Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Training
Timeline
Generic

Heather Williams

Rockledge,FL

Summary

A position in the Criminal Justice or Sociology field which would allow me to utilize my academic degree in in Criminal Justice and Sociology, along with my twenty years of related job experience. Caring professional prepared to deliver case management and client advocacy. Dedicated to helping others achieve progress toward goals and meet specific needs. Wide-ranging knowledge of applicable services and professionals appropriate for clients.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

Guardian Ad Litem Certified Child Advocate Manager

State Of Florida
09.2016 - Current
  • Strengthened relationships with community resources, connecting families to appropriate support services as needed.
  • Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay informed about current trends and best practices in child advocacy.
  • Ensured accurate representation of children''s needs and wishes through diligent observation and analysis of family dynamics.
  • Demonstrated commitment to cultural competency, considering diverse backgrounds when making recommendations for children''s care.
  • Promoted child safety by identifying potential risks and recommending appropriate interventions or placements.
  • Upheld strict ethical standards when making decisions, ensuring that children''s best interests remained the primary focus at all times.
  • Enhanced communication between parties by facilitating regular meetings and maintaining open lines of dialogue.
  • Increased understanding of legal proceedings among parents/guardians through clear explanations and guidance throughout the process.
  • Provided timely updates to the court regarding significant developments in cases, ensuring that all parties remained informed of pertinent details.
  • Improved case outcomes by conducting thorough investigations and presenting comprehensive reports to the court.
  • Supported children during courtroom appearances by providing emotional reassurance and helping them understand the purpose of their testimony.
  • Reduced case overload by efficiently managing time and prioritizing tasks according to urgency and importance.
  • Effectively advocated for children''s best interests, resulting in positive changes in their home environments.
  • Maintained internal database of service workers, participants, activities and other relevant details.
  • Advocated for children''s best interests during court proceedings, ensuring their voices were heard and considered in decision-making processes.
  • Educated parents on their rights and responsibilities regarding their children''s education, empowering them to make informed decisions on behalf of their kids.
  • Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
  • Facilitated family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
  • Manage caseload of up to 35 volunteers
  • Manage caseload of up to 83 dependency cases

Case Manager – Investigator Specialist Iv

Department Of Child Safety
06.2012 - 04.2016
  • Promotion from Investigator CPS Specialist III
  • Mentoring, training, and supervision
  • Providing emotional support to new staff

Investigator CPS Specialist III

Department Of Economic Security – CPS
05.2006 - 09.2011
  • Investigator for child abuse and neglect
  • Investigating reports and implementing safety assessments
  • Working with families to provide needed services
  • Providing written court reports to the Judge
  • Completion of home studies and criminal background checks
  • Supervision and mentoring of new workers
  • Conducting risk assessment practices and procedures
  • Work directly with law enforcement and other agencies

Unit CPS Specialist I, II, & III

Department Of Economic Security, CPS
02.2004 - 05.2006
  • Managing and maintaining up to 18 court case and 31 children at one time.
  • Court responsibilities: Writing court reports, testifying, making referrals
  • Developing case plans, holding monthly child and family visitations and team meetings; Completion of home studies and criminal background checks
  • Setting up psychological evaluations and programs for substance abuse.
  • Work closely with mentally ill children and adults
  • Mentor new case managers
  • Worked with Juvenile Probations, West Yavapai Guidance Clinic, the Foster Care Review Board, and the Assistant Attorney General’s Office, and local law enforcement
  • Intake duties and being on call to complete investigations
  • Removal of children and placing in foster homes

Unit Case Manager

Catholic Social Services Of Yavapai
10.2003 - 02.2004
  • Managing and maintaining up to 13 court cases and 21 children at one time.
  • Court responsibilities: Writing court reports, testifying, making referrals
  • Developing case plans, holding monthly child and family visitations and team meetings; Completion of home studies and criminal background checks
  • Setting up psychological evaluations and programs for substance abuse.
  • Work closely with mentally ill children and adults
  • Mentor new case managers
  • Worked with Juvenile Probations, West Yavapai Guidance Clinic, the Foster Care Review Board, and the Assistant Attorney General’s Office.

Security Screener

U.S. Department Of Transportation – TSA
09.2002 - 02.2003
  • Certified on X-ray machines, hand held wands, screening, bag checks, swab machines
  • Supervised teams upon request
  • Monitored people as they boarded airplanes

Intake Office Intern

Your Community Connection
09.2001 - 05.2002
  • Assisted up to 35 battered women and children daily
  • Counseled women and children and acted as a supervisor of safety
  • Answered phones and kept confidentiality of clients for their protection.
  • Assisted women and children with daily chores, cooking, and cleaning.

Education

BACHELORS in Criminal Justice - Corrections

Weber State University
Ogden, UT
05.2002

BACHELORS In Sociology -

Weber State University
Ogden, UT
05.2002

Skills

  • Commitment to Client while helping them progress with Education and Housing
  • Adaptive to constantly changing circumstances
  • Committed to seeing projects through to completion
  • Effective oral communication, organization, keyboard, and computer skills
  • Child Advocacy
  • De-Escalation Techniques
  • Risk Analysis
  • Emotional awareness
  • Community Outreach
  • Documentation proficiency
  • Courtroom Etiquette
  • Multicultural Sensitivity
  • Legal knowledge

References

Available upon request.

Training

  • ACYF Child Welfare Case Manager Core Training
  • Family Centered Strengths and Risks Assessment
  • Annual Training Event for District III on Engaging Families, Forensic Interviewing, and Taking Care of Yourself
  • Basic Forensic Interviewing
  • Methamphetamine use by P.A.N.T. (Prescott Area Narcotics Task Force)
  • Recognition of Commonest Forms of Child Abuse and Neglect
  • The Dependency Process and Permanency Planning Mediation Training
  • The Child and Family Team Process
  • Advanced Forensic Interview Training of Children Who Allege Abuse (40 hours)
  • Helping Meth Impacted Families
  • Medical Evaluation of Child Sexual Abuse
  • I Am For The Child Academy (required 20 hours per year)

Timeline

Guardian Ad Litem Certified Child Advocate Manager

State Of Florida
09.2016 - Current

Case Manager – Investigator Specialist Iv

Department Of Child Safety
06.2012 - 04.2016

Investigator CPS Specialist III

Department Of Economic Security – CPS
05.2006 - 09.2011

Unit CPS Specialist I, II, & III

Department Of Economic Security, CPS
02.2004 - 05.2006

Unit Case Manager

Catholic Social Services Of Yavapai
10.2003 - 02.2004

Security Screener

U.S. Department Of Transportation – TSA
09.2002 - 02.2003

Intake Office Intern

Your Community Connection
09.2001 - 05.2002

BACHELORS in Criminal Justice - Corrections

Weber State University

BACHELORS In Sociology -

Weber State University

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