Debra Bragg-Caron
Titusville,FL
Summary
Compassionate Family Advocate for 22 years in Brevard County. Known for always willing to do what it takes. Excel in empathy, going above and beyond to ensure that each family receives personalized support and guidance.
Known for hard work and long hours. Well-versed in community outreach skills that enable successful advocacy for families in need, including their pets.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1976
1976
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Pet Sitter and Pet walker
Freelance
Cape Canaveral, Florida
01.2015 - Current
- Provided in-home daily care for pets, ensuring their comfort and well-being.
- Managed pet feeding schedules and monitored dietary needs per owner's recommendations.
- Administered medications and treatments as directed by pet owners.
- Built trust with pet owners through regular communication and photo updates.
- Maintained 100% client satisfaction rate based on feedback and repeat requests.
Family Advocate Specialist
Brevard Cares
Rockledge, FL
11.2012 - 04.2024
- Partnered with families and provided resources to build growth that promoted better self-reliance.
- Served as liaison between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors and other contacts to help children facing problems such as disabilities, abuse or poverty.
- Educated clients about available community resources and assisted them with accessing those resources when needed.
- Attended trainings and workshops on topics related to family advocacy work.
- Assisted families with obtaining resources such as medical care, housing, food, and employment opportunities.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients by providing ongoing support through regular check-ins or phone calls.
- Advocated for clients' rights in court proceedings and meetings with government agencies.
- Facilitated support groups for parents and caregivers on issues related to parenting skills, anger management, depression
- Maintained accurate records of all client contacts including documenting progress notes into an electronic database system.
- Assisted families with completing paperwork required by various government programs or services.
- Worked with care team to assess client needs and discuss collaborative treatment efforts
- Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services.
- Worked with community resources to engage youth in pro-social activities and help families access services.
- Participated in ongoing training and enhance knowledge of relevant mental health topics.
- Interfaced with local court system, attending court proceedings and working directly with attorneys.
- Counseled parents on proper child-rearing choices.
- Attended hearings with victims to provide emotional support.
- Managed parent support groups addressing topics such as positive discipline and parenting styles.
- Supported individuals in weekly group sessions.
- Managed case files and ensured accurate documentation of client interactions.
- Participated in ongoing training and compliance activities.
- Reviewed documents for accuracy prior to submission or publication.
- Maintained positive working relationship with fellow staff and management.
Family Partner
Devereux
Palm Bay, FL
06.2005 - 11.2012
- Facilitated communication between families, Foster parents and Case Management.
- Provided training and resources for family engagement best practices.
- Coordinated family meetings to enhance support networks.
- Advocated for family needs within the organization's programs.
- Documented family progress and feedback for continuous improvement.
- Supported families in navigating community resources and services.
- Worked with community resources to engage youth in pro-social activities and help families access services.
- Supported access to community resources such as housing assistance, food pantries, job training programs.
- Provided transportation for families for family visits and appointments.
- Provided in-home support to families with children facing behavioral and emotional challenges.
- Provided advocacy for clients within their communities by attending meetings or events related to their needs.
- Worked closely with parents to provide guidance on parenting skills, discipline techniques, and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Educated clients on topics related to healthy living habits, nutrition, stress management.
- Actively participated in team meetings or trainings related to best practices in working with children and families.
- Established a safe space for clients by ensuring confidentiality of all information shared during sessions.
- Conducted home visits to observe the family environment and identify any issues or concerns that may arise.
- Offered emergency response, family support to meet individual child objectives.
- Conducted home visits and kept in contact with families by phone in accordance with agency policies.
- Followed data security regulations to keep client information confidential.
- Advocated for victims during difficult situations by filing police reports and connecting to needed services.
- Partnered with families and provided resources to build growth that promoted better self-reliance.
- Served as liaison between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors and other contacts to help children facing problems such as disabilities, abuse or poverty.
- Determined availability of services and programs within community for parents with disabled youngsters.
- Worked with care team to assess client needs and discuss collaborative treatment efforts.
- Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services.
- Participated in ongoing training to maintain license and enhance knowledge of relevant mental health topics.
- Built trust and rapport with victims of violent crimes by remaining calm and compassionate in variety of situations.
Education
Office Technology - Office Technology
Hesser College
09.1979 - 06.1980
Farmington High School
Farmington , NHSkills
- Client relationship management
- Client privacy
- Schedule management
- Honest and trustworthy
- Time management
- Problem solving
- Family support services
- Community resource navigation
- Relationship building
- Communication
- Team Work
- Time Management
- Flexibility
- Adaptability
- Resilient
- Ability to learn
- Organization
- Positive Attitude
- Reliability
- Attention to detail
- Empathy
- Senior pet care
- Client communication
- Case documentation
- Following pet care instructions
- Pet care
- Clean background check
- House sitting
- Animal safety
- Playtime engagement
- Animal empathy
- Pet care management
Hobbies and Interests
I believe in a balanced life and so, besides working in a Career that I love, I take time to include many of the following into my days, nights and weekends, they are as follows:
Family time, animal welfare, beach time, traveling, exercising, yoga, meditation, bicycling, reading, painting, puzzles, furniture refurbishing and a good movie.
Timeline
Pet Sitter and Pet walker
Freelance
01.2015 - Current
Family Advocate Specialist
Brevard Cares
11.2012 - 04.2024
Family Partner
Devereux
06.2005 - 11.2012
Office Technology - Office Technology
Hesser College
09.1979 - 06.1980
Farmington High School