Deanna Jackson
School Social Worker, MSW
Ewing
Summary
Dedicated and experienced school social worker with a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree and over 5 years of full-time experience working with students in grades Pre K-12. Specializing in strength-based social work support services and life skills development within a school setting. Demonstrated passion for helping students overcome challenges and reach their full potential. Building strong relationships with students, parents, teachers, and stakeholders to create a collaborative and supportive environment. Expertise in conducting assessments, developing intervention plans, and implementing evidence-based practices to address social, emotional, and behavioral issues. Skilled in facilitating group counseling sessions and workshops on various topics. Committed to fostering a positive school culture, adept in advocacy, documentation, and maintaining confidentiality. Motivated and compassionate, ready to make a positive impact on the well-being and success of students.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Lead Child Study Team Social Worker, K-5th Grade Case Manager
Foundation Academy Charter School
08.2023 - Current
- Oversee and manage the caseload of students receiving special education services
- Ensure that all students' Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) are compliant with state and federal regulations, including IDEA
- Work closely with the special education team to maintain accurate and up-to-date documentation for each student
- Serve as the main point of contact for families and collaborate with them to support students' progress
- Coordinate evaluations and re-evaluations, ensuring all assessments and timelines are met
- Lead the development of IEPs in collaboration with educators, parents, and related service providers, ensuring the goals and services align with the students' needs
- Review and approve all IEPs for accuracy, compliance, and alignment with student needs
- Facilitate IEP meetings with team members, ensuring a collaborative and student-centered approach
- Ensure all IEPs are implemented effectively and that progress is monitored and communicated regularly to families and educators
- Establish and maintain communication with related service providers (e.g., speech therapists, occupational therapists, counselors) to ensure seamless service delivery
- Monitor the progress of services provided and address any gaps or inconsistencies in support
- Serve as the liaison between service providers and the school team to ensure that services are aligned with IEP goals and educational needs
- Schedule and attend meetings with related service providers to review student progress and plan for any necessary adjustments
- Conduct regular audits of CST and special education binders, ensuring all documentation is current, complete, and compliant with legal standards
- Maintain organized and accessible records for each student, including assessment reports, meeting notes, and service logs
- Ensure all documentation related to IEPs, assessments, and interventions is consistently updated and accessible for review by school administrators or auditors
- Create and maintain an efficient tracking system to monitor key compliance deadlines, such as evaluations, IEP reviews, and progress reporting
- Provide training and guidance to school staff on special education procedures, legal requirements, and best practices in supporting students with disabilities
- Act as a resource for teachers and support staff in understanding and implementing IEPs, accommodations, and modifications in the classroom
- Lead professional development sessions to enhance staff knowledge on special education compliance, case management, and student support
- Lead the CST team in ensuring effective communication and collaboration between general education, special education, and related service providers
- Facilitate regular team meetings to discuss student progress, problem-solve challenges, and plan interventions or changes to services
- Act as a mentor to other CST social workers, providing guidance on case management and compliance processes
- Liaise between school leadership, district representatives, and families to resolve complex cases and ensure appropriate support is provided
- Advocate for the needs of students with disabilities within the school community and ensure they have equitable access to educational opportunities
- Provide individual counseling or social-emotional support to students as necessary, ensuring their emotional well-being is prioritized
- Monitor student progress toward meeting their IEP goals and intervene with additional supports or adjustments when needed
- Develop and implement social-emotional or behavioral interventions in collaboration with the school's support team
School Social Worker/Case Manager, Pre-K-8th Grade
Philip's Academy Charter School
05.2018 - 06.2023
- Facilitates individual and group counseling for elementary and middle school students
- Analyzes overall programmatic needs through classroom observations, intervention implementation, and student/teacher responses
- Provide Social Emotional Learning (SEL) groups for students in 3rd-4th grade, offering a foundation of resources that enrich and enhance their ability to navigate social interactions in school, career, and adult life
- Creates IEPs in congruence with the school psychologist, occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, and administrators to create appropriate goals, objectives, and accommodations for students to be successful
- Thoroughly review and analyze Individualized Education Program (IEP) for assigned students, ensuring appropriate services, accommodations, goals, and behavior intervention plans are implemented
- Coordinate with secondary and related service providers to ensure the provision of all special education services and necessary accommodations
- Collect and monitor data on IEP goals, scheduling necessary meetings to reevaluate goals and services if progress is inconsistent
- Coordinated an art therapy social-emotional learning summer program for grades K-4, integrating the 5 competencies and promoting student development
- Ensure the implementation of the Individual with Disabilities Education Act of 2004 (IDEA) and its regulations and New Jersey Special Education State rules
Social Worker/Case Manager Intern
Essex County School of Technology
09.2017 - 06.2018
- Provided individualized counseling to high school students, focusing on life skills development, college application process, and Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) submission
- Developed and monitored Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals in compliance with district and state guidelines for students, ensuring ongoing support and progress
- Created bio-psychosocial models for referred students and offered academic advice and tutoring within the program
- Provided prompt communication with parents, teachers, and officials to expedite IEP processes
- Offered crisis intervention referrals for students and families facing mental health emergencies
School Social Work/Case Manager Intern
Y.A.L.E. School
09.2015 - 05.2017
- Managed clinical support services for approximately 40 students, ages 3-21, diagnosed with anxiety disorders, specific learning impairments, and various disabilities
- Implemented a comprehensive school-wide mindfulness program, conducting pre and post-test evaluations using a 5-point Likert Scale and Patient Health Questionnaire-SADS (PHQ-SADS) over an 8+ week period
- Developed proactive interventions utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) for a caseload of students
- Co-led student intake meetings and referrals with the LCSW, Volunteer Services, families, and psychiatric nurse practitioner to track and monitor students' medical and behavioral history within the school
- Additionally, served as a liaison to facilitate and arrange resources within the school and the broader community
Children of Substance Misusing Parents Support Specialist, Study Abroad Internship
01.2018 - 01.2018
- Provided specialized support to children affected by parental substance misuse, offering tailored interventions and assistance
- Developed and implemented strategies to promote the well-being and resilience of children dealing with the challenges of parental substance misuse
- Collaborated with families, schools, and community resources to coordinate comprehensive support services for children in need
- Facilitated workshops and educational sessions to increase awareness and understanding of the impact of parental substance misuse on children, while promoting effective coping strategies and healthy development
South African Study Tour, Study Abroad Internship
05.2015 - 06.2015
- Partnered in providing therapeutic interventions to individualized group of children at a counseling shelter in Cape Town, South Africa utilizing bereavement and coping skills
- Co-lead restoratives activities for children physically and emotionally to diversify and enrich their educational experiences
- Supported children through motivational interviewing to promote personal growth, healthy societies, and strengthen international interdependencies
- Collected 100+ books and clothing items with a non-profit organization in Trenton to donate to a bereavement counseling shelter for South African children suffering from the loss of their parents because of HIV/AIDS
Education
Masters of Science - Social Work
New York University Silver School of Social Work
New York, NY 09.2017 - 05.2018
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Stockton University
Galloway, NJ 09.2013 - 05.2017
Skills
- Comprehensive knowledge of social work theories
- Proficiency in conducting assessments
- Developing individualized treatment plans
- Expertise in providing counseling and support
- Strong understanding of social, emotional, and behavioral issues
- Skilled in crisis intervention
- Conflict resolution
- Problem-solving techniques
- Ability to establish and maintain strong rapport with clients
- Excellent communication skills
- Proficient in utilizing evidence-based practices
- Cultural competency
- Knowledge of community resources
- Proficient in documentation
- Maintaining accurate client records
- Commitment to professional development
Certification
School Social Worker Certification, 06/01/18
Accomplishments
- Successfully narrowed the achievement gap for historically underserved students by implementing evidence-based academic and social-emotional support systems, resulting in an impressive 85% success rate.
- Orchestrated high school interview preparation for 8th grade students, conducting mock interviews, facilitating resume building techniques, organizing high school tours, and facilitating expectation focus groups for first-year high school students. Achieved a 100% submission rate for high school applications, with 50% of students securing vocational placements and the other 50% accepted into private or public school placements.
- Provided counseling to a girls group of 25 students, utilizing vision boards to foster skill development, teach resume building techniques, and set expectations for first-year college students. Achieved a 100% submission rate for college applications, with 55% of the students being accepted into four-year institutions.
- Led a successful girls group counseling program, guiding 25 students through the creation of vision boards to enhance skill development, impart resume building techniques, and establish expectations for first-year college students. As a result, achieved a remarkable 100% rate of college applications sent out, with 55% of the students receiving acceptance into four-year institutions.
- Coordinated School Violence Prevention Week 2016-2017: providing behavioral management skills resulting in significantly decreasing disciplinary referrals related to bullying.
Timeline
Lead Child Study Team Social Worker, K-5th Grade Case Manager
Foundation Academy Charter School
08.2023 - Current
School Social Worker/Case Manager, Pre-K-8th Grade
Philip's Academy Charter School
05.2018 - 06.2023
Children of Substance Misusing Parents Support Specialist, Study Abroad Internship
01.2018 - 01.2018
Social Worker/Case Manager Intern
Essex County School of Technology
09.2017 - 06.2018
Masters of Science - Social Work
New York University Silver School of Social Work
09.2017 - 05.2018
School Social Work/Case Manager Intern
Y.A.L.E. School
09.2015 - 05.2017
South African Study Tour, Study Abroad Internship
05.2015 - 06.2015
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Stockton University
09.2013 - 05.2017
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