education is important to us all
Peer Recovery Specialist
Education is a crucial component to addressing the problems that face the youth of today. Shawn A. Barksdale is committed to furthering his education best to serve the youth, the community, and others. His latest achievement is becoming certified in Peer Recovery.
On February 17, 2023, Shawn while running 3 businesses and raising three children sacrificed two uninterrupted weeks to achieve the goal and requirements of DBHDS and complete their 72-hour course of study in Peer Recovery Specialist Training. This is just the tip of the educational iceberg for Shawn. His plans include earning a B.A. degree and then his Masters's degree, to better serve the youth of today. Shawn hopes to inspire our youth, their parents, and families to reach for the stars in their educational pursuits, with no excuses.
DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION
HOW DO YOU SPEAK TO A GIRAFFE & ANT AND HAVE THEM BOTH HEAR YOU?
Shawn A. Barksdale has been known to say "you have to understand the condition of a person to communicate with them effectively". For that reason, he embarked on the path of understanding the differences between people and the value of effective communication. Diversity and inclusion of all people regardless of race, creed, or color are essential in providing valuable information to all people. Shawn has successfully completed a course of study in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the workplace. He is pairing this tool with his life experiences while bridging the gap of understanding people's points of pain.
Listening is key, understanding is essential and effective communication is the result you get when you value the diversity of an individual or a group of people.