Cheyenne Monroe-Backus, LMSW, '18, is an Officer in the U.S. Air Force. At the end of 2019, she was selected after a competitive application process to direct commission as a Clinical Social Work Intern and start a residency program towards obtaining her unrestricted license. She joined the 316th Medical Group at JB Andrews in Maryland. "As an Officer in the Air Force, I have learned that being a leader means living by a standard that exemplifies cultural humility, empathy, critical thinking and solution focused problem solving. During this one-year Clinical Social Work Residency I have gained experience rotating in the following areas: Outpatient Mental Health Clinic(MHC), Family Advocacy Program (FAP), Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Treatment Program (ADAPT), Aeromedical Service Facility (ASF), Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH), and Emergency Care Center (ECC). I have had the opportunity to provide supervision to MHC, FAP, and ADAPT technicians to assist with conducting psychosocial histories, diagnostic assessments, and treatment plans, and to provide professional development necessary to meet promotion requirements. I have participated in research briefings appropriate to my professional training and engaged in didactics related to professional development as well as training in mental health interventions. Lastly, I have been utilizing evidence-based treatments that I have been trained on such as Prolonged Exposure, Marriage Checkup, Cognitive Processing Therapy, and Interpersonal Therapy to name a few.
I owe every one of my accomplishments to my Father and I can only imagine how proud he is of me! In the summer of 2017 going into the second year if my MSW program, my father was fatally killed by one of his tenant’s relatives Florida. As challenging as this loss has been I continuously pride myself on persevering as I continued moving forward and never accepting failure as an option. Even when it seems as if the cards are stacked up against you just remember your why and understand that one of strongest things we can do is have the insight to know when we need help. Self-care is imperative in this field! Following my graduate studies, I worked with Greenhope Services for Women Inc. and later Fedcap Inc. to help build the foundation for the Specialized Model of Adult Re-Entry and Training (SMART) program contracted by The New York City Department of Corrections (DOC) and Mayor De Blasio.
Shortly after obtaining my Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the summer of 2018, I was offered a position as a Special Mental Health Consultant working with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s (DOHMH) Health Engagement and Assessment Team (HEAT) program. The HEAT program is a collaborative team of law enforcement, clinicians, veterans and peers working to implement crisis intervention, harm reduction, counseling, peer support and linkages to services that promote access to better health and criminal justice outcomes. This city-wide mobile crisis team has challenged me to work with diverse populations and support individuals in seeking the tools to improve social functioning. I worked in this capacity until my commission date of 27 June 2020, officiated by my most honorable mentor the late 1LT Felix B. Hernaiz. During my employment with the DOHMH I have also worked per diem in early intervention social work and as a clinician at an outpatient mental health clinic. I believe in being as well rounded as possible in this field until you discover your niche, mine I believe has always been trauma informed care and I plan to continue developing my clinical skills in this area".
