Jennise Nieves
Assistant Principal of Student Wellness & Prevention Programs
Student Assistance Counselor (SAC)
K.E.Y.S. Academy Recovery High School
Jennise Nieves has been working as a youth and family advocate with over 18 years of experience in various capacities and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts in Criminal Justice from Monmouth University in 2003, Jennise began her work with 180 Turning Lives Around as a bilingual mental health counselor, where she focused on advocating for Women & Children of color and underserved families.
In September of 2016, Jennise began working for the Matawan/Aberdeen Regional School District as the High School Student Assistance Counselor/Substance Awareness Coordinator. Where she is working on implementing none traditional relapse prevention initiatives to help youth and their families learn to live and maintain sober life styles. In addition, she is currently conducting research on the relationship between academic setting, family/community support systems, and substance use recovery.
On January 2, 2018, Jennise in collaboration with a group of concerned professionals, community members and with the full support of the Matawan Aberdeen Board of Education, the K.E.Y.S. Academy Recovery High School (Knowledge, Empowers, and Youth & Sobriety) opened its doors in Brookdale Community College in Lincroft, New Jersey. KEYS is a public high school for students that are seeking substance use recovery & sobriety while completing their high school education. Presently servicing students from Monmouth, Ocean, Middlesex Counties, Mercer, and Gloucester counties. Jennise is not only the co-founder and coordinator of the K.E.Y.S. Academy but is also the Assistant Principal of Student Wellness & Prevention Programs for the Matawan Aberdeen School District.
PANEL DISCUSSION
Collegiate Recovery Programs and Recovery High School Panel Discussion
People in recovery from addiction face many challenges as they re-construct their lives and create a life-long recovery focus. This is not always supported by society and is less supported in the realm of the education experience. There is much focus on maintaining and mitigating the damages of the high school and college experience, which leaves little focus on creating a place within the education system for this people in recovery. While other groups of classically marginalized populations have begun to find a foothold and support within educational settings (e.g., LGBTQ, gender equality, ethnic identities), those in recovery have largely been left out in due to the fact that their needs run counter to the dominant narrative of the high school and college world.
Join us for a Panel Discussion with leaders in the High School and Collegiate Recovery Movement and within New Jersey and beyond. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about these valuable resources, the impact on communities and interact with the panelists.