Erica Neal
Texarkana,Arkansas
Summary
Compassionate, creative and effective Teacher with valuable experience in classroom settings, mental health and criminal justice background.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Alternative Learning Education Teacher K-5
Texarkana Arkansas School District
08.2023 - Current
- Managed small classroom with targeted students with behavior issues that could not function in a regular classroom.
- Improved classroom management by implementing consistent routines and clear expectations.
- Developed strong relationships with students, fostering a positive learning environment that promoted academic growth.
- Collaborated with colleagues to create interdisciplinary lessons, enhancing student engagement and retention of material.
- Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
- Implemented differentiated instruction strategies to meet the diverse needs of all learners in the classroom.
- Participated in parent-teacher conferences, communicating student progress and addressing concerns collaboratively for optimal success.
- Assessed student progress regularly, modifying instructional approaches as needed to ensure continued growth and achievement.
- Created and developed lesson plans to meet students' academic needs.
Juvenile Probation Officer
Bowie County
10.2022 - 08.2023
- Managed the mental health caseload for juveniles on probation.
- Conducted home, school and in community settings with juveniles.
- Enhanced community safety by closely monitoring and supervising juveniles on probation, ensuring compliance with court-ordered conditions.
- Strengthened family dynamics for successful rehabilitation by providing resources and support to both juveniles and their families.
- Reduced recidivism rates through targeted interventions and appropriate referrals to community-based programs.
- Maintained accurate records and documentation for each case.
- Established positive rapport with juveniles under supervision, fostering trust and open communication while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on trends, research, and best practices in the field of juvenile justice.
- Coordinated with mental health professionals to address substance abuse concerns and emotional well-being among juveniles under supervision.
- Managed caseloads effectively by prioritizing tasks, utilizing time management skills, and maintaining organized case files.
- Collaborated with police detectives, child welfare organizations and district attorneys to resolve cases and protect juvenile individuals.
- Promoted department's mission and procedures to community organizations, school officials and law enforcement.
- Investigated juveniles' activities, school attendance and employment.
- Transported juveniles between detention centers, schools and medical institutions.
- Determined appropriate supervision levels by conducting risk and needs assessments.
District Parole Officer
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
04.2018 - 10.2022
- Conducted intake appointments in office for newly released parolees.
- Managed the mental health caseload for parolees with mental health needs.
- Enhanced public safety by closely monitoring parolees'' activities and promptly addressing violations.
- Collaborated with local law enforcement agencies to share information and coordinate responses to potential threats.
- Reduced recidivism rates by establishing strong relationships with parolees and offering guidance in overcoming challenges.
- Facilitated positive change in parolees'' lives by connecting them with community resources and counseling services.
- Maintained detailed case files, documenting progress and ensuring accurate record-keeping for each individual on parole.
- Provided comprehensive supervision of assigned caseload, meeting regularly with parolees to assess progress and address concerns.
- Developed strong partnerships with community organizations to provide additional support for successful reintegration efforts.
- Conducted yearly risk assessments to determine appropriate levels of supervision and intervention strategies for each offender on parole.
- Effectively communicated expectations and consequences, holding offenders accountable while working towards rehabilitation goals.
- Managed crisis situations involving high-risk individuals, utilizing de-escalation techniques when necessary to ensure public safety.
- Contributed to overall team success by assisting colleagues with caseload management and providing guidance on challenging cases whom needed to be referred to the mental health caseload.
- Coordinated and worked closely with law enforcement, social service agencies and mental health providers.
- Reported violations of parole conditions to appropriate authorities and maintained record of case activity.
- Arranged substance abuse rehabilitation for offenders.
- Performed routine home, work and in community setting visits.
- Attended parole hearings for parolees in violation of their parole.
Rehabilitation Counselor
Department Of Health And Human Services
04.2016 - 04.2018
- Improved client rehabilitation outcomes by developing and implementing customized treatment plans.
- Enhanced clients'' quality of life with comprehensive counseling services addressing their unique mental, emotional, and visual needs through referrals made in the community.
- Assisted clients in achieving vocational goals through focused job coaching.
- Evaluated clients'' progress regularly and adjusted rehabilitation strategies accordingly for better results.
- Conducted thorough assessments to identify client strengths, limitations, and potential barriers to successful job placement.
- Developed strong rapport with clients through empathetic listening and clear communication skills, leading to increased trust in the therapeutic process.
- Advocated for appropriate accommodations on behalf of clients in educational or workplace settings, ensuring equal opportunity participation in daily activities.
- Administered preliminary and comprehensive vocational assessments.
- Helped clients adapt to altered lifestyles while providing therapeutic environments for clients and families with adaptive aids recommended and provided to them.
- Evaluated patient care plans for successful case closure.
- Completed random chart audits for compliance and reported results to manager.
- Prepared and maintained records and case files detailing clients' personal and eligibility information and services provided.
- Liaised with community partners to enhance employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
Qualified Mental Health Professional II
Community Healthcore
09.2009 - 12.2015
- Worked as an Acute Care Team worker. Conducted psychosocials on more severe mentally ill individuals at their home.
- Worked as a Skills Trainer. Educated less severe mentally ill individuals in an office setting on managing symptoms of their mental illness.
- Worked as a Crisis Worker. Worked on call. Conducted crisis assessments on individuals who were imminent danger to themselves and others. Made recommendations for inpatient psychiatric hospitalizations and outpatient mental health services when deemed necessary. Also, communicated with the court systems and obtained Order of Protective Custody and/or Emergency Detention Warrants when needed.
- Improved patient outcomes by developing and implementing comprehensive mental health treatment plans.
- Enhanced patient experience through compassionate care and open communication during sessions.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to create holistic care plans for patients, addressing both mental and physical health needs.
- Conducted case plans and 90 day case plan reviews on client progress.
- Managed crisis situations effectively, deescalating potentially dangerous behavior and ensuring the safety of all involved parties.
- Maintained strong working relationships with community organizations to facilitate referrals and provide comprehensive resources for clients'' ongoing care needs.
- Provided targeted therapeutic interventions for clients experiencing a variety of mental health challenges, including anxiety disorders, depression, trauma-related issues, and substance abuse concerns.
- Managed caseloads efficiently by prioritizing based on client needs and availability of resources, ensuring timely intervention for all patients.
- Documented client progress in confidential files.
- Performed client assessments and developed treatment plans.
- Encouraged clients to express feelings and discuss what was happening in day-to-day life in order to help each person develop insight into personal experiences and relationships
- Provided clients with recommendations to community resources.
- Evaluated patients and implemented comprehensive treatment plans to enhance mental health.
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment while in services.
Mental Health Paraprofessional
Riverview Behavioral Hospital
12.2015 - 04.2016
- Managed a small caseload of students in a school based setting delivering therapeutic interventions to these students with emotional and behavioral issues that prohibited learning in their regular campus classes.
- Wrote progress notes daily to chart the students' progress.
- Worked at the hospital and conducted group sessions with adolescents and adults hospitalized at the hospital.
Education
Psychology
Texarkana College
Texarkana, TX12.2004
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Texas A&M University - Texarkana
Texarkana, TX12.2004
High School Diploma -
Arkansas Senior High School
Texarkana, AR05.1999
Skills
- Case management
Managed mental health, parole, juvenile probation and visually impaired caseloads
- Time management
Conducted caseload tasks in a timely manner meeting deadlines
- Attention to detail
- Crisis management
Ability to conduct crisis assessments, de-escalate crisis situations and make appropriate decisions and referrals
- Great Documentation
Great documenting services rendered and relevant events pertaining to visits/treatment
- Lesson Planning
Taught from approved curriculum to deliver serves
- Group Instruction
Taught Life Skills Class to juveniles assigned for the class
- Behavior Management
Counseled mentally ill clients one on one and managed the mental health caseload for parole and juvenile probation
Certification
- Certified in CPR
- Certified in in Non Violent Restraint Training
Timeline
Alternative Learning Education Teacher K-5
Texarkana Arkansas School District
08.2023 - Current
Juvenile Probation Officer
Bowie County
10.2022 - 08.2023
District Parole Officer
Texas Department Of Criminal Justice
04.2018 - 10.2022
Rehabilitation Counselor
Department Of Health And Human Services
04.2016 - 04.2018
Mental Health Paraprofessional
Riverview Behavioral Hospital
12.2015 - 04.2016
Qualified Mental Health Professional II
Community Healthcore
09.2009 - 12.2015
Psychology
Texarkana College
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Texas A&M University - Texarkana
High School Diploma -
Arkansas Senior High School
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