Open to opportunities

Brandon Grueso

@brandongrueso

Public health program leader delivering harm reduction, crisis support, and community engagement for underserved populations.

United States

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking for a mission-driven role where I can lead evidence-based public health programs, strengthen access to care, and collaborate with community partners to deliver measurable outcomes for underserved communities—grounded in accountability, service, and trust.

I’m an ITIL Foundation–certified, bilingual, community-driven leader focused on building trust, mobilizing teams, and delivering measurable results for underserved communities. In my current role as a Public Health Program Coordinator with the Tennessee Department of Health, I lead Substance Use Disorder and mental health teams using evidence-based tools and harm reduction, including overdose response coordination, crisis intervention, and naloxone distribution. I’ve also been recognized as a PROPS Award winner by the Wilson County DrugFree coalition for prevention efforts.

Before that, I scaled family and community engagement in public schools—boosting student enrollment by 60%—and managed workforce development serving 800+ students while leading a team of 7 educators. I also advanced public health policy and access through my work at Young Invincibles as a Public Health Policy Coordinator and Certified Navigator, translating complex policy into actionable guidance and leading workshops on Health Insurance Literacy, Mental Health, and Economic Security. Earlier, I served as an Affordable Care Act Counselor and a Lead Mental Health Specialist, combining hands-on support, documentation, training, and evidence-based counseling to improve outcomes.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Public Health Program Coordinator

Current

Tennessee Department of Health

Jun 2025 - Present (11 months)

Lead Substance Use Disorder and mental health teams using evidence-based tools and harm reduction. Coordinate crisis intervention, case management, overdose prevention education, and naloxone distribution while connecting clients to treatment and support services.

Substance Use Disorder Support Crisis Intervention Case Management Naloxone Distribution Overdose Prevention Education

Family and Community Engagement Coordinator

LEAD Public Schools

Aug 2024 - Jun 2025 (10 months)

Boosted student enrollment by 60% through strategic family and community engagement initiatives. Led recruitment events, facilitated a Student Ambassador program, and served as the primary liaison for community relations.

Family engagement Community Outreach Student Recruitment Facilitation Stakeholder Management Recruitment Events

College and Career Education Manager

Montgomery County Public Schools

Oct 2023 - Jun 2024 (8 months)

Led a workforce development program serving 800+ students across two public schools while managing a team of 7 educators. Supported delivery of career advising and contributed to a Career Coach panel on coaching best practices.

Workforce Development Career Advising Program Leadership Team Management Coaching Best Practices Student Support Training Facilitation Cross School Coordination

Public Health Policy Coordinator

Young Invincibles

Sep 2022 - Oct 2023 (1 year 1 month)

Supported student debt advocacy and helped advance health and economic security initiatives as a Certified Navigator. Developed and delivered workshops on health insurance literacy and mental health, translated complex policy into consumer-friendly materials, and supported planning for the National Student Debt Cancellation Rally at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Health Policy Advocacy Student Debt Advocacy Certified Navigation Workshop Facilitation Health Literacy Story Collection Initiatives Stakeholder Engagement

Affordable Care Act Counselor

HealthWorks for Northern Virginia

Aug 2020 - Sep 2022 (2 years 1 month)

Assisted with Virginia Medicaid applications and renewals for children and adults in low-income communities and supported Marketplace and related healthcare programs. Promoted to Community Assistance Coordinator and supervised/trained seasonal interns to support effective operations.

Medicare Support

Lead Mental Health Specialist

North Spring Behavioral Healthcare

Jan 2019 - Aug 2020 (1 year 7 months)

Provided guidance and counseling to at-risk youth ages 7–17 using evidence-based approaches to support coping and recovery. Led daily group therapy, collaborated with interdisciplinary professionals on treatment plans, and maintained accurate documentation for resident behavior and care.

Youth Counseling Evidence Based Therapy Group Therapy Facilitation Substance Abuse Recovery Support Treatment Planning Interdisciplinary Collaboration Youth Mentorship