About me
Yolanda Benton is a Youth Program Manager currently supporting vulnerable populations in the Parkland, Tillicum, and Salishan neighborhoods of Pierce County. With a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, she has built a diverse background working with youth and families in a range of settings. Her professional journey began in a psychiatric hospital, as a counselor helping young people navigate daily routines, manage behavioral health challenges, and develop coping skills during times of crisis. She then transitioned to the education sector as a paraeducator, working one-on-one with a hard-of-hearing student. Using her personal experience in deaf culture and American Sign Language (ASL), Yolanda helped her student to advocate for their needs, achieve IEP and personal goals, and foster meaningful connections within the school community. Yolanda has also provided in-home support to youth facing a variety of behavioral and neurodiverse diagnoses. In these roles, she partnered closely with families, applying evidence-based strategies to develop positive behavioral change and daily living skills. Across all settings, she felt the importance of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) for youth, parents, teachers, and communities as a whole. Yolanda is passionate about advancing SEL practices and is excited to help create inclusive, nurturing environments that help youth thrive and communities grow stronger.
