WHO
WE ARE
Paramount Consulting Group, PLLC is a minority and woman owned business headquartered in southeastern Michigan and provides quality assurance, accreditation readiness and contract compliance to behavioral health organizations.
TEAM MEMBERS.
Monica Rich-McLaurin
CEO & Founder
For over 20 years, Monica Rich-McLaurin has been a highly respected, veteran social worker. She has worked with the entire life span in a myriad of settings from foster care, outpatient mental health, inpatient mental health to community outreach and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) services. She has worked in administrative capacities as a Performance Improvement Specialist, where she led overall compliance with multiple funder and accrediting requirements for a $26M non-profit organization, as well as clinical leadership positions, such as Director of Operations for a traumatic brain injury facility. She has also held the positions of adjunct faculty for the University of Detroit-Mercy and a multitude of clinical positions including Behavioral Health Integration Coordinator and Program Manager. Ms. Rich-McLaurin has also led the development and coordination of integrated behavioral health in a primary medical clinic in Detroit, Michigan. Lastly, she provides administrative and program surveying expertise with CARF International, which is an accrediting body for a large majority of behavioral health, medical rehabilitation and opioid treatment organizations around the world.
Monica possesses two Master’s degrees; one in Health Service Administration from Central Michigan University and one in Social Work from The University of Michigan. These educational achievements have positioned Monica to provide training and education on the state level to other human service professionals in a myriad of focus areas, such as ethics, mental health awareness, disparities and anti-stigma campaigns. Monica is a member of the National Association of Social Workers National Ethics Committee where she, along with other committee members, is charged with assuring the ethical integrity of the Social Work profession by participating in Professional Reviews where alleged ethical violations have occurred, as well as assisting the National Office in the revision of practice manual to reflect current practice. Monica is also the Past Chair; Past Secretary of the National Association of Social Workers-Michigan Chapter Ethics Committee and has participated in mediation and adjudication hearings on the State & National levels.
TEAM MEMBERS.
Monica Rich-McLaurin, MHSA, MSW, LMSW
CEO & Founder
Monica Rich-McLaurin is a seasoned social worker with more than 25 years of experience. She has worked with the entire life span in a myriad of settings from foster care, outpatient mental health, inpatient mental health to community outreach and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) services. Monica is the CEO and Founder of Paramount Consulting Group, PLLC, which provides accreditation preparation services to organizations that provide behavioral health services, children and youth services and opioid treatment programs. In addition, Paramount Consulting Group provides plan, policy and procedure development, as well as training and education in key areas for accreditation. Monica is also the CEO of Resolution Counseling & Therapy Services, PLLC, which provides direct clinical services to adults, couples and families. Monica has worked in administrative capacities as a performance improvement specialist, where she led overall compliance with multiple funder and accrediting requirements for a $26M non-profit organization, and has occupied clinical leadership, such as director of operations for a traumatic brain injury facility. She has also held the position of adjunct faculty for The University of Detroit-Mercy and a multitude of clinical positions. Monica has also led the development and coordination of integrated behavioral health in a primary medical clinic in Detroit, Michigan. She is an Administrative and Program surveyor for CARF International, an accrediting body for the majority of behavioral health, medical rehabilitation and opioid treatment organizations around the world. Monica earned two master’s degrees; one in health services administration from Central Michigan University and one in social work from The University of Michigan. These educational achievements have positioned Monica to provide training and education on the state level to other human service professionals in a myriad of focus areas, such as ethics, mental health awareness, disparities, disparities and anti-stigma campaigns.
In November 2020, Monica was appointed chairwoman of the National Association of Social Worker (NASW) National Ethics Committee, where she is charged with assuring the ethical integrity of the social work profession by participating in professional reviews where ethical violations have been alleged, as well as assisting in the revision of the NASW Code of Ethics and Professional Review Manual to reflect current practice. Monica has also served as chairwoman and secretary of the NASW-Michigan Chapter Ethics Committee and has participated in mediation and adjudication hearings on state and national levels. In October, 2021, Monica was also appointed to the National Association for Addiction and Drug Addiction Counselors (NAADAC) committee on Critical Issues In the Black Community, which seeks to reduce the disparities in access to substance treatment among people of color. In November, 2021, Monica was also recently appointed to the Michigan Association for Addiction and Drug Addiction Counselors (MAADAC) as a board member and Ethics Committee Chair. Lastly, Monica serves as an advisory board member for Sisters Making It Happen (SMIH), a non-profit 501 (c)(3) that provides mentoring and empowerment workshops to vulnerable and at-risk populations, including teens and single parents. She has served as an elected official as a precinct delegate in Oakland County, Michigan. Monica is a proud and active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated’s Detroit Alumnae Chapter.
Thurston S. Smith
Thurston S. Smith, MPA, LAC-S, CCS, is a community organizer, educator, and civic activist, with ovcr 25 years of experience in the health and human services industry. A retiree from the U.S. Veterans Health Administration, Thurston has served in a variety of leadership roles throughout his civil service career, including Congressional Liaison, Mental Health Program Coordinator, and Therapeutic and Supported Employment Services Program Supervisor. He is a licensed counselor, certified coach/mentor, clinical supervisor, and has earned national certifications in counseling. He is a former member of the Shelby County Commission Community Health Advisory Committee, Shelby County Juvenile Justice Consortium, Shelby County Opioid Task Force, and Charleston/Dorchester Mental Health Board. With academic distinction, he has earned a Master’s in Public Administration from Capella University School of Public Service Leadership, a Graduate Certificate in Counseling, and an Undergraduate Degree in Business, with specializations in Management and Leadership.
Having an established background in behavioral health, organizational leadership, and social sciences, Thurston currently serves as an adjunct professor at Memphis College of Urban and Theological Studies, of Union University, and has served as continuing education instructor for the Medical University of South Carolina, Alabama State University, University of Memphis, Rutgers University, Alabama Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and a host of other organizations, governmental agencies, and academic institutions across the United States. For over 20 years, Thurston has served as an administrative and program surveyor, for CARF International, an independent, nonprofit accreditor of health and human services agencies. Thurston has served on the Executive Board of Directors for NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals, in Alexandria, Virginia, in the roles of Southeast Regional Vice President, Executive Secretary, and National Membership Chair. He’s also served as a project field reviewer, technical consultant, and subject-matter expert for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He’s an associate minister at New Salem Missionary Baptist Church and is pursuing a Doctorate in Ministry Degree at Memphis Theological Seminary. Thurston is the recipient of numerous civic, public service, and professional honors, and is a recent inductee into the Sigma Alpha Pi Honor Society and is the recipient of the Presidential Service and Mel Schulstad Professional of the Year Awards.