Cristina J. Schaff
Director
Racine,WI
Summary
Compassionate, inclusive, hard-working professional with diverse experience in the social services field. Seeks to promote the wellbeing of every member of the team to help each individual flourish.
Collaborative leader partners with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Outpatient Services
Alternatives in Psychological Consultation
02.2001 - Current
- Continued responsibilities mentioned below. Grew the program from 7 clinicians to 20, added student interns and a billing team. Oversaw team of 27 employees. Oversaw daily operations for therapy services while ensuring departmental compliance with various legislative funding requirements for Milwaukee County. Completed strategic budget planning, and monthly/quarterly quality improvement reports. Responsible for hiring, evaluating, training and termination of team members as needed. Provided clinical consultation, oversaw group curriculum, and mentored each clinician that worked in our program.
Intake Coordinator and Outpatient Operations Administrator
Alternatives in Psychological Consultation
07.2015 - 02.2021
- Facilitated intake process for new clients seeking outpatient mental health and/or AODA services. Responsible for the discharge process including auditing of client files. Assisted therapists with day-to-day operations, consultation and communication with clients. Compiled statistics and reports on a monthly basis for program. Credentialed therapist with all county and insurance networks. Verified insurance coverage for each client. Data entry. In January of 2020 I was promoted to operations administrator which added the responsibility of mentoring a team of six therapists, auditing therapist files, consulting, assisting with strategic planning, hiring and training of staff within department.
Director of Social Services
America World Adoption Association
04.2013 - 05.2020
- Developed and implemented adoption agency in the state of Illinois. Obtained state license for a child welfare agency within the state of Illinois. Created policies and procedures for agency. Participated in extensive strategic planning for entire agency as well as the state of Illinois specifically. Ensured ongoing development of policies as required by the state licensing board. Supervised four home study coordinators. Responsible for hiring, evaluating, training and termination of employees within my state. Assisted executive director with onboarding and termination processes of staff throughout the corporate agency. Managed a caseload of at least 60 families throughout the home study and adoption journey. Completed comprehensive assessments, consultation, pre and post adoption counseling, and education for families. Wrote extensive, detailed reports on interactions and well-being of each family member which were presented to court officials and governmental entities within the United States and abroad (USCIS, DCFS, Embassies in country).
Adoption Supervisor
Evangelical Child and Family Agency
05.2007 - 04.2013
- Supervised team of clinicians and adoption professionals for the adoption program. Facilitated domestic and international adoptions for families. Lead team meetings. Completed comprehensive assessments with couples. Provided post adoption counseling for adoptive families. Led group training opportunities for adoptive couples. Completed comprehensive written reports and progress notes for caseload. Responsible for representing agency during court hearings, preparing court documentation and reporting to state officials as adoptions were finalized. Participated in strategic planning with entire agency. Representing agency through marketing and training events throughout the Chicagoland area. Presented clinical material to the board of directors annually. Researched, presented and developed the process of embryo adoption for the agency.
Adoption Intern
Evangelical Child and Family Agency
09.2006 - 05.2007
- Completed biopsychosocial assessments for prospective adoptive families. Attended court hearings as needed. Wrote daily progress notes recounting each interaction and phone call with each member of the adoption triad.
Education
Master of Arts - Clinical Psychology
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL05-2007
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MI05-1998
Skills
- Organized, excellent interpersonal and communication skills, trauma informed care perspective, client centered, crisis work, problem solving, insightful, counseling skills
- Relationship building
- Strategic planning
- Verbal and written communication
- Decision-making
- People management
- Team management
- Goal setting
- Hiring and retention
Certification
Illinois Licensed Professional Counselor. License #: 178.00545
Timeline
Intake Coordinator and Outpatient Operations Administrator
Alternatives in Psychological Consultation
07.2015 - 02.2021
Director of Social Services
America World Adoption Association
04.2013 - 05.2020
Adoption Supervisor
Evangelical Child and Family Agency
05.2007 - 04.2013
Adoption Intern
Evangelical Child and Family Agency
09.2006 - 05.2007
Director of Outpatient Services
Alternatives in Psychological Consultation
02.2001 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Calvin College
Master of Arts - Clinical Psychology
Lewis University