Alas, Christopher Pg.1
Christopher Alas, MA
512-699-4353 (Cell)
CURRICULUM VITAE
Education
Masters in Counseling Psychology September 2016 – Present
University of Houston – Victoria
Masters of Art in Sociology January 2014 – December 2015
University of Houston Clear Lake – Clearlake, TX
Current GPA: 3.762
Masters of Art, General Psychology January 2012 – May 2014
University of Houston Clear Lake – Clearlake, TX
Current GPA: 3.762
Bachelor of Science, Psychology December 2000
Southwest Texas State University – San Marcos, TX
Major: Psychology
Minors: Anthropology, Spanish
DeBakey High School for Health Professions – Houston, TX June 1995
Internships
· Ben Taub General Hospital Emergency Room and Triage Center January 1995
· Ben Taub General Hospital Cancer Recovery Unit January 1994
Early Spanish Education - San Salvador, El Salvador 1982-1990
· Escuela Americana
· Colegio Alfonso
· Colegio Cristobal Colon
Research
Dr. R. Mendez, PhD – Southwest Texas State University August 2000 - December 2000
Research Assistant
· Conducted literature review concerning the increase of diabetes in the Latino community residing in South Texas.
· Assisted in collecting and analyzed data using a Pearson correlation on SPSS for publication
Dr. Desiree Seponski PhD - University of Houston-Clear Lake Sept. 2012 - present Research Assistant
· Coded data using constant comparative analysis
· Conducting literature reviews on culturally responsive therapy practices, recruiting minority clients, and cultural advisory boards
· Assisting in the development and implementation of empirical studies in clinical setting with minority populations
· Co-presented to local and national mental health care professions on culturally responsive therapy practices
· Submitted abstracts to national conferences in family therapy and family studies
· Assisting with preparation of research on Cultural Responsive Therapy
Manuscripts in progress to be published with the Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy
· Seponski, D.M., Alas, C., Mutinda, G, G, Jordan, L.S., Davis, A.P., Sotelo, J.M., & Massoud, M.C. (Manuscript on press). Learning through Client Recruitment in Underserved Communities. Journal of Family Therapy.
· Seponski, D. M., Sotello, J. M., Alas, C., Mutinda, G., Davis, A., Massoud, M. & Haynes, P.
(In progress). Recruiting minority clients: Utilizing ethnic specific approaches. Journal of
Marital and Family Therapy.
· Seponski, D. M., Mutinda, G., Alas, C., Sotello, J., Davis, A., Massoud, M. & Haynes, P. (in
progress). Developing a cultural advisory board: A case illustration. Journal of Marital and Family Therapy.
National Presentations
· Seponski, D. M., Sotello, J. M., Alas, C., Boquin, E. G., Mutinda, G., Haynes, P., Davis, A., &
Massoud, M. (2013, November). Recruiting minority clients and assembling a CRT
advisory board. Poster session presented at the 2013 annual meeting of the National
Council on Family Relations, San Antonio, TX.
· Seponski, D. M., Mutinda, G., Haynes, P., Sotello, J., & Alas, C. (2013, October). Developing a
cultural advisory board: A case illustration. Poster session presented at the 2013 annual meeting of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, Portland, Oregon.
Regional Presentations
· Seponski, D. M., Davis, A., Massoud, M., Boquin, E., Mutinda, G., Haynes, P., Sotello, J., &
Alas, C. (2013, April). Increasing your cultural responsiveness in therapy:
Recruiting minority clients and utilizing an advisory board. Paper session presented
to the 23nd Annual Symposium: Current Issues in Mental Health, The University of Houston Clear Lake, Houston, TX.
Community Involvement
Bay Area Turning Point – Webster, TX October 2012 – to present
Crisis Hotline Operator
· Provide crisis counseling and referrals to community resources for men, women, and children whom are victims of sexual assault, incest, and/or domestic abuse.
· Screening, placement, and coordination of clients in crisis into BATP’s emergency shelter
· Provide Spanish translations for clients and staff during intakes, counseling, or hotline calls
Pueblo Ingles – Madrid, Spain June 2013 – July 2013
Language Immersion Teacher
· Met with students 1-1 or in groups to facilitate an all English environment
· Facilitated mock phone interviews in groups
· Cultural exchange from Spaniards and other volunteers from other English speaking countries
Internship
Dr. Kristin Anderson, PhD – Houston Community College August 2013-December 2013 Graduate Intern Assistant / Intern Instructor
· Assisted site supervisor with all aspect of classroom management
· Provided 1-1 tutoring to students that were borderline
· Developed and implemented exam review sessions prior to each exam including the departmental final
· Developed teaching modules for students
Dr. Kristin Anderson, PhD – Houston Community College January 2014 to May 2014
Intern Psychology Instructor
· Taught under the supervision of Dr. Anderson
· Developed teaching modules for entire semester
· Developed and graded exams
· Met with students 1-1 for tutoring and advising
Clinical Experience
Houston Community College – Houston, TX 08/2014 - Present
Psychology Professor
· Use of multimedia in lectures to address learning objectives per department policy for several Psychology classes
· Develop and grade exams per department policy
· Maintain an online learning web that provides students with PowerPoints, required audio/videos, and calendar
San Jacinto Community College – Houston, TX 08/2014 - Present
Psychology Professor
· Autonomy to develop own curriculum for classes addressing critical thinking by using controversial topics to discuss on a collegiate level and be able to write critically in APA style regardless of the topic
· Met with individual students for advising or assistance with materials
· Integrate students into campus life using guest speakers, activities, and classroom challenges
Alas Tutoring and Community Supports – Clearlake, TX July 2011 – Present
Spanish Tutor / Community Resources Advocate
· Provide tutoring in Spanish and English to adolescents through retirement
· Tutor by specializing with working with children, teens, and young adults with various learning disabilities by assessing and implementing tailored educational treatment plan
· Certified to work with special needs children and adults with a Positive Reinforcement program developed by LCSW’s from Vanderbilt University Program
· Advocacy in school districts for families pertaining to the IDEA Act
· Linkage to referrals and resources in community
· Psychosocial rehab with children and family
· Certification as an Early Intervention Specialist
MHMRA of Harris County – Houston, TX January 2008 – July 2011
Chronic Consumer Stabilization Imitative (CCSI) / Crisis Psychiatric Emergency Programs
Bilingual Case Manager II / Qualified Mental Health Professional
· Collaboration project by the Houston Police Department, City Of Houston Health Department, and MHMRA working with mentally ill consumers with high recidivism rates identified by the Houston Police Department’s Mental Health Unit
· CCSI is a progressive strategy designed to engage individuals with serious mental illnesses who are in a perpetual state of crisis. These individuals utilize police services and other emergency services on a habitual basis resulting in excessive calls for service and needless law enforcement encounters. The main objective of this pilot program was to reduce and minimize overall police contacts through intensive case management. The long-term benefits of this program for the police department would be redirected resources, which can be more appropriately utilized by patrol officers to address other criminal activities or calls for service, and possibly reducing the probability of officers being involved in a situation where deadly force may be used.
· Provided intense Crisis Intervention with consumers and/or support system during working hours and on call as needed
· Provided intense case management to stabilize consumers lacking resources and/or support system
· Developed, collaborated, and maintained relations with various community entities including Personal Care Homes, Partial Hospitalization Programs, Intensive Outpatient Programs, and free standing acute psychiatric care centers.
· Consulted in the re-design of several outsource providers providing mental health related services for regulatory compliance
· Developed and maintained relations with the Harris County District Attorneys and Criminal Courts
· Initiated Emergency Detention Warrants with the Harris County Mental Health Court and collaborated with C.I.R.T. (Crisis Intervention Response Team) to secure the safety of the consumer and community based on criminal behavior due to non-compliance of treatment
· Initiated and advocated for clients in obtaining Social Security, SSDI, SNAP, HUD and other community resources since lacking years of treatment and proper documentation
· Met with consumers intensively and counseled with them continuously in various areas including psychosocial rehabilitation with consumer and entire systems of supports.
· SOAR certified to assist with SSI/SSDI application process with a 90 % approval rate within 6 months
CDA Residential Inc.-Austin, TX December 2005 – January 2008
Program Director/CEO
· Directed operations for residential homes, foster care placements, supported home living, and emergency respite for consumers with primary diagnosis and varying degrees of Mental Retardation, Mental Health and severe maladaptive/disruptive behaviors
· Supervised and mentored over 50 staff, responsible for hiring, training and disciplinary procedures.
· Managed, audited and reconciled fiscal budget of over $500,000 per year.
· Developed and maintain controls processes and procedures for all departments.
· Liaison and advocate for persons with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities through Medicaid/Medicare, Social Security, Austin ISD, and other state agencies.
· Conducted contract negotiation and monitored contracts for multiple business locations and vehicle maintenance.
· Evaluated all external providers to ensure agency and state compliance.
· Developed, maintained, and monitored various Behavior Management Plans in the schools ,community, and homes
· Met and counseled with consumers and support system (guardian, spouse, parent) daily to ensure proper delivery of services within the company
· Consumer Advocate and Liaison for consumers facing State School / State Hospital admission instead of appropriate community resources
D. Wright Enterprises - Austin, TX November 2004 – February 2007
Case Manager
· Supervised and mentored over 50 staff, responsible for hiring, training and disciplinary procedures.
· Managed a portfolio of client services including: residential placement, scheduling medical appointments, managing personal finances, individual client risk assessment and mitigation planning, facilitating social activities, and all Medicaid billing.
· Created individual treatment plans for persons with Severe Intellectual Development Disorder (medically fragile, failure to thrive, abuse/abandonment) to maintain an efficient system so that all clientele received an outstanding level of care.
· Evaluated program structure and services for quality assurance and state compliance.
· Developed and implemented processes and procedures for overall program. Liaison and advocate for persons with developmental disabilities through Medicaid/Medicare, Social Security, Austin ISD, and other state agencies.
· Assisted in development and implementation of Behavior Management Plan both in school and in the community.
· Met with all clients regularly for psycho-social assessments, counseling, and on-going medical assessments to develop PDP (Personal Directed Planning)
· Managed and directed Day Habilitation Site for consumers whom were severely IDD in conjunction with other medically supervised needs
Austin Travis County MHMR – Austin, TX June 2005 – October 2006 Early Childhood Intervention (ECI)
Early Intervention Specialist/ Bilingual Service Coordinator II
· Developed and maintained treatment plans for children ages 0-3.
· Developed and coordinated client services including: assessing and evaluating for developmental delays, coordinating services with multi-disciplinary teams for continuity of care.
· Evaluated all external providers to ensure agency and state compliance.
· Implemented a client information database, a monthly caseload budget and a process improvement plan.
· Liaison and advocate for persons with developmental disabilities through Medicaid/Medicare, Social Security, Austin Independent School District, Head Start, and other state agencies.
Bilingual Service Coordinator for Developmental Disabilities Feb 2002 – June 2005
· Mentored and trained staff on processes, procedures and trained staff on the state’s transitioning of waiver services from MRLA to HCS
· Developed and maintained treatment plan and performed key tasks for both General Revenue, MRLA, and during the transition to HCS waiver based community services
· Developed and maintained contracts with community providers to assist with daily living skills and/or emergency respite
· Developed and coordinated client services including: assessing and evaluating for developmental delays, coordinating services with multi-disciplinary teams for continuity of care.
· Evaluated all external providers to ensure agency and state compliance.
· Implemented a client information database, a monthly caseload budget and a process improvement plan
· Referrals and linkages to community resources and providers
· Liaison and advocate for persons with developmental disabilities through Medicaid/Medicare, Social Security, Austin ISD, and other state agencies. Assisted in development and implementation of Behavior Management Plan both in school and in the community
River Gardens ICF-MR – New Braunfels, TX March 1998 – Sept 2000
Habilitation Specialist / Direct Care
· Assisted residents with dual diagnosis (Mental Retardation / Mental Health) with activities of daily living with severe maladaptive behaviors
· Developed, monitored, and maintained Individual Behavior Management Plans
· Mentored and trained new employees with company procedures
· Crisis Response Team member for emergency restraints
· Counseled with residents and employees verbally to decrease behaviors within facility
Awards / Recognitions
· Honors Society May 2014
· International Study Abroad Scholarship May 2013
· Ireland Heritage – Scholarship to study conflict resolution in Ireland from British colonization to the present from a sociological perspective
· Greater Texas Fund Scholarship August 2014
· Mary Ann Holton Scholarship August 2013
· University Endowment August 2013
· “HPD a forward thinking leader in mental health” by George Parham March 2011
· Article in Houston Chronicle on 3-26-11 for acknowledging the reduction of jail and hospital recidivism by our unit CCSI at Harris County MHMRA
· Houston Police Department Mental Health Unit Plaque of Recognition Nov 2010
· Houston Police Department, City of Houston, and MHMRA Executive Committee recognition of awards obtained by CCSI caseworkers
· The 2010 International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) October 2010
· The Chronic Consumer Stabilization Initiative funded by the Houston Police Department received the 2010 International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).HPD was recognized for the Chronic Consumer Stabilization Initiative (CCSI). CCSI is an innovative collaboration between HPD, Mental Health Mental Retardation Authority of Harris County (MHMRA), and the City ofHouston Healthand Human Services. The objective of CCSI was to identify persons with serious mental illness who have extremely high number of contact with police officers and to link these individuals to caseworkers with the ultimate goal of reducing future police contacts and assisting the person to lead a more stable life.