Jo is a social work educator, and specialist practitioner across the private, public and not-for-profit sectors. Her professional experience has privileged Jo to work with children, young people, adults, and communities in the fields she is passionate about such as youth justice, community development, and community engagement, education and academia. In her local government roles, she has provided facilitation, training, advisory and stakeholder engagement, delivering bespoke community development projects and establishing community engagement systems to encourage civic participation with diverse communities.
Jo specialises in trauma informed practice and as a specialist practitioner for a sexual assault service, walks alongside clients on their transformational healing journey. She is a fierce advocate for a community free of violence; and provides community education on safe and healthy relationships in high schools. Jo is also a casual academic with the James Cook University social work department. Jo’s work reflects her pracademic status, with a combination of social work practice, consultation and sessional lecturing. The common thread across her practice and teaching, is her commitment to social change and on-going professional development in the area of complex trauma. BSocSci (Criminology, Human Services), MSW (PQ)