Les Harris

• BA, Boise State University
  
• MSS, Utah State University
• MSW, University of Utah
  

Professional Work Experience:

• Division of Child and Family Services in the Eastern Region of Utah.
• provided CORE training to new caseworkers both in Utah and Nevada.
  
• Authored the statewide transition to adult living curriculum for parents in the State of Utah.

Interests:

Les loves to mountain bike during the warm months, and play hockey during the cold ones, activities he finds useful to relieve the stress from working in such a challenging field.  He is married, has four children, and manages to remain involved in their activities.

Comments on MHYR:

Having worked with youth for so many years it is heartening to see how quickly they can transform their lives by spending a few months on the mountain.  The therapeutic environment, coupled with activities designed to enhance perceptions into their inherent strengths and capabilities, can help youth understand themselves in ways they never imagined.

Background:

Les has been involved in helping children with behavioral difficulties for over twenty years.  While serving with the Division of Child and Family Services in the Eastern Region he trained, and subsequently consulted with, foster parents and caseworkers alike on the use of the Behavior Replacement Model to help them manage some of Utah’s most difficult children.  In addition, Les provided CORE training to new caseworkers both in Utah and Nevada.  He brings with him a wealth of information concerning the needs of youth who need to learn to transition to adulthood.  In fact, he most recently authored the statewide transition to adult living curriculum for parents in the State of Utah.  Les graduated from Boise State University in 1990 with a bachelor’s degree in Social Science.  He later completed his Master of Social Science degree at Utah State University and his Master of Social Work degree at the University of Utah and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.