Meet Marcus!

In 1989, my career in the field began as a teacher’s assistant in the school of a residential treatment facility in rural Connecticut.  The plan had been to gain classroom experience as my course of action included completing teacher certification through Southern Connecticut State University.  I quickly discovered a dormant desire to work with children who are struggling and their families.  After a move to Columbus, Ohio and a total of 4 years working in the residential treatment setting I returned to graduate school to receive a Master’s Degree in Social Work.

What followed was three years working in community mental health doing assessments, crisis intervention, critical incident stress management and attaining my LCSW.  The next 22 years have involved management in community outreach, wrap-around services and day treatment.  Training over this time has included non-violent crisis intervention, EMDR, Critical Incident Stress Management and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  Over the years, I have operated on the principle that one should be as involved in community activity as possible.  This has taken the form of community activism, mentoring, tutoring, church leadership, volunteering in schools and coaching softball, football, baseball and basketball.

Presently, I am transitioning out of the role of Steps to Success Program Director after 17+ years and into Family Service Madison's outpatient clinic (CAPs), providing outpatient therapy and group facilitation for Anti-Violence groups, as well as Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services.  It gives me great pleasure to hand the reigns of the Steps to Success Program over to incoming Program Director, Mark Cogdill, who has 12 years of experience in the program and an undying passion for day treatment.  I look forward to many more years working in Family Service Madison's Community Services Clinic!