Joe Barker

Joe Barker, LCSW, serves as the Director of Program Operations at Pinnacle Family Services since December 2018, overseeing program responsibilities and managing relationships with partners in Mecklenburg County. Previously, Joe held roles including Quality Assurance and Training Specialist and Fostering Solutions Specialist, focusing on therapeutic foster care and team management across various regions in North Carolina. In addition to practical experience, Joe is an adjunct professor at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, teaching Social Welfare Policy and Organizational Context. A background in membership and fund development at the National Association of Social Workers further complements Joe's extensive experience in social work, which began with roles such as Residential Counselor and Qualified Professional at Youth Unlimited. Joe holds a Master’s degree in Social Work - Policy from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a BA in Psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.