Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Additional Information
Timeline
Betty Sue Kelley

Betty Sue Kelley

Cedartown,GA

Summary

I have always wanted to help those with special needs. I taught Special Education for 20 years, to help children with disabilities, to get their diplomas, and live better lives. Most recently, I was hired in 2023, to work with ladies in recovery, to improve their educational levels and work successfully in the community. In the 2 years that I was there, at least 7 ladies went on to get their GEDs and almost all of the 65-70 ladies I taught, got jobs with successful outcomes, until my grant stopped. Then, in July of 2025, I was hired as a Residential Technician working with ladies in recovery again. It was a 2nd shift job, and we supported them in their recovery by transporting, administering medications and guiding them in their daily lives. I loved the ladies, but left due to needing 1st shift. I have a long history of working with people with disabilities. In 1998, I worked as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor for 14 1/2 years, helping people with disabilities, go to work. VR began requiring counselors to become CRC certified in 2003. After 2 years of education, I got my CRC in 2005. When other counselors were struggling getting their CRCs , I was asked to teach them. So I developed a CRC curriculum to teach class, to help my co-workers. As a result of my class, 9 more counselors became CRC certified successfully. And every year, I helped get my clients get between 30-35 jobs annually. And in 2011, I was voted Counselor of the Year and retired in 2012. After retirement, in 2014, I was asked to be a Program Manager-by the Polk Co. Justice System, to decrease -recidivism rate. And I developed a Re-Entry curriculum for the released inmates; including counseling, daily living class/ budgeting , job development & follow-up/graduation. With the help of our wonderful volunteers, we had a total of 67 people re-enter society successfully. No matter what I've done in life, I have always tried to help struggling people live more independently.

I have a solid background in helping people get their SSDI, who needed it. I am adept at identifying client needs and providing tailored solutions to enhance people's lives after they qualify for their benefits. I have demonstrated the ability to manage client relationships and coordinate with team members to achieve project goals. I have demonstrated the ability to offer practical solutions and ensure client satisfaction.

I have proven skills in effective communication with clients and team- members. I am trained in techniques to maintain order in classroom groups with 22 years of experience. Many years of hands-on experience gained through academic leadership in projects and internships. I demonstrate strong teamwork, problem-solving, and time-management skills.

I am prepared to start a new career and make meaningful contributions with commitment and drive. I'm a creative innovator with hands-on experience in emerging technologies and passion for continuous improvement. I am skilled in identifying opportunities for technological enhancements and implementing effective solutions. I am adept at adapting to fast-paced environments and driving technological advancements.

I am professional, with substantial experience in providing exceptional guidance in the classroom and skilled in customer relations, problem-solving, evolving needs, and positive outcomes.

I am known for having a collaborative approach and reliability in my counseling background.

. And I have a proven ability to understand and foster a collaborative team approach. I have strong skills in communication and project management. I have a track record of collaborating with diverse teams to deliver high-quality results.

Overview

13
13
Certifications
42
42
years of professional experience

Work History

Home Consultant

Self-Employed
Cedartown, GA
02.2014 - Current
  • I have helped people who need Social Security Disability get started, if they needed it. I talk to people to see if they qualify for SSDI, first. Then I help them apply or re-apply. With my many years in Vocational Rehabilitation, I know how to help those needing benefits to qualify for services.
  • Delivered tailored home consultations to enhance client satisfaction and decision-making processes.
  • Implemented creative problem-solving techniques when faced with unexpected challenges during projects.
  • Reviewed and executed confidential documents, contracts and disclosures.
  • Established positive flow of communication with agents, clients, attorneys and personnel involved in closing transactions.
  • Coordinated project timelines and resources, ensuring seamless execution and adherence to client specifications.

Residential Technician

Highland Rivers Behavioral Health
07.2025 - 03.2026
  • My job consisted of caring for the residential ladies on 2nd shift. I helped support the ladies in recovery with transportation, administered medications and with daily problems. I loved this job, but needed a 1st shift job.

Education Specialist

Highland Rivers Behavioral Health
05.2023 - 03.2025
  • When I was hired, I needed to build a GED program to enhance the ladies future who were in recovery.
  • I created an Initial Educational Assessment, upon entry to assess their future potential, from non-readers, all the way to those with high school diplomas.
  • Due to ladies job needs, I also created a job readiness program to help them get and keep a job.
  • During my time there, I helped at least 9 ladies were ready to complete the GED process upon discharge. I also helped between 65-75 ladies obtain and maintain successful employment, upon program completion.

Program Manager

Re-Entry Program Polk County
04.2014 - 08.2016
  • I was asked to create a Re-Entry Program, due to the high recidivism rate in Polk County, by the justice system. I met with them and developed a curriculum for a Re-Entry program. We had 4 wonderful volunteers to help is with counseling and classes.
  • The first month included orientation, attendance to counseling and classes the first month. The second month involved work readiness and job search. The last month was to work on a job for 90 days consecutively. And eventually, we celebrated their success at a graduation. This was a very successful program, decreasing recidivism and helping 67 people to re-enter society successfully.

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
06.1998 - 12.2012
  • My job consisted of helping people with disabilities, to see if they had potential for going to work. And also, follow-up for 90 days.
  • The process involved taking the application, getting all medical/psychological information, and determining eligibility for VR. If needed, I could get a Vocational Assessment completed, to give the person more options. Then we wrote the work plan with them, including their chosen work goal, accommodations, training, with eventual work date and closure date.
  • I worked for 14 1/2 years helping 30-35 people go to work annually, each year. I loved this job, because I helped so many people to improve their lives, through working.

Special Education Teacher

Ed First, Inc.
03.1991 - 07.1994
  • I developed an educational curriculum program and taught adolescents in state custody, who were in residence at Ed 1st. These were kids came from very bad homes, previously. I provided an education to help them over-come their past lives and lead productive lives, working community jobs. While I was there, at least 7 adolescents out of 20 who were residents there.

Special Education Teacher

Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital
05.1988 - 02.1991
  • My job as a Special Education Teacher consisted of working with 20,30 residential adolescent boys, who were diagnosed with Severe Emotional Disturbance. I developed a curriculum, teaching daily classes and collaborating with Rome City Schools. While I was there, at least 2 of the residents progressed to the Rome City school system. I loved this job, but was offered a better job from Ed First Inc.

DFCS Food Stamp Manager

Gordon Co. DFCS
08.1984 - 03.1988
  • I was a Food Stamp Case Manager for 4 1/2 years. I worked with 30 clients annually, determining eligibility for food stamps, expedited food needs and necessary closures.

Education

Master's degree - Special Education

University of West Georgia, Carrollton, GA
05-1998

Bachelor's Degree - Special Education, Psychology

, Jacksonville, AL
06-1978
I attended JSU for 4 years and got my Bachelor's Degree in Special Education, with a minor in Psychology.

Skills

Curriculum Development 22 yrs

Classroom Teaching-22 yrs

Developmental Disabilities 25 yrs

Case Management-4 yrs

Caregiving 2 yrs

Program Management 2 yrs

Individual counseling 14 yrs

Customer Services 35 yrs

Treatment care plans 14 yrs

Meeting Facilitation 23 yrs

Crisis Intervention 8 yrs

Patient observation 6 yrs

Special Education 20 yrs

Project Management 25 yrs

Certification

Driver's License

Additional Information

Authorized to work in the US for any employer

Timeline

Residential Technician - Highland Rivers Behavioral Health
07.2025 - 03.2026
Education Specialist - Highland Rivers Behavioral Health
05.2023 - 03.2025
Program Manager - Re-Entry Program Polk County
04.2014 - 08.2016
Home Consultant - Self-Employed
02.2014 - Current
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor - Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
06.1998 - 12.2012
Special Education Teacher - Ed First, Inc.
03.1991 - 07.1994
Special Education Teacher - Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital
05.1988 - 02.1991
DFCS Food Stamp Manager - Gordon Co. DFCS
08.1984 - 03.1988
- Bachelor's Degree, Special Education, Psychology
University of West Georgia - Master's degree, Special Education
Betty Sue Kelley