Amber Prater-Berghoff
Victorville,CA
Summary
Focused school counselor with 5 years of success guiding students on academic and career decisions. Skilled at counseling students on methods for forging relationships and helping students navigate school life. Driven to support long-term goals, career readiness, and college preparedness. Possess excellent communication, problem-solving and organizational skills. Trusted employee who goes the extra mile to help all students succeed.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
School Counselor
Helendale School District
01.2023 - Current
- Provide student support services in the following areas: academics, social emotional, conflict management, study skills, anxiety and stress coping strategies and testing taking skills
- Scheduled and led SST and 504 meetings and helped ensure implementation of IEP services were being granted for individual students
- Created and planned for the master schedule and used Aeries daily
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Maintained positive relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and administration.
- Used data to monitor students' progress and recommend solutions for improvement.
- Partnered with parents and guardians to promote student success in school environment.
- Reviewed and discussed new students' academic credentials, interests, and educational goals.
- Conducted psychoeducational assessments to identify areas of academic and behavioral strengths and weaknesses and recommend modifications to improve learning and behavior.
- Empowered students through counseling and skill-building exercises.
- Implemented Tier 1 and 2 student services for RTI and implemented PBIS on the campus
- Enhance professional competence through professional growth activities, assist in staff planning for the school principal relating to articulation, enrollment, scheduling, vocational guidance, testing, and other related counseling subprograms.
School Counselor
Sierra Sands Unified School District
08.2022 - 01.2023
- Provide comprehensive counseling and guidance services in the areas of career planning, educational planning, and psychological/social development and to assist in the development of positive self-image and the improvement of interpersonal relationship among pupils, teachers, and parents
- Led PBIS and MTSS Tier I and Tier II services at the Elementary School and led counseling groups helping students learn social, emotional skills in groups of 4-6 students at a time
- Help pupils become responsible, self-directed citizens and to assist pupils in the development of decision-making skills
- Counsel with pupils and parents regarding academic problems and to communicate (in writing and by telephone) when necessary, regarding pupil's progress and problems
- Provide assistance to teachers, including conferences, to interpret the abilities and needs of pupils and consultation concerning specialized instruction indicated
- Counsel with pupils regarding personal, social, and family problems and to aid the pupil in seeking solutions
- Interact positively with colleagues, participate in supervision of school activities, utilize school and community resources for pupil benefit
- Provide leadership and professional/technical advice to advisors and other certificated staff assigned to the school.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
- Maintained positive relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and administration.
Social Worker II
Desert Valley Hospital
09.2021 - 07.2022
- Updated client documentation for accurate, compliant and current records.
- Interviewed clients, families, or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
- Provides emotional support, crisis intervention and counseling for pediatrics, adolescents, adults, older adults and their significant others to cope with a multiplicity of social and emotional problems
- Provide information and referrals for financial assistance and support services to patients and families with problems that are related to hospitalization, illness, disability or trauma
- Provide case management and milieu management, complete psychosocial assessments, assist in the development and re-evaluation of treatment plans and work a member of a multidisciplinary team
- Coordinate discharge planning and complete necessary documentation and maintain clinical record for each client during their length of stay.
- Advocated for clients to assure respected rights and wishes.
Social Services Supervisor II
County of Riverside
12.2020 - 09.2021
- Assist in the development of community resources for all programs; assist and participate in the development of in-service training and staff development programs
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet treatment needs.
- Recruited, interviewed, and hired staff members offering exceptional talent and brought great skills to team.
- Developed and created programs and monitored effectiveness against individual participant needs.
- Oversaw staff development through in-depth trainings, workshops, seminars, and other learning opportunities.
- Provided leadership, guidance and support to staff members.
- Make or review decisions on difficult casework matters involving the casework being performed under direct supervision
- Represent the Department at conferences and address concerns raised by groups relative to assigned areas of responsibility; may represent the Department on matters relating to the service aspects of programs
- Evaluate the performance of subordinates and take or recommend appropriate courses of action
- May direct and prepare research studies and reports
- Data entry of complex and lengthy narratives into a client complaint database
- Maintain quick response time to heavy email volume.
Social Services Practitioner Ill
County of Riverside
09.2012 - 12.2020
- Carry a caseload in investigative services of difficult cases involving families with serious needs and concerns that require assessment of client's problems and develop treatment plans
- Secured housing, medical care, and employment for clients by collaborating with various community agencies.
- Provided social work services, individual and family therapy and referrals.
- Testified under oath as child advocate in family court to assist with child custody decisions.
- Counseled individuals and families regarding mental health, substance abuse, physical abuse, and rehabilitation issues.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
- Perform treatment plan casework with a high degree of independence
- Implemented research-based interventions and strategies to support positive behavior and social-emotional development.
School Counselor
The Carolyn E. Wylie Center for Youth and Families
09.2009 - 09.2012
- Individual and group counseling toward short-term prevention and intervention programs
- Created and rotated group sessions on topics such as: self-confidence, respect, family values, stranger safety awareness, friendship, social skills, career assessment, etc
- Worked closely with principals, teachers, school staff and school support personnel
- Daily logs and record keeping such as: case notes, group session's notes and individual demographics
- Reported to Outreach Supervisor on a weekly basis with monthly supervision and monthly staff meetings required
- Met the needs of the community by being a resource for referrals toward: health care, individual and family therapy, financial assistance, child abuse reporting, etc.
Health Care Social Worker
County of Riverside
11.2006 - 08.2009
- Interviewed patients, clients and their families to assess the nature of their social and financial problems and the need for social service casework intervention
- Determined or recommended treatment plans to meet social needs
- Consulted with supervisory or other professional staff members regarding more complex cases to determine the most effective treatment plan and methods
- Conducts home visits to conduct assessments and follow-up on case management
- Coordinates and consults with public health, medical, and other Community Health Agency staff members and with outside agencies regarding available social and financial resources
- Interprets significant social and emotional factors to hospital treatment team members
- May assist in conducting training activities for Community Health Agency personnel outside the social services unit
- Provides social service casework to help patients and clients and their families resolve social and financial problems created by illness or disability.
Facilitator
Parent Institute for Quality Education
08.2007 - 08.2008
- Taught and led classes of instruction to parents pertaining to skills and tools needed to help their students enter college
- Worked closely with GEAR UP programs at high schools in the Inland Empire
- Prepared students and parents for the college application process and explained the elements necessary for complete application verification
- 9-week long classes were conducted in small group settings once a week, and parents were encouraged to ask pertinent questions of their Principal at the end of the course during the Parent-Principal meeting
- Reviewed college requirements for the Cal State University and University of California systems for admissions along with review of the state and federal financial aid application (FAFSA)
- Courses were designed to encourage all students regardless of socioeconomic class to apply for college and achieve the goal of attending and graduating college
- Courses are designed to bridge the gap between the home, the school and the community to make for more students attending college and earning higher education degrees.
Eligibility Technician II
County of Riverside
11.2006 - 02.2008
- Interviews applicants for Calworks and Food stamps to determine eligibility for the aid programs
- Obtains information on income, shelter costs and identification for all aided members
- Interpreted program regulations on income, shelter costs and identification for all aided members
- Interpreted program regulations to determine appropriate information that is needed from the applicant, recipient or general public
- Based on needs expressed by the applicant, refers applicants to appropriate social work staff members after completing correct referral forms
- Continuous communication with other technicians and supervisors regarding case progress and case action
- Responsible for communication with other social services agencies and answering telephone calls promptly
- Obtains information to clarify and assist in discrepancies in information given to multiple agencies
- Computes grant amount to be awarded to applicants and determines eligibility based on state and federal regulations
- Daily use of telephone, fax machine, email and computer-based programs such as C-IV, Novell, Word and Excel.
Education
Master of Science - Education
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA05.2011
No Degree - PPS School Counseling
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA05.2011
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of California Riverside
Riverside, CA06.2006
Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Diverse Groups Presentations
- Cultural Competency
- Suicide Prevention
- Career Advising
- Master Scheduling
- Individual and Family Support
- Special Education
- Academic Support
- Elementary Education
Timeline
School Counselor
Helendale School District
01.2023 - Current
School Counselor
Sierra Sands Unified School District
08.2022 - 01.2023
Social Worker II
Desert Valley Hospital
09.2021 - 07.2022
Social Services Supervisor II
County of Riverside
12.2020 - 09.2021
Social Services Practitioner Ill
County of Riverside
09.2012 - 12.2020
School Counselor
The Carolyn E. Wylie Center for Youth and Families
09.2009 - 09.2012
Facilitator
Parent Institute for Quality Education
08.2007 - 08.2008
Health Care Social Worker
County of Riverside
11.2006 - 08.2009
Eligibility Technician II
County of Riverside
11.2006 - 02.2008
Master of Science - Education
California Baptist University
No Degree - PPS School Counseling
California Baptist University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of California Riverside
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