SHANA S. HARPER, MSSW
OUTREACH & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR/CEO

Ms. Shana S. Harper is a Master Level Social Worker who specializes in early childhood, child & adolescent mental health, and trauma in Jackson, MS. Ms. Harper always knew that she wanted to work with children in some capacity because they were always drawn to her and she enjoyed connecting with them. After completing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Tougaloo College in 2001 and work experience in childcare services across the metro area, she relocated to Memphis, Tennessee in 2003. There she pursued further educational advancements and began her work experience at Youth Villages in Bartlett, TN where she worked with behaviorally challenged youth. After completing her Master of Science in Clinical Social Work (MSSW) in 2007 from the University of Tennessee, Ms. Harper continued her social service experience by working as a Therapeutic Foster Care Therapist with Counseling Services of Eastern Arkansas in West Memphis, Arkansas, Senior Residential Counselor with Youth Villages in Bartlett, TN, Adolescent Group Therapist and Group Trauma Therapist with Counseling Professional Services in Memphis, and a Trauma Focused Child Therapist with Victims to Victory in Memphis. Ms. Harper also found time to engage in volunteer counseling with Life Change Counseling Center in Memphis.

Upon her return to Jackson, Ms. Harper served as the Early Childhood Coordinator and Center Social Worker for the City of Jackson Early Childhood Center in which she engaged and created various activities for parents of children within the center that included Pastries with Parents and Parent Teacher Organization (PTO). She has vast experience in conducting not only individual therapy but also group and family therapy. She has gained specialized training in Parents as Tender Healers (P.A.T.H.), Youth Suicide Prevention and Early Intervention Training, Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavior Therapy (TF-CBT), Aggressive Placement Therapy, The Incredible Years Teacher Classroom Management, Steward of Children, and the MS Department of Education Family Engagement Train the Trainer.

Ms. Harper is actively involved with the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), Jackson State University College of Public Service School of Social Work Field Instructor, Mississippi Children’s Museum Wonder of Wellness Committee, Mid-Jackson Excel by 5 Coalition Member, Jackson-Hinds Comprehensive Health Center Healthy Start Community Action Network (CAN) Partner, Jackson Public School P-16 Community Engagement Council, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), and Southern Early Childhood Association. Ms. Harper is a proud member of New Hope Baptist Church where she is enthusiastically involved in the Sanctuary Choir, Health Education Ministry, Small Group Bible Study Facilitator, and Wellness Wednesday Ministry.