Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Certification
Timeline
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Elizabeth Rhoads

Gettysburg,PA

Summary

A social services professional with substantial experience in case management and client advocacy. Known for effective collaboration and achieving positive client outcomes. Consistently adaptable to changing needs, displaying strong communication and problem-solving skills.

Overview

20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Parent Volunteer

Gettysburg AYSO
09.2024 - Current

Operate the snack shack in order to fundraise for the local soccer organization which promotes equal play time for all youth athletes.

  • Led discussions on improving volunteer processes and increasing efficiency.
  • Mentored new volunteers, fostering a collaborative team environment.

County Caseworker

Adams County Children and Youth
07.2023 - Current
  • Conducted comprehensive assessments to evaluate family needs and determine eligibility for services.
  • Developed individualized service plans to address client-specific challenges and promote family stability.
  • Coordinated resources and referrals with community organizations to enhance service delivery for clients.
  • Monitored case progress and ensured compliance with regulatory requirements and agency policies.
  • Provided crisis intervention support to families experiencing immediate challenges or emergencies.
  • Facilitated family meetings to improve communication and collaboration among stakeholders involved in cases.
  • Trained new staff on case management procedures, enhancing team effectiveness and knowledge retention.
  • Provided and coordinated youth transportation to court dates, job interviews, medical appointments, schools and other locations with awareness and safety.
  • Implemented culturally sensitive approaches while working with diverse populations, fostering trust and mutual understanding among clients.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to provide holistic support for clients in need.
  • Contributed to positive team culture within the workplace through effective communication and collaboration efforts.
  • Enhanced community resources knowledge by maintaining active relationships with local service providers.
  • Advocated for client needs within the legal system, attending court hearings and collaborating with attorneys on their behalf.
  • Addressed complex barriers faced by clients such as substance abuse or mental health issues through targeted interventions and referrals.
  • Managed caseload effectively, prioritizing urgent cases and ensuring timely followups.
  • Ensured compliance with federal, state, and county regulations through diligent documentation and reporting practices.
  • Increased efficiency of case management processes by implementing time-management strategies and staying organized.
  • Improved client outcomes by conducting comprehensive assessments and developing tailored case plans.
  • Participated in professional development opportunities to continually enhance knowledge of best practices in social work field.
  • Testified in court, petitioning for legal and judicial intervention on behalf of adjudicated clients.
  • Advocated for clients, focusing on strengths and capabilities and referring to other agencies for further support.
  • Conducted ongoing evaluations of client progress, adjusting case plans as needed to ensure optimal results.
  • Developed strong rapport with clients by maintaining open lines of communication and respecting confidentiality boundaries.
  • Promoted family reunification by facilitating meetings, mediating conflicts, and providing crisis intervention when necessary.
  • Reduced recidivism rates by connecting clients with appropriate services and monitoring progress closely.
  • Provided emotional support to clients during difficult times, demonstrating empathy and professionalism throughout interactions.
  • Maintained accurate records of client interactions using specialized software systems, supporting efficient case management practices.
  • Documented client progress and activities in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
  • Assisted clients in developing and setting realistic goals to promote positive change.
  • Assisted clients in identifying community resources and connecting with appropriate services.
  • Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to coordinate care for clients.
  • Collaborated with other professionals to plan and coordinate care for clients.
  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with community resources for successful referrals.
  • Conducted home visits to assess clients' home environment and provide support.
  • Evaluated clients' social, emotional and psychological needs to create treatment plans.

Paraeducator, Special Education

Griswold Public Schools
08.2019 - 07.2023
  • Supported students with individualized education plans, promoting academic and social development.
  • Assisted classroom teachers in implementing lesson plans and adapting materials for diverse learners.
  • Monitored student progress and behavior, providing timely feedback to educators and families.
  • Facilitated small group instruction, enhancing engagement and understanding of core subjects.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to design effective interventions for students with special needs.
  • Implemented behavioral management strategies, fostering a positive learning environment for all students.
  • Trained new paraeducators on classroom procedures and best practices in special education support.
  • Developed supportive relationships with students, encouraging self-advocacy and independence in learning tasks.
  • Promoted self-advocacy skills by teaching students how to express their needs effectively within the classroom setting.
  • Delivered personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support to individual students to enable positive learning outcomes.
  • Maintained accurate records of student performance, attendance, and progress towards IEP goals.
  • Improved classroom management by implementing behavior modification strategies and positive reinforcement techniques.
  • Enhanced student learning by providing individualized support and accommodations for special education students.
  • Served as a liaison between regular classroom teachers and special education support staff, streamlining communication regarding student accommodations.
  • Coordinated with related service providers to ensure comprehensive support for special education students, including occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and school psychologists.
  • Facilitated communication between parents, teachers, and school staff, fostering strong relationships to support student success.
  • Assisted classroom teacher in supervising snack time and indoor and outdoor play.
  • Supported students'' social-emotional development through one-on-one counseling sessions and group activities.
  • Developed accessible visual aids for complex concepts, improving comprehension for diverse learners in the classroom setting.
  • Provided a safe and inclusive learning environment that accommodated diverse learning styles and abilities.
  • Interacted physically and verbally with students throughout each day.
  • Maintained positive attitude and affirmatively communicated with each student.
  • Offered student support through special accommodations, extra assistance, and assessments.
  • Set up visual aids, equipment, and classroom displays to support teacher's lesson delivery.
  • Monitored student classroom and outdoors activities to promote student safety.
  • Alerted instructor to student behavior or issues requiring intervention.
  • Oversaw class of students in absence of instructor.
  • Documented student behaviors, interventions, and outcomes to enable lead teacher to address pertinent issues.
  • Encouraged students to participate in school activities and programs to promote well-roundedness and increase confidence.
  • Established professional relationships with parents and other teachers to increase rapport and support.
  • Supported teacher in development of individual learning strategies.
  • Communicated with teachers and other district personnel to assist in evaluating progress and implementing IEP objectives.
  • Provided individualized reading, writing and math instruction to support student development.
  • Created positive and inclusive classroom environment by helping students develop social skills and relationships.
  • Helped feeding and daily living skills to support physical and emotional well-being.
  • Worked with students to promote learning and pro-social development.
  • Collaborated with teachers and specialists to assess student progress.
  • Supported faculty in implementing behavioral intervention plans to address challenging student behaviors.
  • Liaised one-on-one with learners to provide additional support tailored to specific learning needs.
  • Responded to emergency situations to resolve immediate safety concerns or direct appropriate personnel for resolution.
  • Observed students' performance and recorded relevant data to assess progress.
  • Delivered efficient instruction by assisting with lesson planning and materials preparation.
  • Maintained classroom equipment and work area to promote safe learning environment and meet mandated requirements.
  • Observed individuals or groups of students in variety of settings to maintain safe and positive learning environment.
  • Assisted with communication methods to keep parents informed about child's development and behavioral issues.
  • Understood and acclimated to teacher's routine to provide classroom coverage.

Parent Volunteer

Griswold Elementary School
09.2018 - 07.2023
  • Organized school events, enhancing community engagement and participation.
  • Collaborated with educators to support student learning initiatives effectively.
  • Coordinated fundraising activities, driving resources for school programs.
  • Developed communication strategies to connect parents with school updates and events.
  • Mentored new volunteers, fostering a collaborative team environment.
  • Streamlined event logistics, ensuring seamless execution of school functions.
  • Advocated for parental involvement in educational policy discussions, strengthening community ties.
  • Chaperoned class field trips to assist teacher and protect students.
  • Promoted student development and engagement by helping organize special activities.
  • Recruited new parent volunteers or organized workload to cover demand.
  • Led group discussions and activities to meet different community needs.

Shift Leader

Papa Gino's
06.2005 - 06.2011
  • Supervised daily operations to ensure efficient workflow and adherence to safety standards.
  • Trained and mentored team members on operational procedures and best practices.
  • Implemented process improvements that enhanced productivity and reduced downtime.
  • Managed inventory levels, ensuring timely restocking of supplies for optimal performance.
  • Resolved customer inquiries promptly, enhancing overall service satisfaction.
  • Collaborated with management to develop strategies for improving operational efficiency.
  • Trained new employees and delegated daily tasks and responsibilities.
  • Maintained a clean and safe work environment while ensuring all employees adhered to safety guidelines and protocols.
  • Completed cash and credit card transactions accurately using POS software.
  • Oversaw daily cash handling procedures, maintaining accurate records and minimizing discrepancies.
  • Resolved customer complaints and issues and offered thoughtful solutions to maintain customer satisfaction.
  • Collaborated with other shift leaders to maintain consistent standards across all shifts, promoting a cohesive workplace culture.
  • Maintained clean and well-organized production areas to avoid violations or unnecessary work delays due to hazards or inefficient layouts.
  • Enforced company policies and regulations with employees.
  • Provided ongoing training for new hires, fostering a positive team atmosphere that encouraged growth and development.
  • Served as a reliable point-of-contact for upper management when needed, effectively communicating any issues or successes from daily operations.
  • Resolved conflicts between team members in a professional manner, preserving strong working relationships in the process.
  • Developed strong communication skills among staff members by encouraging open dialogue during shift meetings or one-on-one discussions.
  • Boosted overall sales with effective upselling techniques and exceptional product knowledge.
  • Maintained cleanliness and organization of workspace, adhering to health and safety standards.
  • Oversaw cash handling and financial transactions, ensuring accuracy and reducing discrepancies.
  • Managed inventory levels to prevent stock shortages, conducting regular audits and ordering supplies as needed.
  • Enhanced team efficiency by leading shift changeovers, ensuring smooth operations without downtime.
  • Coordinated with kitchen staff to ensure timely preparation of food, reducing customer wait times.
  • Trained new hires in food handling and safety protocols to boost knowledge and performance.
  • Addressed customer complaints with professional demeanor and used communication and problem-solving skills to resolve issues.
  • Controlled expenses and boosted profitability by managing food and labor costs.

Education

Bachelor of General Studies - Social Sciences

University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT
05-2013

Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts And Sciences

Three Rivers Community College
Norwich

Skills

  • Leadership qualities
  • Verbal and written communication
  • Client advocacy
  • Family support
  • Multicultural competence
  • Service planning
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Problem-solving
  • Time management
  • Attention to detail
  • Organizational skills
  • Continuous improvement

Accomplishments

- Assisted with the development of the Placement Flow chart with accuracy.

- Oversaw a case from placement to Termination of Parental Rights to Adoption within first 18 months of employment as a caseworker.

- Merit Promotion from Caseworker 1 to Caseworker in July of 2025.

- Extensive case management experience.

- Induction into the Caseworker Field Coach Program at only 6 months tenure.

- Accepted as a Caseworker Mentor August 2025.

Certification

Recent Mandatory and Supplemental Trainings:

  • SWAN Units of Service Trainings Child Profile, Child Prepartion, Child Specific Recruitment
  • Substance Use Trainings
  • SWAN/IL Winter Quarterly Meeting- 2025
  • SWAN/IL Summer Statewide Meeting - 2025
  • Termination of Parental Rights Training
  • Cultural Humility Training

Timeline

Parent Volunteer

Gettysburg AYSO
09.2024 - Current

County Caseworker

Adams County Children and Youth
07.2023 - Current

Paraeducator, Special Education

Griswold Public Schools
08.2019 - 07.2023

Parent Volunteer

Griswold Elementary School
09.2018 - 07.2023

Shift Leader

Papa Gino's
06.2005 - 06.2011

Bachelor of General Studies - Social Sciences

University of Connecticut

Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts And Sciences

Three Rivers Community College