Jennifer McKerchie
Sault Ste. Marie,MI
Summary
I am an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians and since 2003 I have been working in the Social Services field for my Tribal community. I have held various positions providing services but have primarily been an advocate for individuals who have been affected by Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. I have also worked with Uniting Three Fires Against Violence, Michigan's statewide Tribal domestic violence and sexual assault coalition as the Community Educator working with the 12 Tribes of Michigan. I have spent my career working with Tribal communities and have seen first-hand the need for comprehensive and compassionate health and wellness services. All of the positions that I have held have required collaboration with many different agencies, including Tribal, State and Federal entities. I have strong organizational skills and am committed to providing the best service possible.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Services Specialist
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
07.2024 - Current
- Completes program specific paperwork within established time frames
- Maintains client files according to program and funding guidelines
- Provides 24-hour crisis intervention
- Provides on-call services
- Responds to critical situations involving guests at the Lodge of Hope
- Completes assessments of residents to determine individual strengths and needs and makes appropriate recommendations for services based upon assessment results
- Assists with barriers to long term sustainable housing
- Reviews behavioral, medical, employment needs of residents at the Lodge of Hope
- Provides supportive services, education, counseling, community resource linkage and referral; advocacy; and other social service interventions to individuals and families
- Determines eligibility for temporary financial assistance and develops plans to assist applicants and recipients in their efforts to become self sufficient
- Assists applicants that need medical attention, request medical information needed to assist in the determination of employability of applicant
- Processes individual and household payment schedules for welfare assistance to applicants and recipients
- Provides budget training to applicant and recipients
- Completes a monthly narrative and statistical report
- Conducts home visits
- Coordinates case plan and delivery of services with other recognized service providers and practitioners
- May perform related essential functions appropriate to the position and other non-essential functions as required
- Actively identifies alternative resources
- Implements and ensures compliance with various Federal and State Laws and Sault Ste
- Marie Tribal Code
Child Care Development Fund Regulatory Specialist
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
03.2024 - 07.2024
- Responsible for CCDF grant implementation
- Responsible for Monitoring to ensure CCDF grant compliance
- Completes child care licensing evaluations per applicable code
- Plans and participates in Community Awareness events
- Prepares project events, meetings, and conferences
- Prepares, writes and submits grant proposals
- Meets with individuals, special interest groups and others of behalf of department, committees and executives
- Provides consumer education to parents and providers; i.e
- Program flyers, plan trainings
- Assist providers to meet quality, safety and health standards
- Completes program specific paperwork within established time frames
- Provides supportive services, education, community resource linkage and referral; advocacy; to families and children
- Implement and ensure compliance with various Federal and State Laws and Sault Ste
- Marie Tribal Codes
- Develops program strategies, policies and procedures
- Completes licensing evaluations to include Private Day Care Home providers residing in Trust Land, Sault Tribe Head Start and Child Care Center, Relative and In-Home Providers
- Provides Technical Assistance to Head Start, Child Care Center and Home Day Care Providers
- Reviews and evaluates applications to determine program eligibility requirements
- Evaluates the safety of living environments through home visits with providers
Community Outreach Specialist
Uniting Three Fires Against Violence
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
04.2023 - 03.2024
- Develop professional marketing, communications, and promotional tools for distribution, coordinates process from development through printing and distribution
- Provides education/training/technical assistance services to all members of UTFAV, including Tribes, organizations, and individuals
- Researches, develops, and maintains culturally relevant/honoring basic reference library, educational materials, and audio-visual aids on an ongoing basis ensuring resources are inclusive and current as resources allow
- Provides outreach to Tribes and Tribal program staff, Michigan Division of Victim Services and other communities and systems related to accomplishment of grant deliverables with member Tribes
- Conduct assessments of resources as needed and utilize an interdisciplinary team approach to determine the appropriate focus for education services
- Plans, implements, and evaluates education/promotion services as defined in UTFAV's strategic plan and funded grant program goals and objectives
- Develops or identifies, assists in purchasing and distributing education materials to the coalition member programs, Tribes and individuals
- Provides educational in-service training for staff as needed
- Responsible for implementing anti-violence or other specific consultations, classes and/or programs for youth and adult populations
- Coordinates with other UTFAV staff and consultants to keep the UTFAV webpage current and up to date
- Maintains UTFAV social media pages
- Maintains thorough and accurate records of all education, outreach, material distribution and client activities and assists with grant reporting requirements; submits on a timely basis activity report to the data management system
Grant Coordination Assistant Manager
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
07.2020 - 08.2022
- Develop program that will meet the needs of sexual assault survivors and their families
- Operate day-to-day functions of the SVS
- Provide support to SVS staff by providing consultation and/or coordination on service areas
- Meets regularly with ARC Program Manager to ensure coordination regarding ongoing issues and concerns
- Provides in-home and in-office Crisis Counseling assessment, case management, on-going non-therapeutic counseling, and coordination of multi-agency services to survivors and their families
- Works on-call as a support for law enforcement personnel who need assistance with victims in crisis and to ensure 24-hour survivor access
- Prepares survivors to testify in criminal cases, assists with legal paperwork and advocates for survivors in court room settings, both verbally and in writing
- Works with Tribal, State and Federal court systems to assist survivors and their families in understanding complex legal proceedings, advise survivors of their rights and keep informed of case developments
- Provides emergency legal advocacy for survivors in need of Personal Protection Orders through completion of required legal forms and proper documentation
- Documents services provisions and meet specific deadlines
- Communicates with community and individuals through outreach programs and community education
- Presents informational material on survivor issues to individuals, agencies and professional staff including law enforcement, social services and health services
- Attends community/contractual meeting and events
- Attend trainings relevant to agency mission and goals
ARC Case Manager
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783
08.2012 - 07.2020
- Provide case management services for victims of crime, including development of an initial service plan for each client, and monitoring case progression
- Complete assessment of client and family needs
- Coordinate resources to assist clients in meeting identified needs
- Provide on-call support services to law enforcement to assist with client in a crisis
- Provide short term crisis counseling to victims of violent crimes
- Provide safety planning services to clients to assist in helping to keep themselves and their families safe
- Provide emergency legal advocacy to clients in need of personal protection orders
- Provide transportation to clients and their families to necessary appointments
- Provide personal advocacy services, including coordination with other service provider agencies
- Provide Domestic Violence education to both women and children
- Organize and supervise Community Focus groups and activities to address the needs of Sexual Assault survivors
- Research and compile information for grant development to apply for available grant funded opportunities
- Prepare and document grant budget proposals
- Provide services to all of the seven county areas in the Upper Peninsula
- Member of the Sault Tribe MDT/CPT team in Sault Ste
- Marie and Manistique
- Member of the Domestic Violence Task Force
- Member of the Sexual Assault Response Team
- Member of the Sault Tribe DV Court
- Member of the UP-Human Trafficking Task Force
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Substance Abuse
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste. Marie, MI01.2006
Associate Degree - Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
Lake Superior State University
Sault Ste. Marie, MI01.2001
Timeline
Family Services Specialist
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
07.2024 - Current
Child Care Development Fund Regulatory Specialist
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
03.2024 - 07.2024
Community Outreach Specialist
Uniting Three Fires Against Violence
04.2023 - 03.2024
Grant Coordination Assistant Manager
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
07.2020 - 08.2022
ARC Case Manager
Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
08.2012 - 07.2020
Bachelor of Science - Human Services, Psychology, Social Work, Substance Abuse
Lake Superior State University
Associate Degree - Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment
Lake Superior State University