[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 109 (Tuesday, June 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E681]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING KERI K. GRIFFIN AS A DISTINGUISHED LEADER IN CENTRAL FLORIDA 
                            FOR PRIDE MONTH

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. DARREN SOTO

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 28, 2022

  Mr. SOTO. Madam Speaker, Keri Griffin has been working as a clinical 
social worker since 1996. Keri's first job was working in detox at 
Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Keri then graduated from the 
University of Dayton in 1997 with a major in psychology and minors in 
social work and sociology. Keri graduated with her master's in social 
work from the University of Maryland School of Social Work in 
Baltimore, Maryland, in 1999 with a clinical concentration and 
substance abuse specialization.
  While working on her master's, Keri worked at the Social Work 
Community Outreach Service at Maree Farring Elementary School and with 
the University of Maryland Medical System intensive outpatient program 
and maternal substance abuse and acupuncture program. After graduating 
with her master's, Keri continued to work in Baltimore at the Johns 
Hopkins University Cornerstone program and the University of Maryland 
Medical System comprehensive recovery program. Keri moved to Florida in 
2000 and became a licensed clinical social worker and a certified 
addictions professional in the state of Florida. Keri has worked with 
Lakeside Alternatives at the Orange Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 
at the Center for Drug-Free Living Addiction Receiving Facility, as 
well as at the Women's Residential Program in Kissimmee and at Mental 
Health Network.
  For almost 17 years, Keri has worked at the Orlando VA Health Care 
System. Keri worked for her first 5 years at the VA in the alcohol and 
drug abuse treatment program and for 12 years as a therapist in the 
mental health clinic. For the past 12 years, Keri has served in 
collateral duty roles as the Orlando VA's LGBTQ+ special emphasis 
program manager and veteran care coordinator--providing support and 
services for employees and veteran patients as well as training and 
education, outreach, and development of community partnerships. Through 
dedication and hard work, Keri was able to facilitate and elevate the 
LGBTQ+ veteran care program coordinator to a full-time position at the 
OVAHCS as of Fiscal Year 2021-22. Keri serves as the VA VISN 8 LGBTQ+ 
veteran care coordinator lead, is the national LGBTQ+ VCC lead forum 
lead, developed and facilitates a monthly inter-disciplinary LGBTQ+ 
treatment team at the OVAHCS, and chairs the OVAHCS LGBTQ+ special 
emphasis program working closely with the diversity and inclusion team 
and the EEO at the OVAHCS.
  Due to her hard work with the LGBTQ+ veteran population at the VA, 
Keri received national I CARE awards in 2015, 2018, 2020, and 2021, the 
VA Social Worker of the Year Award for 2016, and a National Special 
Contribution Award in 2016 for her contributions after the Pulse 
tragedy. Keri recently received a Certificate of Special Recognition 
for Federal Employee of the Year, Honorable Mention, for Service to the 
Community for Central Florida 2022.

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