JOANNE SANDERS
Superior
Summary
Compassionate and community-focused human services professional with over 13 years of experience supporting individuals and families facing barriers related to housing instability, domestic violence, mental health, substance use, poverty, and crisis situations. Skilled in case management, crisis intervention, advocacy, resource coordination, and helping individuals work toward personal goals and long-term stability. Strong ability to build trusting relationships, collaborate with community agencies, maintain accurate documentation, and support individuals through difficult life transitions using a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach.
Overview
1
1
Certification
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Shelter Program Coordinator / Case Manager
Center Against Sexual & Domestic Abuse (CASDA)
Superior, WI
09.2013 - Current
- Provide case management, advocacy, crisis intervention, and emotional support to individuals and families experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, mental health challenges, substance use, and financial instability
- Assist clients with identifying goals, problem-solving barriers, and connecting to community resources to support long-term stability and independence
- Assisted clients with employment readiness, job searches, applications, resumes, and connecting to local workforce resources.
- Help clients access housing resources, transportation assistance, financial assistance programs, healthcare services, and mental health/substance use support services
- Provide housing advocacy and resource navigation throughout the Twin Ports area, including knowledge of Coordinated Entry, subsidized housing programs, shelter systems, and local housing resources in the Duluth-Superior community
- Coordinate services with county agencies, healthcare providers, law enforcement, schools, social service organizations, and community partners
- Maintain detailed documentation, reports, statistics, and case records while ensuring confidentiality and compliance with agency requirements
- Conduct risk assessments, safety planning, and crisis response for individuals in high-stress and emergency situations
- Provide support and referrals through a 24-hour crisis line while helping individuals navigate immediate and long-term needs
- Supervise part-time staff, assist with staff scheduling, onboarding, training, and day-to-day program support
- Train staff, interns, and volunteers on trauma-informed care, crisis response, agency procedures, and client support practices
- Assist with program operations, shelter coordination, problem-solving, and maintaining a supportive environment for clients and staff
- Support individuals in building self-sufficiency skills and connecting with services that improve long-term outcomes
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advocate for client needs and remove barriers to stability and success
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Human Services
Northwood Technical College
Superior, WI05-2013
Associate of Applied Science - Medical Administrative Specialist
Northwood Technical College
Superior, WI05-2009
Skills
- Case Management
- Community Resource Coordination
- Crisis Intervention & De-escalation
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Client Advocacy
- Goal Planning & Support
- Documentation & Reporting
- Public Assistance & Community Resources
- Housing Resource Navigation & Coordinated Entry Knowledge
- Interagency Collaboration
- Conflict Resolution
- Staff Training & Leadership
- Communication & Active Listening
- Problem Solving
- Confidentiality & Professional Ethics
Affiliations
- Anti-Poverty Action Coalition (APAC)
- St. Louis County Domestic Violence MDT
- Human Services Advisory Committee – Northwood Technical College
- Former Member – Douglas County Mental Health Coordinated Response Team
- Former Member – Douglas County Drug Prevention Coalition
- Former Board Member – Superior Housing Authority
Certification
- Supervisory Leadership Certification
- Safe at Home Designated Application Assistant
Timeline
Shelter Program Coordinator / Case Manager
Center Against Sexual & Domestic Abuse (CASDA)
09.2013 - Current
Associate of Applied Science - Medical Administrative Specialist
Northwood Technical College
Associate of Applied Science - Human Services
Northwood Technical College
TRAINING & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Hope in CommUNITY – FDL Police & Advocacy Services, Cloquet, MN (2025)
- Advocacy in Action Conference, Colorado Springs, CO (2024)
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Workplace, Superior, WI (2023–2024)
- IVAT International Summit – Preventing, Assessing & Treating Trauma Across the Lifespan, Honolulu, HI (2022)
- National Conference on Crimes Against Women, Dallas, TX (2022)
- Enhancing the Capacity of Tribal Advocates Through Training & Support, Milwaukee, WI (2022)
- RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence Conference, Providence, RI (2019)
- International Conference on Sexual Assault, Intimate Partner Violence & Increasing Access, Anaheim, CA (2019)