Amanda Russell
Bruce Township,MI
Summary
Master-Level Social Worker with expertise in supporting at-risk youth and families. Proficient in crisis intervention and trauma-informed care, managing high caseloads effectively. Strong relationship builder, facilitating collaboration between students, teachers, and families to enhance academic and social development. Strategic planner and decisive leader focused on achieving positive outcomes.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Therapist
Child and Family Therapy Center of Macomb
01.2023 - Current
- Provide therapeutic services to a diverse client population, including adults, children, adolescents, couples, and families.
- Address a wide range of emotional, behavioral, and relational concerns through individual, family, and marriage counseling.
- Utilize evidence-based modalities such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), play therapy, solution-focused therapy, and trauma-informed approaches.
- Conduct comprehensive intake assessments and develop individualized treatment plans aligned with client goals.
- Collaborate closely with clients and families to support growth, communication, and long-term well-being.
- Maintain accurate and timely clinical documentation in accordance with HIPAA regulations and professional standards.
- Engage in ongoing clinical supervision and case consultation to enhance therapeutic effectiveness and professional development.
School Social Worker
Romeo Community Schools – Romeo Middle School
02.2022 - Current
- Provide individual and group counseling to support students’ emotional, behavioral, and social well-being.
- Assist students in managing challenges such as anxiety, peer conflict, academic stress, and family issues.
- Contribute to the development and implementation of IEPs and 504 Plans, including progress monitoring and reporting.
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, and families to identify student needs and develop effective interventions.
- Facilitate small groups and classroom lessons focused on social skills, emotional regulation, and conflict resolution.
- Deliver crisis support and connect students and families with appropriate community services and mental health resources.
- Maintain accurate documentation in compliance with school policies and confidentiality standards.
- Promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive school environment for all students.
School Social worker
Rochester Community Schools – Meadowbrook Elementary
05.2021 - 02.2022
- Provided comprehensive school social work support to general education and special education students in K–5 settings, including intensive resource autism classrooms.
- Managed diverse caseloads and developed Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals, including progress monitoring and quarterly reporting.
- Designed and co-facilitated groups, including targeted interventions for social skills development.
- Implemented social-emotional learning (SEL) lessons in classrooms to enhance regulation, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills.
- Perform assessments to identify student needs, inform interventions, and track progress toward educational and behavioral goals.
- Collaborate with parents, teachers, and interdisciplinary teams to address issues such as truancy, academic performance, and behavioral concerns.
- Provide crisis intervention and coordinate referrals to community-based supports and mental health services.
Student Assistant Specialist
Roseville Community Schools – Roseville Middle School
12.2020 - 08.2021
- Provide early identification and intervention for students experiencing academic, emotional, behavioral, or substance use challenges.
- Offer short-term, solution-focused counseling and support for students facing personal or school-related issues.
- Conduct assessments to determine student needs and make appropriate referrals to school or community resources.
- Collaborate with teachers, counselors, administrators, and families to create and implement support plans.
- Facilitate support groups focused on topics such as coping skills, peer relationships, grief, or substance use prevention.
- Educate students, staff, and families about mental health, wellness, and substance use prevention strategies.
- Support school-wide prevention programs and initiatives to promote a positive school climate and student well-being.
- Maintain detailed and confidential documentation in line with district policies and professional standards.
- Monitor student progress and follow up on services to ensure ongoing support.
- Serve as a liaison between the school and community agencies to coordinate care and resources for students and families.
Pre-Trial Specialist
Macomb County Community Corrections
09.2019 - 12.2020
- Conduct in-person interviews and assessments with incarcerated individuals in a secure jail environment.
- Collaborate with jail staff, community agencies, and program personnel to share information and develop appropriate program recommendations.
- Review and analyze background information and relevant data to assess eligibility and needs.
- Identify potential mental health concerns and coordinate care with the Mental Health Division.
- Organize and manage the steps required for timely community placement of eligible offenders.
- Assist in preparing court recommendations for alternatives to incarceration when appropriate.
- Provide ongoing case management for individuals participating in community-based alternative sentencing programs.
- Establish and maintain relationships with community service providers; monitor participant compliance and report progress to the courts and probation officers.
School Social Work Internship
Chippewa Community Schools – Dakota High School
09.2019 - 06.2020
- Collaborated with school social workers to support students facing academic, behavioral, and emotional challenges in a diverse high school setting
- Conducted individual and group sessions with students to promote social-emotional learning, self-regulation, and positive peer relationships
- Participated in the development and implementation of individualized education plans (IEPs) and behavior intervention plans (BIPs)
- Assisted with crisis intervention, mandated reporting procedures, and coordination of services with outside mental health agencies
- Engaged in multidisciplinary team meetings with teachers, counselors, and administrators to advocate for student needs
Advocate
Macomb County Community Action Head Start
09.2019 - 02.2020
- Served as a liaison between families and Head Start services, ensuring families had access to necessary resources and support.
- Guided families in navigating community services, including healthcare, housing, and educational support, ensuring seamless access.
- Advocated for families in meetings with service providers, ensuring their needs were effectively communicated and met.
- Collaborated with families and staff to develop personalized plans that promoted family well-being, stability, and self-sufficiency.
- Led efforts to increase family engagement by facilitating participation in Head Start programs and activities.
- Monitored family progress in utilizing resources and provided follow-up support to ensure continued success.
- Organized and facilitated family-centered workshops, support events, and community outreach initiatives.
- Provided crisis intervention and emotional support, referring families to appropriate services for ongoing assistance.
Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Paraeducator
Rochester Community Schools – Stoney Creek High School
02.2017 - 08.2018
- Assists, supports, and works closely with teachers, administrators, and other team members in providing educational benefits for students.
- Works with individual students or small groups of students to reinforce learning of materials or skills initially introduced and outlined by certified staff.
- Assists the certified staff in devising special strategies for reinforcing learning materials and skills based on a sympathetic understanding of individual students, their needs, interests, and abilities.
- Monitor’s work and supervises curriculum-based testing and makeup work as assigned by the certified staff. Alerts the certified staff to any problem or special information about an individual student.
Adoption Specialist
Ennis Center for Children
09.2014 - 07.2016
- Stay up-to-date with adoption recruitment, screening, family preparation, and assessment processes, ensuring compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, and accreditation standards.
- Facilitate the matching and pre-placement process for children and families, coordinating with all involved parties.
- Attend court hearings, case conferences, and community events to support adoption efforts and recruitment.
- Collaborate with foster care staff, other adoption agencies, and the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure a smooth adoption process.
- Complete all legal documentation and requirements necessary for the finalization of state ward adoptions.
- Collect, analyze, and document client data and progress in accordance with reporting standards and deadlines.
- Coordinate placement logistics with foster parents, including transportation of children as needed.
- Provide post-placement services and support to adoptive families throughout the adoption process.
Education
Master of Social Work - Clinical Social Work/School Social Work Certification
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI05.2021
Bachelor of Science - Human Service
Baker College
Clinton Township, MI03.2014
Skills
- PowerSchool, TIEnet, and Synergy proficiency
- Trauma-informed practices
- Professionalism and discretion
- Microsoft Office proficiency
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Community resource coordination
- Social-emotional learning strategies
- Crisis intervention techniques
- Student support services
- Evidence-based interventions
- Small and large group facilitation
- Team collaboration
- IEP, FBA, and PBSP development
- CPI nonviolent crisis intervention training
- Data tracking and management
- Behavioral threat and risk assessment
- Solution-based interventions
- Restorative justice practices
- Multitasking ability
- Behavioral assessment and intervention
- Emotional regulation education
References
- Jackie, Lavere, Social Worker, (810) 357-8165, Marysville, MI
- Laura, Nazione, Speech and Language Pathologist, (248) 217-0391, Rochester, MI
- Tiffany, Heikkila, Special Education Teacher, (586) 588-1183, Romeo, MI
Timeline
Therapist
Child and Family Therapy Center of Macomb
01.2023 - Current
School Social Worker
Romeo Community Schools – Romeo Middle School
02.2022 - Current
School Social worker
Rochester Community Schools – Meadowbrook Elementary
05.2021 - 02.2022
Student Assistant Specialist
Roseville Community Schools – Roseville Middle School
12.2020 - 08.2021
Pre-Trial Specialist
Macomb County Community Corrections
09.2019 - 12.2020
School Social Work Internship
Chippewa Community Schools – Dakota High School
09.2019 - 06.2020
Advocate
Macomb County Community Action Head Start
09.2019 - 02.2020
Special Education Autism Spectrum Disorder Paraeducator
Rochester Community Schools – Stoney Creek High School
02.2017 - 08.2018
Adoption Specialist
Ennis Center for Children
09.2014 - 07.2016
Master of Social Work - Clinical Social Work/School Social Work Certification
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Science - Human Service
Baker College
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