Additional Projects
Development of the "Road to Understanding" Therapeutic Approach
Highlighted in this blog post with EMDRIA International
https://www.emdria.org/blog/the-road-to-understanding/
H.O.P.E. (Healing Our People with Empathy) Heat Resilience Project
Senior Personnel for the H.O.P.E. (Healing Our People with Empathy) Heat Resilience Project in collaboration with Virginia Tech Department of Urban Planning and the National Science Foundation: October 2023 - Present
Podcast Guest
Depaul Family Services Podcast "Unsettled: From Hard Places: Let's Talk Trauma"
https://www.depaulcr.org/unsettledpodcast/
Boys and Girls Club "The Magic Within" Episode 2 Mental Health and Expression"
Parenting Videos
Decca has produced two video projects entitled "Star City Family" with fellow educator Ryan Bell.
You may find the videos at the following link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?
list=PLkQoy1jSzMLuDBgxMpWu9SCprVNZ5_Nzn
Decca produced other videos during the COVID pandemic
You may find the videos at the following link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiMgMGfisZy0xOHdg9NE7hw
Media Guest
Decca is often called upon to discuss parenting and mental health with various news outlets
Recent Media:
Managing Holiday Expectations: https://www.wdbj7.com/2023/12/01/managing-expectations-holidays/
Helping Kids Cope with Traumatic Events: https://www.wdbj7.com/2023/11/01/early-years-helping-kids-cope-with-traumatic-world-events/
Creating Summer Routines: https://www.wdbj7.com/2023/07/05/tips-create-summer-routine-kids/
The Work of the Roanoke Valley Trauma Informed Community Network: Part 1: https://www.wfxrtv.com/living-local/the-roanoke-valley-trauma-informed-community-network-helps-children-recover-from-adverse-childhood-experiences/
Shifting the Spotlight to Children's Mental Health: https://theroanoker.com/magazine/features/shifting-the-spotlight-to-childrens-mental-health/
The Benefits of Parenting classes: https://www.wsls.com/daytime-blue-ridge/2019/07/23/the-benefit-of-parenting-classes-for-parents-of-all-backgrounds/
How to Handle Bullies: https://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/EARLY-YEARS-Counselor-offers-tips-for-kids-to-handle-bullies-564497071.html
Awards
2024 "100 Heros Project" United Way of the Roanoke Valley - Awarded as 1 of the 100 heroes
in the category of Leadership
2023 Top Community Leader Award from the Virginia Diverse Chamber of Commerce
2022 Virginia Education Association Fitz Turner Award for Standing for Equity in the Roanoke Valley
Honors outstanding contributions in intergroup relations and the enhancement of respect for human and civil rights
2018 Humanitarian and Caring Person Award - Virginia Counselors Association
Awarded to recognize a member who truly cares for the welfare of others and who cares about social issues and problems
2015 Golden Halo Award - Children’s Trust Roanoke
Awarded for preventing child abuse in the community
Current Volunteer Efforts
In addition to running her non-profit SERV, Decca volunteers for various boards and committees throughout the Roanoke Valley.
United Way Roanoke Valley
· Healthy Roanoke Valley Mental Health Well Being Work Group: October 2023 - Present
· Community Impact Subcommittee: September 2023 - Present
RESET Team (Rapid Engagement and Support in the Event of Trauma) https://www.roanokeva.gov/2868/Rapid-Engagement-of-Support-in-the-Event
· January 2020 - Present
Points of Diversity (POD), www.pointsofdiversity.org
· Board of Directors, October 2020 – Present
Roanoke Prevention Alliance, www.roanokepreventionalliance.org
· Board of Directors, February 2020 – Present
Roanoke City Gun Violence Prevention Commission
· Education and Prevention Committee - January 2024 - Present
· Appointed Commissioner, April 2021 – December 2023
· Secretary, April 2021 – March 2023