Mastering Cultural Competency in ASD Care

Welcome, and thank you for being here. Choosing to enter the behavioral health and recovery field is more than a career decision. It is a commitment to becoming a source of hope, support, advocacy, and change in the lives of others. That responsibility is meaningful, and it is work I deeply respect. My name is Kimberly Jones, and I have dedicated more than 25 years to working in behavioral health, addiction recovery, trauma-informed care, leadership, and community-based services. Throughout my career, I have worked alongside individuals, families, and communities navigating addiction, mental health challenges, trauma, grief, systemic barriers, and major life transitions. Those experiences shaped not only the clinician and leader I became, but also the vision and purpose behind this training program. I am currently pursuing my doctorate in Psychology with a concentration in Behavioral Healthcare Leadership and serve as the Founder and Director of Nurturing Minds Health & Wellness Center, a CARF-accredited behavioral health organization serving children, adolescents, adults, and families throughout Maryland. As someone who is also a product of the inner city, I understand firsthand the importance of culturally responsive care, representation, community support, and having people who genuinely understand your experiences. That perspective has deeply influenced the way I lead, teach, advocate, and connect with others. I am passionate about creating spaces that are culturally competent, empowering, inclusive, and grounded in compassion rather than judgment. One thing about me is that I genuinely love working with children, adolescents, and families. Helping young people feel heard, supported, empowered, and emotionally safe has always been close to my heart. I believe early intervention, meaningful connection, and compassionate support can completely change the trajectory of a person’s life, and that belief continues to drive the work I do every day. Behavioral health and recovery work is not just my profession. It is truly my passion and life’s work. What I love most about this field is watching people recognize their value, rebuild confidence, discover purpose, and realize they are capable of far more than they once believed. I am passionate about creating environments where people feel respected, encouraged, empowered, and safe enough to grow without fear of judgment. I believe some of the most impactful people in recovery support are those who can connect through authenticity, empathy, compassion, lived experience, and genuine human connection. When those qualities are paired with the right training, ethics, communication skills, boundaries, and professional development, they become powerful tools for helping others heal and recover. This training program was intentionally created to provide more than information. My goal is to help you build confidence, strengthen your voice, expand your knowledge, and prepare you to walk into this field feeling capable, professional, and empowered to make a meaningful impact. When students join this program, they are not simply enrolling in a course. They are joining a learning environment built on encouragement, accountability, compassion, professional growth, and real-world preparation. Whether you are beginning your journey in peer support or continuing to grow within the behavioral health field, I am honored to be part of your learning experience and I look forward to growing alongside you.