As an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) Consultant and Trainer (Co-Facilitator) Melissa was born and raised in Queens, NY where she completed her undergraduate degree in Political Science, from Queens College, City University of NY. Ms. Parrish has had a professional career spanning almost 30 years in non-profit human services, education and community development in urban environments. She has worked as a program manager, job developer and drop-out prevention counselor for youth, facilitated training in conflict resolution, racial equity and structural racism, diversity, disabilities awareness and advocacy, career mentorship and parent and youth leadership. Ms. Parrish has worked professionally in public education, non-profit and corporate settings. She has completed a Master’s degree in Adult Education and Masters coursework in Non-Profit Management at the New School for Social Research. Her practical experience has included serving as a program manager for several programs in Rochester including, The Urban League of Rochester, INROADS/NYC, St. Joseph’s Neighborhood Center, Catholic Charities and the Advocacy Center. Presently Melissa works as a Family Specialist for Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities and as an Infant Mental Health Trainer Consultant for Mary Ellen Institute, a program of SPCC of Rochester. Through her consulting practice, Parrish Consulting Services, Melissa is an instructor in Adult Literacy for the Monroe County Library System, where she teaches GED and ESL classes for adult populations. Additionally, she has designed and conducted training programs and provided technical assistance to several organizations including, INROADS, Inc., Global Kids, Inc., The Afterschool Corporation, (TASC), FUND for the City of NY, TIAA, Catholic Family Center, Refugees Helping Refugees, Spiritus Christi Church, First Universalist Unitarian Church, and Rochester City School District.