JENNY HODGE
Cathedral City
Summary
Mental health professional driven to help others overcome personal obstacles. Comfortable working autonomously or in a team-based settings. Skilled parent partner with expertise on supporting the client's family in crisis that may hinder the Client's care plan goals while providing and teaching skills to support the client's and family's mental health.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Behavior Technician
Autism Learning Partners
03.2024 - Current
- Enhanced client progress by implementing individualized behavior intervention plans.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment strategies for clients.
- Improved client communication skills through the use of evidence-based practices and techniques.
- Promoted positive behaviors by reinforcing desired actions and effectively addressing challenging issues.
- Assisted in data collection and analysis, contributing to the ongoing evaluation of client progress.
- Provided one-on-one support to clients with autism spectrum disorders, addressing unique behavioral needs.
- Developed strong rapport with clients and their families, fostering trust and open communication throughout the therapeutic process.
Dental Assistant
EJ's Dental
03.2023 - 03.2024
- Increased patient retention by building rapport through excellent communication skills and a friendly demeanor.
- Educated patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, promoting long-term dental health.
- Monitored patient comfort and safety during dental procedures.
- Enhanced patient comfort by reducing patient anxiety through giving education and offering copping strategies.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Assisted with day-to-day operations, working efficiently and productively with all team members.
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solution.
- Specialize in working children and special needs patients upon Dentist request.
- Travel to different locations to support specialties throughout Riverside County.
Owner / Operator
Hodge Family Daycare
08.2008 - 10.2023
- Read stories to the children and taught them painting, drawing and crafts
- Employed a variety of materials for children to explore and manipulate in learning activities and imaginative play
- Redirected children's negative behavior and recommended other measures to correct behavior to parents
- Incorporated music and art activities to encourage creativity and expression
- Carefully identified warning signs of emotional and developmental problems in children
- Created and implemented a developmentally appropriate curriculum
- Supported children's emotional and social development by adapting communication tactics for differing client needs.
Senior Family Advocate
Riverside County Mental Health
07.2016 - 12.2021
- Observed security measures to maintain confidentiality and restrict access by unauthorized individuals.
- Identified available community resources and programs for families of disabled children.
- Led educational workshops for parents on topics such as child development and positive discipline techniques to strengthen parent-child relationships.
- Built trusting relationships with clients through active listening, empathy, and cultural sensitivity during interactions at work or home visits.
- Developed individualized service plans for families, resulting in improved well-being and stability.
- Partnered with local schools to facilitate communication between parents and educators regarding individual student needs.
- Trained new Family Advocates in best practices to ensure consistent service delivery across the organization.
- Planned, promoted and managed parent workshops on assisting children in attaining academic success.
- Worked with educational team to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
- Advocated for families within the legal system, helping them navigate challenging situations and obtain necessary resources.
- Monitored and evaluated program outcomes, utilizing data to inform future strategies and continuously improve service delivery.
- Provided comprehensive case management services to ensure coordinated, effective interventions.
- Organized community outreach events, raising awareness about available resources for struggling families.
- Coordinated referrals from other agencies, streamlining access to supportive services for clients in need.
- Facilitated support groups for parents, fostering a sense of community and shared learning experiences.
- Maintained timely documentation of case progress, ensuring clear communication among all involved parties.
- Implemented research-based interventions and strategies to support positive behavior and social-emotional development.
- Visited homes of families and maintained appropriate contact as directed by agency procedures.
- Developed strong partnerships with local organizations while actively identifying gaps in services, thereby bridging the resources to meet family needs.
- Created a safe environment for open dialogue between family members during mediation sessions leading towards conflict resolution.
- Enhanced family support by conducting thorough assessments and identifying specific needs.
- Conducted outreach to families and other community partners to identify ways to address social, emotional and behavioral needs.
- Managed heavy caseload using well-developed time management, organizational, and task prioritization skills.
- Facilitated groups to address specific needs such as grief and loss, anger management and social skills.
- Empowered families by providing them with tools and resources needed to make informed decisions about their futures.
- Conducted home visits to assess living conditions and provide personalized guidance on parenting challenges.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Connected families with essential services such as housing, healthcare, and education opportunities to improve overall quality of life.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address complex issues impacting families'' lives.
- Developed and implemented strategies to reduce and prevent family conflict.
- Demonstrated creativity and resourcefulness through the development of innovative solutions.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
- Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Peer Support Specialist
Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health
10.2013 - 07.2016
- Organized treatment projects that focused on problem solving skills and creative thinking
- Efficiently gathered information from families and social services agencies to assist with inform development of treatment plans
- Effectively managed time and caseloads based on maintaining an average of 70% billing direct time weekly
- Quickly responded to crisis situations when severe mental health and behavioral issues arose
- Taught client's families anger management techniques, relaxation skills, impulse control, social skills, emotional coping skills and functional living skills
- Worked with parents and teachers to implement consistent behavior therapy techniques at home and school
- Developed appropriate policies for the identification of medically-related social and emotional needs of clients
- Guided clients in understanding illnesses and treatment plans
- Successfully completed EAS trainer, Whole Health trainer and "How to Train a Trainer", training program.
- Successfully ran a parent support group that offers skill building while having a paint nite with parents and natural supports of client in Wraparound.
- Utilized motivational interviewing techniques to encourage clients to engage in healthy behaviors.
- Communicated with individuals' family members, offering information, and insight into support services available at community level.
- Listened to clients' concerns and provided encouragement and support.
- Demonstrated extensive knowledge of recovery and wellness principles and shared this information with others struggling during recovery.
- Promoted a strengths-based approach for clients through active listening and empathy.
- Supported individuals dealing with mental health and emotional issues.
- Encouraged self-care among peers by facilitating wellness workshops focused on stress reduction techniques like mindfulness exercises or yoga classes.
- Transported individuals to medical appointments and support meetings whenever needed.
- Developed trusting relationships with clients by maintaining confidentiality, respect, and non-judgmental attitudes.
- Educated family members about mental health conditions and available resources, fostering understanding and support networks for clients.
- Empowered clients by teaching effective problem-solving skills that they can apply in real-life situations.
Education
Certificate Of Completion - Registered Dental Assistant
Riverside County Office of Education
Indio07.2023
Psychology -
College of the Desert
Palm Desert, CA01.1999
Skills
- Community resources specialist
- Clinical documentation mastery
- Superior communication skills
- Self-starter
- Parenting skills educator
- Highly responsible and reliable
- Creative problem solving
- Strong training history
- Organizational skills
- Teamwork and Collaboration
Accomplishments
- Awarded "Employee Of the Year" in 2000 at Ruby's Diner
- Nominated for Four "Shining Star Awards" from 2010-2013 Eisenhower Medical Center
- Serve Safe Certified 2005-2015
- Certified Einstein's Bagel Manager 2010
- CPR Adult / Infant certified since 2007
Phone Cell
(760)409-0217
Timeline
Behavior Technician
Autism Learning Partners
03.2024 - Current
Dental Assistant
EJ's Dental
03.2023 - 03.2024
Senior Family Advocate
Riverside County Mental Health
07.2016 - 12.2021
Peer Support Specialist
Riverside University Health System - Behavioral Health
10.2013 - 07.2016
Owner / Operator
Hodge Family Daycare
08.2008 - 10.2023
Certificate Of Completion - Registered Dental Assistant
Riverside County Office of Education
Psychology -
College of the Desert