Brittany Elms
California,PA
Summary
Compassionate Child Advocate with background in counseling and child welfare. Experience includes ensuring child safety, supporting family stability, and advocating for children's rights in court proceedings. Strong communicator with ability to build relationships with families and professionals across the community. Impact made through developing personalized strategies that led to improved outcomes for children and their families.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Assistant
Blaine Jones Law, LLC
Pittsburgh, PA
04.2024 - 10.2024
- Filed clients' legal documents in relevant courts for processing.
- Processed closing documents and transactional documents for legal review.
- Conducted thorough research and review of case information to assist attorneys.
- Knowledgeable dealing with pleadings, affidavits, motions and exhibit preparation.
- Conducted interviews with potential witnesses to obtain statements relevant to pending cases.
- Updated databases with new information received from attorneys or clients.
- Filed pleadings and appeals with court clerks to expedite trial proceedings.
- Mailed and arranged for delivery of legal correspondence to clients, witnesses and court officials.
- Processed incoming mail on a daily basis.
- Ensured that all paperwork was properly filed according to established procedures.
- Maintained client confidentiality in all matters.
- Maintained knowledge on case status by reviewing relevant records and reporting back to clients.
- Provided administrative support to attorneys by managing calendars; scheduling appointments; organizing files; preparing correspondence; filing court documents; and obtaining necessary signatures.
- Coordinated the distribution of legal materials to other parties as required.
- Ordered materials needed by attorneys throughout the duration of a case.
- Contacted witnesses and scheduled interviews and evaluations.
- Drafted motions, briefs and other legal documents.
- Liaised between attorney and outside counsel, exchanging information.
- Managed office scheduling and kept accurate notes on deadlines, motions, and other dates.
Child Advocate
Center for Victims
Pittsburgh, PA
07.2017 - 03.2024
- Developed individualized service plans based on each client's unique needs and goals.
- Maintained confidentiality through stringent handling of charts and data.
- Initiated referrals for additional services such as mental health counseling or substance abuse treatment when needed.
- Informed victims about legal processes and timelines.
- Advocated for victims during difficult situations by filing police reports and connecting to needed services.
- Interfaced with local court system, attending court proceedings and working directly with attorneys.
- Provided emotional support to children during difficult times or transitions.
- Provided case management services to families involved with Child Protective Services.
- Worked with community resources to engage youth in pro-social activities and help families access services.
- Maintained accurate records of all client interactions and outcomes.
- Used job-related software to compose or prepare correspondence, case notes and technical reports
- Researched resources available in the local community that could benefit clients' needs.
- Built trust and rapport with victims of violent crimes by remaining calm and compassionate in variety of situations.
- Worked with care team to assess client needs and discuss collaborative treatment efforts.
- Developed partnerships between government agencies and private organizations to create better opportunities for at-risk youth.
- Attended hearings with victims to provide emotional support.
- Provided crisis intervention services to families experiencing domestic violence or homelessness.
- Collaborated with state agencies and benefits coordinators to develop individualized plans for each case.
- Collaborated with social workers, teachers, medical professionals, law enforcement officers, and other stakeholders to ensure positive outcomes for clients.
- Advocating for the rights of children within the legal system while representing them in court proceedings.
- Liaised with schools, hospitals, police departments, social service agencies and other organizations to coordinate assistance for clients.
- Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services.
- Established behavioral modification goals and assessed progress toward goals.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Worked effectively in team environments to make the workplace more productive.
- Provided excellent service and attention to customers when face-to-face or through phone conversations.
- Managed time effectively to ensure tasks were completed on schedule and deadlines were met.
- Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
- Updated and maintained databases with current information.
- Collaborated with police officers to conduct interviews with victims and provide necessary support.
- Worked closely with police officers to interview victims and fulfill required tasks.
Prevention Educator
Center for Victims
Pitttsburgh, PA
07.2010 - 07.2017
- Created partnerships with local organizations to provide additional resources and services related to health education efforts.
- Assisted with the evaluation of program effectiveness by collecting data from participants and analyzing results.
- Collaborated with health specialists and civic groups to determine community health needs and availability of services.
- Cultivated relationships with media outlets in order to increase visibility around prevention education messages.
- Organized outreach events to increase awareness of health topics among target populations.
- Coordinated and assembled promotional tools for use at schools and community health events.
- Participated in professional development opportunities such as conferences or trainings related to the field of prevention education.
- Engaged in policy advocacy work at the state and national level regarding health promotion initiatives.
- Coordinated grant-related activities to obtain funding for health education programs.
- Presented public talks to promote specific topics and work of organization.
- Developed lesson plans and presentation materials for classes.
- Developed educational materials to support the implementation of evidence-based health promotion programs.
- Implemented the Expect Respect program in more than twenty school districts.
- Provided guidance to high school students on identifying and preventing teen dating violence.
- Conducted training sessions for school staff on identifying and preventing teen dating violence.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Pittsburgh At Johnstown
Johnstown, PASkills
- Writing and editing
- Administrative assistance
- Legal writing
- Scheduling/Planning
- Legal terminology
- Client billing
- Confidentiality
- Legal/Court processes
- Client service and support
- Office management
- Family engagement
- Service planning
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Conducting interviews
- Individual counseling
- Client documentation
- Crisis intervention
- Case management
- Relationship building
- Trauma-informed care
- Resource coordination
- Active listening
- Excellent communication
- Client advocacy
- Interpersonal skills
Affiliations
- Calligraphy
Conferences and Trainings
- Attended The National Child Sexual Assault Conference twice
- Attended The Children's Adovcacy Center Conference four times
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Legal Assistant
Blaine Jones Law, LLC
04.2024 - 10.2024
Child Advocate
Center for Victims
07.2017 - 03.2024
Prevention Educator
Center for Victims
07.2010 - 07.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
University of Pittsburgh At Johnstown
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