Kari Beserra, LMHC, is an Executive Vice President for JRI.  In this role, Kari directly oversees the Massachusetts Residential and Group Home Programs for JRI, as well as our Intensive Foster Care Program and our FOCUS program to support homeless families.  Kari also oversees Training, Staff Development, and Quality Management for the agency.  In addition, Kari  leads the Trauma Response and Psychological First Aid Initiative, designed to support the resiliency of the clients, staff and programs of JRI.  In her current role, Kari works closely with state partners, funders, families, and youth to create strong programming, to oversee clinical model development, and to support the development of strategic treatment planning and for the clients and families we serve.  Kari has also provided training and consultation to other agencies across the Northeast.  Kari started as a clinician for JRI in 2001, and has worked with youth and families in many different levels of care, including outpatient, residential, group home, and community based levels of care.  She has served as Clinical Director, Program Director, Division Director, Vice President, Senior Vice President, and now Executive Vice President, working with adolescents and youth with significant chronic trauma and mental illness.  She is a licensed mental health counselor with extensive training in treating traumatic stress and trauma.