Appolonia Barnett

• Coordinated professional development opportunities focused on mental health awareness for faculty and staff members.
• Enhanced student well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions focused on social, emotional, and behavioral issues.
• Designed proactive programs addressing prevalent social issues such as bullying prevention, conflict resolution, and substance abuse awareness.
• Lead crisis intervention efforts in response to critical incidents, ensuring the safety and well-being of students and staff members.
• Collaborated with teachers and administrators to develop intervention strategies for at-risk students, improving overall academic and behavioral success.
• Conducted interviews with students, family members and school personnel to gather information and assess student social, emotional and behavioral adjustment to school.
• Conduct timely assessments of students in crisis to identify immediate needs and initiate appropriate interventions, reflecting risk assessment and crisis intervention duties.
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· Conducted investigations of allegations regarding abuse and neglected children.

· Managed ongoing cases for individuals at high risk of institutionalization.

· Oversaw comprehensive assessments, developed initial or ongoing plans of care, and authorized services.

· Prepared case file documentation and/or reports for state department and/or court proceedings.

· Maintained referrals to appropriate law enforcement agencies and other social service agencies.

· Provided training and consultation to community agency personnel and community groups.

· Served as program liaison between department and community social service, educational, law enforcement, medical, and judicial agencies.

· Evaluated complaint information and assessed degree of risk, determined need for emergent response, and referred emergencies to appropriate direct service units.

· Handled decision-making assessments and referred victims for capacity determinations to psychological/psychiatric, and/or medical evaluations.

· Testified as a State’s witness and gave legal dispositions at administrative hearings, Board of Appeals, civil cases, and superior court hearings.

· Participated in case staffings, multidisciplinary team/multi-agency staffings.

· Coordinated with intra- and inter-agency organizations, explaining department policies and provisions of the law to facility providers, families, individuals, and members of the community.

· Provided assessment, casework, and service planning for individuals who were missing from care.

· Created and updated systems of organization for case service plans and housing homeless youth.

· Checked with newly placed youth frequently to support comprehensive success and assimilation.

· Oversaw staff development through in-depth trainings, workshops, seminars, and other learning opportunities.

· Conducted community workshops to promote different programs and educate the public on available services.

· Developed and created programs and monitored effectiveness against individual participant needs.

· Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies, and organizations to meet treatment needs.

· Referred families to shelters, legal resources, and educational programs.

· Educated families and community members about homelessness, including its impact on the youth.