GEORGE DRAZENOVICH

E-Mail:Drazenovich@me.com

PROFESSIONAL PROFILE
A strong, committed, passionate, visionary leader with demonstrated ability to develop, mentor and coach staff. A highly skilled professional with a background in both mental health and education. Well educated and experienced interdisciplinary team member with proven success providing supportive counseling and crisis support possessing a wealth of experience in client service provision to help clients and their families in crisis and promote wellbeing through assessment, liaison, crisis intervention, counseling and advocacy. Significant experience in the area of education and interested in the social, political, and cultural context of education and questions related to health, sexuality, and curriculum. Highly proficient computer software and media skills. Areas of Expertise include:

Visionary Leadership Conflict Resolution Social Justice

Enhanced Values, Ethics & Integrity Verbal & Written Communications Supportive Counselling / Crisis Support Compassionate Interpersonal Skills Sustainable Relationship Building Digital / Multi Media Presentations

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
As Chair of the first CMHA Ethics Committee, created and produced an ethics framework policy for the organization in accordance with Accreditation Canada standards. Ensured that the Ethics Committee provided a policy and procedure for the agency to respond to requests for conducting research with clients of the organization. This policy was shared with and adopted by CMHA branches across Ontario. Chaired the Mental Health Accreditation committee in the agency to ensure that standards from Accreditation Canada were being met and that services met the highest quality standards. Developed and implemented a comprehensive file management system, which organized individual client files into various domains, divided by tabbed sections, enabling quick access and retrieval by team members Conducted file audits to ensure that we were in compliance with privacy legislation, that information was current and relevant, and complied with existing professional documentation standards. Ensured development of risk management and case review process; facilitated the psychiatric consultation process and liaised with psychiatrist. Presented at provincial youth mental health justice workshops and other professional conferences. Awarded Ontario Graduate Scholarship of in May 2011, following recognition as a Research Scholar. Recipient of a Faculty Research Scholarship from Lakehead University in 2010 and 2011. Recognized for outstanding performance and dedication by Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Institute in 2009.

CAREER HISTORY
Canadian Mental Health Association, Thunder Bay, ON
Manager of Case Management, April 2008 May 2013
Provided education, mentoring, support and supervision to staff; evaluated and monitored service delivery according to both local and provincial ministry mandates and program targets. Presented findings based on internal quantitative research and analysis to leadership. Planned for effective operationalization of program in the context of a broad range of national and provincial health standards and quality assurance mechanisms including Accreditation Canada. Developed and sustained partnerships with other organizations through participation on committees, planning groups. Collaborated in the development of formal protocols and arrangements with a range of service providers and institutions. Researched and implemented all available best practice in the field.

Nov 1988 May 2013

Social Justice Ethics Media and Digital Literacy

G EORGE D RAZENOVICH
Court Case Manager, April 2005 April 2008

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Assisted mental health services, law enforcement, the judicial system and persons who were experiencing serious mental illnesses to provide effective alternative solutions to incarceration or unnecessary criminalization. Worked collaboratively with law enforcement, court services, lawyers and the crown attorney to provide a range of mental health services to individuals in conflict with the law, including but not limited to court diversion services. Provided rehabilitation services to adults with serious mental illness in the context of a case management model adapted to the needs of individuals with a mental health problem who were in conflict with the law. Conducted intake and assessment of clients strengths and goals. Liaised with community services and attended case conferences and other relevant meetings.

Community Mental Health Worker, Nov 1988 April 2005

Provided rehabilitation services to adults with serious mental illness in the context of a case management model adapted to the needs of the homeless or those at risk; ensured that the CMHA portion of the Homelessness Initiative Program (HIP2) delivered services efficiently to Program Director, HIP2 Coordinator and Executive Director. Created reports using standard PSR tools and methods to measure program success meeting specified goals and objectives; conducted intake and assessment of clients strengths and goals. Developed rehabilitation plan with clients and advocated with agencies and organizations on behalf of clients; assisted clients in self-efficacy. Liaised with community services and attended case conferences and other relevant meetings. Facilitated relationship with clubhouse, CMHA Crisis program, and other related services for clients. Supervised students assigned to the program; attended workshops, training and participated with community committees designed to advocate on a systemic level for change in social policy affecting the poor.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON
Sessional Lecturer and Course Instructor, September 2011 Present
Instruct students in the Faculty of Education at Lakehead University. Courses taught include: Developed content for assigned courses and ensured that course objectives were met. Prepared and delivered lecture materials using a variety of multimedia presentations such as PowerPoint and videos. Facilitated students learning objectives and class discussion; graded and provided response on assigned material. Submitted final grades with summary comments to students.

Sept 2010 - Present

Graduate Assistant, September 2010 March 2011

Graded and provided written feedback to students on assigned papers for courses. Assisted in the development of syllabus for a curriculum on fear in the context of education. Participated in background research through the development of relevant annotated bibliographies and resource materials.

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Institute, Thunder Bay, ON

Sessional Instructor, Sept 2008 - Present
Instruct students in the Social Service Worker Program (Native Specialization), the Personal Support Worker Program, the Aboriginal Community Service Worker Program, and the Indigenous Wellness and Addictions Prevention Program of the Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Institute. Developed culturally appropriate content for assigned courses and ensured that course objectives were met. Prepared and delivered lecture materials using a variety of multimedia presentations such as PowerPoint and videos. Facilitated students learning objectives and class discussion; graded and provided response on assigned material. Submitted final grades with summary comments to students.

Social Justice Ethics Media and Digital Literacy

G EORGE D RAZENOVICH EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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Doctor of Philosophy in Education (Candidate) Expected Defence - 2013, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON Dissertation: Sex Education in Ontario: A Critical Analysis Master of Theology (With Distinction), University of South Africa 2007 Thesis: An Exploration of the Value of Spirituality in Mental Health Bachelor of Arts, University of Waterloo - 1988 Management for Human Services: TAPE Educational Services and St. Michael's College in the University of Toronto. 2012

PUBLICATIONS
Drazenovich, G. (2011). Queering sex education. Literacy Information and Computer Education Journal, 2(2), 377381. Drazenovich, G. & Kourie, C. (2010). An exploration of the value of the mystical experience in mental health: Mysticism and mental health. The Interdisciplinary Journal of Social Science, 5(7), 137-150. Drazenovich, G. (2010). A Foucauldian analysis of homosexuality. Educational Philosophy and Theory, 42(6), 1-17. Drazenovich, G. & Kourie, C. (2010). Mysticism and mental health: A critical dialogue. Hts Theological Studies, 66(2), 1-8. Drazenovich, G., & Savage, A. (2006). Reflections on the interior life: Critical insights from William Gladstone & George Tyrrell. Victoria BC: Trafford publishing. Drazenovich, G. (2005). Towards a Levinasian understanding of Christian ethics: Emmanuel Levinas and the phenomenology of the other. Crosscurrents, 54(4), 37-40. Drazenovich, G. (2005). Towards an ethos of value, mental health reform in the province of Ontario and psychosocial rehabilitation: A dialogue. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, 28(1), 3-7.

CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS
Drazenovich, G. (2012, May 29). The use of spiritual pedagogy in sex education: An analysis. Paper presented at Canadian Society for the Study of Education, Wilfred Laurier University. Waterloo Ontario Drazenovich, G. (2012, March 21). Panelist for: Health care ethics behind bars. Encounters in Bioethics 2011-2012 Centre for Health Care Ethics. Thunder Bay, Ontario Drazenovich, G. (2012, March 6). Youth Mental Health Court Service. Northern Regional Youth Mental Health Court Worker Orientation. Ministry of Community and Youth Services. Sudbury, Ontario Drazenovich, G. (2012, February 17). Sex education in Ontario: A critical analysis. Research that Matters: Graduate Students Conference 2012. Lakehead University: Thunder Bay, Ontario Drazenovich, G. (2011, September 26). The Homelessness Initiative Program: A model for service integration and collaboration. Rediscovering PSR in a new decade. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Canada, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia Drazenovich, G. (2011, April 5). Towards holistic subjectivities in sex education. Proceedings from Canada International Conference on Education (CICE-2011), 376-381. Toronto: Infonomics Drazenovich, G. (2011, February 10). Towards Holistic subjectivities in sex education. The Butterfly Effect in Research. The Graduate Students Conference. Lakehead University Drazenovich, G. (2010, August 5). An exploration of the value of the mystical experience in mental health. The Fifth International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences, Cambridge, UK (virtual paper presentation) Drazenovich, G. (2009, October 27). An examination of the effects of five dimensions of continuity of care in court support programs in Ontario. Law and Disorder Creating Momentum for Change. The Provincial Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committee Drazenovich, G. (2009, September 24). Photovoice: Exposing our path to wellness. Recovery: Practicing in partnership. Psychosocial Rehabilitation Canada National Conference

Social Justice Ethics Media and Digital Literacy

G EORGE D RAZENOVICH ADDITIONAL RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

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Associate Editor: Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Science, 2010 5(7) Reviewed, evaluated and edited manuscripts for publication. Drazenovich, G. (collaborated and contributed) (2010) The Matryoshka Project: Examining the Effects of Enhanced Funding for Specialized programs (Wave 1-3 Court Support Programs) Toronto: Centre for Addition and Mental Health

MEMBERSHIPS, VOLUNTEERING & COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Chair, Ethics Committee, Canadian Mental Health Association, July 2011 - Present o The Ethics Committee provides a structure and process to respond to requests for ethical review of research or practices and to address presenting ethical issues. The Schools main purpose is to develop public speaking and leadership skills and to raise awareness of social justice issues.

Treasurer, New Directions Speakers School, December 2010 - Present o

Chair, Thunder Bay Economic Justice Committee, 2005 2008

Social Justice Ethics Media and Digital Literacy