JENNIFER K. COLLINS
Sioux City,IA
Summary
Innovative and passionate professional with excellent interpersonal and communication skills. Organizational leader with competencies in social-emotional-behavioral curriculum development and implementation of best practices within a multi-tiered system of supports. Known for delivering quality service and fostering meaningful relationships with students, educators, families and community partners. Dedicated and experienced in training and coaching for sustainable change in schools.
Overview
33
33
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Mental Health Coordinator
Northwest Area Education Agency
12.2018 - Current
- Coach sustainable systems change in schools to improve staff and student wellbeing.
- Collaborate with state networks and community organizations to identify effective evidence-based practices for students with social, emotional, behavior and mental health needs.
- Provide leadership, coordination, communication, training and coaching to educators and families in mental health and well-being.
- Lead 35 PREPaRE-trained professionals in crisis response in schools employing rapport, resources and interventions to deescalate situations and mitigate trauma.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
Positive Behavior Intervention Supports Coordinator
Northwest AEA
08.2013 - 12.2018
- Coordinated comprehensive training for 35 districts implementing Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports in Northwest Iowa
- Trained and coached school teams, coaches and individual educators in PBIS, evidenced-based approach to preventing and improving problem behavior and establishing positive school climate.
- Coordinated meetings and events for internal and external groups
- Coached school teams on data, system and practices needed to build and sustain a multi-tiered system of supports for social-emotional-behavioral health.
School Social Worker/Special Education Strategist
Northwest AEA
08.2004 - 08.2013
- Assessed and evaluated students in eleven school districts, identifying those eligible for special education services in academics and/or behavior.
- Co-authored Individual Education Plans for individuals eligible for special education services that address barriers to learning and student self-sufficiency.
- Developed intervention strategies with teachers, students and families to improve student performance.
- Trained and guided teachers to implement function-matched solutions in behavioral improvement plans to improve student success.
- Taught study skills, self-monitoring skills, social skills, life skills and coping strategies to individuals and groups of students.
- Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
Counselor
Lutheran Social Services
11.1994 - 09.1996
- Provided professional counseling to assigned clients to individuals and families.
- Guided clients in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
- Worked closely with school personnel to coordinate and participate in student problem identification, goal setting and progress
- Devised and implemented safety checklists for children at-risk of DHS intervention
- Maintained confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
School Guidance Counselor
South O'Brien Schools
08.1992 - 06.1994
- Taught social, emotional skills to students in Kindergarten-4th grades and 7th- and 8th-grades.
- Instructed individuals and small groups in social, emotional and behavioral management strategies.
- Collaborated with parents and school faculty to address problems and grow student success.
- Coordinated with outside agencies to determine students receive appropriate services and resources.
- Developed and taught career education to eighth grade students.
- Created student recognition and peer helper programs.
- Collaborated on building leadership, problem-solving and community multi-disciplinary teams.
Family Therapist
Seasons Center, Northwest Iowa Mental Health Center
02.1991 - 04.1992
- Provided therapy and skill-development services to families and children at risk of being placed out of the home in O'Brien, Osceola, Lyon and Clay Counties.
- Provided therapy and skill-development to individuals, specializing in child and adolescent populations.
- Served as a therapist for child, teen and adult victims of sexual abuse and group leader in the Sexual Abuse Program for teen survivors.
Education
Licensed Iowa Master Teacher CURRENT -
Board of Educational Examiners
Des Moines, IA11.2023
Licensed Mental Health Counselor CURRENT -
Iowa Department of Public Heath: Social Work
Des Moines, IA09.2016
Statement of Professional Recognition CURRENT -
Iowa Board of Education Examiners
Des Moines, IA08.2013
Master of Arts Degree - Counseling and Human Development
The University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA1990
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education (K-6), Early Childhood
University of Iowa
Iowa City, IA05.1989
Skills
- Training and coaching for social-emotional behavioral health and well-being in schools
- Facilitating sustainable systems change in schools
- Educating, empowering and collaborating with individuals and teams
- Addressing mental health needs of learners and improving student outcomes
- Areas of Expertise:
- Multi-tiered systems of support
- Positive strategies and interventions for social-emotional behavior health
- Social skills instruction
- Crisis Intervention
- Intervention Strategies
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Resource and family support
- Facilitating counseling sessions
- Case documentation
- Treatment planning
Certification
Certified Trainer: PBIS: Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Check & Connect, Team Initiated Problem Solving (TIPS), Wraparound & Simeo, SWIS, CICO-SWIS, Trauma-Informed Training, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Adult Resilience Curriculum, National School Mental Health Curriculum, Interconnected Systems Framework, MTSS, Implementation Science, Lifespan Integration Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Affiliations
2017 PBIS Coordinator of the Year, Iowa Department of Education Association for Positive Behavior Supports (APBS)
Timeline
Mental Health Coordinator
Northwest Area Education Agency
12.2018 - Current
Positive Behavior Intervention Supports Coordinator
Northwest AEA
08.2013 - 12.2018
School Social Worker/Special Education Strategist
Northwest AEA
08.2004 - 08.2013
Counselor
Lutheran Social Services
11.1994 - 09.1996
School Guidance Counselor
South O'Brien Schools
08.1992 - 06.1994
Family Therapist
Seasons Center, Northwest Iowa Mental Health Center
02.1991 - 04.1992
Licensed Iowa Master Teacher CURRENT -
Board of Educational Examiners
Licensed Mental Health Counselor CURRENT -
Iowa Department of Public Heath: Social Work
Statement of Professional Recognition CURRENT -
Iowa Board of Education Examiners
Master of Arts Degree - Counseling and Human Development
The University of Iowa
Bachelor of Arts - Elementary Education (K-6), Early Childhood
University of Iowa
Certified Trainer: PBIS: Tier 1, Tier 2, Tier 3, Check & Connect, Team Initiated Problem Solving (TIPS), Wraparound & Simeo, SWIS, CICO-SWIS, Trauma-Informed Training, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Adult Resilience Curriculum, National School Mental Health Curriculum, Interconnected Systems Framework, MTSS, Implementation Science, Lifespan Integration Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
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