Edna E. Myers
Stafford,VA
Summary
Compassionate Social Worker with a strong background in program development and quality assurance. Achieved significant improvements in kinship foster care practices, positively impacting child welfare outcomes. Proven leadership abilities and effective communication skills contribute to team success and staff training initiatives. Fluent in both English and Spanish, enhancing outreach and support capabilities.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Engagement Unit Supervisor
City of Alexandria Department Community and Human Services
Alexandria, VA
12.2023 - Current
- Directed all aspects of Family Engagement best practices, including Kinship Foster Care processes, Family Partnership Meetings, and Fatherhood services..
- Supervised five social work practitioners while managing program development, implementation, and community outreach efforts.
- Integrated effective Kinship and Fatherhood practices into child welfare across all units for improved outcomes.
- Recommended program enhancements to agency management based on evaluative feedback.
- Contributed data for quality assurance to measure program effectiveness.
- Handled overflow client cases, facilitating key meetings and assessments in the unit.
- Provided clinical consultation on complex cases in collaboration with service providers.
- Created and delivered training sessions on Family Engagement best practices to enhance staff competencies.
Kinship Navigator
City of Alexandria Department of DCHS
Alexandria, VA
06.2022 - 12.2023
- Co-developed Kinship Program under the Family Engagement Unit;
- Developed processes and updated forms related to the Mutual Family Assessment process in compliance with Virginia Department of Social Services guidelines and/or state guidance;
- Accepted referrals and implemented Family Search and Engagement as needed;
- Complete initial kinship assessment, kinship initial placement and approval process including completion of mutual family assessments;
- Supported kinship families in completing CPS and criminal background checks for initial placements;
- Assess kinship family needs and refer for appropriate services;
- Provide support for non-foster care involved kinship families and kin licensed resource homes;
- Participated as a contributing team member in Family Partnership Meetings, Treatment Team Meetings, and case consultations as requested;
- Co-facilitated Traditions of Caring training for kinship resource parents;
- Developed tracking system to collect kinship data for agency reporting;
- Represent agency on Regional Kinship Committee and subcommittees;
- Provide Peer Supervision for other kinship staff;
- Provided training to internal agency staff on process, and procedures related to kinship program, intake and referral process; Collaboration with GAL’s, State training staff and regional consultant as well as other external agencies.
- Provide coaching to CPS staff on Family Search and Engagement;
- Complete case consultations with staff; complete consultations with kin and fictive kin regarding interest in becoming licensed kinship foster parents both in state and out of state (ICPC).
- Center for Children & Families
Recruiter/Training, Licensing and Placement Specialist
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
Fairfax, VA
01.2021 - 10.2021
- Developed processes, policies, and forms for foster parent licensure in URM program.
- Created Licensing Guide and presentations for Orientation, URM-specific Training, and PRIDE Training.
- Coordinated virtual Orientation Sessions and training programs; managed accounts with Foster Parent College.
- Conducted initial consultation interviews and family assessments using SAFE Home Study model.
- Formulated recruitment plan to identify prospective foster parents through outreach efforts.
- Established tracking system for monitoring prospective foster care applicants.
- Supported assigned families throughout licensing, adoption, guardianship, and renewal processes.
- Submitted reports to Office of Refugee Resettlement to ensure compliance with regulations.
Family Based Care Social Worker (Caseworker III)
Lorain County Children Services
Elyria, OH
09.2005 - 12.2020
- Provided crisis intervention and counseling to foster families in Family Based Care Department.
- Completed recertification, annual reviews, and initial licensure for foster homes per state regulations.
- Determined placements for Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children in Ohio.
- Managed a caseload of 10-12 ICPC cases, ensuring compliance with agency policies.
- Conducted home evaluations for kinship and court-assigned cases, meeting agency mandates.
- Translated documents and interpreted for clients and staff as necessary.
- Collaborated on recruitment initiatives to attract new foster parents within department committees.
Ongoing Protective Services
Lorain County Children Services
12.2003 - 09.2005
- Delivered ongoing casework and counseling services to families affected by abuse and neglect.
- Prepared necessary documentation for case records in compliance with agency standards.
- Attended court hearings, providing testimony on behalf of the agency as required.
- Facilitated translation and interpretation services for clients and families as needed.
Adolescent School Counselor
Lake Area Recovery Center
Ashtabula, Ohio
01.2002 - 11.2003
- Conducted alcohol and drug assessments for adolescents and adult clients.
- Delivered individual and group counseling services in office and school settings.
- Translated assessments and provided counseling services in Spanish.
- Administered crisis intervention services to clients during emergencies.
- Managed client cases, participating in Drug Task Force and Cluster Meetings as required.
Education
Diploma of Theology - Hispanic Church Studies
Ashland Theological Seminary
Ashland, Ohio06.2014
Masters of Social Work -
State University of New York at Buffalo
Buffalo, NY05.2001
Bachelors of Science - Social Work
State University of New York, College at Fredonia
Fredonia, NY05.1999
Skills
- Ability to work independently
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Ability to complete family and client centered assessments
- Strength based conflict resolution
- Proficient with Microsoft Office 365
- Kinship Foster Care
- Program Development
- Child Welfare Experience
- Training development
- Community outreach
- Effective communication
- Team leadership
- Staff supervision
- Conflict resolution
- Policy implementation
- Staff training
- Documentation review
- New hire orientation
- Problem-solving abilities
References
Provided Upon Request
Personal Information
Work Related Experience
- Supporting Foster Parents through Challenging Placements, Daniel Memorial, Inc., National Foster Care Conference, Orlando, Florida, 05/01/18
- Supporting Foster Parents through Challenging Placements, Public Children Services Association (PCSAO), Columbus, Ohio, 09/01/18
Volunteer Experience
Small Group Leader, House of Praise International Church, Elyria, OH, 08/01/13, 03/01/20, Facilitated bi-weekly women’s bible study group., Counseled small group members on spiritual issues.
Licenses Certifications
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Virginia
- Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) Home Study Assessor
- Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) Trainer
- Traditions of Caring and Collaborating (TOCC) Trainer
- NTDC Trained, 08/01/25
- Trained and Approved Family Partnership Meeting Facilitator
Timeline
Family Engagement Unit Supervisor
City of Alexandria Department Community and Human Services
12.2023 - Current
Kinship Navigator
City of Alexandria Department of DCHS
06.2022 - 12.2023
Recruiter/Training, Licensing and Placement Specialist
Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area
01.2021 - 10.2021
Family Based Care Social Worker (Caseworker III)
Lorain County Children Services
09.2005 - 12.2020
Ongoing Protective Services
Lorain County Children Services
12.2003 - 09.2005
Adolescent School Counselor
Lake Area Recovery Center
01.2002 - 11.2003
Diploma of Theology - Hispanic Church Studies
Ashland Theological Seminary
Masters of Social Work -
State University of New York at Buffalo
Bachelors of Science - Social Work
State University of New York, College at Fredonia
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