Agha Lopez
Bethlehem,PA
Summary
Dynamic Family Group Decision Making Specialist with a proven track record at Northampton County Children, Youth and Families. Expert in crisis intervention and analytical thinking, successfully facilitating family meetings to enhance child safety and well-being. Adept at multi-agency collaboration, mentoring staff, and improving service outcomes through data-driven evaluations.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Group Decision Making Specialist
Northampton County Children, Youth and Families
08.2020 - Current
- Facilitate and Coordinate Crisis Rapid Response Family Meetings by gathering family, kin and community supports within 24 to 72 hours following an emergent event that will likely cause an out of home placement for a child.
- Provide Crisis Rapid Reports to family court detailing immediate actions taken during a crisis to prevent further harm or placement of a child.
- Coordinate and facilitate Family Group Conferences where families and their resources come together to create family plans to address concerns about their child's safety and well-being.
- Coordinate and facilitate Full Disclosure meetings by providing pertinent information regarding federal laws and regulations to parents, foster parents once children are in the care and custody of the child welfare system.
- Provide detailed information to parents and foster parents on family court proceedings once children are dependents of the child welfare system.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to assess client needs and streamline service delivery.
- Mentor junior staff in case management processes and best practices for family engagement.
- Evaluate program effectiveness through data analysis, enhancing service outcomes for clients.
Adolescent Caseworker II
Northampton County Children, Youth and Families
04.2011 - 08.2020
- Managed a caseload of 20+ families involved in child welfare investigations.
- Conducted safety and risk assessments, home visits, interviews with children, caregivers, and collateral contacts.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to determine child and family needs, ensuring appropriate service referrals.
- Developed and monitored individualized service plans in collaboration with families and multidisciplinary teams.
- Coordinate referrals to services such as mental health, substance use treatment, parenting classes and housing support.
- Prepared court reports and provided expert testimony during custody and permanency hearings.
- Monitored case progress, documenting changes and outcomes to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Child Protective Specialist
Administration for Children's Services
10.2006 - 03.2011
- Conducted comprehensive investigations to determine child safety and well-being in potential abuse cases.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement service plans for at-risk children and families.
- Facilitated family meetings to promote communication and support in achieving case goals and objectives.
- Monitored compliance with court orders, ensuring adherence to mandated requirements for child welfare cases.
- Maintained detailed case records, contributing to efficient decision-making processes within the agency.
- Enhanced child safety by conducting thorough home assessments and evaluating potential risks.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Virginia State University
Petersburg, VA05-2006
Skills
- Crisis Intervention
- Expert problem solving
- Analytical thinking
- Documentation management
- Court Documentation & Testimony
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Mandated Reporting
- Child Protection and Risk Assessment
- Case Management & Service Planning
- Family Reunification & Support Services
- Multi-Agency Collaboration
Timeline
Family Group Decision Making Specialist
Northampton County Children, Youth and Families
08.2020 - Current
Adolescent Caseworker II
Northampton County Children, Youth and Families
04.2011 - 08.2020
Child Protective Specialist
Administration for Children's Services
10.2006 - 03.2011
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Virginia State University
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