Empowering Teenage Mothers

ANITA TURNER, Ed. D

President

With a Master’s degree in Special Education, Dr. Anita Turner  taught special and regular education for over 20 years to middle and high school students in Tampa, Florida. She is also certified by the state of Florida to offer continuing education classes to healthcare workers. At the collegiate level, with a doctorate in Healthcare Education, Dr. Turner provides instruction in Gerantology / Healthcare Administration / Management to graduate and undergraduate students.

As a Supported Living and Supported Employment Coach for many years, Dr. Turner offered care and support services to teenage mothers, adults and young adults with varying exceptionalities, interacting with social welfare organizations and community leaders that championed the courses of disadvantaged groups in their communities.

EDNA JARRETT, BA, RN

Treasurer

As a Registered Nurse with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Edna’s professional overview is to provide patient-centered, compassionate, and individualized care to every patient she cares for. 

During her 28+ years of experience as a Registered Nurse, Edna has had the opportunity to care for patients in a wide variety of settings, including critical care in a cardiology step-down unit at Duke University Hospital in Durham, NC. She also worked with adult patients with various acute medical-surgical condition, adult and pediatric patients with acute & chronic psychiatric diagnosis and eating disorders. She also has experience as a Case Manager/Supervisor for a home health agency.

Her current role is at Duke Early Phase Clinical Research Unit (DEPRU) providing protocol-driven care to research participants while supporting clinical care as needed. Her current certifications include:

1. Basic Life Support (BLS)Instructor (American Heart Association)

2. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) (American Heart Association)

3. Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN) (American Association Of Critical Care Nurses (AACN).

JOAN BANKOLE-JONES, MSW, LSW

Secretary

With a Master's degree and license in Social Work, Joan has  experience in mental health therapy. As a Psychotherapist in Plainfield and Mercer county, New Jersey, she has acquired 4 years of experience in the field. 

She  adopts the Strengths-Based, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Person in Environment Approaches to address the needs of a diverse population of children, youth and adults with mental health issues including anxiety, trauma, depression, disruptive behavior and adjustment disorders, for 4 years. 

She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Mental Health First Aid. She also holds a Certificate in Aging.