About Us
ABOUT US
COUNSELING AND CONSULTATION SERVICES, INC
At CCS Residential and Community Services, we believe in empowering individuals and families to overcome challenges and thrive in a supportive, nurturing environment. Our mission is rooted in providing compassionate, high-quality care that makes a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve.
Who We Are
Founded on the principles of care, dedication, and community, CCS Residential and Community Services is committed to fostering growth and well-being. We specialize in offering tailored support to meet the unique needs of our clients, creating pathways for a brighter future.
Our experienced team works tirelessly to ensure that every individual receives the attention and resources they need to succeed. From at-risk youth to families in need of guidance, we are here to make a difference—one life at a time.
Our Mission
To provide comprehensive residential and community-based services that empower individuals to reach their full potential while strengthening families and communities.
WHAT WE OFFER
Residential Services
We provide 24-hour care for at-risk youth, including day treatment, after-school programs, and group home care. Our safe and structured environment helps foster personal growth and resilience.
Community-Based Services
Our fostering programs focus on love, trust, and faith. We believe in supporting today’s needs while trusting in a brighter tomorrow.
Why Choose Us?
- Compassionate Approach: We lead with empathy and understanding, building strong relationships with those we serve.
- Experienced Team: Our skilled professionals are dedicated to providing personalized care and support.
- Community Focused: By strengthening individuals, we aim to uplift entire communities.
- Faith-Based Values: Our work is guided by a deep commitment to trust, faith, and love.
PERSONNEL
Jamie Mabe Emery, B.S.
Chief Executive Officer
Jamie Mabe Emery is the Chief Executive Officer for Counseling and Consultation Services, Inc. (CCS) and SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services (SSYTS). Jamie began her work in the field of adolescents with sexual behavior problems in 2006. She holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee. Jamie began her career with SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services as a Case Manager, working in numerous positions to include Direct Care Professional, Foster Care Coordinator, Court Liaison, Continuum Care Coordinator and Director of Continuum Services. She was integral in opening SteppenStone Out Patient Services, Indian Ridge Group Home and Sunset Family Boarding Home. Jamie is a CPR Instructor, TN K.E.Y. trained, and a trainer for Building Stronger Brains – ACEs. Jamie is a current member of the Tennessee Alliance for Children and Families.
Jamie oversees all operations for CCS and SSYTS. Further, Jamie provides and oversees ongoing training for all case management and foster care services, as well as training/education on Building Stronger Brains – ACEs, Fostering Positive Behaviors and Prudent Parenting to Clinical personnel, Direct Support Professionals, Case Managers, and personnel who directly interact with the youth at SSYTS.
Amy Mize, SPE, HSP
Clinical Executive Director
Amy Mize is the Clinical Executive Director for Counseling and Consultation Services, Inc. (CCS) and SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services (SSYTS). She began her work in the field of sex offender treatment and assessment in 2000. She holds a M.A. in Clinical Psychology and a B.S. in Elementary/Special Education from East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee. She is a licensed Senior Psychological Examiner with Health Service Provider designation in the State of Tennessee. Amy was an approved Sex Offender Assessment and Treatment Provider by the Tennessee Sex Offender Treatment Board for 22 years, a Certified Sex Offender Specialist in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and a member of the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers (ATSA).
Amy oversees all clinical services for CCS and SSYTS. Amy provides training/education on child sexual abuse, child development, healthy sexuality, sexually offensive behavior, evaluation of adolescent sexual behavior, adolescent sexual acting out behavior, communication, safety plans, treatment plans, interpersonal social skills, boundaries, dual relationships, and cultural awareness to Clinical personnel, Direct Support Professionals, Case Managers, and personnel who directly interact with the youth at SSYTS
Paige Morris, M.Ed.
Director of Program Management
Paige Morris is the Director of Program Management. She supervises case management services, school, and oversees the flow of transition for all youth for Counseling and Consultation Services, Inc. (CCS) and SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services (SSYTS). She began her work with SSYTS as a case manager in January 2019. She holds a B.S. in Child and Youth Development and an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Milligan University, Johnson City, Tennessee. Paige began her work in the field of foster care in 2017. She currently provides supervision and support to case management, medical, all programs, and foster care services. Paige is trained in writing home studies, certifies foster parents, and is a CPR Instructor.
Vincent Whitright
Standards & Compliance Coordinator
Vincent Whitright is the Standards and Compliance Coordinator for Counseling and Consultation Services, Inc. (CCS) and SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services (SSYTS). Vincent has a M. Ed. in Human Resource Development from Tusculum College, Greeneville, Tennessee and a B.B.A. in Marketing from East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee. He is a former U.S. Navy Hospital Corpsman, former Emergency Medical Technician, and current CPR Instructor. Vincent began his career with SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services in 2006 as a Direct Support Professional. Since that time, he has held numerous positions to include Direct Support Manager, Indian Ridge Group Home House Supervisor, Case Manager, Human Resource Specialist, and Human Resource Manager.
Vincent assures CCS and SSYTS is in compliance with the standards for Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (DMHSAS), Performance Monitoring Evaluation (PME) and Joint Commission. He is the Prison Rape and Elimination Act (PREA) and HIPAA Compliance Coordinator. He is integral in assisting with the following committees: Environment of Care, Residential Life Committee, Treatment Team and Restraint Committee. Vincent provides training/education to all personnel who work with adolescents to include Serious Incident Reports (SIRs), CPR, and P.R.E.A. guidelines.
Marlene Newsome, A.A.S.
Executive Administrative Coordinator
Marlene Newsome is the Executive Administrative Coordinator for Counseling and Consultation Services, Inc. (CCS) and SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services (SSYTS). She graduated from Northeast State Community College in 1998 with her Associates Degree in Office Management. She began her work with SSYTS in 2004 Clerical Case Manager. Throughout her time with CCS/SSYTS, she was promoted through many positions prior to becoming the Executive Administrative Coordinator. Currently, Marlene works with intake referrals for Adolescent Residential and Out-Patient Treatment Services, manages the Kingsport Adolescent Out-Patient Treatment Services office and serves as the Board Secretary.
Allison Fabish, B.S.
Principal- SteppenStone Academy
Allison Fabish is the Principal of SteppenStone Academy which is housed on the campus for residential treatment services located in Limestone, Tennessee. Allison has 30 years of experience in teaching children in custody with 19 of those years spent with SteppenStone Academy. She has a B.S. in Elementary Education with certification for Special Education K-12, both from East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee. SteppenStone Academy was the third school she was instrumental in obtaining State certification for and the first school she was able to develop from the ground up.
Allison serves as the Principal and Lead Teacher, supervising two teachers and two education assistants in the school. She oversees IDEA services, 504 Plans, educational grants, and scheduling. The educational staff works with both the Clinical Treatment Team and Direct Support Professionals to support the students with consistent expectations.
Dustin Morris
Director of Foster Care and Community Services
Dustin Morris is the Director of Foster Care for Counseling and Consultation Services. He holds a B.S. in Psychology from Liberty University and M.Ed from Milligan University. He started his career as a pastor working with children and families and a teacher in TN and VA. He transitioned his career to Foster Care in 2013. He has been working with Children and families for 20 years and brought his skills to CCS in 2023. He oversees the CCS Foster Care Program and its continuing development across the state of TN.
Kaley Persinger, B.S.
Foster Care Coordinator
Kaley Persinger is the Foster Care Coordinator for Counseling and Consultation Services, Inc. (CCS). She holds a B.S. in Psychology from East Tennessee State University and is working towards a M.A. in Health Services Counseling from Liberty University. Kaley began her work in the field of foster care in 2019. She has experience in foster care and residential case management, as well as providing foster parent support services. Kaley started her career with CCS in February of 2023. She currently serves as the foster parent recruiter/trainer, POPS home study writer, foster home compliance specialist, and provides support to case management and foster care services.
Belinda Fortner
Human Resources Coordinator
Belinda Fortner is the Human Resources Coordinator for Counseling and Consultation Services, Inc. (CCS) and SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services (SSYTS). She began her career with CCS in 2019. She has a background of 40 years in the human resources field within the healthcare setting. Belinda keeps the Human Resource Department in compliance with both Federal and State regulations. Belinda also supervises the nursing department as well as the maintenance and purchasing/transportation departments.
Adam McCloud LPC-MHSP
Continuum Assessment Coordinator
Adam McCloud is the Continuum Assessment Coordinator for Counseling and Consultation Services, Inc. (CCS) and SteppenStone Youth Treatment Services (SSYTS). He began his work in the field of problematic sexual behavior treatment and assessment in 2019. He holds a M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, a M.A in Human Services from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and a B.S. from Johnson University (formerly Johnson Bible College) in Knoxville, Tennessee. He is a Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider designation in the State of Tennessee. Adam has completed training in the provision of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (C-DBT). Adam oversees all assessment services for CCS and SSYTS, which includes Psychosexual Assessments for adolescents and Problematic Sexual Behavior Assessments for children. Adam is also trained in providing Abel Assessment for Sexual Interest (AASI) objective measure testing for adults, adolescents, and the Intellectually Disabled. Adam works to ensure all clients and families throughout our continuum of services receive the appropriate level of treatment and care to address their presenting problematic sexual behaviors, dynamic risk factors, and mitigate their risk of engaging in problematic sexual behaviors again in the future.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Matt Pollock
Board Member
I am a Husband, Father, and a Christ Follower. I am married to my lovely wife Ellen who is the love of my life. We get to enjoy music together and have for most of our lives separately and together. We are parents to 2 amazing boys Nathan and Daniel. They are strong young men who are going to do great things. We love watching them grow and learn. I am a pastor and musician I lead worship at our Church Crosspoint I have played guitar for over 30 years and love to make music. I love serving people and seeing them take the next steps in their lives. I have lived in Tennessee all of my life and I have had the fortune to travel and see many amazing places, but I am so glad that I get to call this part of Tennessee my home.
Carla Karst
Board Member
Carla Karst was born and raised in Kingsport, Tennessee. Carla is married to Daniel Karst; they have three grown children and four grandchildren. She graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School and attended East Tennessee State University, where she was a member of the Jazz Singers, Concert Choir and Chamber Choir. She also performed with the cast of “I Hear America Singing” at Opryland USA in Nashville, Tennessee.
For over a decade, Carla worked in full time music ministry where she was a featured singer and speaker at churches and conferences throughout North America, Southeast Asia and Europe. It has been her privilege to work with many ministries including Billy Graham Evangelical Association, Joni Eareckson Tada and Aglow International. She has served on short-term missions in the Lesser Antilles and has nine albums to her credit.
Carla is a lifetime member, and past President, of the Women’s Symphony Committee. She has served on the Kingsport Library Commission, the William King Museum of Art Board of Trustees and was member of CAP (Community Advisory Panel) for Eastman Chemical Company. She is an owner of the Edinburgh Development Group and West Stone Development Group.
Nickie Hagy
Board Member
Nickie Cosgrove is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the state of Tennessee. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in 2003 from East Tennessee State University. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Social Work in 2007 from Radford University. Nickie has worked in the social work profession for several years with individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness, youth with sexual behavior problems, Veterans who were receiving care at Assisted Living Facilities and Adult Day Care Centers, Veterans with significant mental illness, and a Home-Based Program for Veteran’s and their families.
Lillian Arriona Yates
Board Member
Lillian Arriona Yates is a MSW, LMSW, with over a decade of experience in social work and mental health services. With a Master’s and Bachelor’s in Social Work from East Tennessee State University, she has dedicated her career to serving youth, families and Individuals through clinical roles in residential treatment, outpatient care, and private practice. Arriona has also worked 3 years with the Department of Children's Services in TN where she worked as a Family Service Worker. Arriona specializes in trauma-informed therapy, including EMDR and CBT, and has held leadership positions in a youth treatment center where she trained and supported clinicians, coordinated care, and contributed to program development. Her passion for ethical, compassionate care and her commitment to professional growth continue to guide her contributions to the mental health field.
Will A. Ellis
Board Member
Will A. Ellis primarily practices in civil and commercial litigation, focusing specifically on insurance defense, insurance coverage, construction litigation, and labor and
employment defense. As part of his practice, he assists insurance companies with claims involving property and automobile litigation as well as personal injury. Regarding labor and employment, he advises and represents employers with matters concerning the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, employment litigation in federal and state
courts, and other labor and employment issues.
While attending law school at the University of Alabama, Mr. Ellis participated in the school’s Elder Law Clinic and was a member of the Christian Legal Society. Mr. Ellis also
served on the Moot Court Board and was a member of the University of Alabama’s Trial Advocacy Competition Team. As a summer law clerk for the Tennessee Valley Authority’s
General Counsel Office, he gained experience in environmental law and labor and employment litigation. Mr. Ellis also had the opportunity to work as an intern at the University
of Alabama’s athletic compliance office, where he worked to ensure that athletic programs complied with NCAA rules and regulations.
Mr. Ellis is originally from Bluff City, Tennessee and is an East Tennessee State University alum. Mr. Ellis resides in Johnson City with his wife Brittany.
We’d love to hear from you!
Whether you’re seeking help, want to get involved, or simply have questions about our programs, feel free to reach out.