Empowering People * Strengthening Families * Achieving Goals * Having Fun

Melissa H. Lewis, LRT/CTRS, CPE-I, QP in MH/DD/SA

Licensed Recreational Therapist &

Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist

NC Certified Parenting Educator

Qualified Professional in Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities & Substance Abuse

I earned a Bachelor of Science in Recreational Therapy from Western Carolina University in 1998. I completed a clinical internship at Broughton Hospital in Morganton, North Carolina. I passed the National Council for Therapeutic Recreation Certification (NCRTC) examination and became a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CRTS), more commonly known as a Recreational Therapist. I then went to work as an Outdoor Adventure Program Counselor at Lutheridge Camp and Conference Center in Arden, North Carolina, where I worked with youth in 6th through 12th grades and led hikes, low ropes course initiatives, teambuilding activities, canoe trips, group discussions and belayed campers on the Challenge Tower.

Next, I moved to Witchita Falls, Texas, and was employed as a Recreation Therapist at North Texas State Hospital -- Wichita Falls Campus, where I compiled and published a book entitled, "Got Any Ideas? Therapeutic Recreation & Psychosocial Activity Ideas," and developed new programs, classes and curriculum for clients and I facilitated training for staff. I assessed clients and let Wellness, Ceramics, Leisure Education and Woodworking groups. After that, I continued my career at Dorothea Dix Hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina, where I assessed clients' needs and led several groups and planned and implemented many special events for clients.

After that, I was employed as a Recreational Therapist at Brynn Marr Hospital in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where I restructured the Recreation Therapy treatment program for the acute units. I redesigned the Recreational Therapy Assessment for use in the Adjunctive Therapy Department and reformatted the progress note Client Intervention Flowsheet. I facilitated several groups including Independent Living Skills, Cooking, Kitchen Safety, Hygiene, Money Management, Health, Nutrition, Physical Fitness, Wellness, Social Interaction Skills, Teambuilding Skills, Self Awarenesss, Self Esteem, Anger Management and Stress Management for clients. I assessed clients' needs, attended Treatment Team meetings and developed individualized treatment goals.

Then I moved on to Neuse Center for Mental Health, Developemtnal Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (MH/DD/SAS) as a Prevention Consultant in the Prevention Services Program. I collaborated with many community agencies to promote alcohol, tobacco and other drug prevention intervention and education to school aged children and their families in an effort to foster growth and promote wellness. Services were provided in the community through churches, schools, civic groups, and other organizations. Prevention services focused on universal, selected and indicated populations for prevention services using evidence-based state approved curricula.

Next, I continued to work with the Neuse Center for Mental Health, Developemtnal Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services (now known as East Carolina Behavioral Health or ECBH), where I provided intensive case management to children and youth in the New Bern, North Carolina area. I helped children and youth to receive the mental health treatment that they need. I also assessed the people I worked with and monitored the services and treatment they received. I linked youth and their families to natural supports and advocated for youth at treatment team and IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) and treatment team meetings. I also was responsible for requesting authorization of necessary services. Addittionally, I developed individualized service plans and documented all necessary information.

Soon after that, I worked with the Craven County Schools for a semester with the youth in the Severe & Profound (S/P) and Trainable Mentally Disabled (TMD) classes at H. J. MacDonald Middle School. I assisted the ECP (Exceptional Children's Program) Teacher instructing students. I facilitated language arts, math and daily living skills lessons with students on a regular basis. I also assisted students in meeting their individualized objectives. I attended an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) meeting for a teacher who was unable to attend. I assisted the team in developing specific objectives for that student at her IEP meeting. I also participated in Special Olympics with students.

I then worked for a little while as a Preschool Teacher and a Schol Age Teacher at Kiddie Kollege, A Christian Learning Center for Children in New Bern, North Carolina. I provided one on one services to children who have vision impairments, language deficits, Autism, Down's Syndrome and other special needs. I developed and facilitated lessons for these students in inclusive classrooms. I planned and implemented daily lessons with preschool children, including communication, listening skills, fine and gross motor skills, alphabet, numerals, shapes and colors. I taught sign language to preschool children. I planned and implemented decision making, problem solving, teambuilding, cooperation, physical fitness, fine and gross motor skills, creative expression, social interaction and communication activities with school aged children and assisted the Center Director with assorted tasks.

I left there and worked for HeartWorks, a not-for-profit agency in Pamlico County, where I wore many different hats. I was the F.U.N (Family Unity and Nurturing) Program Assistant Administrator, the CrossWinds Family Advocacy Program Director and the Smart Start Child and Family Outreach Coordinator ALL AT THE SAME TIME! As the FUN Program Assistant Administrator, I was the on-site supervisor for the licensed after school day care center. I developed enriching programs weekly and arranged for community volunteers to come and lead certain programs including West African Hand Drumming, Photography and Art Classes. I also facilitated character education, problem solving, teamwork, cooperative and educational activity groups with students. I tutored students and assisted them with their homework. I supervised 5 program staff and several volunteers. I arranged for and provided inservice training. I also secured food and other supplies on a regular basis. As the CrossWinds Family Advocacy Program Director, I developed the Family Enrichment Camp Program. I planned, promoted & facilitated 2 family camp weekend retreats. I assisted in the development of the Parent Education Resource Network and Lending Library, Parent Educational Classes and Circle of Parents support groups. I co-facilitated the Community Collaborative Coalition meetings. I supervised 2 Circle of Parents Facilitators. I also secured program supplies on a regular basis. As the Smart Start Child and Family Outreach Coordinator, I collaborated with Smart Start and the Pamlico Partnership for Children to develop the Family Enrichment Camp Program. I began to develop a Circle of Parents support group for parents of preschoolers. I was also an active member of the Pamlico Partnership for Children’s Board of Directors. I also monitored all grants for these programs and prepared periodic grant reports.

The positions with HeartWorks were grant funded, and after I learned that the grants were not being continued, I moved on to become a Qualified Mental Health Professional (QMHP) and Community Support Specialist for children and adolescents with Carolina Choice, a private mental health service provider in New Bern, NC. I provided intensive Community Support Services and Mentoring and arranged and assessed necessary services and treatment for youth and their families. I monitored and evaluated services and treatment for continued appropriateness and progress. I assessed children and adolescents using the NC TOPPS and other in house assessments. I linked youth and their families to natural and community supports and advocated for youth at treatment team, IEP/school team meetings and court hearings. I collaborated with psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, court counselors, teachers, group home staff, foster parents, Guardians ad Litem, Department of Social Services (DSS) staff, Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (DJJDP) staff and others involved in the lives of the people I served. I requested authorization of necessary services. I facilitated treatment team meetings with children and adolescents and their families. I developed individualized goals & interventions for the person centered plans (PCP's) belonging to the people I served. I documented information in medical records. I facilitated parenting education groups. I developed group curriculum for parenting and character education groups.

Next, I worked with Easter Seals UCP of North Carolina as a Qualified Professional in Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities & Substance Abuse working with children, adolescents and adults. I performed many of the same duties as I had while working for Carolina Choice, and also had a variety of new responsibilities.

I am currently working with the Arc of Craven County as their Chapter Coordinator and Camp Director and have more time than ever before to devote to meeting the needs of the community and providing Recreational Therapy services in Eastern North Carolina.

Throughout my career, I have attended conferences and workshops provided by organizations including the North Carolina Recreational Therapy Association (NCRTA), the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), the North Carolina Parenting Education Network (NCPEN), the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Society (NCRPS) Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section and many other organizations. I have also presented at several workshops and conferences on a variety of different topics including, Recreational Therapy in different settings and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

I am also an active member of the North Carolina Recreation Therapy Association (NCRTA), the North Carolina Parenting Education Network (NCPEN), the ARC of Craven County, the Coastal Carolina Horticultural Therapy Association (CCHTA).

I have been a past member of the North Carolina Recreation and Parks Society (NCRPS) Therapeutic Recreation (TR) Section, the Pamlico Partnership for Children Board of Directors, the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA), the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) for Craven, Carteret and Pamlico Counties, the Craven/Pamlico Asthma Coalition, the Western Carolina University Recreational Therapy Association (WCU RTA) and the Western Carolina University Management Club. I am also an Alumni member of Phi Sigma Pi, the National Honor Fraternity.