Meet Our Police Social Work Team
About Alyssa
Alyssa provides crisis intervention, case management, short-term counseling, mediation, referrals, and ongoing support to individuals, couples, and families in the community.
Before joining the NuPAGE team, Alyssa worked as a substance use counselor with New Age Services Corporation, leading both individual and group counseling in an outpatient setting. She also completed internships with NAMI-DuPage and the DuPage County Public Defender’s Office, where she gained experience working with a wide range of individuals and families. Alyssa is passionate about supporting the Glendale Heights community and is dedicated to helping individuals navigate challenges and access the resources they need.
Fun Fact
Outside of work, Alyssa is the head coach of a travel fastpitch softball team and enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her dog, Ollie!
Specialties
- Domestic Violence
Education
- Aurora University, Master of Social Work- specialization in forensics
- Benedictine University, BA in Sociology
Certifications
- Adult Mental Health First Aid
- Youth Mental Health First Aid
- 40 Hour Domestic Violence Training
About Aracely
Specialties
- Crisis Intervention
- Domestic/ Sexual Violence support
- Suicide-Risk Assessment
- Trauma- Informed Care
- Case Management
Education
- Aurora University with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a minor in Psychology
- Master of Social Work
- Illinois Medicaid Comprehensive Assessment of Needs and Strengths (IM+CANS )
- 60-Hour Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Certified
- Bilingual, Spanish and English
- Crisis Safety Planning
About Cali
Cali graduated with her Masters degree from Aurora University where she specialized in forensics. She is dedicated to helping community members access better resources outcomes and advocacy. Cali provides case management crisis intervention crime victim services short-term counseling and support to individuals families and groups within the community. Cali is committed to serving the Bartlett community and supporting the NuPAGE mission.
Specialties
- Crisis Intervention
- Domestic Violence Support
- Connection to Community Resources
Education
- Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Aurora University, Master’s of Social Work
About Janet
Janet Jakova is a licensed professional counselor and Police Mental Health Clinician with a strong passion for working with vulnerable populations experiencing intimate partner violence, mental health concerns, and barriers related to daily functioning. In her professional experience, she has conducted outpatient therapy with children, teens and adults, in community mental health and linked individuals with access to resources and higher levels of care. Additionally, Janet’s professional acumen includes experience as a victim advocate in criminal prosecutions and manager of a domestic violence emergency shelter.
I work with children, teens and adults in all stages of life. My approach is straight-forward, collaborative and sensitive to individual needs. My core belief in the mind, body connection fuels my drive to integrate mindfulness practices with my clients in order to facilitate healthy emotional regulation and good decision-making abilities with positive outcomes. I believe that each person has the capacity for change, growth, and resilience. My role is to help identify strengths, increase self-compassion, and help find practical solutions to improve client well-being. I am committed to practicing cultural humility through ongoing self-reflection, curiosity rather than judgment, consistently working to bridge power differences, and fostering an environment where diverse perspectives of the clients I serve are valued. I fully believe that clients are the experts of their own lives, and I am honored to walk alongside them on their journey, helping them achieve their specific goals.
Fun Fact
Specialties
- Domestic Violence
- Co-Response
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Case Management
- Community Outreach
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Family Conflict
- Interpersonal Relationships
- Evidence-Based Practices: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Gestalt Theory, Existential Therapy, Reality Therapy, Attachment Theory, and other insight-oriented therapies
Education
- Lewis University, Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; Concentration: Children/Adolescents
- Lewis University, Bachelor of Arts in Criminal/Social Justice
Certifications
- 48-Hour Issues in Domestic Violence
- 40-Hour Sexual Assault Counseling and Related Issues
- Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
- Crisis Safety Planning
- Trust-Based Relational Intervention
- Motivational Interviewing
About Kimberly
Kimberly is passionate about advocacy, building trust, and creating meaningful change in the communities she serves.
Fun Fact
Specialties
- Crisis Intervention
- Trauma Informed Care
- Community Outreach
- Case Management
Education
- North Central College, Bachelors of Arts
- Loyola Chicago University, Masters in Social Work
About Marley
Marley interned with NEDFYS during both years of graduate school, gaining experience in individual therapy with children as well as police social work with the Bartlett and Darien Police Departments. She is passionate about working with individuals following involvement with the criminal justice system supporting them in reaching their goals and connecting them with appropriate resources and services. As the daughter of a social worker and teacher, Marley has long valued community involvement and the importance of wellbeing in strengthening individuals and communities.
Fun Fact
In my free time, I like to crochet clothing for myself and loved ones.
Specialties
- Adolescents
- Seniors
- Domestic Violence & Family Conflict
- Trauma-informed care
- Case management
- Crisis intervention
Education
- University of Illinois Chicago, Masters of Social Work
- Butler University, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Criminology
Certification
- Licensed Social Worker
About Melanie
Melanie Lopez is a bilingual Licensed Social Worker with four years of experience providing behavioral health and supportive services across crisis intervention, recovery counseling, outpatient therapy, psychiatric inpatient care, and oncology social work. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Dominican University in 2025 and her Master of Social Work from Dominican University in 2026.
Throughout her career, Melanie has supported individuals navigating substance use disorders, anxiety, depression, trauma, relationship concerns, mental health challenges, and complex medical needs. Her diverse clinical experience includes working as a psychiatric inpatient social worker, high-intensity and relief bilingual recovery counselor, oncology social work intern, outpatient therapy services intern, and behavioral health technician.
In her current role, Melanie provides crisis intervention, de-escalation, emotional support, psychoeducation, relapse-prevention support, assessment, and care coordination. She takes a collaborative, strengths-based approach, helping individuals recognize their strengths, establish meaningful and measurable goals, and identify practical strategies to support their well-being and recovery.
Melanie is passionate about providing culturally responsive, person-centered care and increasing access to meaningful behavioral health services for Spanish-speaking individuals and families. She believes that creating a safe and trusting therapeutic relationship, combined with compassionate guidance and practical resources, can empower individuals to build resilience and create lasting change.
Fun Fact
Outside of work, Melanie enjoys trying new workout classes, going for outdoor runs, and staying active.
Specialties
- Crisis intervention and de-escalation
- Substance use and relapse prevention
- Individual and group therapy
- Intake assessment and treatment planning
- Care coordination and resource connection
- Culturally responsive and bilingual services
Education
Dominican University
Master of Social Work, 2026Dominican University
Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, 2025
Certifications
- Illinois Medicaid Comprehensive Assessment of Needs and Strengths (IM+CANS) Certified
- Illinois Medicaid Crisis Assessment Tool (IM-CAT) Certified
- Mediation Certificate
About Sabrina
Sabrina completed her Master’s Degree at Aurora University, specializing in forensics. While completing her degree, she interned at the Kane County Sheriff’s Office as a police social worker. Through her internship, Sabrina was able to co-respond for crisis calls and assist many populations, including homelessness, domestic violence, substance use, mental health, and geriatric clients. Sabrina is passionate about helping community members and collaborating with the Darien Police Department to serve residents best.
Fun Fact
In her free time, Sabrina enjoys being in nature and practicing yoga.
Specialties
- Domestic violence
- Juveniles
- Geriatrics case management services
- Substance use
Education
- Aurora University, Master of Social Work specializing in Forensics
Certifications
- 60-Hour Domestic
- Sexual Violence Certification