Freda Banther Dias LCSW
Cary,NC
Summary
Experienced clinical social worker with comprehensive understanding of general social work practice, biopsychosocial assessment, trauma-informed and resiliency-focused approaches. Skilled in providing support to families of disabled and neurodiverse individuals, helping them navigate through various support services. Adept at utilizing expertise to assist individuals in coping with challenges and enhancing overall well-being.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Wake County Chapter Facilitator
Autism Society of North Carolina
01.2017 - 01.2021
- Coordinated and led monthly in-person Lunch-n-Learn support meetings on a variety of topics related to autism, shifting to virtual meetings during pandemic
- Fostered an inclusive learning environment by addressing diverse needs and adapting facilitation techniques as needed
- Represented ASNC Wake Chapter as a member of the Wake Special Education Advisory Council
- Served as liaison with ASNC staff
- Represented ASNC at local resource fairs and other community events
- Responded to email inquiries and referred families to ASNC's Autism Resource Specialists as needed
- Served as administrator to chapter Facebook group, managing content, publicizing events, and monitoring member activity to maintain a supportive page
- Managed chapter budget and simple fundraising.
Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) Parent Representative
Wake County Public School System SEAC
01.2016 - 01.2021
- Served as both a Parent Representative and an Agency Representative to collaborate with WCPSS Special Education Services (SES) staff and other representatives from the special needs community, with the goal of enhancing communication between Wake SES, special education students, their families, and community resources
- Gathered feedback from parents to identify areas of improvement within the school community, leading to actionable changes in policies or procedures
- Disseminated information about special education programs and services to parents and the community, including planning and participation in the annual Wake Special Education Open House
- Served on Special Ed Transportation Services committee.
Special Education and Inclusion Committee PTA Liaison
Wake PTA Council
09.2010 - 05.2015
- Served on PTA boards at Kingswood, Northwoods and Briarcliff Elementary Schools in Cary, NC within the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS)
- Consulted with board members to bring special needs accommodations to PTA planning and programming aimed at greater inclusion of the whole school community
- Provided connections to resources for parents and educators on special education and related community services.
Co-Leader, Advocacy & Community Outreach Director
Wake Chapter of Mothers & More: The Network for Sequencing Women
01.2001 - 01.2006
- Served on chapter board and the national organization's committee for Advocacy & Community Outreach (ACO)
- As Chapter ACO Director, educated chapter members on national organization efforts to raise public awareness of the social and economic value of caregiving; the systemic issues and policies impacting mothers and work/life balance; how to communicate with local leaders and state/national legislators
- Facilitated planning meetings with fellow board members for community outreach activities, such as food, clothing and toiletry drives for social service agencies supporting women
- Developed annual budgets
- As Chapter Co-Leader, led quarterly board meetings and monthly chapter meetings
- Fostered a mutually supportive environment and coordinated guest speakers for meetings
- As national ACO committee member, collaborated on developing a 'Women Build' partnership with Habitat for Humanity, and a 'Power of the Purse' initiative aimed at women's financial literacy.
Intensive Family Preservation Specialist
Methodist Home for Children
07.1998 - 01.2001
- Provided intensive home-based, family-centered, and solution-focused therapeutic interventions to families at risk of out-of-home placement for their children
- Empowered families to make lasting changes by facilitating goal-setting sessions and progress evaluations.
- Fostered a network of support systems for families, connecting them with local resources such as mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, and housing assistance.
- Reduced risk factors for child abuse and neglect through targeted support services and referrals to community resources.
- Strengthened family functioning with the development of individualized service plans tailored to each family''s needs.
- Evaluated program effectiveness using data-driven approaches to inform continuous improvement efforts.
Family Preservation Specialist
Institute for Family Centered Services (now Family Centered Treatment Foundation)
10.1997 - 04.1998
- Provided intensive in-home assessment and therapy to children and families in crisis, including (but not limited to) risk of out-of-home placement
- Utilized a family systems approach, including assessment, development of service plan and therapeutic interventions, while also connecting families to community resources.
- Provided family crisis intervention to mediate peaceful resolutions and safety plans.
- Developed effective case closure strategies to ensure the long-term sustainability of positive family outcomes.
- Maintained thorough documentation of client progress, ensuring compliance with agency requirements and funding regulations.
Family Service Coordinator
The Nurturing Center
09.1996 - 09.1997
- Provided center-based, family-focused case management services to support strengthening of family relationships to prevent child abuse and neglect
- Facilitated parent education and support in a group setting daily, as well as one-on-one
- Collaborated with colleagues to revise parent group curriculum aimed at increasing knowledge of self, child development, and nutrition; and developing skills related to communication, problem-solving, anger/stress management, and alternative methods of discipline.
Education
MSW - Social Work
University of South Carolina
Columbia, SC05.1996
BSW - Social Work
Mars Hill University
Mars Hill, NC05.1995
Skills
- Case Management
- Crisis Intervention
- Individual / Group Counseling
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Community Resilience Training
- Autism/DD Experience
- Child & Family Counseling
- Motivational Interviewing
- Bereavement Care
- Meeting Facilitation
- Curriculum Development
- Community Outreach
Certification
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Personal Information
- Title: MSW, LCSW
- Work Permit: Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Affiliations
- National Association of Social Workers
Timeline
Wake County Chapter Facilitator
Autism Society of North Carolina
01.2017 - 01.2021
Special Education Advisory Council (SEAC) Parent Representative
Wake County Public School System SEAC
01.2016 - 01.2021
Special Education and Inclusion Committee PTA Liaison
Wake PTA Council
09.2010 - 05.2015
Co-Leader, Advocacy & Community Outreach Director
Wake Chapter of Mothers & More: The Network for Sequencing Women
01.2001 - 01.2006
Intensive Family Preservation Specialist
Methodist Home for Children
07.1998 - 01.2001
Family Preservation Specialist
Institute for Family Centered Services (now Family Centered Treatment Foundation)
10.1997 - 04.1998
Family Service Coordinator
The Nurturing Center
09.1996 - 09.1997
MSW - Social Work
University of South Carolina
BSW - Social Work
Mars Hill University
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
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