Ashton Matlock
Kansas City,MO
Summary
Experienced with crisis intervention, providing emotional support and resources to individuals in distress. Utilizes active listening and empathetic communication to de-escalate tense situations and offer immediate assistance. Knowledge of mental health principles and techniques, ensuring compassionate and effective support for those in need.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Crisis Counselor/Volunteer
11.2024 - Current
- Participate in rigours training that consist of cultural awareness, accountability, active listening, assessing immediate safety, exploring; intent, desire, capability, and buffers, developing a safety plan, wrapping up conversation when all of these are addressed
- Volunteering four hours weekly on the platform
- Interacting with supervisors and coaches when needing assistance
- Remote
Family Advocate
Child Protection Center
02.2024 - Current
- Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services.
- Worked with community resources to engage youth in pro-social activities and help families access services.
- Built trust and rapport with victims of violent crimes by remaining calm and compassionate in a variety of situations.
- Informed victims about legal process and timeliness.
- Used job-related software to compose or prepare correspondence, case notes, and technical reports.
- Serve as case review facilitator
- Worked with MDT to present open cases and learn new investigation updates
- Serve as a liaison between caregivers and MDT members
- Plan and run monthly team meetings
- Serve as President of Trauma Stewardship Committee, where I am leading a group of coworkers to help create monthly actives for the office
- Serve as Volunteer Program Coordinator
Family Advocate
15th Judicial District Child Advocacy Center
03.2023 - 12.2023
- Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services.
- Worked with community resources to engage youth in pro-social activities and help families access services.
- Built trust and rapport with victims of violent crimes by remaining calm and compassionate in a variety of situations.
- Informed victims about legal process and timeliness.
- Used job-related software to compose or prepare correspondence, case notes, and technical reports.
- Completed grant applications with supporting documentation to secure funding proposals, grant application narratives, and demographics of clients.
- Used editing and graphic design tools to create content and visuals for social channels.
Intern, Front Desk Employee
Missouri State University (Child Advocacy Center)
08.2021 - 05.2023
- Welcomed patrons to the front desk and engaged in friendly conversations while conducting the check-in process.
- Received incoming calls and coordinated with staff to fulfill customer requests.
- Completed basic bookkeeping and document filing.
- Preserved office security by following safety procedures and controlling access via reception desk.
- Explained policies and procedures to visitors.
- Drafted professional business documents, spreadsheets and correspondence.
- Entertained child while Guardians were in post-meetings.
Psychiatric Technician
Cox Health
06.2022 - 03.2023
- Documented patient interactions in compliance with HIPAA requirements.
- Identified and addressed individual mental health challenges to support patients.
- Documented observations, interventions and concerns in patient charts and electronic systems, sustaining continuum of care from admission through discharge.
- Engaged clients in therapeutic groups to promote coping skills, education and life skills.
- Provided basic care under direct nursing staff.
- Restrained violent or suicidal patients using approved verbal or physical techniques.
Switchboard Operator
Missouri State University
08.2019 - 12.2021
- Answered calls with a friendly and polite approach to engage callers and deliver exceptional customer service.
- Completed connections between callers, departments and professionals.
- Developed and updated business directory to reflect current employees and other changes.
- Assisted staff with technical issues by performing simple troubleshooting and registering help desk tickets with the IT department.
- Trained new employees.
Education
B.S. - Psychology, Criminology
Missouri State University
Springfield, MO05.2022
Master of Science - Social Work
Grand Canyon University
Phoenix, AZ05-2027
Skills
- Team Building
- Active Listening
- Critical Thinking
- Flexible Schedule
- Mental health awareness
- Emotional support
- Multicultural sensitivity
- Suicide prevention
- Resource navigation
- De-escalation techniques
- Empathy display
- Boundary setting
- Child abuse identification
- Non-judgmental attitude
- Domestic violence awareness
- Crisis intervention
- Social services collaboration
Certification
- Certified Crisis Counselor, Crisis Hotline - 2024
- Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Training, Child Protection Center - 2025
- Child First Training, Zero Abuse Project - 2024
- Stewards of Children Facilitator, Darkness to Light- 2023
- Advocacy in Action, Project Harmony Child Protection Center-2023
- Cultural Competency: Play Well with Others, The Child Advocacy Center, Inc.-2021
- Missouri Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Training, Child Advocacy Center, Inc.-2021
- Stewards of Children: Darkness to Light, The Child Advocacy Center, Inc-2021
- Phoenix Training Group VIP Response Training, Cox Health-2022
- Diagnostic Issues in Polycitmetics Children and Adults, Missouri State University- 2022
- Title VI Compliance Program, TN Department of Children's Services- 2023
Timeline
Crisis Counselor/Volunteer
11.2024 - Current
Family Advocate
Child Protection Center
02.2024 - Current
Family Advocate
15th Judicial District Child Advocacy Center
03.2023 - 12.2023
Psychiatric Technician
Cox Health
06.2022 - 03.2023
Intern, Front Desk Employee
Missouri State University (Child Advocacy Center)
08.2021 - 05.2023
Switchboard Operator
Missouri State University
08.2019 - 12.2021
B.S. - Psychology, Criminology
Missouri State University
Master of Science - Social Work
Grand Canyon University