At UMFS, we are unwavering champions for high-risk children and families, collaborating with communities to help them reach their full potential. Each month, we name an employee as Unwavering Champion of the Month for going above and beyond in upholding our agency’s mission and values.
We’re pleased to announce our Unwavering Champion for July, Jessica Grimes, Intensive Care Coordination Supervisor at UMFS Leland House in Fairfax County. Jessica started her career with UMFS more than three years ago as an Intensive Care Coordination (ICC) worker in the NOVA Region. ICC serves children with behavioral, emotional or mental health needs who are at risk of an out-of-home placement or currently in one. Jessica later transferred to the UMFS Richmond campus to support Child & Family Healing Center as a Clinical Case Manager and therapist.
“We are lucky that Jessica has chosen to return to NOVA,” said Leland House Program Director Marie Thomas. “In her role as ICC Supervisor, she’s been nurturing and building relationships within her team, as well as referral sources and community partners.”
Jessica has been instrumental in guiding and supporting NOVA’s ICC program in meeting and sustaining a High Fidelity Wraparound model — a collaborative planning process that guides individualized care plans for children with behavioral health challenges and their families. Jessica consistently exhibits professionalism and effective client/family interactions and challenges herself in new avenues, including public speaking. “She was instrumental in planning and organizing a recent presentation at the Children’s Services Act Conference in Roanoke,” Marie said.
Always quick to step up and help out wherever needed, Jessica is a model of strengths-based approaches and positive attitude. Furthermore, she continues to maintain a small outpatient caseload to hone her clinical skills and abilities while also supporting and fostering new community-based services. “Jessica truly embodies the value of collaboration multiplying impact,” Marie said, “and I’m grateful for the opportunity to work side by side with her.”