Full Profile
Toni Donnelly
National Trainer and Coach
toni.donnelly@ssw.umaryland.edu
(602) 615-2510
Toni Donnelly joined the Institute of Innovation and Implementation at the University of Maryland in 2020 as a National Trainer and Coach in Wraparound, FOCUS Trainer and National Trainer and Coach for the Peer Parent Support Workforce. In her current role at the Institute Toni is a training specialist and supports workforce development in navigating systems, building effective wraparound teams, training and certification of the peer parent support workforce, family engagement, involvement and leadership, parent – professional partnerships, identification of underlying needs and resources for families and youth experiencing complex challenges.
Toni began her work in New Jersey 19 years ago as a Family Support Coordinator for the Burlington County Family Support Organization. Following that, Toni became the Executive Director of the Family Support Organization before moving to Phoenix Arizona in 2004. From 2004-2005 Toni worked for the Family Involvement Center as a lead trainer for System of Care Initiatives. From 2005-2007 Toni was hired by Value Options as the Children's Division Network Manager. In conjunction with a community collaborative, Toni was directly responsible for the creation and implementation of the quality management system for the evaluation of child and family teams. This landmark effort paired family members with other behavioral health professionals in the evaluation process.
Toni returned to the Family Involvement Center in 2007 as the Director of Training and Innovation and has worked there for the last 14 years. In her role, Toni was responsible for workforce development training, both locally and nationally, developing training and educational supports for family groups with emotional, behavioral and mental health needs. Toni also spearheaded Children's Mental Health Awareness efforts in collaboration with other family-run organizations and community providers in Arizona for the last 13 years. During Toni's work in Arizona, she also worked collaboratively with the National Wraparound Center and has been leading the peer parent support workforce at the NWI Academy since 2016. Currently Toni is a nationally certified trauma specialist, and trainer for Adult Mental Health First Aid.
Toni's approach to training, coaching and technical assistance is informed by her most important role of raising three sons with emotional and behavioral health needs. She and her children have had experience in both the public and private sectors of behavioral health. Through a SAMSHA grant awarded in 2001, Toni's oldest son was one of the first 180 youth that received services through the Care Management Organization, Partners for Kids and Families in Burlington, County New Jersey. Toni's non-adversarial advocacy as a parent on behalf of her children, coupled with her ability to navigate the behavioral health system, special education services and the justice system compelled Toni to become involved in the family movement.