Airickia Atwater
Chicago,IL
Summary
Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong worth ethic, adaptability and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Family Worker Specialist
Ada S. McKinley Community Service
Chicago, Illinois
03.2024 - Current
- Provided support, advocacy, and guidance to families in crisis.
- Cultivated positive relationships with families through active listening and supportive feedback.
- Worked with a care team to assess client needs and discuss collaborative treatment efforts.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings with other professionals providing services.
- Maintained accurate records of all client interactions and progress toward goals.
- Collaborated with other agencies to coordinate services for families in need of assistance.
- Identified potential risk factors that may lead to child abuse or neglect within a family setting.
- Educated clients on community resources like housing, food banks, and counseling.
- Provided referrals for mental health services when appropriate or necessary.
- Conducted home visits to assess family dynamics and provide education on parenting skills.
- Facilitated parental workshops and classes to support children in achieving school and academic success.
- Facilitated group meetings with parents and guardians to discuss child development topics.
- Facilitated communication between family members, professionals, and community organizations.
- Encouraged clients to engage in healthy behaviors that promote overall well-being.
- Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services.
- Developed and implemented family-centered interventions to address family issues.
- Created educational materials on various topics such as budgeting, nutrition, andstress management.
- Collaborated with state agencies and benefits coordinators to develop individualized plans for each case.
- Participated in ongoing training to maintain license and enhance knowledge of relevant mental health topics.
Family Service Associate
Chicago Youth Centers
Chicago, IL
05.2023 - 02.2024
- Provided case management services to families in need of assistance.
- Developed and implemented individualized service plans for clients.
- Conducted home visits to assess family dynamics and needs.
- Assisted with the development of parenting skills and strategies for families.
- Facilitated support groups for parents and caregivers.
- Collaborated with community partners to ensure families received adequate resources.
- Maintained detailed records of client interactions, progress, and outcomes.
- Created written reports summarizing assessments, interventions, and recommendations.
- Coordinated referrals to appropriate agencies or programs as needed.
- Organized educational workshops related to health and wellness topics.
- Established positive relationships with clients by demonstrating empathy and understanding.
- Cultivated a safe environment where children could express themselves openly.
- Educated parents on child development milestones and positive discipline techniques.
- Encouraged families to participate in recreational activities that promote bonding.
- Ensured all documentation was accurate and up-to-date according to agency policies.
- Participated in weekly staff meetings to discuss caseloads and best practices.
- Demonstrated effective, culturally sensitive engagement with patients, families and partners.
- Facilitated parental workshops and classes to provide support to children in achieving school and academic success.
Family Coach
Metropolitan Family Services
Chicago, IL
10.2022 - 05.2023
- Developed and implemented individualized family coaching plans to meet client needs.
- Provided guidance, tools, and resources to help families build stronger relationships.
- Conducted assessments of the strengths and weaknesses of each family member.
- Facilitated weekly meetings with families to discuss progress towards goals.
- Assisted families in developing effective communication strategies for conflict resolution.
- Encouraged parents to build trust and foster a safe environment for their children.
- Supported parents in setting boundaries and expectations for their children's behavior.
- Created learning opportunities that allowed families to practice problem-solving skills together.
- Monitored family dynamics over time and provided feedback when necessary.
- Collaborated with other professionals such as counselors, social workers, and doctors to ensure holistic care for clients.
- Advised families on appropriate parenting approaches based on the age of their children.
- Assessed the impact of trauma or abuse on family members' mental health.
- Helped clients navigate through challenging life transitions such as divorce or illness.
- Maintained accurate records of all interactions with clients including notes from sessions.
- Provided emotional support during difficult times by listening without judgment.
- Researched relevant community services available to assist families in need.
- Organized events and activities designed to promote positive family bonding experiences.
- Connected clients with local agencies offering additional resources such as housing assistance or job training programs.
- Demonstrated sensitivity when working with diverse cultural backgrounds and beliefs systems.
- Compiled client information to create action and treatment plans.
- Adhered to strict privacy laws and procedures, keeping client data anonymous when needed.
- Adhere to Chicago Housing Authority policies and procedures.
- Addressed housing related issues including lease.
- While using a family-centered approach,services should focus on addressing the following areas (1) foster economics independence, (2) increase earning power, (3) support academic achievement, and (4) enhance stability and quality of life.
- Compete intakes and monitor family goals activities.
- Provide links to support services including transportation, childcare assistance, clothing and uniform assistance.
- Organize monthly events for residents.
Mental Health Counselor
Streamwood Behavioral Health Systems
Chicago, IL
08.2009 - 06.2022
- Provided individual and group counseling to clients struggling with mental health issues.
- Developed therapeutic relationships with clients and their families to ensure effective communication.
- Facilitated psychoeducational groups on topics such as stress management, coping skills, and relapse prevention.
- Collaborated with other healthcare providers to coordinate comprehensive care for clients.
- Maintained detailed records of client progress in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- Assisted in crisis intervention when needed to provide immediate support for clients in distress.
- Offered referrals to community resources that could assist clients in meeting their needs.
- Implemented evidence-based interventions based on best practices in the field of mental health counseling.
- Monitored client safety by assessing risk factors associated with suicide or self-harm behaviors.
- Participated in weekly team meetings to discuss client cases and review treatment plans.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Human Service Child And Family Services
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester11-2024
Associate of Applied Science - Child Development/Preschool Education
Kennedy-King College
Chicago, IL05-1997
Skills
- Conflict resolution
- Good work ethics
- Microsoft Office
- Communication
- Organizational skills
- Critical thinking
- Computer skills
- Customer service
- Active listening
- Friendly, positive attitude
- Training & development
- Supervision & leadership
- Teambuilding
- Data management
- Planning and Organizing
- Culturally sensitive
- Community referrals
Certification
- Illinois Director's Credential Level I
- Illinois Early Childhood Education Credential Level IV
- Illinois Infant Toddler Credential Level IV
- Illinois Family Specialist Credential Level III
- Illinois Family Specialist Credential Level IV
- Illinois Family Specialist Credential Level V
- Family Development Credential
- Illinois State Board of Education Paraprofessional License
- The National Society of Leadership and Success Foundations of Leadership Levels I and II
Timeline
Family Worker Specialist
Ada S. McKinley Community Service
03.2024 - Current
Family Service Associate
Chicago Youth Centers
05.2023 - 02.2024
Family Coach
Metropolitan Family Services
10.2022 - 05.2023
Mental Health Counselor
Streamwood Behavioral Health Systems
08.2009 - 06.2022
Bachelor of Arts - Human Service Child And Family Services
Southern New Hampshire University
Associate of Applied Science - Child Development/Preschool Education
Kennedy-King College
- Illinois Director's Credential Level I
- Illinois Early Childhood Education Credential Level IV
- Illinois Infant Toddler Credential Level IV
- Illinois Family Specialist Credential Level III
- Illinois Family Specialist Credential Level IV
- Illinois Family Specialist Credential Level V
- Family Development Credential
- Illinois State Board of Education Paraprofessional License
- The National Society of Leadership and Success Foundations of Leadership Levels I and II
Similar Profiles
Wendy RomanoWendy Romano
Tutor/Mentor at Ada S. McKinley Community ServiceTutor/Mentor at Ada S. McKinley Community Service
Thaila DavisThaila Davis
Administrative Assistant at Ada S. McKinley Community ServiceAdministrative Assistant at Ada S. McKinley Community Service
Carmen GarciaCarmen Garcia
Supervisor at Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc.Supervisor at Ada S. McKinley Community Services, Inc.