Dr. Jenenne R. Valentino-Bottaro, PhD, LMHC

EDUCATION

2007-2016 Capella University, Minneapolis, Mi.

PhD Human Services with a specialization
in Social and Community Services

2011-2013 Capella University, Minneapolis, Mi.
Play Therapy Certification

2003-2006 Webster University, Ocala, FL

MA Mental Health Counseling

1994-1998 Thiel College, Greenville, PA
BA Double Major: Business Communications and Sociology

LICENSURE

LMHC #MH15996

CERTIFICATIONS

Animal Assisted Play Therapy, Level I

Animal Assisted Play therapy, Level 2 Anticipated Completion on 4/20/20

AutPlay Therapy-Anticipated completion on 2/15/21

Play Therapy

Mental Health First Aid, The National Council

Youth Mental Health First Aid, The National Council

Trauma Informed Care in the Criminal Justice System, SAMHSA

Yoga Instructor

TRAININGS & WORKSHOPS
12/19/2020 Basic Principles of Somatic Experiencing, SE Trauma Institute

6/2011, 6/2012, and 7/2014 Dance for PD (Parkinson’s Disease)-David Leventhal

3/2012-3/2013 Preliminary Training for Equine Therapy-Cher Myers, S.A.D.L.E.S. and Gypsy Gold Farm.
5/2010 Rational Living Therapy-Aldo Puci
5/2008 Psycho Drama-Arleen Story

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Featured on WCJB 20 “Therapy-Animals How Some are Making a Difference in Tough Times.

https://www.wcjb.com/content/news/Therapy-animals-how-some-are-making-a-difference-in-tough-times-499321931.html

Contributing Author-Interdisciplinary Approaches to Service and Therapy Animals. Contributing chapter-Framework of Equine Assisted Interactions.
Human Services Advisory Board.
Started the Human Services Student Forum.
Contributing Author- Saint Leo Text-Animal Assisted Interventions-Anticipated Publication 2020
Featured in Saint Leo Text: Animal Assisted Interventions-Anticipated Publication 2020
Facilitated in building connections between Saint Leo students and the community.
Facilitated Mental Health First Aid-Youth and Adult
Co-Founded the Child Mental Health Summit

AFFILITATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Association for Play Therapy
Florida Department of Children and Families Prevention Advisory Council
Former Webster Alumni Board Member, Ocala Chapter
Former Chair for Trauma Informed Care Committee
Global Association for Interpersonal Neurobiology Studies
Regional Substance Exposed Newborn Consortium-co-founder
Lake and Sumter County Substance Exposed Newborn Taskforce-co-founder

EXPERIENCE

1/29/18-Present Human-Animal Interconnectedness Institute (HAII)

Founder

Facilitate expressive arts and animal assisted intervention programs for residential facilities, behavioral health programs, and assisted living facilities.
Train in topics ranging from arts-in-medicine integration, cultural, trauma, and gender sensitive treatment approaches, human-animal welfare program design and building community resiliency.
Designing a Special Training course in Animal Assisted Interventions for Human Service professionals.
Developing a manual for Animal Assisted Interventions for Human Service professionals.
Conduct and evaluate pilot programs.
Design expressive arts and animal assisted programs.
Grant Evaluator for nonprofit agencies.

7/2011-Present Vai’Datha, Lady Lake, FL

Founder/Creator

Serve as an Artist-in-residence for community agencies.
Creator and Facilitator of Human-Animal advocacy programs and services.
Planning and implementing the second chance dog rescue and education program.
Facilitate expressive arts and animal assisted intervention programs for residential facilities, behavioral health programs, and assisted living facilities.
Train in topics ranging from arts-in-medicine integration, cultural, trauma, and gender sensitive treatment approaches, human-animal welfare program design and building community resiliency.
Assisted in designing an Animal Therapy Topics course for Saint Leo University.
Designing a Special Training course in Animal Assisted Interventions for Human Service professionals.
Developing a manual for Animal Assisted Interventions for Human Service professionals.
Developing an Expressive Arts Women’s Relapse Prevention program.
Facilitate Dance Healing classes and workshops for Parkinson’s Disease, trauma resolution, and self-awareness.
Contracted as Grant Evaluator for nonprofit agencies.
Independent Contractor for Be Free Lake as Mental Health First Aid Instructor and grant writer.
Created Youth Mental Health Summit in partnership with Saint Leo University and Lutheran Services Florida.

Vai’ Datha Current Pilot Programs

HeART Rhythms©-Mindful Parenting©
HeART Rhythms©-Drumming-Child/Adolescent
HeART Rhythms©- Drumming/Yoga for Recovery (Addictions and Severe Persistent Mental Illness)
HeART Rhythms©-Path to the HeART: Women’s Relapse Prevention
HeART Rhythms©-Expressive HeARTs: Vision Impaired

1/10/2-Present The Centers Community Behavioral Health, QM Clinical Specialist, Grants Administration, and Supervisor for The Life Enrichment Center

Work with the QM Director and site directors to oversee activities related to licensing, accreditation, quality improvement initiatives, and mandated deliverables.
Prepares plans, reports and deliverables based on survey findings, performance improvement initiatives, and health plan corrective action plans/contract deliverables.
Conducts site visits as required per type of licensing (and per need) to ensure contractual and regulatory compliance.
Provides on-site consultation of plans for improvement and monitors progress towards reaching compliance.
Assists with mock and actual surveys, working with staff members to ensure various items related to the survey are provided.
Helps sites assess their survey readiness program to demonstrate ongoing compliance.
Assists sites in monitoring progress towards goals established in Plans of Correction and Corrective Action Plans, with input from appropriate staff, and ensures timely submittal.
Monitors tracking system for monitoring progress of the plans.
Provides training to site staff on how to self-monitor and over seen their specific quality improvement plans and adherence to plans of correction.
Conducts environmental, service-related, and medical record audits using established indicators. Findings are reported to leadership and staff per a designated reporting schedule.
Understands all contract deliverables and timelines for submission. Assists in completion of such deliverables and designates assignments as appropriate. Ensures timelines are met and reports concerns regarding site performance.
Conducts and assists with training of staff on issues related to regulatory and contractual compliance, on deliverables, and on performance indicators.
Assists in the development of site specific, annual Quality Improvement Plans, in collaboration with the Director and Supervisor of Quality Management and the Site Director.
Conducts environmental walk-throughs and risks assessments in accordance to the Culture of Safety Plan guidelines.
Assists in the review and development of policies and procedures related to quality management, performance improvement, regulatory requirements, and safety.
Responsible for researching, proposal writing and reporting requirements for state, local and federal grants.
Responsible for the development and sustainability of grant funded programs and projects.
Develop programs
Conduct training on trauma-focused care, client engagement, and other clinical and cultural-related special topics.
Develop and Implement the Life Enrichment Center: community outreach, substance use aftercare programming, and psychosocial rehabilitation.

5/2015-4/2017 Safe Climate Coalition DBA Be Free Lake

Director of Prevention/Transition to Executive Director

Instructed Mental Health First Aid classes within the community.
Acted as Project Director for the SAMHSA Funded Project AWARE
Responsible for researching, proposal writing and reporting requirements for state, local and federal grants.
Responsible for the development and sustainability of grant funded programs and projects.
Developed and executed the Coalition’s strategic plan.
Developed and executed the Coalition’s sustainability plan.
Responsible for maintaining the coalition’s mission and vision through social networking, social marking campaigns and community outreach.
Responsible for establishing, developing, and maintaining partnerships with key stakeholders and decision makers from nonprofit agencies, community members, law enforcement, schools, hospitals and government representatives.
Worked closely with the board to maintain mission, sustainably, and strategic planning.
Assisted in the development and monitoring of the annual budget.
Assisted in coalition administration responsibilities to include payroll, budget, auditing, grant reporting and monitoring staff and independent contractors.
Created and facilitated trainings for the Community Institute.
Trained the community on grant research and proposal writing.

4/16/17-8/14/2017 Marion County Health Alliance
Director of Community Development

Responsible for researching, proposal writing and reporting requirements for state, local and federal grants.
Responsible for the development and sustainability of grant funded programs and projects.
Develop and execute the Alliance’s strategic plan.
Develop and execute the Alliance’s sustainability plan.
Responsible for maintaining the Alliance’s mission and vision through social networking, social marking campaigns and community outreach.
Responsible for establishing, developing, and maintaining partnerships with key stakeholders and decision makers from nonprofit agencies, community members, law enforcement, schools, hospitals and government representatives.
Facilitate trainings and workshops.
Train the community on grant research and proposal writing.
Designing, in partnership with Vai’datha the Community Health Institute.

3/2009-3/2014 LifeStream Behavioral Center, Leesburg, Fl

Grant Writer/Artist-in-Residence

Assisted the Director of Development with planned giving program.
Assisted the Director of Development with the annual gala.
Assisted the Director of Development with annual fund program, including mailing and online giving.
Assisted the Director of Development with cultivating, engaging and maintaining relationships with donors, funding entities and partnering organizations.
Assisted the Director of Development with community development projects.
Responsible for Community outreach.
Researched and wrote for state, local, and federal funding that earned an estimate of 4 million dollars within 5 years of employment.
Assisted in the development of the Inner-Fitness Program for local Elder Care
Facilitated Arts-in-Medicine classes for Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (A.I.M.S. and GRITS-Geriatric Residential Treatment Facility).
Assisted in the development of the CreativeStream Arts-in-Medicine Initiative.

THERAPIST WORK HISTORY

9/23/2019-Present The Springs at Lecanto Substance Abuse Residential Facility, Lead Therapist

Facilitate various Groups focusing on dual-diagnosis trauma and addictions, and mental health, specifically trauma.
Individual therapy sessions focusing on dual-diagnosis trauma and addictions, and mental health, specifically trauma.
Caseload responsibilities focusing on current care and transition work.
Responsible for researching, proposal writing and reporting requirements for state, local and federal grants.
Responsible for the development and sustainability of grant funded programs and projects.
Conduct implementation meetings
Develop, implement, and run trauma tract.
Develop, implement, and run animal interconnection activities.
Develop and facilitate trauma training within organization and the community.
Provide wellness activities and trainings for staff.

7/2009-3/2009 LifeStream Behavioral Center, Leesburg, Fl

Out Patient Therapist
Individual therapy sessions focusing on life skills and coping skills
Caseload responsibilities focusing on current care and transition work

4/2008-3/2009 Central Florida Psychological Consultants, Inc Leesburg, Fl

Therapist
Developed and Facilitated Women’s Support group
Developed and Facilitated Jungian Dream Workshop
Individual sessions focusing on life skills, addictions and trauma
Began to build relapse prevention program

5/2006-4/2008 The Refuge-A Healing Place Ocklawaha Fl

Therapist
Facilitate various Groups focusing on dual-diagnosis trauma and addictions
Individual therapy sessions focusing on dual-diagnosis trauma and addictions
Caseload responsibilities focusing on current care and transition work
Co-Facilitate Breathwork sessions
Instruct women in self-defense
Facilitate Hypnotherapy sessions when requested

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

2014-Saint Leo University Present Human Services/Instructor/Former Lead

Courses Taught

BA Introduction to Human Services On-Ground
BA Field Placement-On-Ground
BA Personal Skills
BA Interdisciplinary Animal Assisted Therapy On-Ground
MA Human Services-Community Assessment and Planning On-ground/ On-Line
MA Human Services-Legal/Ethical Issues in Human Services On-Line
MA Human Services-Foundations of Grant Writing On-Line and On-Ground
MA Human Services-Creating a non-profit organization-On-Ground
Co-created Grants Administration Micro-Credential.

Instructor

2013-2018 Adjunct, Remington College, Heathrow, FL

Courses Taught

Introduction to Psychology
Forensic Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Sociology

Course Development

Introduction to Psychology 12-Week Course and 4 Week Course
Abnormal Psychology 12-Week Course and 4 Week Course
Capstone Courses

Instructor

2010-2012 Beacon College, Leesburg, FL

Courses Taught

Personal Development
Introduction to Human Services
Public and Private Agencies
Play Therapy
Arts-in-Medicine
Introduction to Education
Career Development

Course Development

Introduction to Education course
Play Therapy
Public and Private Agencies
Arts-in-Medicine
Personal Development through Equine Assisted Activities

Activities

Worked independently with students to assist in pro-social, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
Facilitated opportunity for students to be student ambassadors for two conferences within the community.
Facilitated community connections to assist with student internships.
Coordinated Enrichment Activities that fostered social and cultural awareness
Implemented hands-on working opportunities with classroom instruction at local schools and community agencies.
Created professional development and employment fair
Designed first ever club for Human Services Department
Designed ground work for STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) for students with Learning Disabilities.
Taught weekly Tribal classes
Supervised Social Sorority

Grant Writing

Consulted on grant writing projects
Designed grant writing protocol for the college

PRESENTATIONS

Youth Mental Health Summit 2017 Building Community Resiliency: Making the Connections Between Traumas, Traditions, and Intrapersonal Relationships through Expressive Arts and Animal Interventions.
National Service Providers Association: Building Community Resiliency: Making the Connections Between Traumas, Traditions, and Intrapersonal Relationships through Expressive Arts and Animal Interventions.
Youth Mental Health Summit 2017 Community and Trauma
Be Free Lake Grant Writing Course 2017
Marion County Health Alliance Community Development Course 2017
Lake Sumter Grantmanship Summit Speaker 2016
University Behavioral Center Speaker Series 2015: HeART Rhythms: Healing through Heritage.
LifeStream Behavioral Center Conference 2011: Women and Trauma.
LifeStream Behavioral Center Conference 2012: More than words: Counseling Individuals with Learning Disabilities.
LifeStream Behavioral Center Conference 2012: HeARTful Living: Integrating arts into the lives of healthcare practitioners and the individuals, they serve.
Waterman Village 2012: What Does Dance and Rhythm Have to Do with It?
Association for Assisted Living Facilities 2013: What Does Dance and Rhythm Have to Do with It?
University of Central Florida Annual Counseling Conference 2013: What Does Dance and Rhythm Have to Do With it?
Florida Alliance for Arts and Education 2013: What Does Dance and Rhythm Have to Do With It?
Florida Alliance for Education: Show Case HeArtful Movement and Rhythm
Parkinson’s Disease Group 2013: HeArtful Movement and Rhythm
University of South Florida’s Alzheimer’s Care Givers Day: Rhythmic Movement Facilitation.
Developed and facilitate Body Ego Technique infused Tribal Belly Dance workshops.
Developed and facilitate Core movement course.
Created co-dependency groups for residential program.
Developed a women’s trauma group that utilized Rape Aggression Defense Systems Program.
Created and Facilitated “Goddess Day” for women.
Created and facilitated staff development trainings in various topics to include at-risk youth, sex addiction, and women and trauma.