Karen Ford is a licensed master social worker and has an extensive history supporting youth, families, and communities across clinical, school, and child welfare settings, spanning over 28 years. As the Genesee Regional Mentor, Karen uses her substantial experience in mental health, crisis intervention, and systems collaboration to help schools and community partners identify and support students who may be at risk.
Karen previously served as a clinical therapist and school social worker, where she provided counseling, conducted assessments, and developed individualized care plans for youth facing challenges like anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioral concerns. Her experience in Flint Community Schools strengthened her expertise in restorative practices, mindfulness, and positive behavioral supports. Her work in community mental health deepened her commitment to trauma-informed, student-centered care.
In the past, Karen held leadership positions within the State of Michigan’s child welfare system, providing mentorship, supporting multidisciplinary teams, and helping develop policies and partnerships to better serve youth and families. She also founded and directed a residential program supporting young women aging out of foster care, demonstrating her longstanding dedication to youth empowerment and investment.
With a Master of Social Work from Wayne State University, she is passionate about building strong partnerships with schools, families, and community providers to create supportive environments where students can thrive.
As the regional mentor in Genesee, Karen is committed to advancing Prevent 2 Protect’s mission by strengthening collaboration, supporting school teams, and helping ensure youth receive the care and resources they need to succeed.