Aarika Miller
Addison,US
Summary
Experienced and licensed clinical social worker with a strong background in trauma intervention and a proven track record of academic excellence. Demonstrated expertise in working with diverse populations, particularly disadvantaged youth, to provide trauma-informed prevention, intervention, and educational services within the school setting. Committed to making a positive impact on the lives of those in need. Passionate about helping individuals overcome challenges and thrive.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Education School Social Worker
Community High School District 94
07.2023 - Current
- Manage a caseload of students that range across all grade levels and include students who receive special education services through IEPs, specifically students in the Educational Life Skills Program, Transition Program, and students in an outplacement setting.
- Provide individual social work services on a weekly basis to students who receive special education services and accommodations and to students in the general education setting.
- Provide group social work services for individuals in the Educational Life Skills Program and Transition Program.
- Participate in initial, annual, and three-year re-evaluation IEP meetings for students, being mindful of meeting service minutes and writing appropriate, measurable IEP goals that build upon client strengths and needs.
- Prepare social developmental histories on students identified for additional support.
- Perform functional behavior assessments on students identified for additional support and employ therapeutic techniques as appropriate to achieve greatest positive results.
- Communicate and cooperate with school staff, administration, students, and parents regarding the welfare of the students, acting as a liaison to ensure proper services were being delivered.
- Provide services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of students and their families to maximize academic functioning.
- Mobilize family, school, and community resources to enable students to learn as effectively as possible in their educational program.
- Assist in developing positive behavioral intervention strategies to increase academic success.
- Provide crisis intervention services, including threat and self-harming assessments.
- Assist with conflict resolution and foster the development of appropriate social interaction skills.
- Provide staff with essential information to better understand individual, familial, and societal factors affecting a student's performance and behavior.
- Assist in valuable staff development sessions to educate employees on various issues affecting student performance.
School Social Worker
Maine West High School
10.2022 - 06.2023
- Manage a caseload of students that ranged across all grade levels and included students who receive special education services through IEPs and 504 plans and students in the general education setting.
- Provide individual social work services on a weekly basis to students who receive special education services and accommodations and to students in the general education setting.
- Provide group social work services for individuals in the Educational Life Skills Program and Independent Living Skills Program, as well as facilitate groups focusing on emotional management and healthy relationships.
- Participate in initial, annual, and three-year re-evaluation IEP meetings for students, being mindful of meeting service minutes and writing appropriate, measurable IEP goals that build upon client strengths and needs.
- Prepare social developmental histories on students identified for additional support.
- Perform functional behavior assessments on students identified for additional support and employ therapeutic techniques as appropriate to achieve greatest positive results.
- Communicate and cooperate with school staff, administration, students, and parents regarding the welfare of the students, acting as a liaison to ensure proper services were being delivered.
- Provide services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of students and their families to maximize academic functioning.
- Mobilize family, school, and community resources to enable students to learn as effectively as possible in their educational program.
- Assist in developing positive behavioral intervention strategies to increase academic success.
- Provide crisis intervention services, including threat and self-harming assessments.
- Assist with conflict resolution and foster the development of appropriate social interaction skills.
- Provide staff with essential information to better understand individual, familial, and societal factors affecting a student's performance and behavior.
- Assist in valuable staff development sessions to educate employees on various issues affecting student performance.
- Attend outside provider meetings and conduct necessary home visits for students and families.
School Social Work Intern
Elk Grove High School
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Manage a caseload of students that ranged across all grade levels and included students who receive special education services through IEPs and 504 plans and students in the general education setting.
- Provide individual and group social work services on a consistent weekly basis to students, conducting weekly groups for students with IEPs or 504 plans with varying abilities, as well as a group for individuals experiencing anxiety and depression, a group focusing on healthy relationships and positive action, and a support group for survivors of interpersonal violence.
- Participate in initial, annual, and three-year re-evaluation IEP meetings for students, being mindful of meeting service minutes and writing appropriate, measurable IEP goals that build upon client strengths and needs.
- Prepare social developmental histories on students identified for additional support.
- Perform functional behavior assessments on students identified for additional support and employ therapeutic techniques as appropriate to achieve greatest positive results.
- Communicate and cooperate with school staff, administration, students, and parents regarding the welfare of the students, acting as a liaison to ensure proper services were being delivered.
- Provide services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of students and their families to maximize academic functioning.
- Mobilize family, school, and community resources to enable students to learn as effectively as possible in their educational program.
- Assist in developing positive behavioral intervention strategies to increase academic success.
- Provide crisis intervention services, including suicidal/homicidal and self-harming assessments.
- Assist with conflict resolution and foster the development of appropriate social interaction skills.
- Provide staff with essential information to better understand individual, familial, and societal factors affecting a student's performance and behavior.
- Assist in valuable staff development sessions to educate employees on various issues affecting student performance.
- Attend outside provider meetings and conduct necessary home visits for students and families.
Project Coordinator for Violence Awareness
Triton College
11.2019 - 08.2021
- Developed and created a coordinated, comprehensive, on-going campus-wide violence prevention initiative surrounding such issues as domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
- Collaborated with appropriate college personnel to review and update college's policies and procedures related to the prevention of domestic and sexual violence and services to victims.
- Submitted all campus policies and procedures developed with grant funds for Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) review and approval.
- Planned and implemented all training sessions for students, staff, and community.
- Ensured delivery of training sessions and presentations.
- Provided community education seminars to students, faculty, and staff on sexual assault, domestic and dating violence, and stalking.
- Established and maintained liaison relationships to increase inclusivity and domestic violence project programming for underrepresented student populations and other specialized campus populations, such as first year students, international students, student athletes, and student organizations.
- Assisted with prevention programs for campus police and local law enforcement.
- Coordinated the design and evaluation of a bystander training prevention program in conjunction with grant partners.
- Managed grant budget of $300,000, grant equipment, expenditures, and expenses.
- Worked with students, staff, and external partners to coordinate referral and follow-up services for victims.
- Established educational publications (print, web-based, social media) and educational marketing campaigns that met grant guidelines.
- Prepared all necessary compliance documentation and reports; compile semiannual progress reports that describe the prevention and education activities, responses, accomplishments, and challenges during the reporting period.
- Made recommendations to Dean of Students regarding budget allocation based on programming needs assessments.
- Performed other grant-related duties.
Domestic Violence Counselor
Mutual Ground, Inc.
05.2017 - 10.2019
- Assessed the social and emotional needs of adult clients, identified strengths, and developed a treatment plan.
- Provided individual counseling to residential and non-residential clients.
- Facilitated psycho-educational and support groups for adult residential and non-residential clients.
- Provided clinical case management services to clients.
- Provided crisis intervention to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
- Networked within the community to develop social resources.
- Provided institutional advocacy to ensure sensitive and responsible treatment of domestic violence victims.
- Processed intakes for both residential and non-residential clients.
- Performed administrative duties including data entry, notes, file review and weekly client status reports.
- Participated in regular staff meetings, staff training programs, and supervisory sessions.
- Provided domestic violence and anti-human trafficking education to volunteers, new employees, and the larger community as needed.
- Assisted in providing coverage on the 24-hour hotline.
- Provided advocacy to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault at local emergency rooms.
Foster Care Caseworker
Shelter, Inc.
08.2016 - 05.2017
- Performed a variety of casework duties, including conducting casework interviews with clients and other appropriate persons for purposes of formulating an integrated assessment/social history, conducting safety and needs assessments, and collaborative case management
- Ensured in-person contacts/visits with biological parents, foster children, and foster parents at appropriate frequency.
- Conducted home, school, and community visits to assigned clients to assess client's level of care and provide guidance towards meeting treatment goals.
- Promoted positive relationships between birth parents and foster caregivers through mediation efforts during scheduled visitations.
- Performed family-centered, trauma-informed, strengths-based practice.
- Developed written service plans for each assigned family case, utilized social work methods to achieve effective treatment goals and family stabilization, and attended scheduled Administrative Case Reviews at DCFS.
- Attended, testified, and prepared necessary reports for Juvenile Court to ensure the court was fully appraised of all information and services regarding the families and children.
- Developed strong relationships with community partners such as schools, healthcare providers, and mental health professionals to better support client needs.
- Assisted youth in developing independent living skills necessary for a successful transition out of the system upon aging out of care.
- Streamlined case management process, resulting in more efficient service delivery to foster families and children in need.
- Provided 24-hour back-up and on-call intake services as required
Education
Post-MSW Program for Professional Educator License -
Dominican University
River Forest, ILMaster's in Social Work - Interpersonal & Community Violence
Dominican University
River Forest, ILBachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Psychology
Dominican University
River Forest, ILSkills
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
- Professional Educator License (PEL) School Social Work
- Certified Domestic Violence Professional (CDVP)
- Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP)
- Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP) Instructor Training Certification
- 60-hour Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Training Certification
- 20-hour Abuser Intervention Training Certification
- 40-hour Mediation Skills Training Certification
Certification
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Professional Educator License in School Social Work
- Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
- Certified Domestic Violence Professional
Additional Information
Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP) Instructor Training Certification, 60-hour Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Training Certification, 20-hour Abuser Intervention Training Certification, 40-hour Mediation Skills Training Certification
Languages
American Sign Language (ASL)
Limited Working
Timeline
Special Education School Social Worker
Community High School District 94
07.2023 - Current
School Social Worker
Maine West High School
10.2022 - 06.2023
School Social Work Intern
Elk Grove High School
08.2021 - 05.2022
Project Coordinator for Violence Awareness
Triton College
11.2019 - 08.2021
Domestic Violence Counselor
Mutual Ground, Inc.
05.2017 - 10.2019
Foster Care Caseworker
Shelter, Inc.
08.2016 - 05.2017
Master's in Social Work - Interpersonal & Community Violence
Dominican University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Psychology
Dominican University
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Professional Educator License in School Social Work
- Certified Clinical Trauma Professional
- Certified Domestic Violence Professional
Post-MSW Program for Professional Educator License -
Dominican University
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