Sessions
"Refocus: Navigating the Path to Employment for Individuals with a Disability" - Morning Session
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM Tue
Kristen M. Patterson, MBA, GCDF is a graduate from University of North Carolina-Greensboro, where she obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and the University of Maryland University College with a Master’s in Business Administration. Mrs. Patterson is a skilled trainer and facilitator having provided such services for government agencies, local and national conferences, and social service entities. She has shared stages with county officials, modern day spiritual leaders, and our former first lady, Michelle Obama. In 2016, Mrs. Patterson published her first book entitled, “The Place Called Next”. Kristen has served in managerial capacities in some of the area’s top non-profit agencies.
The majority of her professional career has been centered around workforce development and positive youth development. Kristen has worked alongside young people to obtain their GED’s, enroll in Post-Secondary education, and obtain employment. She truly believes that working alongside youth people and working with young people to improve their essential skills, technical skills, occupational skills, or basic skills is an opportunity to make a generational impact. These beliefs were cultivated during her time as a WIA/WIOA Title 1 Youth Provider and have carried on to her time at the Maryland Department of Labor where she is the State Coordinator for Disability and Youth Services. This position allows Kristen to provide oversight, training, and technical assistance to the Local Areas as they implement WIOA Youth Services.