C.A.S.E. recently named Tamara as the Director of Clinical Program Administration, a new position that will be based out of the new Baltimore City office opening in the summer of 2021.  Read the press release here.

Tamara has spent the last 20+ years committed to improving the mental health outcomes across various populations throughout the Maryland and DC region. Her passion for this population started during the summer of her freshman year, she began an internship at the Talbot County Mental Health Association, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Her work there gave her insight into understanding the barriers to mental healthcare and related poor health outcomes for minorities, the stigma of mental illness and the lack of diversity among mental health professionals serving adults and children. This experience guided her future work in the government and private/non-profit sector.

Tamara has spent her career dedicated to providing services for youth and families. She has held direct service and supervisory roles at multiple government agencies, child serving committees and for-profit businesses. She served as Caroline County’s first Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coordinator, where she became trained as a lead facilitator for the S.N.E.A.K.E.R.S after school program. This after-school program was brought to the area through a collaborative effort between Florence Crittenton Services of Montgomery County and the Caroline County Dept. of Rec and Parks.

She eventually transitioned to the for-profit sector, working as both a case manager and supervisor in a targeted mental health program focused on connecting adults, children and families to services, supports and advocacy. This program expanded after a few years, to working with DSS and Therapeutic foster care agencies, supporting biological and foster families throughout the continuum of care. In this supervisory role, she spearheaded the expansion of an outpatient mental health clinic focused on serving the underserved populations in Dorchester County, MD. This included the development of school based mental health services in several elementary schools in the area.

Tamara most recently served as Program Manager for the District’s only 24/7 Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program, operated by the DC Department of Behavioral Health. For almost 7 years, she oversaw all administrative operations of the program, including policy and budget development, contract and grant management, as well as facility operations.

Tamara holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Salisbury University, a Masters in Mental Health Counseling from Capella University and a Masters in Management and Leadership from Liberty University. Tamara is licensed as a Professional Counselor/Therapist in both DC and Maryland. She and her husband Derrick co-parent their blended family, parenting four children. They welcomed their first “twin” grandbaby addition in 2018.