Alani Brands
Champlin,MN
Summary
Focused on supporting unique needs of each child, family, and coworker. Skillfully leads, teaches, and assists from both a family-focused and child-focused approach in order to support child development. Able to provide individual-focused counsel while simultaneously utilizing interdisciplinary collaboration skills to support the entire group and brand as a whole.
Knowledgeable about child development and family systems; childcare centers and policies; hospital systems and resources; and government, school-district, community programs, and resources that aid individuals, parents, and children. Largely interested in ensuring each child is given the best possible environment to support and enhance their development. Looking for a job that will give me the opportunity to set organizations up for success in working with families and children with an intensive focus on child development.
I am an extremely passionate, reliable, and highly-motivated individual and employee with a strong worth ethic, adaptability, attention to detail, love for organization, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Skilled in working under pressure and adapting to new situations and challenges, while simultaneously enhancing the workplace environment and organizational brand.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Court Guardian Ad Litem
Minnesota Guardian ad Litem Board
Minneapolis, Minnesota
04.2023 - Current
- Conducted home visits to determine the safety and well-being of children in a family environment.
- Conducted interviews with guardians.
- Met with children one-on-one, in the home environment, and at school (if applicable).
- Assessed the ability of parents to provide for the needs of their children by evaluating health, education, and social services available.
- Interviewed clients, witnesses, law enforcement officers, and other professionals to obtain information relevant to cases.
- Provided court reports summarizing findings from investigations and recommending appropriate action plans.
- Made recommendations as to what the Court should order regarding temporary custody, permanent custody, whether the children require counseling or other services, and whether a party should be ordered to participate in treatment or counseling services.
- Attended court proceedings. Participated as a party in most cases.
- Collaborated with attorneys, caseworkers, judges, and other legal professionals.
- Reviewed medical records in order to make informed decisions.
- Facilitated meetings between families and various stakeholders to ensure the best interests of children were met.
- Participated in mediation sessions with parties involved in guardianship matters.
- Researched case law related to guardianship issues.
- Organized files containing documents pertinent to each case.
- Presented evidence at hearings before administrative bodies or courts.
- Investigated allegations of abuse or neglect involving children.
- Maintained caseload of approximately 15-20 cases, working under strict deadlines.
- Maintained accurate records and documented client data in company databases.
- Educated local community residents about available health and wellness resources.
- Built partnerships with related organizations to develop support and gain greater attention for important issues.
- Made referrals to utilize community resources for families' needs.
- Consulted and collaborated with other professionals to provide continuity of patient-family care.
- Referred clients to substance abuse treatment programs and outpatient dual diagnosis treatment programs.
- Recommended assertive community-based rehabilitation and case management services to high-risk mentally ill patients.
- Developed relationships with community resources such as schools, mental health providers, and social service agencies in order to assess client needs.
Family Services Specialist
Children's Hospital - Minnesota
Minneapolis and St Paul, MN
11.2021 - 07.2024
- Conducted pre-admission screenings with clients seeking services and determined eligibility
- Relayed information to patients regarding lab tests, procedures and appointments
- Obtained and relayed information and messages in timely manner
- Served as reliable liaison between patients and healthcare providers
- Welcomed patients, pharmaceutical reps and other visitors
- Answered telephones, distributed mail and faxes, and prepared patient files
- Answered incoming calls from clients, forwarding to appropriate destinations
- Provided information to families about available services and opportunities
- Maintained a professional, patient, and supportive demeanor when dealing with families in crisis.
Toddler Teacher and Administrative Assistant
KinderCare Learning Center
Champlin, MN
06.2020 - 07.2024
- Created positive and inclusive learning environment focused on safety, respect and acceptance
- Put together fun lessons to engage children in learning foundational letter and number recognition skills
- Prepared and served meals and snacks to meet children's nutritional needs
- Kept supplies organized and well-stocked for upcoming lessons and daily needs
- Implemented approved curriculum with balanced approach to play, exploration and learning
- Coordinated regular outside and gym activities to promote movement and play
- Supported problem-solving and safe interaction to help improve social skills
- Modeled positive and creative problem-solving, encouraging children to work through challenges
- Arranged daily nap and rest periods to recharge students for afternoon play and additional learning
- Followed licensing guidelines and company standards to support daily care
- Checked classroom regularly to identify safety concerns and maintain cleanliness
- Worked collaboratively with director, fellow teachers and parents to meet children's needs
- Built communicative rapport with families and caregivers to promote comprehensive support for each child
- Helped children practice good hygiene and provided potty training and diapering
- Communicated with parents regarding observations and concerns or to provide positive feedback
- Assisted children in overcoming inappropriate behavior and provided positive guidance and reinforcement
- Provided a bridge of communication between parents and the school district when working with children with developmental concerns or disabilities
- Created and updated child developmental evidence portfolios
- Acting supervisor during the evening closing.
- Developed and organized a new filing system for child/family files, financial records, and center licensing materials
- Became the point person for record retention policy and compliance
- Assisted the director in helping a nearby center set up a new records system when new management came in
- Aided in teaching new management about successful operating procedures, as well as necessary compliance
Research Assistant
University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Child and Adolescent Mental Health
Minneapolis, MN
09.2022 - 05.2023
- Trained and certified in Parent-Child Emotional Availability Coding using the Emotional Availability (EA) Scales and Emotional Attachment Zones Evaluation, Edition 4.1 developed by Zeynep Biringen, Ph.D
- After being trained and establishing reliability, I was responsible for watching parent-child interaction videos gathered by a study from Meredith Gunlicks-Stoessel, Ph.D., and coding them using this scale and evaluation system developed by Zeynep Biringen, Ph.D.
- Conducted primary and secondary research to identify relevant information for project development.
- Gathered data from various sources, including online databases, libraries, and interviews with experts.
- Performed literature reviews to ensure accuracy of results.
- Contributed ideas and suggestions regarding potential new areas of inquiry based on current trends in the field.
Administrative Assistant
University KinderCare
Minneapolis, MN
09.2020 - 06.2022
- Followed licensing guidelines and standards to optimize daily childcare
- Worked with parents to help children progress towards educational and behavioral goals
- Trained and supported team members to maintain safe, happy and stimulating environment for children
- Remained up-to-date on childcare standards and procedures by completing ongoing training and courses
- Regularly reviewed educational activities and policies to identify opportunities for improvements
- Recruited, scheduled, and enrolled children to maximize occupancy
- Evaluated classroom environments to suggest and oversee continuous improvements
- Filled in for absent teachers as the main class leader
- Collaborated with staff to engage and involve parents with child's development and learning
- Completed well-child calls to parents to maintain communication and address any questions or concerns
- Took over phone responsibilities
- Was first-in-charge of the center in the evenings
Child Care Team Member
The Ohio State Child Care Center
Columbus, OH
12.2019 - 04.2020
- Followed safe sleep practices for children under one year of age
- Participated in planned daily physical activities to promote body health for children
- Delivered discipline utilizing redirection and positive reinforcement
- Maintained clean work areas by eliminating clutter on countertops, shelving and refrigerator
- Directed learning and personal care routines while respecting and observing child interests and cues
- Prepared and served meals and refreshments according to Child and Adult Food Program guidelines
- Rotated learning materials, photos and artwork monthly to maintain child interest
- Fed, diapered and bathed infants, documenting activities for parental awareness
- Assisted parents at drop-off and pick-up times to smooth process
- Used positive techniques to help children work through various social and behavioral problems
- Tracked students' unique needs with proper forms and maintained classroom records
- (Had to resign due to COVID outbreak and moving back home to Minnesota)
Child Center Team Member
Lifetime Fitness
Champlin, MN
06.2018 - 01.2020
- Cultivated safe and inclusive care environment to nurture and encourage children
- Observed signs of behavioral or emotional issues and alerted senior staff and parents of concerns
- Determined daycare supply needs and requisitioned materials
- Followed licensing guidelines and standards to optimize daily childcare
- Sanitized and organized toys and play equipment to reduce safety risks
- Communicated with parents regarding observations and concerns or to provide positive feedback
- Coordinated activities that supported developmentally appropriate physical activity
Education
Bachelor of Science - Developmental Psychology
University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, MN05.2023
Bachelor of Science - Undecided
The Ohio State University
High School Diploma -
Totino Grace High School
Skills
- Child assessment
- Classroom instruction
- Curriculum implementation and lesson planning
- Behavior modeling
- Health and safety
- Connect with and support parents
- Support emotional needs
- Child development support
- Customer service
- Friendly, supportive, patient, compassionate, empathetic, and understanding attitude
- Community outreach
- Needs assessment
- Referral coordination
- Emotional awareness
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Behavior management techniques
- Recordkeeping requirements
- Compliance
- Early childhood knowledge
- Multicultural sensitivity
- Adaptive decision making
- Risk analysis
- Team collaboration
- Litigation support
- Training and development
- Organizational skills
Additional Information
Can provide legal mediation; Minnesota Rule 114 Certified Neutral (July 2024). Specializes in custody, paternity, and dissolution matters.
Mission Trips and Volunteer Work
- Healing Haiti Mission Trip (2019)
- Prodeo Academy Tutor (2017-2019)
- Children's Hospital Volunteer (2016-2019)
- Member of the University of Minnesota "U Volunteer" club (2021-2023)
Languages
Spanish
Limited
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Family Court Guardian Ad Litem
Minnesota Guardian ad Litem Board
04.2023 - Current
Research Assistant
University of Minnesota Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Division of Child and Adolescent Mental Health
09.2022 - 05.2023
Family Services Specialist
Children's Hospital - Minnesota
11.2021 - 07.2024
Administrative Assistant
University KinderCare
09.2020 - 06.2022
Toddler Teacher and Administrative Assistant
KinderCare Learning Center
06.2020 - 07.2024
Child Care Team Member
The Ohio State Child Care Center
12.2019 - 04.2020
Child Center Team Member
Lifetime Fitness
06.2018 - 01.2020
Bachelor of Science - Developmental Psychology
University of Minnesota
Bachelor of Science - Undecided
The Ohio State University
High School Diploma -
Totino Grace High School
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