Colleen Brown
Newark,CA
Summary
With a robust background at OPWDD-Finger Lakes DDSO, I excel in coordinating seamless care and enhancing client well-being through critical thinking and clear communication. Demonstrated success in staff supervision and Medicaid compliance underscores my adaptability and professionalism, making significant impacts in developmental services.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
Work History
Habilitation Specialist 2
OPWDD- Finger Lakes DDSO
10.2014 - Current
- Coordinated with external service providers from Person Centered Planning and Prime Care Services to ensure seamless care delivery for each service recipient's unique needs.
- Provided ongoing client assessments, identifying areas of improvement and celebrating milestones to ensure a continuous feedback loop for care planning.
- Supervision of Habilitation Specialist 1's in maintaining clean and organized classroom. Offering guidance with various aspects of working with the developmentally disabled population in their core room.
- Monitoring and ensuring staff training compliance.
- Monitoring and ensuring most current paperwork from various clinical services.
- Monitoring all Medicaid Compliance documentation and reporting errors in a timely manner.
- Attend to problems and concerns that come up in a day to ensure continuity of care for the function of the program site. This is includes facility breakdowns, sick individual's, behavioral issues with service recipients, and other such concerns that are unplanned.
- Deliver information to staff that is relevant and timely. This may include changes to paperwork, recipient changes, service changes, evaluations, and counselings.
- Have had a part in some staff mediations.
Habilitation Specialist 1
OPWDD-Fingerlakes DDSO
02.2010 - 10.2014
- Attended all service recipient meetings (ISP at that time) to collaborate with other services to make sure there was a continuity of care.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations and guidelines through diligent documentation and record keeping practices.
- Monitored client progress closely, making data-driven adjustments to habilitation plans as needed.
- Promoted positive behavior change through the implementation of evidence-based interventions and strategies.
- Cared for persons receiving programming support in accordance with DDSO expectations.
- Provided personalized support for clients with disabilities, promoting self-advocacy and community integration.
- Fostered lasting relationships with clients by demonstrating empathy, active listening skills, and genuine concern for their wellbeing.
- Assisted clients in achieving personal goals by providing guidance, encouragement, and skill-building opportunities.
- Noted client responses and results to facilitate interventions and assessment through proper documentation.
- Recognized emergency situations and implemented appropriate procedures to comply with safety rules and regulations.
Developmental Aide
OPWDD- Finger Lakes DDSO
12.1998 - 02.2010
- Assisted residents with activities of daily living and provided direct personal care. At the time, Buffalo Street was a Level 3 Medical Home.
- Monitored patient safety during outings or community-based events, ensuring appropriate levels of supervision were maintained at all times.
- Organized recreational activities for patients, promoting social interaction and engagement.
- Maintained healthy and comfortable living environment.
- Researched and recommended community resources to meet clients' needs.
- Constructed cognitively stimulating activities.
- Transported clients for medical and personal outings.
- Monitored changes in clients' conditions to report concerns to supervisor.
- Utilized universal precautions and infection control principles in all aspects of care.
- Trained new staff members on best practices for home health care.
- Designed, painted, and decorated a room that had been designated a Stimulation Room.
Youth and Family Sociotherapist
Hillside Children's Center
04.1997 - 12.1998
- Provided direct care to youths placed by the courts in a detention facility.
- Cultivated a safe and trusting environment for clients to openly discuss sensitive issues and experiences.
- Reduced conflict within families by implementing effective communication techniques and strategies.
- Maintained accurate and thoroughly documented notes and client records in accordance with licensing standards.
- Created art projects to enhance creative expression, offer productive entertainment, and improve the self esteem of some of the teens.
Direct Care Aide
Lochland School
01.1996 - 08.1998
- Improved patient care by attentively monitoring and addressing individual needs.
- Supported daily hygiene needs of patients by assisting with bathing, dressing, dental care and personal grooming.
- Laundered items, changed sheets and made bed to keep patients' bedroom clean.
- Monitored clients' overall health and well-being and noted significant changes.
- Recorded status and duties completed in logbooks for management.
- Administered medications according to prescribed schedules and monitored for side effects or complications.
- Cooked meals and assisted patients with eating tasks to support healthy nutrition.
Program Assistant
The Salvation Army
06.1993 - 02.1995
- Assisted with planning and coordinating day-to-day and special program activities.
- Collaborated with external partners to expand program reach and impact. Was able to procure 70 Great Escape tickets that we used to benefit children and their family's for attending Vacation Bible School.
- Organized volunteers for various programs and special activities.
- Provided transportation for all youth and adult activities for those in the community that needed transport to attend.
- Taught Sunday School to children ages 6-8 years. Developed a unique curriculum that addressed the history of the Bible in chronological order utilizing drama, trivia games, and activities to create connective learning for the children in attendance.
- Lead the Bible Bowl Team to the regional championship in 1994.
Traveling Technician
CAMFEL Productions
08.1992 - 05.1993
- Worked with a teammate traveling to present a multi-media school assembly designed to help students/teens understand the dangers of peer pressure, drugs, and negative behaviors and how to build a more positive self-esteem.
- Reduced downtime for customers through efficient troubleshooting and repair of hardware and other technical issues.
- Facilitated small group discussions with students to address questions and conversations from the show.
- Completed preventive maintenance on machines to enhance production and maintain quality.
- Maintained scheduling and constant contact with head-quarters in California.
Education
No Degree - Visual Communication
Art Institute of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PAMaster of Arts - Education, Concentration in Art Education
Nazareth College
Rochester, NY05-2005
Bachelor of Arts - Art
Houghton College
Houghton, NY05-1992
Skills
- Goal Setting and Monitoring
- Documentation And Reporting
- Fast Learner
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Reliability
- Critical Thinking
- Clear Communication
- Organizational Skills
- Adaptability and Flexibility
- Task Prioritization
- Professionalism
Timeline
Habilitation Specialist 2
OPWDD- Finger Lakes DDSO
10.2014 - Current
Habilitation Specialist 1
OPWDD-Fingerlakes DDSO
02.2010 - 10.2014
Developmental Aide
OPWDD- Finger Lakes DDSO
12.1998 - 02.2010
Youth and Family Sociotherapist
Hillside Children's Center
04.1997 - 12.1998
Direct Care Aide
Lochland School
01.1996 - 08.1998
Program Assistant
The Salvation Army
06.1993 - 02.1995
Traveling Technician
CAMFEL Productions
08.1992 - 05.1993
No Degree - Visual Communication
Art Institute of Pittsburgh
Master of Arts - Education, Concentration in Art Education
Nazareth College
Bachelor of Arts - Art
Houghton College
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