NYSPEP MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: MARY I. COLLIER

As a collaborative, NYSPEP draws strength from its diverse membership. The Member Spotlight features dedicated individuals of our Steering Committee, who positively contribute to the field of Parenting Education in a variety of ways. 

NYSPEP Member Spotlight: Mary I. Collier

Mary I. Collier, MSW, has proudly served the NYPEP Steering Committee for the past three years. As a Committee member, she co-presented a webinar about substance abuse and families. She also led a committee of providers to develop a series of parenting education pamphlets pertaining to substance abuse, treatment and recovery. The NYSPEP Steering Committee provided input on that project.

Mary's experience as an Addiction Program Specialist for the Clinical Services unit of the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, (OASAS) and unique view of the effects of substance abuse disorders on families and children has been an asset for advocacy of both family treatment and parenting education. She holds a Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Child Welfare Practice from Syracuse University. She has more than 20 years of clinical and administrative experience working for the betterment of children and families.

Mary began her career as a high school social worker providing counseling, crisis intervention, student/family mediation, and individual group therapy. In private practice, she specialized in therapeutic treatment of pre-school children, adolescents and family therapy. She also helped develop and implement Adolescent Treatment Cafes held in Brooklyn, Buffalo, and Albany.

Mary began state service in 1999 at the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). She also worked for Schenectady County Department of Social services as a children’s services caseworker. She is a member of the NYS chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and was named as an “O Star” by OASAS in March of 2012. She is now retired and enjoys traveling cross-country to visit her grandchildren.