Raven Starks
Clarksville
Summary
Dedicated social services and program management professional with over 10 years of progressive experience supporting individuals and families experiencing behavioral health challenges, housing instability, transportation barriers, and economic hardship. Experienced in Family Centered Coaching, care coordination, trauma-informed care workforce and economic mobility initiatives, community partnership development, resource navigation, and systems-level program implementation. Demonstrated success working with vulnerable and underserved populations by identifying barriers, coordinating services, and implementing solutions that improve stability, self-sufficiency, and long-term outcomes. Skilled in developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary teams, community organizations, government agencies, healthcare providers, and external stakeholders.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Transportation and Housing Navigation Manager
Tennessee Alliance for Economic Mobility
Nashville, TN
11.2022 - Current
- Developed innovative transportation and housing support processes to improve service accessibility.
- Partnered with existing coalitions to increase and spread awareness of available employment, housing, and transportation resources.
- Led innovative transportation and housing initiatives designed to reduce barriers impacting workforce participation, family stability, and economic mobility for caregivers and families across 16 different counties in Middle Tennessee.
- Provide technical assistance, training, and subject matter expertise to County Resource Navigators and community partners regarding transportation access, housing stability, and community resource coordination.
- Developed and maintained partnerships with nonprofit organizations, housing providers, transportation agencies, workforce development programs, and community stakeholders to increase access to resources and improve service delivery.
- Led collaborative initiatives that strengthened communication and coordination between staff, leadership, and community stakeholders.
- Facilitated county-level meetings resulting in increased collaboration and development of innovative solutions addressing local barriers.
- Improved dissemination of organizational priorities and operational updates across teams.
- Supported initiatives aimed at improving service delivery and caregiver outcomes.
- Designed innovative transportation solutions and referral pathways to improve access to reliable transportation resources.
- Facilitated county-level collaboration efforts to identify service gaps and create strategies that improved caregiver outcomes and community engagement.
- Contributed to strategic planning efforts focused on increasing economic mobility and reducing systemic barriers.
- Prepared marketing materials, conducted presentations, and actively made efforts to seek out and maintain meaningful relationships with known & prospective property owners/managers, transportation partners, and employers.
Unit Commander
Tennessee Army National Guard
Smyrna, TN
09.2014 - Current
- Directed personnel readiness and training initiatives for 150+ soldiers, supporting organizational mission requirements.
- Supervised and developed leaders by hosting quarterly officer and enlisted professional developments, while strengthening unit performance and accountability.
- Managed operational priorities across 2 geographically separated locations.
- Fostered collaboration and mentorship supporting professional growth and mission effectiveness.
- Advised state level higher headquarters on stated level medical readiness, personnel concerns, and operational capabilities to support informed command decisions.
- Implemented policies and operational directives to improve efficiency, readiness, and Soldier support programs.
- Sought out and maintained unit resources, equipment accountability, and medical operational capabilities to support training and mobilization readiness.
- Planned and executed training events, administrative requirements, and readiness programs for a large multi-site medical formation.
Family Centered Coach
The Martha O'Bryan Center
Nashville, TN
02.2020 - 11.2022
- Guided 50-55 families experiencing economic and social barriers toward individualized goals related to employment, education, housing stability, and long-term self-sufficiency through comprehensive support planning and resource coordination.
- Strengthened family stability by connecting participants with community resources and supportive services designed to reduce barriers impacting employment and overall well-being.
- Built collaborative relationships with community organizations and service providers to expand access to resources and improve outcomes for participating families.
- Supported participants in developing actionable goals and strategies that increased engagement, stability, and progress toward economic mobility.
- Established trusting relationships with families while utilizing strengths-based approaches to support long-term success and positive family outcomes.
- Strengthened staff performance and professional development by mentoring and training incoming Family Coaches on the Family Centered Coaching model providing hands-on learning opportunities, shadowing experiences, and offering performance coaching to support successful role integration.
- Managed and analyzed client data across multiple systems, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and data-driven decision-making to support program effectiveness.
- Drove program innovation by developing and implementing new processes, procedures, and policies to improve service delivery, efficiency, and client outcomes.
Family Intervention Specialist
Youth Villages
Nashville, TN
06.2018 - 02.2020
- Delivered intensive family-centered interventions 3 times a week to 5 families to support improved family functioning and strengthened protective factors for children and their caregivers.
- Collaborated with schools, service providers, and community organizations to coordinate comprehensive support systems and improve family outcomes.
- Assisted families in identifying and overcoming barriers impacting educational success, emotional well-being, and long-term stability.
- Utilized crisis intervention and solution-focused approaches to help families navigate challenging situations and maintain progress toward treatment goals.
- Maintained strong engagement with families while fostering relationships that promoted trust, accountability, and positive behavioral change.
- Provided psychoeducation and skill-building interventions to parents and caregivers focused on behavior management, de-escalation techniques, and effective responses to mental health-related behaviors, resulting in increased family stability and improved coping strategies.
Care Manager II
The Mental Health Cooperative
Nashville, TN
02.2017 - 06.2018
- Coordinated comprehensive care and case management services for 55 - 75 unhoused individuals experiencing co-occurring behavioral health disorders and complex social barriers, supporting improved stability and continuity of care.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments and ongoing evaluations to identify needs and develop individualized service plans addressing housing stability, healthcare access, transportation barriers, benefits acquisition, employment readiness, and community integration.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams and community organizations to strengthen support systems and improve client functioning, housing outcomes, and long-term self-sufficiency.
- Provided crisis intervention and support to high-risk individuals experiencing mental health challenges, housing instability, safety concerns, and urgent psychosocial needs, ensuring immediate needs were addressed and appropriate interventions initiated.
- Supported individuals in developing independent living skills, including budgeting, financial management, employment readiness, and life skills necessary to sustain housing and increase self-sufficiency.
- Advocated on behalf of clients with landlords, housing providers, and community agencies to reduce barriers to housing placement and support housing retention efforts.
- Maintained detailed case documentation, monitored client progress, and adjusted interventions to support treatment goals and positive long-term outcome.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Kentucky State University
Frankfort, KY12-2016
Skills
- Program Development and Implementation
- Resource Navigation
- Housing Stabilization
- Workforce and Economic Mobility Initiatives
- Community Partnership Development
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Trauma Informed
Timeline
Transportation and Housing Navigation Manager
Tennessee Alliance for Economic Mobility
11.2022 - Current
Family Centered Coach
The Martha O'Bryan Center
02.2020 - 11.2022
Family Intervention Specialist
Youth Villages
06.2018 - 02.2020
Care Manager II
The Mental Health Cooperative
02.2017 - 06.2018
Unit Commander
Tennessee Army National Guard
09.2014 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Kentucky State University