About Us
We are a unique blend of experts in Child Welfare and Behavioral Health. Our instructors are active in the field. Our researchers don't let up. And our operations team makes all of our ideas come true.
We develop custom courses on all platforms quickly that is relevant to your staff and policies.
Whether you serve at the State level, as a University system, or are from an individual county run agency, we build training programs to suit your needs and match your budget. With so many delivery methods available we can deliver a training product that is perfect for your team.
Our Mission
The mission of the REAL Academy is to build a system of evidence-based training, that emphasizes critical thinking to best equip the Child Welfare worker with objective reasoning skills. We thrive on relational connections and reflective feedback to present relevant training that solves community problems. Our team is responsive and nimble, allowing us to build effective training without unnecessary delay.
Our vision is to improve social work professional standards contributing to a healthy workforce and reduced turnover in the field of public child welfare through simulation and practice.
Core Values
- RELATIONAL
- REFLECTIVE
- RELEVANT
- RESPONSIVE
Our Team
Dr. Kevin Marino
REAL Academy Founder
Dr. Kevin Marino has over 20 years of experience in mental health, substance misuse, social work, and leadership public and private agencies. Prior to launching the REAL Academy in the summer of 2020, he served as the Social Work Program Administrator in Henderson County North Carolina. Kevin has served on several state boards and local government boards and is well recognized by his peers and colleagues for innovations in systems work across the state.
Ryan Fogarty
Director of Operations
Ryan Fogarty supports our team in a few key areas that enable us to provide a valuable product to our clients. First, he contributes strategy and structure to our simulation scenarios and body of knowledge. His work allows for our products and services to be delivered on the web and by other digital means. With a bachelor’s degree in Workforce Education and Development, Ryan emphasizes the long-term development for a human helper that comes from quality training.
Dee Hunt
Lead Consultant
Dee Hunt has worked in the field of health and human services for over 38 years, thirty three of which were dedicated to providing child welfare social work, training and facilitating, curriculum development, consulting, and program monitoring. She was selected as Curriculum Developer and Trainer for North Carolina’s inaugural Child Welfare Simulation Training at Western Carolina University in 2019, now known as the REAL Academy. Dee is a keynote speaker and master trainer and has authored numerous workshops in child welfare, leadership, and trauma.
Matt Hill
Director of Training
Matt Hill brings over 10 years of clinical behavioral health experience to our team. We see his clinical expertise as beneficial to social workers and other human helpers because the tools are useful in both worlds. Matt serves as our Director of Training and Engagement which focuses his attention on writing and developing highly practical training that meets a social worker’s frontline demands. Matt is a master in Family Centered Treatment methodology and has been training therapy teams with those skills for intensive in-home situations.
Dr. Robert Wright
Director of Research
Dr. Robert Wright serves as the Director of Research and Development at the REAL Academy. He has over 25 years of experience in increasingly more responsible positions to envision, develop, and implement innovative programs/policies/grant acquisition strategies impacting public and private sectors, to organize people and events, and to communicate positive ideas and images intended to improve organizational productivity and support innovative decision-making. Dr. Wright and Marino have been collaborating since 2014 on advanced theory and practice in collaborative frameworks, decision making, and simulation training methodologies.
Matt Hill
Director of Training
Matt Hill brings over 10 years of clinical behavioral health experience to our team. We see his clinical expertise as beneficial to social workers and other human helpers because the tools are useful in both worlds. Matt serves as our Director of Training and Engagement which focuses his attention on writing and developing highly practical training that meets a social worker’s frontline demands. Matt is a master in Family Centered Treatment methodology and has been training therapy teams with those skills for intensive in-home situations.
