Jennifer M. Smith
Upper Marlboro,MD
Summary
Compassionate social worker with several years of experience working with diverse populations to support mental health and wellness. Well-verse in applying combination of holistic and cognitive approaches to facilitate healing. Organized and educated in program administration for high-risk populations.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Advance Social Worker, Criminal Justice
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
04.2024 - Current
- Promoted based on advance licensure as a LCSW-C while maintaining previous work duties as a Social Worker I, Criminal Justice
- Evaluate youth and significant others to complete comprehensive Bio-psychosocial assessments and formulate a diagnostic impression for youth referred by the court
- Determine if youth has or is at risk of mental health disorders and make appropriate treatment recommendations to the courts, DJS, client’s family/guardians, treatment providers and the interdisciplinary team
- Determine the type and level of interventions for the youth found to have mental health issues and/or disorders while in the facility and upon release from the program
- Develop recommendations with the Multidisciplinary Assessment & Staffing Team as to the appropriate level of care
- Maintain ongoing education trainings
Temporary Assignment Spare Heading the New Pending Placement Unit (PPU)
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
06.2023 - Current
- Provide weekly individual counseling sessions and bi-weekly family sessions incorporating Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
- Collaborate with various stake holders to include unit case managers, community case managers, treatment/Hardware and Staff Secure facilities, administration, and courts to promote and advocate for quality care of treatment prior to transferring to court ordered out-of-home placements
- Assist with developing and implementing Policies and Procedures: Facility Operations Procedures for PPU
- Collaborate with the Office of the Inspector General Field Audit Team to ensure the passing of audits and the implementation of recommended policies and procedures
- Assist with the development and implementation of new programs
- Participate in various department meetings to advocate for resources in the facilities and community
- Maintain weekly progress notes and discharge summaries by ensuring proper documentation and timely submission
Social Worker I, Criminal Justice
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
08.2022 - 04.2024
- Evaluated youth and significant others to complete comprehensive Bio-psychosocial assessments and formulate a diagnostic impression for youth referred by the court
- Determined if youth has or is at risk of mental health disorders and make appropriate treatment recommendations to the courts, DJS, client’s family/guardians, treatment providers and the interdisciplinary team
- Determined the type and level of interventions for the youth found to have mental health issues and/or disorders while in the facility and upon release from the program
- Developed recommendations with the Multidisciplinary Assessment & Staffing Team as to the appropriate level of care
- Maintained ongoing education trainings
- Participated in weekly clinical supervision for advance licensure
Psychotherapist
LifeStance Health (Spectrum Behavioral Health)
MD
03.2021 - 08.2022
- Established a therapeutic alliance to promote ongoing mental health treatment within the scope of practice
- Completed comprehensive and ongoing assessments utilizing various screening tools, treatment plans and diagnosis based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to determine appropriate level of care
- Provided weekly psychotherapy/psychoeducation to a diverse caseload of 35 to 40 clients not limited to mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary team to develop and maintain on-going treatment plans
- Provided case management by connecting clients with community-based services
- Participated in weekly clinical supervision and regular continuing education
- Maintained weekly progress notes by ensuring proper documentation and timely submission
SAFE-T Telehealth Social Worker Intern
University of Southern California
08.2020 - 12.2020
- Completed comprehensive assessments utilizing various screening tools, treatment plans and diagnosis based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) to determine appropriate level of care
- Provided weekly psychotherapy and psychoeducation through telehealth not limited to mental health disorders and substance abuse disorders
- Assessed needs and provided case management services by connecting clients with information and referrals for community-based services
- Maintained weekly progress notes by ensuring proper documentation and timely submission
Social Worker Intern
Local Care Team: Children, Youth & Families Division
MD
01.2020 - 08.2020
- Provided family support in the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process and/or alternative school placement for youth
- Assisted families in the Local Care Team recommendations to mental health services, residential treatment centers (RTCs), Voluntary Placement Agreements (VPAs) and Family Preservation
- Identified relevant benefit programs and support enrollment as appropriate
- Assisted with referral and intake process bi-weekly meetings
- Gathered appropriate documentations to assess youth and family needs to aide in appropriate recommendations
- Maintained client case notes
Education
Master of Social Work - Concentration: Children, Youth, and Family Services
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA12.2020
Associates of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies
Prince George’s Community College
Largo, MD05.2014
Associate of Arts - Criminology/Criminal Justice
Virginia Union University
Richmond, VA05.2008
Skills
- Microsoft Office Programs
- LexisNexis
- Exym
- AdvanceMD Electronic Health Record
- ASSIST
- METS
Certification
- Adult First Aid/CPR/AED
- Youth Mental Health First Aid, 10/25 to 2025
- Certified Grief Informed Professional Certification, 712444
- Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC), 200508
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Certified, MD, 26965; 10/26
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, DC (Application Pending)
Leadership Experience
Family Support Group Facilitator, National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 10/19 to 05/20.
Facilitated monthly support groups providing support and community resources to individuals caring and/or living with loved ones with mental health challenges.
Parent Teacher Association President, Reid Elementary School, Richmond, VA, 09/07 to 01/08
Planned and managed monthly meetings among parents, school officials, and board members to ensure best practices were being implemented in meeting the needs of students. Assisted in implementing school functions/fundraisers that allowed local communities, school officials and students to collaborate and raise funds to support the student body.
Accomplishments
Agency Employee of the Month (MD Dept. of Juvenile Services)
Facility Employee of the Month (MD Dept. of Juvenile Services-Cheltenham Youth Detention Center)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Advance Social Worker, Criminal Justice
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
04.2024 - Current
Temporary Assignment Spare Heading the New Pending Placement Unit (PPU)
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
06.2023 - Current
Social Worker I, Criminal Justice
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
08.2022 - 04.2024
Psychotherapist
LifeStance Health (Spectrum Behavioral Health)
03.2021 - 08.2022
SAFE-T Telehealth Social Worker Intern
University of Southern California
08.2020 - 12.2020
Social Worker Intern
Local Care Team: Children, Youth & Families Division
01.2020 - 08.2020
- Adult First Aid/CPR/AED
- Youth Mental Health First Aid, 10/25 to 2025
- Certified Grief Informed Professional Certification, 712444
- Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions (MPCTC), 200508
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker-Certified, MD, 26965; 10/26
- Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, DC (Application Pending)
Master of Social Work - Concentration: Children, Youth, and Family Services
University of Southern California
Associates of Applied Science - Paralegal Studies
Prince George’s Community College
Associate of Arts - Criminology/Criminal Justice
Virginia Union University
Similar Profiles
Nathaniel NaylorNathaniel Naylor
Curriculum Developer at State of Maryland Department of Juvenile ServicesCurriculum Developer at State of Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
Chaka CrossChaka Cross
Resident Advisor at Maryland Department of Juvenile ServicesResident Advisor at Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
Connie RidgelyConnie Ridgely
Case Manager Specialist Supervisor at State Of Maryland, Department Of Juvenile ServicesCase Manager Specialist Supervisor at State Of Maryland, Department Of Juvenile Services