behavioral and emotional challenges that impact students' academic success.
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
12:45 PM – 1:15 PM CT