DANA WERNER
Pleasant Hills,PA
Summary
Licensed Social Worker and mental health professional. Well-versed in crisis intervention, therapeutic intervention, and case management. A proactive and understanding individual committed to serving at-risk individuals, individuals with special needs, and vulnerable populations.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
School Social Worker
Plum Borough High School
2022.08 - Current
- Monitors student attendance, documents truancy, holds SAIP meetings, and submits referrals as per requirements.
- Conducts home visits as needed.
- Plans, organizes and facilitates goal-oriented psychoeducational, social-skills, and therapeutic groups and curriculums.
- Collaborates with families, family services, and health care providers to determine the best services and interventions for students in need.
- Complies with state standards regarding child protection, client confidentiality, and risk assessment, and intervenes as necessary.
- Assesses student barriers to self-sufficiency and collaborates with school administrators, psychologists, and teachers to determine the most appropriate intervention.
- Provides comprehensive and continuous intervention plans in collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.
Counselor Advocate
Center For Victims
2017.04 - 2022.08
- Maintained relationships with the Magisterial District Courts and personnel in Allegheny County as well as social service organizations.
- Participated in a variety of trainings relating to crisis response, trauma-related victim services, and effective assistance for those in need.
- Provided advocacy, accompaniment, crisis counseling, and guidance to clients before, during, and after criminal preliminary hearings.
- Educated clients on mental health topics and provided resources on these topics.
- Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
- Adapted counseling techniques to suit each client's individual needs and created a safe and supportive environment for clients to discuss their concerns.
- Observed and assessed criminal court cases to inform victims of crime of their rights and provided them with relevant information.
- Provided assistance to clients at Allegheny County's Protection from Abuse office and helped them file protective orders.
- Provided appropriate therapeutic interventions and referrals to clients in accordance with their needs.
Preschool Teacher
KinderCare Learning Center
2015.11 - 2017.04
- Incorporated learning, play, and hands-on activities to enhance students' growth and development.
- Contributed to the development of self-esteem and self-confidence in students.
- Observed children in order to identify those in need of extra support and developed strategies in order to assist them.
- Assessed and recorded students' academic, social, and emotional progress.
- Supported student achievement by collaborating with teachers, parents, and administrators.
- Addressed behavioral and learning issues with parents and KinderCare management.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Designed, prepared, and assessed to inform and adjust instruction according to student needs.
- Attended professional development days and trainings to stay current with best practices in early childhood education.
- Developed lesson plans and age-appropriate interactive activities based on the KinderCare curriculum.
- Organized and supervised large and small group activities.
- Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
Child Development Specialist
The Bradley Center
2014.08 - 2015.11
- Acquired experience in meeting psychological, emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of residents and their families
- Completed daily behavioral log based on client’s activities and concerns
- Taught necessary life skills and acted as a mentor and advocate
- Maintained residents' and staff's safety in high-risk environments.
- Ensured professionalism and reliability.
- Maintained a comprehensive and integrated approach to student services through collaboration with school personnel, parents, and mental health providers.
- Provided assistance to children with special needs and developmental delays by developing age-appropriate goals and outcomes.
- Supported positive behavior and social-emotional development through the implementation of research-based interventions.
- Created a rapport of trust and communication with children and families, in order to meet the needs of each case.
- Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
- Achieved respectful and thoughtful communication with parents and guardians by remaining sensitive to the cultures, values, and needs of diverse families.
- Updated case records accurately and documented data.
Education
Masters of Social Work (MSW) -
Concord University
05.2022
Bachelors of Arts in Social Work (BSW) -
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, PA05.2015
Associates of Arts in Early Education -
Community College of Allegheny County
West Mifflin, PA12.2013
Skills
- Behavioral Assistance
- Recommend Care
- Constructive Feedback
- Dedicated Support
- Counseling Services
- Group Activities
- Organizational Abilities
- Crisis Intervention
- Solution-Based Interventions
- Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIP)
- Mental Health Awareness
- Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
Affiliations
- National Association of Social Workers
Other Work-Related Experience/Volunteer Work
Elementary Education Field Student 9/2010 – 8/2012
Enroll America 2/2014 – 5/2014
The Bradley Center (Internship) 8/2014 – 4/2015
Center for Victims (Internship) 8/2021 – 12/2021
Lethality Assessments Program Police Trainings
"Black Tie Event"- prom dress donations 1/2022- present
Timeline
School Social Worker
Plum Borough High School
2022.08 - Current
Counselor Advocate
Center For Victims
2017.04 - 2022.08
Preschool Teacher
KinderCare Learning Center
2015.11 - 2017.04
Child Development Specialist
The Bradley Center
2014.08 - 2015.11
Masters of Social Work (MSW) -
Concord University
Bachelors of Arts in Social Work (BSW) -
University of Pittsburgh
Associates of Arts in Early Education -
Community College of Allegheny County
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