Eleanora Wester
Kenosha,WI
Summary
Compassionate and results-driven social services professional with 15 years of experience in child welfare, behavioral health, juvenile justice, case management, investigations, counseling, and youth programming. Proven ability to conduct complex child abuse and neglect investigations, complete comprehensive assessments, develop safety and treatment plans, and coordinate multidisciplinary services for children, adults, and families. Experienced in crisis intervention, trauma-informed practice, client advocacy, court proceedings, forensic interviewing, community resource coordination, and confidential documentation. Strong communicator with demonstrated ability to collaborate with families, schools, healthcare providers, law enforcement, courts, and community agencies to promote safety, stability, and positive outcomes.
Overview
1
1
Certification
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR
Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS)
Waukegan, IL
08.2022 - Current
- Conducted 500+ forensic investigations involving allegations of child abuse, neglect, and exploitation, ensuring thorough, timely, and accurate case resolutions.
- Coordinated complex investigations with law enforcement, healthcare providers, schools, legal professionals, and community partners to ensure comprehensive case management.
- Assessed children and families for immediate safety, risk factors, protective capacities, and ongoing service needs through home visits, interviews, and collateral contacts.
- Conducted forensic and investigative interviews with children, parents, teachers, medical professionals, law enforcement officers, and other relevant parties.
- Collected, analyzed, and documented evidence to support investigative findings and child-safety decisions.
- Developed, implemented, and monitored individualized intervention and safety plans to address identified risks.
- Facilitated protective custody and temporary foster care placements for children in imminent danger to ensure immediate safety and well-being.
- Initiated legal proceedings and provided expert testimony in family court regarding child safety, placement, and the best interests of children.
ASSESSMENT & REFERRAL CLINICIAN
Lake Behavioral Hospital
Waukegan, IL
03.2022 - 08.2022
- Conducted comprehensive mental health and psychosocial assessments to identify client needs, strengths, risks, and presenting concerns.
- Completed intake interviews, clinical screenings, crisis assessments, and safety/risk evaluations.
- Developed individualized treatment recommendations based on assessment findings and client needs.
- Coordinated referrals and collaborated with clients, families, treatment providers, and community agencies to ensure seamless continuity of care.
- Facilitated appropriate behavioral health, substance use, community, and social-service referrals to enhance client support.
- Delivered brief clinical interventions, supportive counseling, crisis intervention, and client advocacy to address immediate client needs.
- Applied trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches when working with diverse populations.
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR III
Lake County Health Department
Waukegan, IL
11.2021 - 02.2022
- Conducted crisis assessments and safety/risk evaluations and provided appropriate interventions.
- Delivered brief supportive counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, and resource coordination to address immediate client needs.
- Performed mental health and psychosocial assessments, intake interviews, and clinical screenings to inform treatment planning.
- Evaluated client strengths, needs, risks, behavioral health concerns, and presenting problems.
- Developed treatment and service recommendations based on client needs and assessment findings.
- Facilitated referrals and collaborated with families, providers, and community agencies to ensure comprehensive client support.
- Utilized trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices in service delivery.
- Maintained accurate and confidential clinical records in compliance with HIPAA and agency policies.
- Participated in multidisciplinary case consultations and treatment planning.
FOSTER CARE CASE MANAGER
Health Connect America
Gwinnett, GA
03.2019 - 11.2021
- Managed cases involving children and families involved in foster care and the child welfare system.
- Conducted risk assessments and developed individualized treatment and safety plans.
- Prepared children and families for placement and discharge through counseling and service coordination, ensuring smooth transitions and ongoing support.
- Coordinated medical, educational, social, and behavioral health services to ensure continuity of care and meet individual needs.
- Supported court-related custody and placement decisions through assessment, documentation, and case coordination.
- Collaborated with legal professionals, social service agencies, courts, schools, and other multidisciplinary partners.
- Conducted field visits and monitored foster homes to promote child safety, permanency, and well-being.
- Engaged children and families in services, identifying and addressing barriers to successful placement and permanency outcomes.
YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Hope Enhancing Angels
Winder, GA
02.2016 - 03.2019
- Coordinated and implemented youth programs focused on positive development, academic success, life skills, leadership, and healthy decision-making.
- Delivered individualized support, guidance, counseling, and advocacy to youth facing behavioral, emotional, academic, and social challenges, fostering resilience and personal growth.
- Facilitated individual and group activities addressing communication, conflict resolution, social-emotional development, independent living, and career readiness.
- Monitored participant progress, safety, attendance, engagement, and overall well-being.
- Assessed youth and family needs and connected participants with counseling, educational programs, community resources, and supportive services.
- Responded to behavioral concerns and crisis situations using trauma-informed, strengths-based, and culturally responsive approaches.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to establish individualized goals, service plans, and strategies.
- Assessed program activities and participant outcomes to identify improvement opportunities, enhancing overall program effectiveness and youth development.
- Promoted a safe, inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment for youth from diverse backgrounds.
Education
M.D. - Social Work
Herzing University
Kenosha, WI12-2027
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
University of Arizona
San Diego, CA01-2021
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Ashford University
San Diego, CA01-2019
Skills
- Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS)
- Illinois Medicaid Comprehensive Assessment of Needs & Strengths(IMCANS)
- Child Abuse and Neglect Investigations
- Forensic & Investigative Interviewing
- Risk and Safety Assessments
- Case Management
- Mental Health & Psychosocial Assessments
- Crisis Intervention & De-Escalation
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Treatment and Safety Planning
- Family Services & Advocacy
- Juvenile Justice
- Court & Legal Proceedings
- Expert Testimony
- Community Resource Coordination
- Client Referrals & Continuity of Care
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration
- Permanency Planning
- Cultural Competence
- Electronic Case Documentation
- Program Development & Coordination
- Program Evaluation
- Microsoft Office Suite
- HIPAA & Confidentiality Compliance
Certification
CPR & First Aid Certification, Community Service Officer (CSO), Mental Illness Certification, Juvenile Specialist, Basic Investigation, Communication Tactics, International Gang Specialist, Verbal Judo, De-Escalating Juvenile Aggression, Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS), Illinois Medicaid Comprehensive Assessment of Needs & Strengths (IM+CANS)
Timeline
CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR
Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS)
08.2022 - Current
ASSESSMENT & REFERRAL CLINICIAN
Lake Behavioral Hospital
03.2022 - 08.2022
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELOR III
Lake County Health Department
11.2021 - 02.2022
FOSTER CARE CASE MANAGER
Health Connect America
03.2019 - 11.2021
YOUTH PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Hope Enhancing Angels
02.2016 - 03.2019
M.D. - Social Work
Herzing University
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
University of Arizona
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Ashford University