Ms. Toohey received her Certification in Alcohol and Other Drug Studies at San Diego City College in 2004, and received her RADI (Registered Alcohol and Drug Intern) status in 2005.

Ms. Toohey has specialized in the area of alcohol and substance abuse since 1999. She began her career working as a substance abuse counselor in a residential treatment facility for parolee women and their children. From there, she transitioned to SARMS (Substance Abuse Recovery Management System,) a program designed to help substance abusing parents involved in the Juvenile Dependency Court and that were in the process of reunification with their children. SARMS provided assessments, treatment options and resources and referrals, case management and court reports for those parents. Ms. Toohey went on to work for CalWorks Alcohol and Drug Program providing assessments, resources, treatment options, and case management for adults that participated in the California Welfare to Work Program.

In 2006, Ms. Toohey began working solely as an independent contractor. She is speaker, liaison, trainer and facilitator for Grossmont College, Casey Family Program, SDSU, YMCA, and SDYCS. Ms. Toohey is currently working on developing her own non-profit organization aimed at serving the populations that she has worked with in the past. The “Birth Parent Association,” a Parent Partnering Program, hopes to generate and promote sound mental health in our next generation by engaging and educating any parent involved in Child Welfare Services. Providing education, counseling, resources, legal assistance, and advocacy to better navigate the Child Welfare System, the Court system and the Public School system will help the parent to meet the requirements of their reunification plan and so regain custody of their children and to do it in a timely manner. Providing wrap a round services as well as parenting and education classes designed specifically for those parents and children such as: attachment disorders; developmental delays; understanding the effects of substance abuse and domestic violence on the family; and how to be a better advocate for themselves their children that have special needs or mental health issues -- will help secure better permanency placement of children -- with the Birth Parent.

Ms. Toohey has been considered an expert in the area of substance abuse, treatment and the substance abuse recovery process in San Diego, and has been a much valued witness in Juvenile Dependency Court proceedings. Ms. Toohey has presented and trained on the topic of alcohol and substance abuse and its effects on the family throughout California and in Washington as well. Ms. Toohey is a parent of five children; three who have special needs, with two still in the home. One child is a foster/adopted youth. She also serves as a consultant, mentor and advocate to parents, practitioners and professionals in the area of substance abuse and mental health.