Dana Forstadt
Kew Gardens,NY
Summary
Dynamic School Social Worker with extensive experience at Eastern Suffolk BOCES, adept at providing counseling services and emotional support to students with special needs. Proven ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and families, driving successful outcomes through solution-based interventions and comprehensive case documentation. Committed to enhancing student well-being and academic success.
Skilled School Social Worker versed in evaluating, diagnosing and counseling students. Possess strong problem solving and communication skills.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
School Social Worker
Eastern Suffolk BOCES
03.2006 - Current
- Complete psychosocial histories of students under evaluation.
- Provide group and individual counseling to classified special education students ages 5-21 with varying disabilities.
- Help students develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
- Support students, teachers and families during crisis situations.
- Provide educational support services to students with emotional, intellectual and physical disabilities.
- Collaborate with school personnel, parents and mental health providers to maintain comprehensive and integrated approach to student services.
- Work with educational team to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
Assistant Director of York Enrichment Services
York College
02.2004 - 03.2006
- Evaluated and assessed current and incoming students for reasonable accommodations.
- Coordinated and assisted students with varying disabilities with accommodations and graduation requirements.
- Built and maintained relationships with college admissions offices.
- Assisted with admissions process, financial aid process and obstacles that arose.
- Monitored student progress to drive successful academic outcomes.
- Advised students on educational, career and social opportunities.
- Planned and promoted career planning presentations, work experience programs and career workshops.
- Worked with individuals to help understand and overcome personal, social or behavioral problems affecting educational or vocational situations.
Foster Care Social Worker
Jewish Child Care Association
06.2002 - 02.2004
- Worked in a specialized program keeping large sibling groups together.
- Conducted weekly meetings with foster parents to provide ongoing training.
- Conducted supervised visits with parents and children.
- Assisted families in developing problem-solving and coping skills by providing counseling and referring to appropriate community agencies.
- Conducted home, school, and community visits to assigned clients to assess client's level of care and provide guidance towards meeting treatment goals.
- Provided on-going support to resource parents through coaching and crisis intervention techniques.
- Advocated for foster children by facilitating access to community resources and services to maximize safety and well-being of child.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Work
New York University
New York, NY05-2002
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
St. John's University
Jamaica, NY01-1996
Skills
- Confidential case documentation
- Family collaboration
- Counseling services
- Solution-based interventions
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Emotional support
- Family support
- Socialization issues
- Academic support
- Special needs
Certification
- LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker-099434-01
- School Social Worker Permanent Certificate-2010
- National Provider Identification (NPI): 1457164303
- Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment Course, March 2006
Timeline
School Social Worker
Eastern Suffolk BOCES
03.2006 - Current
Assistant Director of York Enrichment Services
York College
02.2004 - 03.2006
Foster Care Social Worker
Jewish Child Care Association
06.2002 - 02.2004
Master of Social Work - Social Work
New York University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
St. John's University
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