Desiree Schmidt
Social Work
San Jose,CA
Summary
Dedicated Social Worker well-versed at liaising with clients to foster access to community resources, treatment and assistance programs. Compassionate and driven with unfailing work ethic and passion for helping others.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
6
6
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Certifications
Work History
Clinical Social Worker II
County of Santa Clara, Department of Family and Children’s Services
11.2023 - Current
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of the emotional, psychological, and social needs of children entering the program, leading to the transition into resource family homes, STRTPs, or other transitional housing programs better suited to accommodate the needs of the children/youth we serve
- Identify trauma, mental health issues, and other factors affecting the child's well-being
- Collaborate with other treatment team members to gather information and develop an individualized care plan for each child
- I utilize my skills in suggesting therapeutic interventions and counseling services for children and youth to address their emotional and behavioral needs
- I implement evidence-based trauma-informed therapeutic techniques to support the child's healing and growth
- My support helps children express their feelings and cope with their challenges, ensuring their well-being is prioritized
- Develop and maintain case files for each child, documenting their progress, assessments, and interventions
- Collaborate with Social Work Supervisors, Children's Counselors, and other team members to ensure a coordinated and holistic approach to care
- Advocate for the child's best interests and coordinate services to meet their needs
- Responds to crises and emergencies that may arise in the shelter environment
- Provide immediate support and interventions to address safety concerns and emotional distress
- Collaborate with other professionals to ensure the child's well-being during crises
- Thrive in a collaborative environment, working closely with a diverse treatment team, including Social Work Supervisors, Children's Counselors, Behavioral Health Services clinicians, SPARK clinicians, and the medical treatment team
- This collaborative approach ensures comprehensive care for the children we serve
- Participate in team meetings, case conferences, and treatment planning to ensure the child receives comprehensive care
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all interactions, assessments, and interventions with the children
- Prepare and submit reports as required by the program and relevant authorities
- Ensure that all interventions and services provided are grounded in trauma-informed principles to create a safe and supportive environment for the children
- Adhere to all relevant laws, regulations, and agency policies related to child welfare and mental health services
- Demonstrate a solid commitment to continuous professional development, staying updated on the latest research, best practices, and therapeutic techniques in child welfare and mental health.
- Maximized client engagement in treatment by employing motivational interviewing techniques, building rapport, and addressing barriers to change.
Safety & Well-Being Social Worker II
County of Santa Clara, Department of Family and Children’s Services
09.2021 - 11.2023
- Provide extensive case management services to children and families receiving Family Reunification, Family Maintenance, and Permanency Planning Services
- Perform investigations of allegations and ongoing risk assessments of children and families
- Work collaboratively with service providers, including education personnel, law enforcement, legal professionals, and mental health, medical, and community service providers
- Prepare case documentation and provide written reports to the Court
- Make recommendations to the Juvenile Dependency Court.
Social Work Intern
Dependency Advocacy Center
09.2020 - 08.2021
- Collaborate with attorneys representing parents and children involved in the child welfare system as part of an interdisciplinary advocacy team
- Assist with clinical expertise to support attorneys presenting clients' legal positions to the Court
- Assist with completing individualized needs assessments, providing referrals to community resources, and ongoing case management
- Aided in system navigation, interfaced with various service providers, helped with clinical assessments, and observed parent/child visitations
- Support clients during court hearings, provide expert testimony in litigation, collect data for writing reports to the Court on the client's behalf, and attend non-court-based meetings, including CFT (Child Family Team) meetings.
Rehabilitation Case Manager in Adult Outpatient Mental Health Services
Bill Wilson Center
08.2019 - 06.2020
- Provide community-based rehabilitation and restorative skill-based services, case management, referral services, and preparation for independent living and improved self-sufficiency to diverse young adult populations aged 18 to 30
- Provide supportive services utilizing the Transformation Care Planning model to improve the client's emotional well-being and life-domain functioning
- Provide rehabilitation counseling under a clinician's supervision, utilizing the strength-based model, skill development, solution-oriented care, and case management
- Develop Individualized Treatment Plans in collaboration with the Clinician and Client
- Complete all regulatory documentation required by the Department of Santa Clara County Mental Health/Medi-Cal according to standards and regulations.
Transitional Housing Program Case Manager
Bill Wilson Center
08.2018 - 08.2019
- Provide services to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of our communities
- Working with ethnically diverse communities, including but not limited to LGBTQIA+ and non-able body individuals seeking permanent housing services, through ongoing case management
- Completes intakes and assessments to identify the needs and strengths of the young adults referred to our programs
- Assist and support young adults with housing searches, permanent housing placement, and skill-building, including independent living skills
- Collaborate with outside agencies to ensure the quality of care for young adults, utilizing community resources to meet the needs of young adults in the program
- Provide referral assistance to legal, mental/physical health services, and drug and alcohol treatment.
School Social Work Intern
East Side Union High School District-Oak Grove High School
08.2008 - 08.2009
- Formulate appropriate treatment plans and ongoing casework for hundreds of students, including boys, girls, LGBTQ students, and mental health disorders
- Provided social services, such as housing resources for runaway youth, child care connections, parenting skills, assistance in finding employment, and when necessary, placed calls to Child Protective Services (CPS)
- Took a leadership role in coordinating services with an interdisciplinary team and community agencies to ensure appropriate client care
- Facilitate teen girls groups with topics including teen pregnancy, domestic violence, drugs, and sexuality
- Develop plans for over 200 incoming freshmen to ensure weekly one-on-one counseling, academic tutoring, and resource classes are available to accommodate any social or mental disabilities.
Social Work Intern
Sacred Heart Community Services
09.2007 - 12.2007
- Work with diverse populations (i.e., Homeless, Mentally Ill, and Unemployed) to pre-screen and conduct assessments for housing assistance qualifications
- Received 40-50 calls a day from individuals/families facing eviction due to financial instability and seeking much-needed help to find a permanent or more stable living environment
- Award financial emergency assistance on a one-time-only basis once the client provides documentation showing they would be financially stable the following month.
Education
Master’s in Social Work -
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA 08.2020 - 05.2022
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work -
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA 08.2007 - 05.2010
Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts - undefined
De Anza Community College
Cupertino, CA 08.2001 - 05.2003
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Suite
- CWS/CMS application
- Strong time management skills, can work on multiple tasks while remaining conscious of deadlines
- Works effectively in a team environment as well as individually
- Psychosocial Assessments
- Case Management
- Case Documentation
- Client Needs Assessment
- Intervention Planning
Certification
Infant, Child, and Adult CPR/AED/First Aid, 06/01/25, NationalCPRFoundation
Timeline
Clinical Social Worker II
County of Santa Clara, Department of Family and Children’s Services
11.2023 - Current
Safety & Well-Being Social Worker II
County of Santa Clara, Department of Family and Children’s Services
09.2021 - 11.2023
Social Work Intern
Dependency Advocacy Center
09.2020 - 08.2021
Master’s in Social Work -
San Jose State University
08.2020 - 05.2022
Rehabilitation Case Manager in Adult Outpatient Mental Health Services
Bill Wilson Center
08.2019 - 06.2020
Transitional Housing Program Case Manager
Bill Wilson Center
08.2018 - 08.2019
School Social Work Intern
East Side Union High School District-Oak Grove High School
08.2008 - 08.2009
Social Work Intern
Sacred Heart Community Services
09.2007 - 12.2007
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work -
San Jose State University
08.2007 - 05.2010
Associates of Arts in Liberal Arts - undefined
De Anza Community College
08.2001 - 05.2003
Infant, Child, and Adult CPR/AED/First Aid, 06/01/25, NationalCPRFoundation
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, 03/01/24, Santa Clara County-Department of Family and Children’s Services
Associate Clinical Social Worker, XX XX, Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
Trauma-Informed Care, 10/01/18, Bill Wilson Center
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