Cathy Costanza
Foster Care Supervisor
Rockford,IL
Summary
Conscientious professional with extensive experience advocating for social and economic well-being of individuals and families. Skilled at providing guidance, support and assistance. Strong communication and management skills and committed to inspiring community service.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Foster Care Supervisor
Lutheran Social Services Of Illinois
Nachusa, IL
10.2020 - Current
- Supervised a team of placement caseworkers to ensure DCFS policy compliance, and meet agency goals and standards.
- Oversaw staff development through in-depth trainings, workshops, seminars and other learning opportunities.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired staff members offering exceptional talent and brought great skills to team.
- Assisted families in developing problem-solving and coping skills by providing counseling and referring to appropriate community agencies.
- Provided on-going support to resource parents through coaching and crisis intervention techniques.
- Implemented motivational interviewing skills to assess risk factors for child abuse and neglect, substance use and intimate partner violence.
- Conducted mandatory job training and life skill classes to assist clients receiving specific benefits.
- Collaborated with case managers and community partners to deliver effective treatment and case collaboration.
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet treatment needs.
Child Protection Investigator
Department Of Children And Family Services
Sterling, IL
10.2019 - 10.2020
- Interviewed children, members of families, medical personnel and law enforcement to gain valuable information for each case.
- Conducted in-depth assessments to determine if children were safe from harm and abuse at home.
- Devised and implemented safety plans for children suspected as victims of abuse or neglect.
- Remained objective in handling each case, especially when children and families were in high-stress situations.
- Documented all relevant information by filling out forms and completing case reports.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Assessed each child's unique needs and coordinated delivery of appropriate services and resources.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Interviewed individuals and families to assess needs and provide informational resources.
- Collaborated with community program leaders and advocates to make resources accessible to those in need.
- Completed home welfare checks to align with state and program guidelines.
Foster Care Supervisor
Youth Services Bureau
Rockford, IL
03.2019 - 10.2019
- Supervised a team of placement caseworkers to ensure DCFS policy compliance, and meet agency goals and standards.
- Oversaw staff development through in-depth trainings, workshops, seminars and other learning opportunities.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired staff members offering exceptional talent and brought great skills to team.
- Conducted home, school and community visits to assigned clients to assess client's level of care and provide guidance towards meeting treatment goals.
- Assisted families in developing problem-solving and coping skills by providing counseling and referring to appropriate community agencies.
- Provided on-going support to resource parents through coaching and crisis intervention techniques.
- Implemented motivational interviewing skills to assess risk factors for child abuse and neglect, substance use and intimate partner violence.
- Collaborated with case managers and community partners to deliver effective treatment and case collaboration.
- Achieved family goals for [Number]% of clients by providing referrals, resources and tools for assistance.
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet treatment needs.
- Oversaw staff development through in-depth trainings, workshops, seminars and other learning opportunities.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired staff members offering exceptional talent and brought great skills to team.
- Worked with senior case managers to coordinate team development activities and trainings.
Foster Care Case Manager
Youth Services Bureau
Rockford, IL
01.2014 - 03.2019
- Checked with newly placed children frequently to support comprehensive success and assimilation.
- Created and updated systems of organization for case service plans and court reports.
- Completed monthly visitations to check on children, families and home environments.
- Provided in-home training and support to foster parents during weekly meetings to help mitigate problems arising from child behavior.
- Acted as advocate for children in court settings.
- Attended proceedings and testified for reunification and permanent placement cases.
- Educated families in program resources.
- Updated case records daily with all client contacts and information.
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet treatment needs.
- Referred families to shelters, legal resources and educational programs.
- Coordinated individual referrals to obtain community services, advocated for client needs and resolved roadblocks.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Human Services
Judson University
Elgin, IL05.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Human Services
Judson University
Elgin, IL05.2014
Skills
- Family Reunification
- Agency Collaboration
- Treatment Recommendations
- Critical Thinking
- Staff Education
- Legal Proceedings
- Community Resource Information
- Compassionate Care
- Interviewing Individuals
- Foster Supervision
- Permanent Placement
- Staff Meetings
- Permanency Plans
- Emotional Support
- Confidential Case Documentation
- Case Management Software
- Interpersonal Communication Skills
- Skills Development
- Crisis Intervention Techniques
- Organization and Prioritization Skills
- Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel, Outlook
- Detailed Records and Reporting
- Intervention Strategies
Timeline
Foster Care Supervisor
Lutheran Social Services Of Illinois
10.2020 - Current
Child Protection Investigator
Department Of Children And Family Services
10.2019 - 10.2020
Foster Care Supervisor
Youth Services Bureau
03.2019 - 10.2019
Foster Care Case Manager
Youth Services Bureau
01.2014 - 03.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Human Services
Judson University
Bachelor of Arts - Human Services
Judson University
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