Da'Lishya Smoot
Talladega
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Social Worker with a strong commitment to empowering individuals and families through advocacy, resource coordination, and trauma-informed support. Skilled in assessment, crisis intervention, and case management, with a proven ability to build trust, navigate complex systems, and promote safety, stability, and well-being.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Social Worker - Child and Youth
Calhoun County DHR
06.2025 - Current
- Conduct ongoing assessments of a child’s physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
- Ensure the foster home is safe, nurturing, and compliant with licensing standards.
- Monitor school performance, medical care, and therapeutic services.
- Make monthly home visits and document progress.
- Develop and update case plans outlining goals for safety, permanency, and well-being.
- Coordinate with courts, guardians ad litem, therapists, schools, and medical providers.
- Maintain detailed case notes and complete all required reports.
- Facilitate services needed by the foster family to maintain a stable placement.
- Provide or coordinate reunification services such as counseling, parenting classes, substance-use treatment, or housing support.
- Track family progress toward reunification goals.
- Prepare court reports, attend, and testify if needed,
- Conduct Individualized Service Planning meetings that take place where the child is placed, at school, the agency, or the county building etc. To determine appropriate measures for the child's well-being.
- Respond to emergencies such as placement disruptions, allegations of abuse/neglect, or mental health crises.
- Coordinate immediate safety plans or new placements when needed.
- Support children through transitions, including adoption or independent living for older youth.
- Aim to establish a long-term, stable solution for the child—reunification when safe, or an alternative permanency plan when not.
Social Service Coordinator
SH Management
01.2025 - 06.2025
- Connected clients to appropriate community resources (food programs, employment services, legal help, childcare, transportation).
- Stayed updated on available programs, funding opportunities, and community partnerships.
- Assisted clients in completing applications and paperwork.
- Collaborated with staff, volunteers, and partner organizations.
- Provided short-term emotional support, problem-solving assistance, and goal setting.
- Prepared reports for grants, audits, or program evaluation.
- Maintained confidentiality and ethical standards.
- Coordinated community events within the housing complex to promote engagement, resident participation, and access to supportive services.
- Delivered notices and correspondence directly to residents’ doors, ensuring timely communication and clarity around housing updates, events, and required actions.
- Assisted tenants with completing paperwork and service forms, providing clear explanations and step-by-step guidance for documents they did not understand.
Master of Social Work Intern
EMS Prevention Program
01.2024 - 05.2024
- Conducting Intake Interviews- Assisting with client intake, gathering necessary information, and documenting client needs.
- Accessing Client Needs- Helping to access the physical, emotional, social, and financial needs of clients under the supervision of a licensed case manager or supervisor.
- Referring Clients to Resources- Assisting clients in connecting with appropriate services such as healthcare, housing, financial assistance, mental health support, or legal aid.
- Maintaining Client Files- Organizing and updating client records, ensuring confidentiality, and accuracy.
- Case Notes- Writing and maintaining detailed notes on client interactions, progress, and outcomes.
- Tracking Progress- Helping to monitor the progress of clients' goals ensuring that they are receiving the appropriate services.
- Follow up- Contacting clients and service providers to ensure that plans are being implemented and that clients are following through with recommended services.
- Scheduling Appointments: Helping clients schedule appointments with various service providers, such as medical professionals, counselors, or housing agencies.
- Collaborating with Providers- Communicating with various services providers to ensure clients receive the care and support they need.
- Transport Assistance- Help arrange transportation for clients by insurance or agencies when needed.
Social Work Intern
Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility
08.2022 - 08.2023
- Conducted patient psychosocial assessments to identify emotional, social, financial, and environmental needs impacting treatment and recovery.
- Supported discharge planning by coordinating with nurses, physicians, and care teams to arrange home health, rehabilitation, transportation, and follow-up services.
- Provided patient and family support, including crisis intervention, counseling, and education about diagnoses, treatment options, and available resources.
- Assisted patients with accessing community resources such as Medicaid, housing assistance, food programs, mental health services, and insurance navigation.
- Facilitated communication between patients, families, and the interdisciplinary care team, ensuring patient voices were included in treatment decisions.
- Documented assessments, interventions, and service coordination in electronic medical records according to hospital policies and confidentiality standards.
- Participated in interdisciplinary rounds and case conferences, offering input on psychosocial factors affecting patient outcomes.
- Advocated for patient rights, safety, and equitable care, addressing barriers such as language, income, mobility, or lack of support systems.
BSW Intern
Rise Center of Tuscaloosa
08.2021 - 12.2021
- Advocated for children with intellectual disabilities to ensure they are fully included in school activities, both academically and socially.
- Policy Advocacy: Worked to improve school policies practices that support children with intellectual disabilities, ensuring that educational environments are equitable and that students needs are being met.
- Transition Planning: For students with disabilities, helping with transition that prepare them for early education such as kindergarten.
- Regular Communication: Engaged in ongoing communication with parents to update them on their child's progress and discussing any challenges or adjustments needed in the child's education plan.
- Connecting Family to Resources: Referred families to community resources, support groups, and services such as respite care, behavioral therapy, or financial assistance programs.
- Parent Education and Counseling: Provided guidance and support to families, helping them understand the child's challenges and strategies for supporting learning and behavioral development at home.
- Collaborating with Teachers: Worked closely with classroom teachers to ensure that accommodations are in place, such as extra time on tests or adjusted assignments.
- Provided Tutoring and Assistance: Offered one on one support or small group instruction for academic subjects that are challenging for children with intellectual disabilities. Conducting Assessments: Accessing children's cognitive, emotional, and behavioral needs through standardized tests, observations, and consultations with parents and teachers
- Creating Individualized Education Plans (IEPs): Collaborated with teachers, parents, and other professionals to develop IEPs tailored to the child's strength, needs, and learning goals. Setting goals: Helping to set measurable short-term and long-term goals for academic progress, social development, and behavioral management.
- Behavioral Interventions: Implemented behavior management strategies and interventions that promote positive behaviors and help children regulate emotions.
- Crisis Intervention: Responded to crisis situations, such as meltdowns, aggression, or withdrawal by using de-escalation techniques and offering support to both the child and staff.
- Social Skills Training: Taught children social skills and helping them develop appropriate peer interactions, conflict resolutions strategies, and communication techniques.
Administrative Support Coordinator
Kim's Image Shop
04.2017 - 08.2021
- Coordinated daily operations to ensure efficient workflow and excellent customer service.
- Managed scheduling for appointments, optimizing staff availability and resource allocation.
- Assisted in inventory management, ensuring accurate tracking of supplies and resources.
- Implemented process improvements that increased operational efficiency and reduced turnaround times.
- Efficiently prioritized competing tasks while meeting deadlines under high-pressure situations.
- Enhanced team productivity by providing comprehensive administrative support to colleagues on various projects.
- Served as liaison between department heads and employees, facilitating clear communication channels across the organization.
- Maintained accurate financial records, assisting in budget planning and expense tracking for the department.
- Managed travel arrangements for executives including flights, accommodations, and transportation logistics.
- Prepared detailed reports for management review, contributing to informed decision-making processes within the company.
- Demonstrated strong attention to detail through thorough proofreading of documents before distribution.
- Assisted with hiring processes, conducting preliminary interviews and processing new employee paperwork.
- Coordinated various events, such as conferences and workshops, ensuring smooth execution and attendee satisfaction.
- Boosted office morale by organizing social events such as holiday parties or team lunches.
- Managed calendars for multiple executives, effectively arranging appointments and preventing scheduling conflicts.
- Oversaw appointment scheduling and itinerary coordination for both clients and personnel.
- Provided backup to front desk to step in to assist with various tasks whenever employee was absent or at lunch.
Education
Master of Science - Social Work
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL05-2024
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL05-2022
Skills
- Child welfare advocacy
- Case management
- Crisis intervention
- Individualized service planning
- Home visit documentation
- Family reunification services
- Resource coordination
- Community outreach
- Psychosocial assessments
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Emergency response planning
- Educational advocacy
- Cultural competency
- Suicide risk assessment
- Public speaking confidence
- Substance abuse awareness
- Mental health assessment
Timeline
Senior Social Worker - Child and Youth
Calhoun County DHR
06.2025 - Current
Social Service Coordinator
SH Management
01.2025 - 06.2025
Master of Social Work Intern
EMS Prevention Program
01.2024 - 05.2024
Social Work Intern
Taylor Hardin Secure Medical Facility
08.2022 - 08.2023
BSW Intern
Rise Center of Tuscaloosa
08.2021 - 12.2021
Administrative Support Coordinator
Kim's Image Shop
04.2017 - 08.2021
Master of Science - Social Work
The University of Alabama
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
The University of Alabama