Mitigation Specialist Job Board

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​​Attorneys seeking to contract with a social worker can find available social workers by region below. ​​A contract template for PDC attorneys can be found here, and more information and a contract template for panel attorneys can be found here.​​​ ​

If you are an attorney​ would like to know more about mitigation, are curious about what this partnership could look like, or are looking for any specific research, please check out our Mitigation Res​ources page

All social workers listed below have be​en through PDS' Mitigation Training for Social Workers. If you are a social worker interested in mitigation or mitigation training please contact mallory.g.thompson@wv.gov​ and check out more information about becoming a mitigation specialist i​n West Virginia here.




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> Available for work in all counties

Lorie Mullan, MSW, LICSW
Available for work in all WV counties.

I have worked with children, adolescents, and families in child welfare for the last 5 years with a focus on trauma, abuse and neglect. I have worked with many adolescents in the juvenile justice system, even providing therapy services while the juvenile was in detention or emergency shelter care. I think it's important they receive the most appropriate treatment, which does not equate to punitive measures that require a loss of all natural and formal supports. I believe it is important to tell their story and advocate for better outcomes and to educate those in the judicial system about better, more holistic ways to serve our youth and their families.


Rick Lee, M.Ed. (Counseling), L.S.W. (Social Work #​AP00942345) L.P.C.A (#265002), C.S.O.T.S. (Certified Sexual Offense Treatment Specialist (National Association of Forensic Counselors-NAFC), M.S.E. (Industrial and Systems Engineering)
740-744-3636, leer@lindsey.edu
Available for work in all WV counties.

I am a Licensed Social Worker (L.S.W.) and graduate level therapist (L.P.C.A.) hoping to improve the lives of others through my service. I do work with sexual offenders and risk assessments and I am also involved in restorative justice in c​ollege camp​us settings. I spend a considerable amount of time ensuring that I am staying current with best practices in the field and I enjoy attending conferences with ATSA (Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers) as I have had the opportunity to participate in national conferences and have presented at these conferences as well. My most recent presentation covered the topic of online grooming behaviors.

I work as Adjunct Faculty for Lindsey Wilson College School of Professional Counseling where I instruct undergraduate students in counseling theory and introductory counseling techniques. I have worked closely with Probation Officers and Attorneys throughout the state of WV as a Licensed Social Worker (L.S.W.) while working with children who presented with abuse-reactive behaviors in a residential psychiatric setting. I currently provide work in the field of substance use where I work as a graduate level therapist and I focus primarily on trauma and the ways in which trauma has impacted the lives of others. I have worked with the Court and with clients on topics such as relapse prevention planning to help ensure the safety of the community. I am familiar with providing testimony for the Court and I work very hard to do the best job possible.

If you would like to hire an experienced clinician with years of experience working with adjudicated offenders I would love the opportunity to chat with you. I am open to ALL WV counties. I want to leave a legacy of service to others. I am diligent, dedicated and trustworthy.


James Cadle, PsyD
304-925-3894 or 304-541-3894, jac896@suddenlink.net
Available for work in most WV counties.

I primarily perform sex offender risk assessment and associated therapy.*


Deb Murphy, L​SW, ADC
304-482-6738, murphydebk@gmail.com 
Based in the Mid-Ohio Valley region, but will also consider other counties. 

I am interested in identifying the root source/cause of an individual’s societal maladjustment and obtaining community based services to assist them. I would like to see our community reserve jail for violent offenders. I am a Licensed Social Worker and a Drug and Alcohol Counselor with many years of assessment, treatment and referral experience.


Cherie Moore, MSW 
304-709-4255, tiahovatter@healthconsultantsplus.com
Available for work in all counties.

Health Consultants Plus Inc. was established in 1991 and is a industry leader in professional staffing, education and training. Our team has trusted and experienced LSW, BSW and MSW on staff ready to assist you.​​


Rashida Dickerson, Psychology degree
Available to work in all counties.

I would like to be an asset to this process, and help assist in Social Justice as wel​l Restorative Justice.​


Mwandishi Cochrian-Goodwin, MSW, LCSW
256 201-2423, mcochrian@yahoo.com
Available to work in all counties.

I’ve always wanted to do mitigation from the first moment I heard about it. Helping vulnerable populations is what I love. Helping a person tell their story to help people understand the why is what I would love to have the opportunity to do. I feel like we as people are quick to pass judgment without knowing all there is to know. Not taking away the accountability for the actions, but helping people better understand. I’ve always wanted to do capitol cases involving mitigating factors to prevent someone from dying by lethal injection.


Jim Manning, BSW, MSW, MPA, SC-LISW
(803) 240-9003​, jimm.ghs@gmail.com, ​ www.grayhairsolutions.org/mitigation​​
Available for work in all WV counties.

I am interested in functioning as a mitigation specialist and sentencing advocate for the criminal defense team. I have successfully completed the Advanced Forensic Social Work Certificate ​Program offered by the National Organization of Forensic Social and have acquired the skills and training to investigate a person’s life history and unmet needs, and to make recommendations for that person’s sentencing and/or treatment. I earned a BSW and MSW at West Virginia University and first provided professional Courtroom testimony in 1980 in Child Protective Services at Richland County Department of Social Services. I have taught college level courses for two decades including an Ethics class I assisted in creating for Midlands Technical College. Most recently, I have provided mitigation services and criminal sentencing testimony in the 3rd and 5​th South Carolina Judicial Circuits. Finally, I am a member of the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD) and the National Alliance of Sentencing Advocates and Mitigation Specialists (NASAMS) section of the National Legal Aid &​ Defender Association (NLADA).



> Northern Panhandle

Marsha Woods, MSW, LICSW (West Virginia), LISW (Ohio), Adventure therapist certification
Available to work in Brooke, Hancock, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, and Tyler Counties.

I have been in the social work field for the last 24 years.  I have a Master in Social Work, Bachelor Degree in Social Welfare and an Associates in Human Services.  I am a licensed social worker in West Virginia and Pennsylvania.  I currently work full time for The Village Network serving as a clinical therapist to Youth in Crisis.  The youth on my caseload are actively involved in the juvenile justice system which requires that I participate in court hearings and provide recommendations for treatment.  In the past I completed a mitigation assessment on a local school counselor that was involved in a pill distribution scheme.



> Eastern Panhandle

Heather Klockmann, MSW - LGSW, Associates in Criminal Justice, Bachelors in Forensic  Investigation
Available for work in Morgan County.

I have worked as a CASA in the past as well as a school social worker for the past 5 years.  I enjoy being an advocate for those who are in need of social justice.*


Leah Bulka, MSW, LMSW in the state of Maryland
443-472-1082, leah.bulka@gmail.com
Available to work in Berkeley, Jefferson, Greenbrier, Preston, and Monongalia Counties.

I have 5 years experience in the social work field, including individual and group counseling, writing psychosocial reports, developing individual care plans, and coordinating care with medical and behavioral health providers. I'm currently employed by the State of Maryland as a Behavioral Health Navigator and Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator.


Marcia Ashlock, BSW, LSW
​Available to work in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties. 

Licensed bachelor social work in West Virginia, past work experience in CPS.*


Caroline Wilson, BSW, LSW
954-607-0403, caroline.wilson.m@wvumedicine.org 
Available to work in Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties.

I completed my BSW intern​ship in community corrections at a Day Report Center. I have also worked as a Case Manager in a Detox/CSU and for a Community Outreach Team aimed at helping people impacted by substance use disorders. I have experience in completing substance use evaluations, LS/CMI, assessing needs, social history reports, coordinating care with community providers, referrals to treatment, and linkage to services and resources. ​​

Noel Canellas, MSW, LSW
304-579-3204, naspickler@yahoo.com 
Available for work in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties.
Experience with the criminal justice system and report writing.


Kasey Perdue, BSW, LSW
304-820-5812kasey@jccm.us
Available for work in Jefferson and Berkeley Counties.
I would like to help improve lives of those involved in the justice system as well as their families. I believe it is important to view these persons as individuals and not by their crime(s). I am a LSW with a BSW from Shepherd University. I have experience in mental health for adolescents in residential settings, and a strong case management background. I am the department head of case management at a local non profit in Charles Town WV. ​​
 



> Central WV

Julie Gower, BSW, LSW
304-594-6090, juliegower@gmail.com 
Available for work in Central ​and North Central WV.

I've worked as a CASA Coordinator and have interviewed clients in that capacity. I've also taught Parenting Classes for the courts and have had to write reports for the judge. I'm very interested in the interviewing of clients and the contracting framework.



> North Central WV

Elle Webb-Overbay, BA of Psychology, MSW
304-542-1298, ellenikole1@yahoo.com
Available to work in Harrison, Marion, Doddridge, and Barbour Counties.

I have no experience in this field, however I am very interested in beginning work within the field of Mitigation as it combines all of the things I believe I could excel at within the bounds of Criminal Justice and Social Work. I've always had a great admiration for the Justice System and how Social Workers have worked within it. Having the opportunity to become a Mitigation Specialist is something that I look forward to very much!*


Leah Bulka, MSW, LMSW in the state of Maryland
443-472-1082, leah.bulka@gmail.com
Available to work in Berkeley, Jefferson, Greenbrier, Preston, and Monongalia Counties.

I have 5 years experience in the social work field, including individual and group counseling, writing psychosocial reports, developing individual care plans, and coordinating care with medical and behavioral health providers. I'm currently employed by the State of Maryland as a Behavioral Health Navigator and Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator.


Brandi Robinson, MSW LICSW
304-669-2823, brobins7712​@gmail.com​
Available to work in Harrison, Marion, Monongalia, and Lewis Counties.

As a social worker, I have the opportunity to work in various intersecting systems in West Virginia. For the last 14 years, I have completed assessments and interventions with individuals in both inpatient and outpatient settings. I have worked in the fields of criminal justice, child welfare, and healthcare with a specific emphasis on behavioral health. My experiences have provided me with specific skills to be adept at identifying mitigation factors and writing detailed reports for review.


Brittany Henderson, MSW, LGSW
304-919-8130, brittany2310@gmail.com
Available to work in Monongalia, Marion, Preston, and Harrison Counties.

Being able to provide the bigger picture for individuals involved in the court system is huge. Many need rehabilitation not to sit in a cell doing nothing and getting lost in the system. This happened to a family member of mine and they have since passed away.


Julie Gower, BSW, LSW
304-594-6090, juliegower@gmail.com  
Available for work in Central and​ North Central WV.

I've worked as a CASA Coordinator and have interviewed clients in that capacity. I've also taught Parenting Classes for the courts and have had to write reports for the judge. I'm very interested in the interviewing of clients and the contracting framework.



> Eastern WV

Maria Madariaga, MS​W, LMSW
304-860-8235, madamachi7@gmail.com
Available to work in Greenbrier, Summers, Monroe, Raleigh, Mercer, and Fayette Counties.

I have been working as a Spanish/English court interpreter for several years. I am comfortable in court setting.  I have seen while in court that often defendants are treated solely on the content of the crime and not on any outside influences that may have had an effect on the act or their ability to make amends. I feel that mitigation could bring in information that could be helpful to better meet the needs of the defendant and of the community.*


Leah Bulka, MSW, LMSW in the state of Maryland
443-472-1082, leah.bulka@gmail.com
​Available to work in Berkeley, Jefferson, Greenbrier, Preston, and Monongalia Counties.

I have 5 years experience in the social work field, including individual and group counseling, writing psychosocial reports, developing individual care plans, and coordinating care with medical and behavioral health providers. I'm currently employed by the State of Maryland as a Behavioral Health Navigator and Youth Suicide Prevention Coordinator.



> Southern WV

Maria Madariaga, MSW, LMSW
304-860-8235, madamachi7@gmail.com
​Available to work in Greenbrier, Summers, Monroe, Raleigh, Mercer, and Fayette Counties.

I have been working as a Spanish/English court interpreter for several years. I'm comfortable in court setting.  I have seen while in court that often defendants are treated solely on the content of the crime and not on any outside influences that may have had an effect on the act or their ability to make amends. I feel that mitigation could bring in information that could be helpful to better meet the needs of the defendant and of the community.*


Debbie Thompson, MSW, LSW
304-222-4652, warddebbie71@yahoo.com
Available for work in Raleigh, Fayette, Summers, and Wyoming Counties.

Interested in helping to be a solution with the legal system. Skills include advocacy and interviewing experience.​

Shaa Marcum, BSW, LSW
304-545-5270, ShaaMarcum@gmail.com
Available for work in Boone, Logan, Lincoln, Cabell, Kanawha, Wayne, Mingo, McDowell, and Mercer Counties.
I am an LSW with an undergraduate degree in social work from WVSU. I am currently completing my MSW from Walden University with a concentration in Advanced Clinical Practice.  I will also graduate the MSW program with a minor certification in Forensic Social Work. I have 10+ years of experience working with children and families. I am a member of the WV chapter of the NASW. I have become interested in mitigation work through my work with children and families. I have actively worked in conjunction with the courts, probation, and specialty courts while working with children and families.  I have experience with many types of assessments that take a person-centered approach to holistic assessment.



> Mid-Ohio Valley

Chelsea Zuspan, BSW, MSW, LGSW
304-812-0168, cmullens1993@yahoo.com
Available to work in Mason, Jackson, Cabell, Roane, and Calhoun Counties.​

Familiarity with court procedures, court report writing, knowledge in therapeutic interventions, knowledge in trauma and impacts on decisions and brain development, extensive social work training.​


Vickie Shaver, LSW
​304-871-0567, vicjshaver@gmail.com 
​Available for work in Calhoun, Gilmer, and Roane Counties.

I’ve worked with vulnerable adult clients for 19 years. I am a Home Finder in my current position (with DHHR) to recruit and open homes for disabled, vulnerable adults. Prior to my current position I was the Adult Service Worker for the same population of vulnerable adults. ​​





*Information accurate as of June 2020.​