Debra L. Walz
Castle Rock,CO
Summary
Highly proficient and compassionate individual involved in the Social Services Field from Victim Services to Child Protection for the last twenty six years. Known for integrity, high productivity and efficient task completion. Specialize in client needs assessment, resource coordination, and case management planning. Excel in communication, empathy, and problem-solving to support culturally diverse clients effectively. Navigate challenging situations with patience and understanding to achieve positive outcomes.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mastery Hotline Caseworker
Arapahoe County Department of Human Service
Aurora, CO
07.2020 - 08.2024
- Responds promptly to incoming calls of a variety of seriousness to determine the problem and gravity of the situation being reported.
- Follow strict policies and procedures to maintain confidentiality.
- Provides crisis intervention when necessary to urgent requests from callers or referral sources requesting immediate assistance.
- Gather all the needed information utilizing the expanded screening questions to complete the initial assessment of a referral.
- Determine if safety issues are present, what services maybe required, evaluate and address an individuals needs and concerns.
- Consistently utilize active listening skills to build trust and rapport with callers to facilitate effective support and communication.
- Completes follow up work and call backs requested to obtain more information to influence disposition determination.
Intake Caseworker C- Specializing in Sexual Abuse
Arapahoe County Department of Human Services
Aurora, CO
07.2013 - 07.2020
- Responds to allegations of abuse and/or neglect as assigned to determine the immediate safety of a child that include, but are not limited to; Mental Health, Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse, Sex/Labor Trafficking, At Risk Youth, Substance Exposed Newborns.
- Assess whether adequate safety measures are present for the child remain in the home or if the situation requires out of home placement.
- Provide immediate and short-term intervention while continuing to evaluate and assess a family’s needs.
- Work directly with Sungate or other Children's Advocacy Centers to view Forensic Interviews, coordinate services and participate in family meetings with Law Enforcement and assigned District Attorney.
- Empower families to contact and advocate with other involved individuals or providers to make positive decisions on their own behalf.
- Collaborate with collaterals and community partners (ie. law enforcement, medical personnel, school staff, individual family supports, mental health, substance use and domestic violence providers, economic security and housing partners, etc.) to obtain information, coordinate services, develop case plans to help achieve stability and mitigate safety concerns for children.
- Responsible for entering documentation and all case contacts into Trails. Responsible for managing caseload and prioritizing work to ensure timeliness, as required by state and federal rules and regulations.
- Complete assessments within 60 days and determine whether long-term support and services are necessary in order to achieve child safety and well-being.
- Acted as a liaison between family members, caregivers, and healthcare providers, providing relevant updates regarding the client's condition and progress.
Permanency Caseworker
Arapahoe County Department of Human Services
Aurora, Colo
03.2009 - 07.2013
- Provide professional ongoing case management by working with family and other professionals by developing individualized Treatment Plans based on each client's strengths and identified needs that address the root cause of the referral.
- Monitor case progress, identify barriers to Permanency and work with family to eliminate constraints and implement services that best promote increased parental protective capacities.
- Collaborate with families and collaterals such as Law Enforcement, Medical Personnel, Court Appointed Special Advocates, Guardian ad Litem, Treatment Providers, Schools, and Family Support Networks.
- Establish trust, rapport and active listening skills to foster ongoing open communication with family.
- Write Court Reports, attended Court Hearings as indicated, confer with agency as well as clients Counsel, in addition to providing testimony as Court orders.
- Respond promptly and respectfully to all phone calls from clients, involved individuals and providers seeking crisis intervention, assistance or information.
- Conduct at least monthly home visits and face to face contacts with all family members.
- Provides case-specific documentation within regulated timeframes.
- Use knowledge of successful crisis intervention techniques and supportive problem-solving to achieve treatment goals.
Victim Assistance Coordinator
Benton County Prosecutor's Officeaice
Bentonville, AR
08.1997 - 08.2008
- Assist individuals with the preparation of court documents for victims seeking protection orders and attend hearings.
- On call with District Attorney and Law Enforcement to be on scene for violent crimes occurring in Benton County.
- Organized special events to educate public, honor survivors of crime and commemorate National Crime Victims' Rights Week.
- Collaborate with designated Sexual Abuse Prosecuting Attorney with all child victims and their family's. Utilized offices located at Children's Advocacy Center for Forensic Interviews, Medical Exams, Counseling and meetings with involved parties on a case by case basis.
- Coordinated and facilitated regular meetings with victims and/or their family's with assigned District Attorney to discuss, answer questions and update them on the Criminal Case or other possible dispositions.
- Prepared and submitted Grants, as assigned.
- Provided crisis intervention and emotional support to victims of crime and their families.
- Was present and provided advocacy and support on behalf of victims and their family's during criminal justice proceedings and beyond.
- Maintained accurate records of client contacts, case notes, service provision and outcomes.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss cases involving victims of crime.
- Recruited, interviewed, and hired volunteers and staff.
- Facilitated referrals to community resources, such as counseling services, legal assistance, housing, medical care, social services and other service providers.
- Developed and implemented the first 911 dedicated cell phones with local carriers for victims of Domestic Violence in Benton County.
Education
Victim Services
Victim Assistance Academy
Charleston, SC06-1999
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice/Psychology
Northeastern University
Boston, MA06-1978
Skills
- Highly proficient assessment skills
- Conflict Mediation and de-escalation abilities
- Excellent interpersonal, verbal and written skills
- Ability to engage with clients where they are
- Complete required documentation per agency timeframes
- Strong advocacy skills with the ability to proactively identify clients questions and needs
- Identify issues and present realistic expectations and/or resolutions
- Creative Problem-Solving
- Professionalism
- Utilizes Trauma Informed Lens
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Superior active listening skills
- Ability to adapt and be flexible to issues as they arise
Certification
- Continued Education and Re-Certification as an Arapahoe County Department of Human Services Caseworker from 2009-2024
- Leader Leader Arapahoe County- 2020-2024
Accomplishments
- Leader Leader Arapahoe County- 2020-2024
- 18th Judicial Human Trafficking Task Force Member - 2013-2020
- Board of Director President Benton County Women's Shelter- 2005-2007
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Mastery Hotline Caseworker
Arapahoe County Department of Human Service
07.2020 - 08.2024
Intake Caseworker C- Specializing in Sexual Abuse
Arapahoe County Department of Human Services
07.2013 - 07.2020
Permanency Caseworker
Arapahoe County Department of Human Services
03.2009 - 07.2013
Victim Assistance Coordinator
Benton County Prosecutor's Officeaice
08.1997 - 08.2008
Victim Services
Victim Assistance Academy
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice/Psychology
Northeastern University
- Continued Education and Re-Certification as an Arapahoe County Department of Human Services Caseworker from 2009-2024
- Leader Leader Arapahoe County- 2020-2024
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