Melissa Santoro, LICSW is a licensed independent clinical social worker in Rhode Island who specializes in sexual abuse treatment. She has been employed since May 2004 at the St. Mary’s Home for Children’s Shepherd Program, an outpatient treatment program that provides services to families affected by sexual abuse. She is currently the director of the Shepherd Program and oversees around 35 staff that supports families through office, community and home-based services.
Prior to becoming the program director, Santoro was the Enhanced Outpatient Services (EOS) coordinator and a Shepherd clinician. Santoro earned her master of social work degree in 2004, following an internship with the Shepherd Program, as well as an internship with the Rhode Island State Office of the Child Advocate, where she evaluated children’s residential programs and foster care facilities to ensure agencies were in compliance with state regulations.