Emily O'Kelly
Mundelein,IL
Summary
Passionate and student-centered school social worker with extensive experience supporting individuals with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. Committed to fostering inclusive, neurodiverse environments that empower students through self-advocacy, meaningful connections, and community engagement. Key contributions include co-developing and expanding transition services at District 128's Transition Pathways program, mentoring colleagues in best practices, and restructuring CPI training to better support diverse learners. Skilled in program development, collaboration, and equity-driven service delivery.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
School Social Worker
Community High School District 128
06.2022 - Current
- Provide crisis intervention services and collaborate with school staff to create safety plans for students at risk of self-harm or violence.
- Coordinate during multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss individual student needs holistically.
- Collaborate with teachers and administrators to develop intervention strategies for students in need of additional support.
- Enhance parent engagement with school through regular communication and workshops, strengthening home-school connection.
- Improve access to community resources for families, connecting them with necessary social services.
- Enhance student well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions addressing various social, emotional, and behavioral issues.
- Develop and implement professional development workshops for school staff on topics related to social-emotional learning, crisis prevention, neurodiversity and mental health awareness.
- Provide educational support services to students with emotional, intellectual and physical disabilities.
Intervention Specialist
TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804
08.2017 - 06.2022
- Provided group and individual therapy for students (18–22) in the Transition Program.
- Managed IEP timelines, evaluations, and progress monitoring.
- Collaborated with agencies to secure financial assistance for low-income students.
- Conducted psychosocial evaluations to support post-graduation funding access.
- Developed and monitored data-driven IEP goals across multiple domains.
- Led Functional Behavioral Analyses and Behavior Intervention Plan implementation.
- Trained staff on behavior strategies to enhance student success.
- Assisted in developing district-wide SEL and Erin’s Law curricula.
School Social Worker
Community Consolidated District 46
08.2015 - 07.2017
- Provided group and individual social work services for K-8 students.
- Conducted vocational and life skills assessments, creating IEP transition goals for eighth graders.
- Secured grants to support low-income students.
- Partnered with local government to provide essential resources, including school supplies and winter clothing.
- Implemented Erin’s Law curriculum to meet state mandates.
- Collaborated weekly to develop and monitor Tier 2 social-emotional and behavioral supports.
- Led "Little Buds" mentor group to foster inclusion between students with and without disabilities.
School Social Worker
Special Education District of Lake County
08.2014 - 06.2015
- Provided social work services to students (ages 14–22) with diverse disabilities, including Autism, Intellectual Disability, and Emotional Disability.
- Facilitated evidence-based social skills groups to enhance social awareness, self-awareness, and self-management.
- Collaborated with families to strengthen connections and access community resources.
- Contributed to poverty committee initiatives addressing social inequalities.
- Developed a parent education program on the impact of social media and technology on students.
Education
Master of Social Work -
Jane Addams College of Social Work
Chicago, IL05-2014
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Coastal Carolina University
Conway, SC05-2012
Accomplishments
Community High School District 128 February 2023 Presenter
- Provided information on Transition Pathways for incoming students and families
Community High School District 128 October 2023 Presenter
- Presented to all TAs district-wide on disability and neurodiversity
TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 November 2021 Presenter
- Presented on creating SMART goals and assessment tools to collect information on students current functioning.
Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) Conference October 2019 Presenter
- Presented on creating and sustaining community partnerships.
TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804 April 2019 Presenter
- Presented on creating the transition plan, the indicator 13 and age appropriate transition assessments.
Certification
- Sexuality Educator and Trainer , Elevatus Training
- CPI District Trainer, Crisis Prevention Institute
- Type 73 Certification, Illinois State Board of Education
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Certification, Medical University of South Carolina
Timeline
School Social Worker
Community High School District 128
06.2022 - Current
Intervention Specialist
TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804
08.2017 - 06.2022
School Social Worker
Community Consolidated District 46
08.2015 - 07.2017
School Social Worker
Special Education District of Lake County
08.2014 - 06.2015
- Sexuality Educator and Trainer , Elevatus Training
- CPI District Trainer, Crisis Prevention Institute
- Type 73 Certification, Illinois State Board of Education
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy Certification, Medical University of South Carolina
Master of Social Work -
Jane Addams College of Social Work
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Coastal Carolina University
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