1. Fern W. Schanback
24 Mackay Way, Roslyn, New York, fschanback@aol.com (516) 660-8514
CERTIFICATIONS/TRAININGS
Mental Health Counseling, Limited Permit, January 2017
Provisional License in School Counseling, September 1, 2104
Adult and Child CPR/AED Certified
Trained by FEMA in Crisis Counseling, Skills for Psychological Recovery, Mid-Program/Disaster Anniversary,
Transition to Regular Services, Presentation Skills
and Phasedown Training, Managing the New Normal: Working with
Survivors of Hurricane Sandy, Suicide Prevention and Intervention/SAFE TALK, OHM Housing Trends, Chemical
Dependency and Developmental Disabilities, Psychotropic Medications to Include Interaction with Addictive
Substances.
Resiliency Skills by the New York City of Department of Health and Hygiene.
New York State Office of Children & Family Services Trainings: Fostering Self-Regulation Through Mindfulness Based
Practices, Normalcy Experiences for Youth in Care, Walking the Walk/Talking the Talk, Training Youth for Civic
Engagement and Advocacy, Achieving a Successful Advantage After School Program, To Thine Own Self Be True.
EDUCATION
LONG ISLAND UNIVERSITY/C.W. POST, Brookville, New York
Masters of Science 2014
EMORY UNIVERSITY, Atlanta, Georgia
Bachelor of Science in Political Science, May 1984
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Supervisor of Supported Housing & Intake Coordinator, October 2015-Present
Mental Health Association of Nassau County (MHANC), Grant Avenue, West Hempstead, New York
 Coordinate the admission, movement and discharge of individuals within the Supported Housing Programs
 Conduct clinical assessments and coordinates care and treatment in conjunction with program staff
 Conduct intakes and completes all intake procedures
 Attends SPA meetings and submits weekly vacancy reports
 Attend site visits for potential new residents
 Visits individuals as needed and provide crisis management services
 Meets regularly with individual staff for supervision and coordinates weekly staff meetings
 Train staff in the development of realistic and measureable personal recovery goals that are culturally sensitive to
individual’s beliefs and background as it relates to their recovery
 Support staff with supportive services that include case management, crisis intervention, teaching daily living skills,
assessment for and referral to other community services and teaching them how to be appropriate tenants in an
apartment setting
 Act as a liaison between individuals, landlords and various treatment team members
 Implement modifications to forms as needed and complete required reports
 Attend meetings as required
 Responsible for submission ofgrant renewals
 Participate in the implementation of agency’s Quality Improvement Program
 Develop and maintain a good working rapport with all staff to assure services and activities are adequately
maintained to meet the needs of the members
 Identify and assist in correcting problem areas and/or improvement services
 Initiated LIJ Long Term Health Care for all CommunityLiving Programs. Coordinate services for all clients
enrolled and act as a liaison between agency and LIJ, Home Health Aides and Transportation company
 Participate in all fire safety and disaster preparedness drills in a safe and professional manner
 Provide rehabilitative services, counseling and crisis intervention to adults with mental illness living within
community residence
 Provide clients with the supports necessary to improve quality of life and increase level of independence by
providing support services as needed (behavioral specials, Mobile Residential Support Teams and LIJ Long Term
Managed Care)
 Advocate for improvement of available services and varying client needs

2. Residential Counselor, Part Time April 2013, Full Time, January 2104-October 2015 (Bethpage)
Mental Health Association of Nassau County (MHANC), Hempstead, New York
 Responsible for the day-to-day activities and functioning of all residents
 Complete quarterly service plans, weekly progress notes and daily collateral contact reports
 Provide rehabilitative services, counseling and crisis intervention to adults with mental illness living within
community residence
 Provide clients with the supports necessary to improve quality of life and increase level of independence
 Coordination of care with members of the clients’ treatment team and family
 Assist clients with obtaining/rectifying benefits, working specifically with Medicaid, Medicare, SSA and DSS
 Advocate for improvement of available services and varying client needs
 Conduct intake and admission assessments-Discharge planning from the community residence
 Responsible for ensuring all clients adhere to medication regime and assuring all medication is in
stock as needed
Residential Counselor, Part Time, February 2014-December 2014 (East Meadow/Westbury)
Mental Health Association of Nassau County (MHANC), Hempstead, New York
 Responsible for quarterly service plans, weekly progress notes and daily collateral reports.
 Provided client with rehabilitative services, counseling and supports necessary to improve their quality of life and
increase level of independence.
 Dispense medication and schedule coordination of activities for residents.
 Conduct house meetings and assign rotation for daily chores and cooking assignments.
Team Leader, Project Hope, January 2013- February 2014
FEMA, Mental Health Association of Nassau County (MHANC), Hempstead, New York
 Reported directly to Project Coordinator, providing direction and strategic outreach
plan to 26 Crisis Counselors, including daily and weekly supervision (prevention of compassion fatigue) to discuss
different therapeutic modalities to assist them in counseling communities impacted by Super Storm Sandy. .
 Assisted individuals and communities recover from the challenging effects of Super
storm Sandy through community based outreach and psycho educational services.
 Provided individual counseling to survivors by helping them understand their reactions, improve coping strategies,
review their options and connect them with other individuals
and agencies for assistance.
 Established groups to support survivors with problem solving, coping skills, managing reactions, promoting
positive activities and rebuilding health social connections.
 Conducted assessments and provided referrals and resources to disaster relief
services, mental health or substance abuse treatment facilities
 Developed and distributed educational materials, flyers, brochures and media kits.
 Partnered with state and local governments, charitable organizations and
community brokers.
 Responsible for forging relationships and conducting resiliency workshops in Merrick schools, Roosevelt schools,
Herrick’s High School, AHRC houses, Economic Opportunity Commissions, sober houses and group homes for
residents with mental and physical disabilities.
 Conducted resiliency lessons with children ages 6-13
INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE
Intern, LIJ Hospital, Women and Children’s Program, April 2012- November 2011
Glen Cove, New York
 Worked with children who had parents who were struggling with substance abuse
utilizing different theoretical orientations: Psycho educational, Dialectal Behavior t
raining, Cognitive Behavior Training, Motivational Interviewing, Creative Arts Therapy, Dance/Movement
Therapy, Seeking Safety, Stages of Change, Coping Skills,
Decision Making, and Relapse Prevention.
 Responsible for assessments, treatment plans and behavioral progress notes.
 Performed Breathalyzers and Urine Toxicology’s

3. Intern, Bethpage High School, January 2011-May 2011
Bethpage, New York
 Trained all students on how to utilize Naviance for possible career choices and potential colleges reactions
 Met with College Admissions Directors to gain insight into the college admission services, mental health or
 Provided presentation to parents of children with special needs on the college process and implemented a weekly
support group for identified struggling academic achievers
Intern, Friends of Bridge School (P.I.N.S.), January 2010-May 2011
Valley Stream, New York
 Prepared and implemented support groups for children and adults with behavioral and substance abuse history
 Provided individual therapy, treatment plans, progress notes and coordination of services with treatment team
 Involved in meetings with directors and supervisors regarding future action plans for all clients
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
International Marketing Manager, Bulova Technologies, September 1987- February
New York, New York
 Responsible for international sales in Europe, South America and Southeast Asia
 Increased international sales from 1 million to 13 million
 Negotiated international contracts with government officials worldwide
International Marketing Manager, Sherwood International, September 1984- June 1987
Washington, DC
 Responsible for international sales in Southeast Asia and sourcing products worldwide to obtain best prices
COMPUTER/ADDITONAL SKILLS
 Foothold Technology, Microsoft Office