Amy Nicholas received her undergraduate degree from Michigan State University in 1998, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in Social Relations from James Madison with an additional minor in social work. Amy received her MSW degree in 1999 from Wayne State University focusing on Children Youth and Families and receiving her certification in the schools.  

In 2002, Amy began working as a school social worker for the Livingston Educational Service Agency (LESA). Throughout her career at LESA she has worked with students in preschool through high school in Howell Public Schools. Amy greatly enjoys working with students and families at an individual level and connecting them with supports and resources. She also finds great joy in supporting Parker Middle School’s TIES (peer mentoring) program and Unified Champion Sports program. In addition to her work in the Howell Schools, Amy has had the opportunity to participate in activities at the county level through LESA. She has served as the secretary for Livingston Educational Service Agency’s Professional Staff Association since 2004, provided county-wide trainings as a START EPLI Certified Trainer/Coach, participated as a member of the Livingston Educational Autism Network, provided trainings as a certified instructor with the Crisis Prevention Institute and served on committees to bring professional development opportunities to LESA. In addition to her role as a school social worker, Amy is also an experienced outpatient therapist.  Initially working for Livingston Family Center and then, in 2021, opening her private practice, Kind Wellness Group.  

Throughout her career, Amy has worked individually and with colleagues to secure grants to support students and families in Livingston County. These grants have funded numerous initiatives including elementary parent support groups, lending libraries for parents and staff, bringing mindfulness activities to the middle school, peer mentor training, and student-led community service projects. A highlight in 2022 was working with colleagues to secure a Bully Prevention Grant from MDHSS Children’s Special Health Care Services and the Family Center. With the grant funding, the school was able to offer a wide variety of activities to enhance peer-to-peer support, expand social-emotional support within the school, and expand anti-bullying efforts within the school.

One of Amy’s biggest passions is supporting others starting in their careers. Amy served as LESA’s social work department chair between 2011 and 2016. She has worked as a field instructor for  MSU and U of M Master’s level social work students. Amy has supervised numerous LLMSW’s for their licensure. She works with LESA’s Coaching Program as a coach for new hire employees. Throughout these different opportunities for connection, one area of focus that has been important to Amy is supporting colleagues in understanding the impact secondary traumatic stress can have on those in helping professions and promoting activities for resilience and well-being.

Tim Monroe has provided social work services since 1980. Over the course of his 44 year career, Tim interacted at various levels within the social work arena, including as an early childhood educator, family counselor, foster care worker, therapist, clinician, teacher, author, trainer, consultant, administrator, and a leader/motivator within the field.

Tim earned a Master of Social Work degree from Michigan State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in behavioral psychology from Western Michigan University. He is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with clinical and macro privileges. Tim has been a member of the NASW since 1987, is in the Academy of Certified Social Workers (ACSW) and received the organization’s Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (DCSW).

Tim believes that there is no job more powerful than helping people which is the essence of social work. This is Tim’s why. It has grounded his career, and because of this, he has always provided treatment services directly with people at some level. Career highlights include providing leadership and oversight to the transformation of Highfields from a residential program for delinquent boys, to an agency that now serves the entire life spectrum through a range of child welfare, mental health, juvenile justice and family preservation services, the integration of evidence-based practices into services provided, and opening new entry points for community services that allows earlier access to meet people at their point of need.  In addition to his work with Highfields, Tim has been an Associate Professor for Lansing Community College for over 30 years, serves as a Field Liaison for the MSU School of Social Work, has been a Field Instructor since 1990, and maintains a private practice, TMCM4-LLC in East Lansing. 

Tim lives in Eaton Rapids, Michigan with his wife, Barb. They have two adult children and five grandchildren and treasure any time together.

Brittany Massa is a social worker working at the Department of Health and Human Services in Ingham County. Brittany graduated with a BSW from Michigan State University in 2014 and began her career at DHHS in child welfare as a foster care worker. While working full-time, she went returned to MSU and graduated with an MSW in 2018.  

Community Mental Health Authority of Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties (CMHA-CEI) is the public agency serving people in Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties. As a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC), CMHA-CEI provides a comprehensive set of services used to increase access to care, support people in crisis, and provide treatment for those with the most serious and complex behavioral health needs regardless of their insurance coverage. CCBHC’s integrate additional services that focus on recovery, wellness, trauma-informed care, and physical-behavioral health care integration. 

CMHA-CEI’s mission is to fulfill two complementary but distinct roles: 

We take immense pride in fostering unity and celebration in our community through events such as the Summer CMHA-CEI Potter Park Zoo and the Fall Trunk or Treat. These gatherings, attended by thousands, including children and families, create memorable experiences for all involved. 

In the past year, our unwavering dedication enabled us to serve over 13,000 individuals and families, we obtained a full three-year CARF Accreditation, and also formulated a new Strategic Plan for our organization. These achievements were made possible by the collaborative efforts of our board, staff, community partners, advocates, and supporters. 

Our initiatives over the past year have focused on expanding the behavioral health service continuum as a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic. We prioritized staff development, increased support for families and individuals, expanded medical services, intensified outreach efforts, and responded swiftly to emerging needs after tragic events in the community. 

As an organization we are dedicated to fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). We are also dedicated to strengthening existing partnerships and creating new pathways into behavioral health careers. The Veterans Navigation Team, Diversity Advisory Council, and Health Equity Training, showcase our commitment to fostering connections and creating inclusive spaces where everyone feels acknowledged and valued. 

Looking ahead, we are excited about the strides we’ve made in planning efforts to integrate the Zero Suicide framework into our care systems and to establish a cutting-edge Crisis Stabilization Center for the Capital Area. We anticipate enhanced care for our community as we move forward. For further details about our programs and services, please click below.

Award Presentation Schedule: