Lauren E Kazee

Lauren Kazee received her BSW in 1993 and her MSW in 1994 both from University of Illinois in Chicago, Jane Addams College of Social Work. As a licensed professional, she worked in inner city Chicago as a therapist for children in foster care. Then, while living in Ohio and later in Michigan she worked as a school social worker and continued as an outpatient therapist part-time. Her work in the school system, lead her to a contractual position as the Mental Health Consultant for both the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) and the Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). She established and conducted mental health and trauma trainings for educators statewide. She led the team at MDE in the creation of Michigan’s Birth through Grade 12 Social and Emotional Learning Competencies, along with companion resources to support SEL implementation. She co-developed nine SEL online modules for educators housed at Michigan Virtual. In addition to Lauren’s expertise in the student mental health and SEL arena, she has expanded her career to include a focus on educator well-being. She launched her Living S.L.O.W. LLC in 2018 and has since provided keynote, breakout sessions, and consultation to hundreds of educators around self-care. Currently, she maintains various contracts while also working part-time for the TRAILS school mental health program.