"Since law enforcement agencies began partnering with citizens through community policing, we've seen significant drops in crime rates."
- John Ashcroft

Anna Messano - Licensed Mental Health Counselor

Anna Messano is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and is currently the Residential Supervisor at the Shelter for Abused Women & Children in Naples , Florida . Anna is responsible for staff and residents in the 60-bed residential portion of the facility. Prior to her current position, Anna spent several years as a Mental Health Counselor in the crisis and emergency services units of the David Lawrence Center . There her duties included receiving and assessing Baker Act clients, as well as providing intervention to adults and children experiencing a psychiatric crisis due to a variety of causes. She was a founding member of the facility's Mobile Crisis Team, and aided other facilities and police officers in evaluating clients for Baker Act appropriateness, in addition to offering brief crisis support and linkage to other services. Anna has been active in educating local police officers in the areas of Baker Act criteria and mental health referrals. She has earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida , and a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Florida Gulf Coast University .