Ebony Tolbert
Warrenville,IL
Summary
Knowledgeable Licensed Master Level Social Worker with strong foundation in supporting students' emotional and social development. Successfully provided case management, counseling and promoting positive behavioral outcomes in home and school settings.
Experienced with in home counseling, group counseling and crisis intervention, promoting mental health and well-being. Utilizing effective communication and empathy to build trust and support within residential and in home settings. Knowledge of developing individualized support plans and collaborating with educators, family and therapist to foster positive student outcomes.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Education and Training Consultant- Authorization
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network
11.2021 - Current
- Improved student performance by defining clear goals and communicating performance metrics.
- Coached individuals in one-on-one settings to reinforce learned concepts and provide personalized guidance on career growth opportunities.
- Cultivated relationships with stakeholders, ensuring clear communication of expectations and progress updates throughout the training process.
- Evaluated training needs for organizations, designing tailored solutions to address skill gaps and improve overall productivity.
- Developed new and improved training programs focused on client feedback.
- Leveraged e-learning platforms to expand access to training resources across geographically dispersed teams.
- Monitored industry trends and best practices in adult education, applying relevant insights to continually enhance program offerings.
- Assessed program effectiveness and implemented improvements to increase quality of instruction.
- Enhanced employee performance by developing and implementing customized training programs.
- Assessed the effectiveness of training initiatives through regular monitoring and evaluation, refining content as needed to maximize impact.
Medical Management Specialist
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
03.2020 - 11.2021
- Provided expert guidance during critical decision-making moments, resulting in timely interventions that saved lives or reduced long-term complications for patients.
- Conducted thorough audits of medical records to ensure compliance with legal requirements and industry best practices.
- Contributed to strategic planning initiatives within the organization, utilizing extensive industry knowledge to inform future growth and development.
- Increased efficiency in medical resource utilization by closely monitoring trends and adjusting allocation accordingly.
- Collaborated with healthcare providers for better coordination of patient care plans, resulting in more seamless treatment experiences.
Donation and Family Advocate
Gift of Hope
07.2017 - 09.2019
- Enhanced family support by conducting thorough assessments and identifying specific needs.
- Built trusting relationships with clients through active listening, empathy, and cultural sensitivity during interactions at hospitals.
- Assess family readiness to have end of life conversations.
- Maintained timely documentation of case progress, ensuring clear communication among all involved parties.
- Empowered families by providing them with tools and resources needed to make informed decisions about their futures.
- Built trusting relationships with clients through active listening, empathy, and cultural sensitivity during interactions at work or home visits.
Medical Social Worker
Loyola Medical Center
09.2019 - 03.2020
- Completed psychosocial evaluations and needs assessments.
- Offered crisis intervention services to address urgent concerns related to mental health, substance abuse, or domestic violence issues.
- Connected patients with community resources, ensuring access to essential services such as housing, healthcare, and financial assistance.
- Developed cultural competence through ongoing professional development opportunities, providing culturally sensitive services to diverse patient populations.
- Maintained detailed documentation of client progress, adhering to strict confidentiality guidelines in compliance with HIPAA regulations.
- Coordinated individualized discharge plans to manage safe transition back into community and home environments.
- Explained medical care options to help families make informed healthcare decisions.
- Ensured continuity of care by coordinating seamless transitions from hospitalization to outpatient services or long-term care facilities.
- Improved patient outcomes by conducting comprehensive psychosocial assessments and developing individualized care plans.
Child Welfare Supervisor
SOS Children’s Villages
06.2018 - 07.2019
- Facilitated cross-agency collaboration to ensure comprehensive support for children and families involved in multiple systems.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary teams comprising social workers, therapists, educators, medical professionals, legal counsel, and other stakeholders to develop individualized service plans addressing each child''s unique needs.
- Conducted thorough evaluations of program effectiveness using data-driven approaches, identifying opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Promoted a positive work environment through recognition of staff accomplishments, team-building activities, and open communication channels.
- Ensured timely service delivery by closely monitoring caseloads and adjusting priorities as needed.
- Streamlined processes for documentation and reporting, leading to improved efficiency and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Increased family engagement by establishing community partnerships and organizing events to promote awareness of available services.
- Provided guidance and supervision to staff members in the conduct of safety, risk, and needs assessments for children and families served.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices and new developments in the field of child welfare.
- Supported professional growth opportunities for staff members, contributing to increased job satisfaction and retention rates.
- Improved child welfare outcomes by implementing evidence-based practices and providing ongoing staff training.
- Managed complex cases requiring intensive intervention strategies while maintaining a focus on safety and permanency planning for children involved.
Child Welfare Specialist
SOS Children’s Villages
06.2015 - 06.2018
- Advocated for the best interests of children during court proceedings, presenting clear recommendations based on thorough evaluations.
- Maintained accurate records of client interactions, service referrals, case plan progressions in adherence to agency standards for quality assurance purposes.
- Ensured child safety through regular home visits, careful documentation, and ongoing communication with involved parties.
- Coordinated closely with schools, medical providers, therapists, and other relevant professionals to ensure comprehensive support for children in care.
- Managed complex caseloads effectively while adhering to strict timelines as mandated by federal regulations or state policies.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure optimal service delivery for children and families.
- Improved child welfare outcomes by conducting thorough assessments and developing tailored case plans.
- Provided crisis intervention services as needed for clients experiencing urgent challenges related to child protection concerns or family dynamics issues.
Regional Supervisor
Youth Villages
08.2011 - 08.2014
- Analyzed market trends to identify new growth opportunities for business expansion within the region.
- Led change management initiatives, resulting in smoother transitions during organizational restructuring efforts.
- Fostered a positive working environment through proactive conflict resolution measures and consistent recognition of staff achievements.
- Improved regional performance by implementing streamlined processes and efficient management strategies.
- Evaluated team performance regularly, providing guidance for continuous improvement and goal achievement.
- Enhanced employee productivity through regular training sessions and constructive feedback.
Program Manager
Youth Villages
12.2009 - 08.2011
- Managed and supervised administrative and daily program operations, complying with policies and regulations.
- Established strong relationships with key stakeholders, ensuring support for program initiatives.
- Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
- Facilitated workshops and conducted one-on-one training to educate team members.
- Conducted comprehensive program evaluations, identifying areas for improvement and recommending actionable solutions.
- Utilized data-driven decision-making approaches to inform strategy development and optimize outcomes.
- Identified program obstacles and communicated possible impacts to team.
Residential Counselor
Youth Villages
08.2008 - 12.2009
- Served as a liaison between families and residential program staff members regarding resident progress updates or concerns that arose during their stay at the facility.
- Contributed to the development of treatment plans by participating in team meetings and providing valuable input based on individual interactions with residents.
- Conducted intake assessments on new residents, accurately identifying needs and developing appropriate action plans in response.
- Reduced conflicts among residents through effective communication and active listening skills.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions that fostered personal growth and self-reflection among participants.
- Ensured compliance with all state regulations surrounding residential programs by maintaining accurate documentation of required paperwork and reporting any issues promptly to supervisors or administrators as needed.
- Provided crisis intervention services as needed to address immediate concerns or challenges faced by residents.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care was provided to each resident.
- Collaborated with staff members to create individualized discharge plans that addressed each resident''s unique needs, aftercare resources, and support systems.
- Acted as a positive role model for residents, modeling healthy behavior and encouraging personal growth through both words and actions.
Clinical Supervisor
Youth Villages
01.2008 - 06.2008
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate care for clients with complex needs, ensuring comprehensive support was provided across all domains of life functioning.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular staff meetings, case conferences, and training sessions.
- Monitored, analyzed, and corrected staff performance and worked with regional supervisor and consultant to raise standards of practice.
- Improved patient outcomes by implementing evidence-based treatment plans and clinical interventions.
- Served as a liaison between clinical staff and administration to address concerns and optimize workflows.
In Home Family Counselor
Youth Villages
06.2007 - 01.2008
- Educated parents about child development milestones to facilitate understanding of age-appropriate behaviors.
- Conducted home visits when appropriate, gaining insight into family dynamics outside of traditional office settings.
- Maintained detailed case notes and documentation in compliance with ethical standards and confidentiality requirements.
- Initiated community outreach efforts, building relationships with local organizations to expand access to counseling services for families in need.
- Served as an advocate for clients within the community, coordinating resources and referrals to support their goals effectively.
- Enhanced communication between family members through the development of tailored conflict resolution strategies.
Education
Master of Science - Social Work
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL01.2007
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL01.2005
Skills
- Training evaluation
- Facilitation techniques
- Training delivery
- Emotional support
- Family support
- Crisis intervention
Certification
- Licensed Master Social Worker
- Child Welfare License
- Professional Educators License- In progress
Professional Experience
Review patient chart for donation candidacy, Facilitate care team meeting with Attending Physician and Bedside RN, Facilitate meetings for family approaches and maintenance of patient care to preserve option for donation, Discuss donation process and benefits to aid in healing process, Support families through terminal extubation and comfort care process, De-escalate emotional and irrational grieving family members, Offer support and resources to families after death or imminent death, Conducted Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dealt with crisis situations and calls by creating effective de-escalation plans, Participated in clinical staffing’s to address behavioral concerns, Documented weekly treatment plans for youth receiving services, Worked with multi-disciplinary teams in order to meet the needs of the clients., Completed individual, group and family therapy sessions weekly, Taught intervention techniques to reduce inappropriate behaviors with emotionally disturbed youth, Held several positions to include In-Home Family Therapist, Clinical Supervisor for Foster Care Counselors, as well as a master’s level counselor for youth with problem sexual behavior, Participated in IEP and 504 Plan Reviews, Met with Teachers, Social Workers and Therapist to address behavior modification techniques, Attend teacher conferences with foster parents, Oversaw all operations of the residential campus housing 88 children and 60 staff members, Demonstrated the ability to remain calm under pressure when making life altering decisions, Facilitated campus meetings weekly to keep all staff informed on proper policies and procedures, Reduced crisis calls by implementing training with staff on verbal de-escalation techniques, Conducted performance reviews as needed to include developmental plans so that all staff members had the opportunity to achieve their desired goals, Supervised in a fair and consistent manner which included implementing effective disciplinary actions when necessary, Develop internal trainings to assist with adhering to new accreditation standards, On board new hires, Facilitate ongoing monthly staff training, In field training for referral management and family conversations, Trained supervisors in leadership skills and effective communication styles, Created new training to introduce new clinical concepts as needed, Conducted a regional training course for the development of an expanded program, Developed a new hire residential master level counselor training to assimilate counselors to the residential campus in addition to increasing effectiveness of service delivery, Rebuilt an unstable program which produced 7 staff members to be promoted to leadership positions in only 12 months
Timeline
Education and Training Consultant- Authorization
Gift of Hope Organ & Tissue Donor Network
11.2021 - Current
Medical Management Specialist
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
03.2020 - 11.2021
Medical Social Worker
Loyola Medical Center
09.2019 - 03.2020
Child Welfare Supervisor
SOS Children’s Villages
06.2018 - 07.2019
Donation and Family Advocate
Gift of Hope
07.2017 - 09.2019
Child Welfare Specialist
SOS Children’s Villages
06.2015 - 06.2018
Regional Supervisor
Youth Villages
08.2011 - 08.2014
Program Manager
Youth Villages
12.2009 - 08.2011
Residential Counselor
Youth Villages
08.2008 - 12.2009
Clinical Supervisor
Youth Villages
01.2008 - 06.2008
In Home Family Counselor
Youth Villages
06.2007 - 01.2008
- Licensed Master Social Worker
- Child Welfare License
- Professional Educators License- In progress
Master of Science - Social Work
Southern Illinois University
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Southern Illinois University
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