Currently, I am employed as a Deputy Conservator for Kern County. Most people nod and smile politely upon hearing my title since they frequently have no idea what that means!! More familiar is the term "Public Guardian". I work with the Mentally Ill individuals in the County who are so ill they can neither provide for their own food, clothing and shelter nor are they willing or able to accept third party assistance for food, shelter and clothing. The Court then appoints the Public Conservator to ensure these individuals have a place to live, clothing to wear, food to eat and also receive psychiatric treatment. As a Deputy Conservator, I am the one who is actually in the trenches with the client, making sure all of the above happens.
My favorite part of my job is connecting "core-to-core" with my clients. I prefer to see them as people first and then see their illness second. I have a knack for getting people to open up to me and my clients are no different. Many of them have no family, and we become "family-like" as I advocate for them in placement and treatment.
Probably the one missing link for many of my clients is that they do not have a network of concerned people who are not paid to interact with them. I would really like to see some sort of program evolve where Mentally Ill people are matched up in the community with people in the vein of "Big Brothers" and "Big Sisters". For some of my clients, joining me at McDonald's is an immense thrill! I can only imagine how special it would be for them to interact with an individual or family on a regular basis. Not as a Client with a Number, Diagnosis and Billing Code, but as a friend, a peer, a companion.
Kern County Mental Health System of Care
One of the most respected Mental Health Systems of Care in the
State of California. Meet my employer!
California PA/PG/PC
I am a member of this association, which provides
standardized training and networking for Public Conservators.
Anne Sippi Clinic
This is a facility I am privileged to
work in collaboration with to treat my most difficult clients.
To learn more about those I work with every day, please pay a visit here.
I have a real love for writing of almost any kind. I write poetry using different forms to flex my "word muscles". At my 8-5 gig, I write letters and legal documents seeing how few words I can use or which adjective fits that situation absolutely perfectly. I figure each writing opportunity gives me the chance to improve, much like each hour of training helps the athlete.
I first developed a Passion for speaking while teaching an Adult Education Class. I realized then what a Joy it could be to have an adult audience! I always knew I would be able to reach children, my goofiness around the younger crowd is very apparent. What I learned through teaching adults is that I enjoyed facilitating their class as much and sometimes even more than teaching the children!! Mirroring the topics I write about, I speak on Grief and Loss, Parenting, Christian Life and/or Biblical Topics, Relationships, and Living a Passionate Lifestyle. As always, I am happy to discuss Writing and Speaking assignments. Need someone to Speak or have an article to be written? Please e-mail me! I look forward to hearing from you!