Amy D. Thomas
St. Albans
Summary
Dynamic child welfare professional with extensive experience at the State of West Virginia, excelling in family assessments and investigative skills. Proven track record in developing individualized safety plans and enhancing community partnerships, while demonstrating professionalism and conflict resolution abilities. Committed to improving child safety through thorough investigations and effective intervention strategies.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Child Protective Investigator
State of West Virginia
04.2024 - Current
- Assessed child safety concerns through thorough investigations and interviews with involved parties.
- Documented findings and prepared detailed reports to support case evaluations and decision-making.
- Engaged in training sessions to enhance understanding of child welfare policies and investigative procedures.
- Attended court hearings to provide testimony regarding case findings and recommendations for child safety.
- Conducted home visits to evaluate living conditions and assess potential risks to child well-being.
- Developed relationships with community resources to facilitate support services for families in crisis.
- Increased efficiency in case management by maintaining accurate documentation and adhering to strict deadlines.
- Maintained a high standard of professionalism when interacting with clients, colleagues, and community partners, upholding the reputation of the agency as a trusted resource for child protection services.
- Maintained a high level of expertise in state and federal laws pertaining to child protection, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Improved child safety by conducting thorough investigations and assessments of abuse allegations.
- Conducted home visits to assess living conditions, ensuring a safe environment for at-risk children.
- Evaluated caregiver capacity through structured interviews, background checks, and psychological assessments when determining appropriate plan of action for at-risk children.
- Developed individualized safety plans to mitigate risks and prevent further harm to vulnerable children.
- Streamlined workflow processes by implementing updated protocols and technology tools in daily operations.
- Enhanced family stability through the development and implementation of effective intervention strategies.
- Provided expert testimony in court proceedings, contributing to informed decision-making on behalf of vulnerable children.
- Demonstrated cultural competence when working with diverse populations, addressing unique needs within each family situation.
- Interviewed children, members of families, medical personnel and law enforcement to gain valuable information for each case.
- Documented all relevant information by filling out forms and completing case reports.
- Devised and implemented safety plans for children suspected as victims of abuse or neglect.
- 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.
- Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet strict standards.
- Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
- Facilitated family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
Child Protective Investigator
State of West Virginia
01.2020 - 03.2024
- Assessed child safety concerns through thorough investigations and interviews with involved parties.
- Documented findings and prepared detailed reports to support case evaluations and decision-making.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop intervention plans for at-risk children and families.
- Engaged in training sessions to enhance understanding of child welfare policies and investigative procedures.
- Attended court hearings to provide testimony regarding case findings and recommendations for child safety.
- Maintained accurate records in electronic systems to ensure compliance with regulations and agency standards.
- Conducted home visits to evaluate living conditions and assess potential risks to child well-being.
- Developed relationships with community resources to facilitate support services for families in crisis.
- Increased efficiency in case management by maintaining accurate documentation and adhering to strict deadlines.
- Maintained a high standard of professionalism when interacting with clients, colleagues, and community partners, upholding the reputation of the agency as a trusted resource for child protection services.
- Promoted professional growth within the team through ongoing training, mentoring, and peer review processes.
- Maintained a high level of expertise in state and federal laws pertaining to child protection, ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Strengthened community partnerships by collaborating with local agencies to provide resources and referrals for families in need.
- Improved child safety by conducting thorough investigations and assessments of abuse allegations.
- Conducted home visits to assess living conditions, ensuring a safe environment for at-risk children.
- Developed individualized safety plans to mitigate risks and prevent further harm to vulnerable children.
- Evaluated caregiver capacity through structured interviews, background checks, and psychological assessments when determining appropriate plan of action for at-risk children.
- Devised and implemented safety plans for children suspected as victims of abuse or neglect.
- Remained objective in handling each case, especially when children and families were in high-stress situations.
- 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.
- Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet strict standards.
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
- Conducted thorough investigations to assess child safety and welfare in compliance with legal standards.
- Provided crisis intervention and support services to families experiencing trauma or instability.
- Facilitated interviews with children, parents, and community resources to gather pertinent information.
- Interviewed children, members of families, medical personnel and law enforcement to gain valuable information for each case.
- Conducted in-depth assessments to determine if children were safe from harm and abuse at home.
- Provided expert testimony in court hearings, contributing to informed decisions on child welfare matters.
- Conducted thorough investigations of child abuse and neglect allegations to ensure child safety.
- Collaborated with law enforcement and social services to develop comprehensive case plans.
- Evaluated family dynamics and environmental factors impacting child welfare outcomes.
- Documented findings in detailed reports, maintaining compliance with legal requirements and agency policies.
- Provided crisis intervention support to families in distress, promoting immediate safety measures.
Assistant to the Vice President
Alltel Communications
04.2005 - 04.2007
- Coordinated executive schedules and prioritized meetings to optimize time management for Vice President.
- Developed and maintained comprehensive reports on departmental performance and operational efficiency.
- Facilitated communication between departments, ensuring alignment on strategic initiatives and project goals.
- Assisted in the preparation of presentations, enhancing clarity and engagement for senior leadership meetings.
- Managed confidential information with discretion, adhering to company policies and compliance standards.
- Implemented new project management tools to enhance team collaboration and track progress effectively.
- Coordinated travel arrangements and logistics for the Vice President, optimizing time management and minimizing disruptions.
- Provided exceptional administrative support during periods of high workload or staff absence, ensuring continuity of operations in the office of the Vice President.
- Streamlined communication processes by organizing and managing the Vice President''s schedule, resulting in increased efficiency.
Assistant Area Manager and Office Manager
Nextel Partners
01.2002 - 03.2005
- Led team initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and streamline processes.
- Developed training programs for staff to improve service delivery and customer satisfaction.
- Oversaw inventory management systems, ensuring accuracy and timely stock replenishment.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to implement strategic plans and achieve business goals.
- Analyzed performance metrics to identify areas for improvement in operational workflows.
- Implemented process improvements that increased overall departmental efficiency and effectiveness.
- Collaborated with other Area Managers to share best practices and optimize overall company performance.
- Managed budgets and financial reports to ensure profitability, identifying areas for improvement and cost-saving measures.
- Implemented marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and drive sales growth in the assigned area.
- Ensured compliance with company policies and procedures by regularly reviewing documentation and updating as needed.
- Increased customer satisfaction by effectively addressing concerns and resolving conflicts as an Assistant Area Manager.
- Recruited hired, and trained new team members, creating a high-performing workforce across multiple locations.
Education
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
West Virginia State University
Institute, WV05-2019
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
West Virginia State University
Institute, WV05-2017
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
West Virginia State University
Institute, WV05-2017
Skills
- Teamwork and cooperation
- Professional ethics
- Family assessment
- Child welfare expertise
- Assertiveness
- Investigative skills
- Interviewing techniques
- Neglect and abandonment reporting
- Mental health awareness
- De-escalation techniques
- Data collection
- Conducting interviews
- Behavioral analysis
- Danger and threat assessments
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Attention to detail
- Problem-solving abilities
- Multitasking
- Task prioritization
- Family support
- Conflict resolution
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with team of 30 in the development of the betterment of child welfare.
- Documented and resolved Human Rights Violations which led to the prosecution of one of the biggest child abuse and neglect cases in the county.
- Spoke at Girls Night Out several years to help victims of domestic violence.
- Was a community liaison for many news stations following domestic violence events.
- Was employee of the month during my time as a senior investigator
- Well versed in the writing of petitions and testifying in court
- Worked closely with all levels of law enforcement to maintain the safety of children.
- Conducted child death and sexual assault investigations.
2015 YWCA Women of Empowerment Award Winner
I was nominated through group of peers and won my award after my devastating kidnapping and near death experience in 2013. I used that horrific event as a catalyst to speak out and help others in my situation.
Timeline
Senior Child Protective Investigator
State of West Virginia
04.2024 - Current
Child Protective Investigator
State of West Virginia
01.2020 - 03.2024
Assistant to the Vice President
Alltel Communications
04.2005 - 04.2007
Assistant Area Manager and Office Manager
Nextel Partners
01.2002 - 03.2005
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
West Virginia State University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
West Virginia State University
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
West Virginia State University
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