About I.E.T.T. Strategies
Sonja Johnson, Stella Byrd, Deborah Wade-Johnson, Linda Grasty, Belinda Small
IETT Strategies evolved in July 2009. Belinda Small and Sonja Johnson both master level social workers/therapists agreed with the belief that behaviors of any kind are not fixed and learning is a continuous process. Operating under those principles, Belinda and Sonja sought to empower families in order to strengthen communities, via putting into practice Innovative Educational Therapeutic Techniques Strategies.
Belinda and Sonja first met in 1995 when they were newly hired school social workers for Detroit Public Schools now called Detroit Public Schools Community District. Trained under the Mediated Learning Experience model, together they became instruments of change via conducting individual, group, family and classroom intervention therapy inside their designated schools. In addition, both Belinda
and Sonja facilitated numerous parent support workshops that focused on but not limited to Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), anger management, self-esteem building, coping and assisting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and improving academic achievement.
In 2009 Belinda and Sonja felt it was time to reach beyond their designated work assignment and serve the Detroit community at large. Together from the fuel and thinking that everyone can change and achieve positive outcomes, IETT Strategies encourages the teachings of methods and strategies which promote positive changes within children, youth and their families. Currently IETT Strategies is comprise of master levels social workers and teacher whom are all committed to making Detroit and the Metro-Detroit communities stronger.
Belinda Small is a Master level Social Worker with over twenty-five years of experience, ranging from residential care to psychiatric hospital to Detroit Public Schools. Belinda has always been committed to serving families as she recognizes that all caregivers need guidance and support to tackle the many facets of parenthood. “Strong families grow and maintain strong communities. IETT Strategies want to be that supportive source that helps and build families to strengthen their communities,” said Belinda Small.
Belinda Small
CEO, IETT Strategies
Sonja Johnson is a Masters level social worker who has a strong commitment to serving parents, children, and the entire family unit. Sonja believes that parents, with the necessary resources, can be the driving force in empowering their children from the cradle to the college and beyond. It is IETT’s desire to assist parents in becoming a central force in shaping joyful productive citizens of society.
Sonja Johnson
VP, IETT Strategies
Our vision
IETT Strategies provided Saturday Programing for children, youth and their families at the former Don Bosco Hall Community Resource Center (now named St. Suzanne Cody Rouge Community Resource Center from 2010 to 2019. These programs consisted of culturally based character building classes, field trips, organized recreational activities and parent support groups. Since 2020, IETT Strategies have provided on going virtual classes/workshop to assist children and youth ages 3 to 18 to develop positive expression of feelings and cooperation skills along with establishing positive problem solving skills and job readiness skills respectively. IETT Strategies also continues to provide character building classes and therapeutic parental support for SKIP’S participants and their families respectively. IETT Strategies also have aided many families via partnering with Traveler’s Aid Society and SKIP (Saving kids of Incarcerated Parents) by providing parent support workshops that focused on but not limited to:
• Managing Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Conflict Resolution/Anger Management
• Anti-Bullying/Empathy Building
• Raising children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
• Self-Esteem/Character Building|
• Strengthening Academic Achievement/Improving Test Taking Skills
IETT Strategies knows without a doubt that it takes a Village to Raise a Child. Thus we embrace with great pride any opportunity to empower and to strengthen families and communities.
