Trainer Biography

TARA CONNOR , Ph.D

Tara Connor has a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, and is currently active on the Steering Committee of the Seattle-King County Coalition on Homelessness (SKCCH), as well as the Committee to End Homelessness in King County. Prior to her current position with Plymouth Housing Group (PHG), Connor worked in the field of community mental health for eighteen years, developing innovative housing programs and providing therapeutic services.

Connor has extensive experience in all aspects of direct service provision and management, including such elements as client assessment and intake, counseling, clinical supervision, staff supervision, training, project development, policy formation and oversight, and budget development and implementation.

Connor has worked closely with staff who offer stabilization services in housing, including case management and referral; emotional support; community-building; self-advocacy coaching; and employment readiness training. She works within the community as an advocate and activist in relation to public policy concerning homelessness and poverty.

 

RACHAEL MYERS, MSW

Rachael Myers received a Masters of Social Work at the University of Washington in 1995, with a focus on policy and advocacy. She currently serves as the Director of Organizing and Advocacy for Real Change and works on a contract basis doing homelessness and housing advocacy for the Archdiocesan Housing Authority.

Previously, Myers worked as a state level lobbyist on health and human services, managed a homeless youth employment program, and has done special projects for local nonprofits including training, research, grant and report writing, and donor development.

Myers has a special interest in making the political process relevant and accessible to low-income and homeless people and their allies and has done numerous trainings for social service providers, students, and low-income individuals in advocacy and empowerment, media relations, and voter involvement.