Ms. Perez, originally from Newark New Jersey, is a licensed clinical social worker and therapist of 24 years. She holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work and is completing a Doctorate in Social Work from Tulane University in New Orleans. She is a native Spanish speaker and daughter of parents from Cuba and Puerto Rico.  Prior to joining UNE, Ms. Perez was a system of care director from 2005-2015, leading three Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) grants for the state of Maine. During these years she managed to find time to start a non-profit, THRIVE, a technical assistance center for trauma-informed care. She is a certified cultural competency trainer and has presented and provided consultation extensively, both locally and nationally, on Trauma Systems Change, Organizational Healing and Resiliency, Cultural and Linguistic Competency issues, and Youth-Adult Partnerships. She provides technical assistance and consultation to states and communities on the development of trauma-informed systems and provides system of care consultation through federal site monitoring and coaching for the University of Maryland's Technical Assistance Network.