Debra Rasco-Montgomery
Farmers Branch,TX
Summary
Professional educator with outstanding communication and instruction experience. Skillful educator with the ability to adapt to different classroom settings and subjects. Masterful at new teaching styles and concepts and can work within constraints of school guidelines and policies. Keen observer equipped to change teaching styles based on student need or subject matter.
Experienced Director of Child welfare with skill in working with children and adults in crisis. Compassionate, solutions-oriented case manager dedicated to providing exceptional care and devising creative treatment plans for children, adolescents and adults dealing with crises. Goal-oriented professional well-versed in operational practices and regulatory requirements of Child welfare and mental health environments. Skilled leader and analytical problem-solver well-versed in budget planning, staff oversight and program management. Skillfully use relationship-building talents and diplomatic communication style to forge long-lasting connections.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Child Welfare
Envision Unlimited
Chicago, Illinois
12.2018 - Current
- Oversaw day-to-day production activities in accordance with Department of Children and Family Services and Envision Unlimited objectives.
- Defined, implemented and revised operational policies and guidelines with Envision Unlimited procedures.
- Worked collaboratively with functional leaders to implement new procedures and corrective actions to improve quality.
- Increased profits by assessing effectiveness of Foster Care and Intact Family Services.
- Oversaw clinical studies focused on quality assessment, financial health and customer relations.
- Oversee 2.5 million budget for Intact Family services and Foster Care.
Foster Care Supervisor
Jewish Child and Family Services
Chicago, IL
01.2017 - 12.2018
- Updated case records with all client contacts and informational updates.
- Attended proceedings for reunification and permanent placement.
- Created and updated case service plans and court reports.
- Helped families pursue program resources.
- Provided instruction, coaching and motivation to all employees.
- Developed and enforced safety standards and procedures pertaining to DCFS policies.
- Achieved family goals for 89% of clients by providing referrals, resources and tools for assistance
GROUP HOME CASE MANAGER
Childserv
Naperville
03.2015 - 01.2017
- Created and updated case service plans and court reports.
- Performed initial client assessment and analysis to help with reunification.
- Produced reports and documents for senior team members.
- Helped families pursue program resources.
- Attended proceedings for Reunification and permanent placement.
- Monitored client census by using Daily Movement Report and recording admissions, discharges, doctor appointments and site visit data.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, including creating treatment plans and connecting clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Maintained caseload of more than 15 children in public school and group home placements.
- Aided parents in arranging medication evaluations and psychological testing.
- Frequently testify as expert witness in juvenile transfer cases.
- Mediated conflicts within families to clarify and resolve underlying issues.
- Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment
- Managed team of 25 employees, overseeing hiring, training, and professional growth of employees
Teacher
School District 130
Blue Island, IL
08.2007 - 06.2016
- Worked cooperatively with other teachers, administrators and parents to help students reach learning objectives.
- Communicated frequently with parents, students and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
- Kept students on-task with proactive behavior modification and positive reinforcement strategies.
- Incorporated multiple types of teaching strategies into classroom.
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
Mental Health Consultant
CLS Consultants
09.2013 - 04.2015
- Train families, teachers and staff in Early Childhood in promoting healthy growth and development.
- Help promote social /emotional development of children 0-5 years of age.
- Maintained caseload of more than 50 children in public schools and group home placements.
- Created and administered group psycho-education programs to provide life skills, family support and community integration services to patients.
- Led educational seminars and lectures at local day care centers to expand awareness of mental health symptoms and issues.
- Provided complex crisis intervention and stabilization to parents in psychological distress with minors.
- Evaluated patients and implemented comprehensive treatment plans to enhance mental health
- Provided clients with recommendations to community resources
- Utilized Motivational Interviewing to support clients in meeting therapeutic goals
Intact Case Manager
CLS Consultants
11.2013 - 03.2015
- Work with families to help keep their family in the home and intact.
- Helping families remain together while receiving necessary services recommended by DCFS.
- As an Intact case manager duties include but not limited to: crises intervention, referral recommendations, assessments, record keeping, and management of cases referred by Department of Children and Family Services.
- Monitored client census by using the Daily Movement Report and recording admissions, discharges, doctor appointments and site visit data.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, including creating treatment plans and connecting clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Maintained a caseload of more than 15 children in public schools and group home placements.
- Aided parents in arranging medication evaluations and psychological testing.
- Frequently testify as an expert witness in juvenile transfer cases.
- Mediated conflicts within families to clarify and resolve underlying issues.
Site Director/Instructor
Flossmoor P. District
Flossmoor, IL
08.2012 - 05.2013
- Promote and stimulate school-age children while providing guidance and direction to staff.
- Handle discipline to adhere to the policies in accordance to policies of the school and district.
- Mediated conflicts within families to clarify and resolve underlying issues.
- Recruited and hired top-quality staff to fill important positions.
- Facilitated effective communication between internal and external stakeholders.
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Service Coordinator
Bourbonnais Terrace Nursing
Bourbonnais, IL
04.2011 - 01.2013
- Work with families to help keep their family in the home and intact.
- Helping families remain together while receiving necessary services recommended by DCFS.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, including creating treatment plans and connecting clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Presented case history material to review and discussion with other staff members.
- Involved clients' family members in planning social service programs.
- Consulted with highly skilled mental health and medical staff.
- Offered expert testimony for legal consultations and court hearings.
Childcare Owner
D And I Christian Day Care
Riverdale, IL
10.1993 - 06.2010
- Enforced rules and managed behavior through developmentally appropriate discipline.
- Maintained effective schedule balance between rest periods, active play and instruction.
- Applied positive behavior management techniques to enhance social interactions and emotional development.
- Observed play activities to identify positive behaviors and areas in need of improvement, implementing behavior redirection where appropriate.
- Consulted with families to discuss activities and behaviors of each child.
- Worked with children individually and in groups to teach social, communicative and problem-solving skills.
- Managed over 10 families per day
- Managed day-to-day business operations.
- Consulted with customers to assess needs and propose optimal solutions.
- Trained and motivated employees to perform daily business functions.
Education
Master of Arts - Guidance Counseling and Mental Health Counseling
Lewis University
Romeoville, IL06.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts
DePaul University 1
06.2008
Skills
- Strong leadership skills such as: team player, set objectives, and result oriented
- CASE MANAGEMENT, INTERVIEWING, DISCHARGE PLANNING
- Department of Child and Family Services Licensed CWEL, Placement, CERAP trained and Intact and Family Services licensed
- Skilled in intake interviewing Adept at treatment and discharge planning
- Administrative Management
- Quality Assurance
- Recruitment and Hiring
- Budget Control
- Cost Reduction
- Employee Motivation
- Compliance Monitoring
- Instructional Strategies
Timeline
Director of Child Welfare
Envision Unlimited
12.2018 - Current
Foster Care Supervisor
Jewish Child and Family Services
01.2017 - 12.2018
GROUP HOME CASE MANAGER
Childserv
03.2015 - 01.2017
Intact Case Manager
CLS Consultants
11.2013 - 03.2015
Mental Health Consultant
CLS Consultants
09.2013 - 04.2015
Site Director/Instructor
Flossmoor P. District
08.2012 - 05.2013
Psychiatric Rehabilitation Service Coordinator
Bourbonnais Terrace Nursing
04.2011 - 01.2013
Teacher
School District 130
08.2007 - 06.2016
Childcare Owner
D And I Christian Day Care
10.1993 - 06.2010
Master of Arts - Guidance Counseling and Mental Health Counseling
Lewis University
Bachelor of Arts - Liberal Arts
DePaul University 1