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https://www.linkedin.com/in/avivyah
Rev. Avril L'Mour Weathers, Ph.D.
avril.weathers@gmail.com
+231 (770) 851-530
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Analysis--Career history includes 15 years of experience with survey development, data collection,
analysis, reporting and technical assistancefor domestic & international service organizations, state
organizational divisions; and regional public health conglomerates.
R&D-- Published qualitativeinstitutional researcher, cited and publicly broadcast, with knowledge
of Microsoft Access, Excel, PowerPoint and the StatisticalProgram for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
Experienced program developer, trainer, and module writer in the public service arena in general;
and, more specifically in service of public health.
Advancement--Complimentary strengths in institutional advancement including strategic planning
for long range mental health recovery initiatives; and, fund development capabilities for
multifaceted contracting, grant writing, development, evaluation and procurement initiatives.
Facilitation--Self-motivated transformational leader, state policy developer, with proven talent for
educating stake holders, engaging communities; and, cultivating the strategic, culturally competent,
vertical and horizontal partnerships. Psychosocial Service/Mental Health Recovery/Wellness
Recovery Action Planning Trainer of Trainers.
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EDUCATION& CERTIFICATION
Masters of Divinity-- Candler School of Theology, Emory University of Atlanta, GA 2010-2013
Contextual Education: International Interfaith & Health Division, School of Public Health
Assistant to Director Sandra Thurman, International AIDS Czar for the Clinton Administration
Behavioral Health Certifications 2005-2007
Certified Recovery Support Specialist; Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Facilitator;
DRS/DMH Supported Employment Certification; DRS/DMH EBSE Implementation Specialist
Doctorate of Philosophy, Sociology of Organization—Northwestern, Evanston, IL 2000
Multidisciplinary studies in Psychology, Sociologyand Business Management; Organizational
Behavior/Sociology Dept. Professor of Research Methods: Washington University, University of Missouri
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PROFESSIONALEXPERIENCE
The Avivyah Liberia, NGO Monrovia, Liberia, West Africa 2014-Present
 Country Director
 Master Trainer & Monitoring/Evaluation Coordinator
The Liberian Associationof Psychosocial Service (LAPS)
 Consultancy, Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism (Ministry of Culture)
Report: Detraumatization -- A Response to the Crisis of Liberian Wellness in the 21st Century
 Psychosocial Training of over 800 Liberians in coordination with LAPS, The Carter Center of
Liberia, The World Health Organization (WHO), Samaritan’s Purse, The National Council of
Churches and The Liberian Ministries of Health, Education & Gender
 Standing member of the Psychosocial Services Pillar for the National Ebola Task Force
 Disaster Spiritual Care Counseling & Training: Practical Clergy Responses to Individuals and
Communities in Crisis

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African Methodist Episcopalian University (AMEU) 2013-2015
The Bryant Theological Seminary of Monrovia, Liberia, W.A.
 Associate Professor of Theology
Christian Ethics (THCE 448); Christian Stewardship (THCE 445)
Music in the Worship Experience (THCE 442)
HIV/AIDS, Endemic Crisis & the Role of the Church (THCE 212)
Senior Thesis Paper/Research Methods& Data Collection (THCE 448)
 Program Designer, Christian Counseling Degree
Curriculum Development, Design & Proposal of the Christian Counseling Program
 Chair, AMEU Ebola Taskforce Research Initiative
Collective Trauma Survey & Analysis: Vicarious Trauma in Three Monrovian Communities
 Chair, AMEU Internal Review Board (IRB)
Promotion, evaluation, approval and review of internal research initiatives
 Director, Bryant Chapel Service of Word
 AMEU Representative on National Ebola Task Force Psychosocial Services Pillar
MH/Psychosocial Service (PSS) Training Standardization & Burial Protocol Communication Subcommittees
Consulting Program Developer, Crisis Detraumatization Initiative
Ministry of Information, Culture & Tourism (MICAT)--Program Development & Evaluation (Liberia, W.A.)
 Partnered with MICAT Ministry of Culture to establish culturally-based recovery programming.
 Constructed data-base to evaluate program fidelity of county sites.
 Training of Detraumatization Specialists and provision of ongoing support.
Peer Counseling Initiative: Liberians Helping Liberiansto Cope in Crisis
Consulting Grant Reviewer, Assets for Independence (AFI)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services(DHHS)
Office of Community Services, Administration for Children and Families
 Reviewed Grant Applications, Applied Evaluation Criterion
 Scored Grant Applications, Wrote Evaluation Narratives
Integrative Mental Health Systems, MHO (CEO/QMHP/CRSS) 2006-2009
Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Subcontracting
Formed horizontal alliances to secure federal funding. Recognized contracting opportunities and
initiated expansion of mental health recovery capacity for the State. Supervised and counseled
recovery specialist team. Increased number and quality of strategic partnerships with
government entities, local agencies, and practicing providers to cooperate with contracted
initiatives in vertical alliance. Performed the following consultancy services:
Consulting Systems Analyst, Mental Health Recovery Programs
DHS Division of Mental Health--EBSE Program Data Development & Analysis
 Constructed data-base to evaluate program fidelity of EBSE Program sites.
 Trained Supported Employment Specialists and provided ongoing technical support.
 Partnered with DHS Systems Analyst to establish in-house mainframe data-base access.
 Retooled survey and data collection for participation in Johnson & Johnson Studies.
DHS Division of Healthcare and Family Service--EBSE Program Strategy Advisor
 Advised Medicare Infrastructure Committee Director in strategic planning methods.
 Devised plan for systems mapping for cross disability EBSE State implementation.
 Constructed sample map of State employment resources for persons with disabilities.

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Consulting Provider, Mental Health Recovery Support Services
DHS Division of Rehabilitative Services--Recovery Counseling & Supported Employment Services
 Educated DRS staff and consumers about recovery paradigm shift in behavioral health.
 Provided Recovery Counseling to DRS assigned consumers, initiated individual WRAP plans.
 Presented Advocacy Servicesto DRS assigned consumers, guided toward self-advocacy.
 Administered Supported Employment Services and Supported Housing referrals.
Heaven’s Cove Outreach Ministries of Atlanta
Consulting Clinical Program Coordinator
Substance Abuse/Mental Health Advocacy—InstitutionalAdvancement& Recovery Counseling
 Composed service plan for compliance with State provision and supervised implementation.
 Provided Recovery Counseling and delivered weekly Sermons on Spirituality of Wellness.
 Directed Programming and Operations for the Ministerial and Clinical aspects of the facility.
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PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATIONS &PRESENTATIONS
Mental Health/Psychosocial Pillar of the National Ebola Task Force 2014
Collective Trauma Survey & Analysis: VicariousTrauma in Three Monrovian Communities
Disabilities Services Advisory Committee (IL-DSAC) 2008-2009
Policy Recommendation to Mandate Recovery Services in Federally Funded Agencies
Medicare Infrastructure Grant Committee (IL-MIG) 2007-2009
Region V Representative: Mental Health Subcommittee
Vocational Services Steering Committee (IL-VSSC) 2005-2009
Strategic Planning Leadership Council (SPLC); Mental Health Subcommittee
Supported Employment and Consumerism 2007
Guest Lecturer Regional Conference, National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI)
The Recovery Movement in Mental Health and Beyond 2007
Guest Lecturer Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville (SIUE), Special Education Seminar
Understanding Supported Employment 2006
4th
Annual Mental Health Consumer Conference Workshop Lecturer
Spirituality in Recovery: The Missing Link 2005
3rd
Annual Mental Health Consumer Conference Workshop Lecturer
Strategic Planning Report: Toward the New Millennium 1996
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, 43rd National Convention/Orlando, Florida
The Delta Way: Principled Commitment to Quality Advancement 1995
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated: A Leadership Academy Training Module
Organizational Assessment Survey: Where we are and where we'd like to go 1994
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, An assessment of over 500 Chapters in 7 regions
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HONORS & AWARDS
Candler School of Theology, Emory University 2010-2013
Grant for Academic Excellence& Promise for Leadership in the Church and World
Madison’s Who’s Who in American Industry 2008
Outstanding Service Provision—Health Services, Mental Health
National Black MBA Association 1994
Chicago Chapter Outstanding Member of the Year Award
Northwestern University 1989-1993
Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowship for Doctoral Studies