Gary F Herrington

Highly proficient Skills Builder/Case Manager with 5 years of experience supporting clients of all ages in goal-setting, skill-building and overcoming personal and professional challenges. Leverages active listening skills to assess individual needs and partner with the client to create effective solutions. Personable, direct, and organized, with a focus on guiding clients toward self-reflection and personal development.

Little Lark’s Teacher Coaching at Francis Slocum Elementary
Co-lead weekly workshops to help teachers better engage high need students who struggled to transition into a learning environment. Topics included how trauma impacts our ability to learn and engage with mentors, setting goals beyond their most urgent needs, developing healthy connections within their community. 

 
Little Lark’s Super Hero Camp Group Leader
Lead a group of 10 elementary school-aged students and two teenage assistants in activities geared to help them grow awareness of their emotions, how their body alerts them to what is going on around them, and how to navigate challenging emotions like fear, anger, and confusion. 

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer
Served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for three children with a total of six parents (two parents were in jail or on parole during the case).  Interviewed all parties in the case, filed formal reports with the court,  advised the Judge of my findings, met with the children and defended what was in the kids’ best interest, even when it went against DCS suggestions or the parent's wishes. 

Pack Master, Cub Scouts of America
Organized dens for each elementary grade level, recruited and managed volunteers, approved advancements, purchased and organized supplies, ranks, and patches, planned camp outs, ensured all paperwork was filed with the regional council office and organized large scale fundraisers. Helped scouts, parents, and volunteers to set learning and achievement goals. 

Assistant Scout Leader, Boy Scouts of America
Assisted in the planning and management of camp outs, helping students earn badges, meeting planning, and with fundraisers for a large troop consisting of middle and high school-aged students. Helped scouts, parents, and volunteers to set learning and achievement goals. 

Foster Parent, Fort Wayne Department of Child Services
Fostered a teenager for 14 months, navigated a complex and under-resourced foster care system, and partnered with Child Protective Services, therapists, medical providers, and birth parents to support their efforts for reunification. Introduced child to healthy study habits, educational goal setting, tracking progress and assignments, and utilizing school support systems.