Annette Velazquez
Parlin ,NJ
Summary
Accomplished Family Services Specialist with a proven track record at the Department of Children and Family Services, enhancing family stability and well-being through expert case management and crisis intervention. Skilled in conducting comprehensive needs assessments and leveraging community resources, I excel in multicultural competence and confidentiality practices, significantly improving client satisfaction and outcomes.
Overview
34
34
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Services Specialist I
Department Of Children And Family Services
02.2000 - 06.2003
- Maintained confidential records and documentation in [Type] database.
- Attended and participated staff meetings and training seminars.
- Mentored new staff members as they navigated the complexities of family services work; sharing knowledge and expertise to enhance overall team performance.
- Increased family stability by providing crisis intervention and connecting them to appropriate community supports.
- Promoted community resources to families, assisting them in accessing necessary services for their specific needs.
- Safeguarded children''s welfare through thorough risk assessments and timely interventions in high-risk cases.
- Established strong partnerships with community organizations; working together to address systemic issues affecting families in the region.
- Maximized client engagement through proactive outreach efforts, including home visits, phone calls, and written correspondence.
- Expedited permanency planning for children in foster care through diligent case management and effective collaboration with legal stakeholders.
- Offered family crisis intervention to manage conflict and identify peaceful resolutions.
- Fostered positive connections between youth and caregivers by coordinating mentorship programs focused on relationship-building activities.
- Facilitated successful reunifications between children and their birth parents through consistent support and evidence-based interventions.
- Administered case management for dependant children to provide counseling and formulate treatment plans to determine long-term placement.
- Conducted intake interviews and completed [Type] assessments to understand client needs and discover issues that affect treatment.
- Constructed comprehensive client treatment plans to establish goals and track progress.
- Liaised with community organizations and provided resource and treatment referrals.
- Demonstrated commitment to professional growth by attending relevant trainings, workshops, and conferences; continuously updating skills and knowledge within the family services field.
- Evaluated program effectiveness utilizing data-driven approaches; identifying areas for improvement while celebrating successes achieved.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations by maintaining accurate documentation and timely reporting for all cases managed.
- Enhanced case management through regular monitoring, reviewing, and updating of individualized service plans.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
- Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet strict standards.
Family Service Specialist II
Department Of Children And Family Services
05.1994 - 06.2003
- Followed all company policies and procedures to deliver quality work.
- Developed strong client relationships through consistent communication and attentive service.
- Improved customer satisfaction rates through proactive problem-solving and efficient complaint resolution.
- Interpreted clients' needs and introduced services to fit specific requirements.
Retired
n/a
01.2023 - Current
Supervisory Family Specialist II
Department Of Children And Family Services
06.2012 - 12.2022
- Implemented evidence-based practices within casework management, ensuring adherence to best-practice guidelines for family services provision.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of intervention strategies through regular progress reviews, adjusting approaches as needed for optimal outcomes.
- Assisted workers to promote child well-being by connecting families to essential community resources and support services.
- Built and maintained strong partnerships with community organizations to support the diverse needs of families served, increasing access to vital resources.
- Provided crisis intervention support during emergency situations, helping families regain stability following critical incidents.
- Conducted home visits regularly to assess living conditions, safety concerns, and overall familial well-being within their environment.
- Strengthened family relationships through tailored interventions and conflict resolution strategies.
- Facilitated the development of healthy coping mechanisms among family members experiencing mental health challenges or substance use disorders.
- Developed trusting relationships with families by building rapport, demonstrating empathy, and maintaining professional boundaries.
- Educated community partners on the role of Family Specialists in strengthening family functioning, increasing referral opportunities for services.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to provide comprehensive support for families in crisis situations.
- Assisted families in navigating complex social service systems by providing informed guidance and advocacy support.
- Maintained accurate case records, ensuring efficient documentation for ongoing monitoring and progress evaluation.
- Enhanced family dynamics by conducting comprehensive assessments and developing individualized service plans.
- Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet strict standards.
- Collaborated with school personnel, parents and mental health providers to maintain comprehensive and integrated approach to student services.
- Conducted outreach to families and other community partners to identify ways to address social, emotional and behavioral needs.
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
- Facilitated family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
Family Services Specialist I
Department Of Children And Family Services
06.2003 - 06.2012
- Maintained confidential records and documentation in [Type] database.
- Attended and participated staff meetings and training seminars.
- Mentored new staff members as they navigated the complexities of family services work; sharing knowledge and expertise to enhance overall team performance.
- Increased family stability by providing crisis intervention and connecting them to appropriate community supports.
- Safeguarded children''s welfare through thorough risk assessments and timely interventions in high-risk cases.
- Promoted community resources to families, assisting them in accessing necessary services for their specific needs.
- Established strong partnerships with community organizations; working together to address systemic issues affecting families in the region.
- Expedited permanency planning for children in foster care through diligent case management and effective collaboration with legal stakeholders.
- Maximized client engagement through proactive outreach efforts, including home visits, phone calls, and written correspondence.
- Offered family crisis intervention to manage conflict and identify peaceful resolutions.
- Facilitated successful reunifications between children and their birth parents through consistent support and evidence-based interventions.
- Conducted intake interviews and completed [Type] assessments to understand client needs and discover issues that affect treatment.
- Identified and reported signs and symptoms of violence, abuse and neglect for immediate intervention and remediation.
- Improved family well-being by conducting comprehensive assessments and developing tailored service plans.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations by maintaining accurate documentation and timely reporting for all cases managed.
- Liaised with community organizations and provided resource and treatment referrals.
- Demonstrated commitment to professional growth by attending relevant trainings, workshops, and conferences; continuously updating skills and knowledge within the family services field.
- Enhanced case management through regular monitoring, reviewing, and updating of individualized service plans.
- Assisted parents with appointment scheduling and transportation arrangements to maintain treatment plans.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
- Facilitated family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
- Developed and implemented strategies to reduce and prevent family conflict.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
- Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet strict standards.
- Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
- Conducted outreach to families and other community partners to identify ways to address social, emotional and behavioral needs.
Family Services Specialist III
Department Of Children And Family Services
07.1990 - 05.1994
- Maintained confidential records and documentation in [Type] database.
- Attended and participated staff meetings and training seminars.
- Increased family stability by providing crisis intervention and connecting them to appropriate community supports.
- Mentored new staff members as they navigated the complexities of family services work; sharing knowledge and expertise to enhance overall team performance.
- Promoted community resources to families, assisting them in accessing necessary services for their specific needs.
- Safeguarded children''s welfare through thorough risk assessments and timely interventions in high-risk cases.
- Contributed to program development, implementing new initiatives to better meet the evolving needs of families served.
- Established strong partnerships with community organizations; working together to address systemic issues affecting families in the region.
- Offered family crisis intervention to manage conflict and identify peaceful resolutions.
- Expedited permanency planning for children in foster care through diligent case management and effective collaboration with legal stakeholders.
- Maximized client engagement through proactive outreach efforts, including home visits, phone calls, and written correspondence.
- Strengthened relationships among families by facilitating group sessions and providing conflict resolution support.
- Fostered positive connections between youth and caregivers by coordinating mentorship programs focused on relationship-building activities.
- Conducted in-home individual and family counseling sessions to help clients achieve goals and gain insight.
- Facilitated successful reunifications between children and their birth parents through consistent support and evidence-based interventions.
- Conducted intake interviews and completed [Type] assessments to understand client needs and discover issues that affect treatment.
- Identified and reported signs and symptoms of violence, abuse and neglect for immediate intervention and remediation.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations by maintaining accurate documentation and timely reporting for all cases managed.
- Assisted parents with appointment scheduling and transportation arrangements to maintain treatment plans.
- Liaised with community organizations and provided resource and treatment referrals.
- Demonstrated commitment to professional growth by attending relevant trainings, workshops, and conferences; continuously updating skills and knowledge within the family services field.
- Constructed comprehensive client treatment plans to establish goals and track progress.
- Improved family well-being by conducting comprehensive assessments and developing tailored service plans.
- Enhanced case management through regular monitoring, reviewing, and updating of individualized service plans.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
- Developed and implemented strategies to reduce and prevent family conflict.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
- Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet strict standards.
- Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
- Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
- Conducted outreach to families and other community partners to identify ways to address social, emotional and behavioral needs.
- Implemented research-based interventions and strategies to support positive behavior and social-emotional development.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Kean College
Union, NJ05.1990
Skills
- Self-awareness
- Professional ethics
- Multicultural Competence
- Confidentiality Practices
- Service planning
- Family Dynamics
- Needs Assessment
- Community Resources
- Mental Health Support
- Client Interviewing
- Client Advocacy
- Family Support
- Family services
- Client documentation
- Client Needs Assessment
- Community Referrals
- Case Management
- Conducting interviews
- High-Risk Populations Identification
- Home visits
- Foster care youth
- Structured Decision Making (SDM) tools knowledge
Timeline
Retired
n/a
01.2023 - Current
Supervisory Family Specialist II
Department Of Children And Family Services
06.2012 - 12.2022
Family Services Specialist I
Department Of Children And Family Services
06.2003 - 06.2012
Family Services Specialist I
Department Of Children And Family Services
02.2000 - 06.2003
Family Service Specialist II
Department Of Children And Family Services
05.1994 - 06.2003
Family Services Specialist III
Department Of Children And Family Services
07.1990 - 05.1994
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Kean College