Biography

Nikayla (she/her/Ms) joined the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice as a Research Assistant in 2021. Nikayla discovered her passion as an advocate for justice-involved individuals during her undergraduate studies and has been working in the nexus between social work and criminal justice for the past several years. Prior to the CBHJ, Nikayla held numerous positions at Criminal Justice Ministry, a reentry nonprofit in St. Louis. Nikayla also worked as a Case Manager at a homeless shelter and as a Research Assistant for the Center of Social Development’s Smart Decarceration Initiative where her primary role was collecting data from St. Louis City’s Circuit Attorney’s misdemeanor and felony diversion programs. Nikayla is very grateful to be a part of the CBHJ’s Jail Diversion Stepping Up project.

Responsibilities

Nikayla serves as the manager of the Jail Diversion initiative at the Center for Behavioral Health and Justice. She is responsible for the effective, efficient and coordinated management of various projects and initiatives focused on jail diversion efforts and strategies across Michigan including Stepping Up Technical Assistance.

Degrees and Certifications

• Limited License Master of Social Worker (LLMSW) 
• M.S.W., Washington University in Saint Louis
• B.S.W., Eastern Michigan University

Pronouns

 she/her/ms

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