Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Interests
Timeline
COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Generic

Donna Little

West New York,NJ

Summary

To Whom It May Concern I am writing to express my interest in a position within your organization that aligns with my extensive experience in behavioral health, psychiatric services, early intervention, and case management. I bring with me twenty plus years of service in various health and human services roles, including psychiatric emergency counseling from adolescence to geriatric, early childhood development, and behavioral health coordination of services, and referral. I bring a compassionate, solution-driven, and detail-oriented approach to client care and program coordination. In my most recent role as a Psychiatric Emergency Services Counselor at Care Point/Christ Hospital, I have been responsible for conducting comprehensive psychiatric and detox assessments, processing referrals, managing patient transitions, and maintaining compliance with HIPAA and PHI regulations. My work requires frequent collaboration with hospital staff, psychiatrists, and external facilities, ensuring continuity of care and accurate documentation in fast-paced, high-stress environments. Prior to this, I served for over a decade at Jersey City Medical Center in both early intervention and psychiatric inpatient units, where I coordinated care for children and families with special needs, managed IFSP meetings, supported mental health court cases, and facilitated interdisciplinary communication. I also bring a strong foundation in parent engagement and community-based programming from my years with North Hudson Community Action Corporation, where I led parent education workshops, federal compliance reviews, and early childhood enrollment initiatives. What sets me apart is my commitment to improving patient outcomes through trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and family-centered care. I thrive in roles that allow me to serve vulnerable populations, build cross-functional teams, and streamline systems for more effective service delivery. I would welcome the opportunity to bring my passion, experience, and dedication to your team. I am available for an interview at your convenience and can be reached directly at 201-673-2538 or donnalittle007@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and consideration. Warm regards, Donna Little

Professional counselor equipped to guide clients through challenges and foster personal growth. Strong background in providing emotional support, conflict resolution, and developing coping strategies. Proven ability to collaborate effectively within team to achieve impactful results. Adaptable and dependable with focus on active listening, empathy, and problem-solving skills.

Overview

27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Psychiatric Emergency Services Counselor

CarePoint Health Christ Hospital
02.2023 - Current
  • Assess children experiencing psychiatric symptoms, abuse and self-harm for psychiatric admission to the CCIS unit
  • Provide referrals to aid children and parents in specialized psychiatric therapies
  • Complete Psychiatric assessments and manage referrals from the Emergency Department.
  • Coordinate psychiatric, detox, and substance abuse treatment admissions (short- and long-term).
  • Ensure proper processing of access cases and monitor Utilization Service Treatment Forms (USTF).
  • Maintain communication with hospitals across NJ for timely patient transfers.
  • Monitor daily census and shift reports;
  • Foster HIPAA/PHI compliance at all times.
  • Organize office operations and staff coverage; manage DCPP reports from ED.
  • Collaborate with psychiatrists for referral processing and patient disposition planning.
  • Process Continued Hold Application
  • Follow up with Spanish speaking clients on their psychiatric aftercare plans
  • Conduct Prior Authorizations and provide Live Clinicals
  • Home Study Post Release Services Case Manager- Remote
  • Initiated the transition and unification process of migrant children
  • Confirmed home visits with families for transition or reunification
  • Collaborated with sponsors and families to ensure safety of child and environment
  • Implemented service plans, education services and ensured a healthy home environment
  • Ensured all scheduled immigration appointments are kept
  • Ensured children are apart of a cultural environment.
  • Ensured children are enrolled in local schools and community programs
  • Confirmed that sponsors are equipped with all necessary EOIR for the immigration local office
  • Provided referrals for abused victims
  • Completed HSPRS home visits monthly and quarterly

Behavioral Health, Psychiatric Unit (Open Unit)

Jersey City Medical Center
03.2022 - 03.2023
  • Facilitated coordination between voluntary and involuntary patients.
  • Prepared court documents, managed court schedules, and obtained judicial approvals.
  • Supported virtual court appearances, chamber visits, and interpretation requests.
  • Conducted patient surveys and ensured documentation accuracy in CERNER & EPIC.
  • Verified status changes and coordinated patient consultations.

Psychiatric Emergency Services Counselor

Horizon Health@ Care Point Health
02.2022 - 01.2023
  • Evaluated Psychiatric assessments and managed referrals from the Emergency Department.
  • Coordinated psychiatric, detox, and substance abuse treatment admissions (short- and long-term).
  • Ensure proper processing of access cases and monitor Utilization Service Treatment Forms (USTF).
  • Maintained communication with hospitals across NJ for timely patient transfers.
  • Monitored daily census and shift reports; ensured HIPAA/PHI compliance at all times.
  • Coordinated office operations and staff coverage; managed DCPP reports from ED.
  • Collaborated with psychiatrists for referral processing and patient disposition planning.
  • Processed Continued Hold Application Process/Judges Orders

Early Intervention / Behavioral Health / Care Management Coordinator

Jersey City Medical Center
09.2010 - 02.2022
  • Provided case management for children with special needs (birth to age 21).
  • Facilitated IFSPs (Initial, Review, Annual) and Transition Planning Conferences (TPC).
  • Coordinated meetings among families, therapists, and evaluation teams (in-person/virtual).
  • Managed purchasing and supply inventory; offered administrative and office coordination.

Social Services / Parent Involvement Coordinator

North Hudson Community Action Corporation
08.1998 - 09.2010
  • Organized and facilitated parent workshops, ESL classes, and volunteer training.
  • Participated in national conferences and parenting skill initiatives.
  • Conducted ERSEA enrollment, chart audits, and mental health staffing reviews.
  • Led in-service training, federal reviews, and policy council facilitation.

Education

B.S. - Criminal Justice Administration

New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ

Skills

  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, eFax)
  • Medical Systems: Meditech, CERNER, EPIC
  • Strong organizational and time management skills
  • Excellent communication (verbal & written)
  • Detail-oriented and efficient multitasker
  • Strict adherence to HIPAA and confidentiality standards
  • Problem-solving and crisis management
  • Community Outreach/Recruitment/Marketing

Certification

  • HIPAA & PHI Compliance (Annual)
  • NJ Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting
  • US Dept. of Health & Human Services: Child & Adolescent Development
  • Data Security Certificate
  • Trauma-Informed Care Essentials
  • NJ Dept. of Children & Families: CARI Check (Cleared)
  • FBI Background Check (Cleared)
  • Safety Coach Training
  • Workplace Violence Training

Interests

  • I participate in a variety of outdoor recreational activities
  • Enjoy hobbies that combine physical activity with outdoor exploration
  • Volunteering with youth sports programs as a community support specialist
  • Volunteering
  • Gardening

Timeline

Psychiatric Emergency Services Counselor

CarePoint Health Christ Hospital
02.2023 - Current

Behavioral Health, Psychiatric Unit (Open Unit)

Jersey City Medical Center
03.2022 - 03.2023

Psychiatric Emergency Services Counselor

Horizon Health@ Care Point Health
02.2022 - 01.2023

Early Intervention / Behavioral Health / Care Management Coordinator

Jersey City Medical Center
09.2010 - 02.2022

Social Services / Parent Involvement Coordinator

North Hudson Community Action Corporation
08.1998 - 09.2010

B.S. - Criminal Justice Administration

New Jersey City University

COMMUNITY & VOLUNTEER SERVICE

  • NHCAC Head Start: Parent & Community Volunteer
  • Policy Council Board Representative & Facilitator
  • NHSA Conference Parent Representative (Domestic Travel)
  • Parenting Skills Workshop Facilitator
  • Teen & Adult Prenatal Program Coordinator
  • Recruitment
  • Chaperone – Field Trip
Donna Little