Barbara Lara

• Advocated for foster children by facilitating access to community resources and services to maximize safety and well-being of child.
• Completed minimum visitations to check on children, families and home environments.
• Provided case management services to abused, neglected and delinquent children
• Participate in conferences and other training opportunities when requested by the Foster Care Supervisor or Program Manager; and to make use of professional consultation by learning from experience and knowledge of others.
• Understand and practice use of appropriate confidentiality.
• Developed case plans that established appropriate permanency goals for children in a timely manner.
• Develop and implement a plan that meets the needs of the children and family.
• Attend court hearings, prepare and file all court documents within required timeframes.
• Prepare court reports, petitions and provide testimony to support case management as required by DCFS contract and court mandates.
• Assure that DCFS policies and procedures, and all applicable laws, rules, and policies are followed.
• Supervise visitation between foster children, siblings and their parents and/or caregivers in order to observe parent-child interaction and ensure safety on a weekly basis.
• Identified and addressed clients’ physical and mental health/behavioral needs
• Collaborated with community partners to ensure enhanced customer access to supportive services
• Coordinated services for foster care children, birth parents and foster parents
• Interacted with foster care children, foster parents, birth parents, and relevant professionals
• Provided crisis intervention and management
• Monitored progress of children after placement

1. Casac-T Counselor

• Conducted assessments to determine progress and performance and report findings to relevant authorities.
• Guided clients in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
• Developed individualized counseling plans for clients to incorporate short-term and long-term goals.
• Determined clients' risk of self-harm or other dangerous behaviors.
• Educated clients on dangers of substance abuse and prevention techniques.
• Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning.
• Managed patients with substance dependence and co-occurring Axis I and Axis II disorders.
• Provided emergency response in crisis situations to diffuse tensions and prevent violence.
• Assessed clients' needs to provide appropriate therapeutic interventions.
• Supported individuals dealing with mental health and emotional issues.
• Provided education on mental health topics and resources to clients.
• Designed safe and supportive environment for clients to discuss issues.
• Assists in coordinating services and referrals.
• Acts as an advocate and helps guests gain access to resources while confronting their issues, such as mental health and substance issues.

2. Certified Peer Specialist

• Facilitated peer-to-peer conversations to support open communication among mentees.
• Promoted positive behavior and responsibility among mentees by modeling appropriate social skills.
• Provide support for guests during interview, intake, arrival, and departure.
• Share personal experience and encourage mental health wellness and recovery.
• Assist in connection with mental health services, community resources, entitlements, and other services as needed.
• Model and utilize Trauma Informed techniques and tools as outlined in Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP), Mental Health First Aid, Motivational Interviewing, Safetalk, and Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST).
• Provide telephone support to peers in the community through the 24 hours warm line.
• Help maintain a clean, safe, and secure trauma-informed environment.
• Work cooperatively with the Rose House team and maintain clear, honest, and respectful communication with team members.

• Conducted applicant interviews and determined eligibility for public assistance programs.
• Managed caseload of high numbers of applicants, consistently reviewing income eligibility via statewide verification system.
• Reviewed application process with applicants and assisted in preparation of documents to apply for state benefits.
• Endured accuracy of applicant's eligibility by compiling, recording and evaluating financial data provided by applicant.
• Conducted quarterly meetings to review cases and assisted in development of budget support for applicants to reach self-sufficiency.
• Verified applicant information by conducting field visits to validate information reported on application.
• Assisted clients in identifying community resources and connecting with appropriate services.
• Participated in professional development and training opportunities to enhance clinical skills.
• Collaborated with other state program offices to provide applicants with additional supports to meet needs.
• Prepared budgets for program applicants to assist in determining needs and ongoing financial preparation.
• Reported findings of fraud investigations to appropriate state agencies and officials.

• Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
• Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
• Developed and implemented programs to support children's mental health and well-being.
• Collaborated with school personnel, parents and mental health providers to maintain comprehensive and integrated approach to student services.
• Works one-on-one and in small groups with individuals and families
• Providing parenting education in the areas of: child development, parent/child relationships, communication, guidance and supervision, etc.
• Developed and implemented strategies to reduce and prevent family conflict.
• 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.
• Encouraging the development of good self-esteem and teaching techniques/methods to promote positive self-esteem in other family members.
• Responsible for acting as a resource to assigned families, facilitating assessment of need, goals, helping to recognize barriers to stability, and assisting with the development of strategies for meeting families’ needs and strengthening their support network.
• Teaching/encouraging, as appropriate, basic health/hygiene/housekeeping standards to promote healthful, sanitary living conditions.
• Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.