Joy Buck
Strasburg,CO
Summary
Dedicated and results-oriented professional with over 15 years of progressive experience in the mental health sector, specializing in relationship-building and interpersonal communication. Expertise includes working with adolescents and adults, supported by a strong background in victim advocacy and child protection casework. Committed to leveraging extensive skills to foster positive outcomes and support individuals in need. Seeking a challenging position that promotes personal and professional development.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Behavioral Health Specialist-
Children's Hospital Colorado
Aurora, CO
04.2012 - Current
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment.
- Recorded client information on special flow sheets, accurately indicating suicidal precautions, sleep flow and restraints.
- Displayed sensitivity to the cultural and linguistic needs of the clients and families served.
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
- Kept abreast of new and developing information in the mental health field by regularly attending professional conferences and workshops.
- Managed and restrained violent, potentially violent and suicidal clients.
- Responds as part of the behavioral assistance resource team, provides assistance to patients, family members or visitors exhibiting the potential for harm to self or others.
- Identified appropriate treatment resources and recommended patients for these services.
- Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion.
- Connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
Caseworker III
Adams County Department Of Child And Family Servic
11860 N Pecos St
09.2022 - 08.2025
- Assessed needs of each client and recommended appropriate services and resources.
- Maintained high level of client confidentiality, following strict guidelines and recommendations.
- Monitored protection and stabilization of children and families.
- Supervised overall client services and acted as liaison between clients, caregivers and service providers.
- Participated in court proceedings by making recommendations for permanency planning and providing expert testimony.
- Established trusting relationships with clients, fostering open communication and rapport building.
- Assessed and evaluated clients' needs, determined eligibility for services, and developed individualized plans.
- Prepared detailed reports for court proceedings that accurately reflected clients'' progress and recommended next steps.
- Maintained high level of client confidentiality, following strict guidelines, and recommendations.
- Facilitated client access to community resources, promoting self-sufficiency and independence.
- Conducted home visits to assess living environment and provided appropriate referrals.
- Managed high-risk cases involving substance abuse or domestic violence concerns with specialized interventions tailored to each situation.
- Delivered ongoing support for families navigating the child welfare system, contributing to successful reunifications in multiple cases.
- Collaborated with other professionals to plan and coordinate care for clients.
- Monitored clients' progress to adjust treatment plans accordingly.
Victim Court Advocate
Adams County District Attorney's Office
07.2020 - 06.2021
- Accompanied victim/witnesses to court to clarify processes and procedures.
- Constructed referral list of agencies and community resources for victims' to provide aftercare services.
- Collected statistical data and updated documentation
- Supported victims, family members and witnesses through various systems including law enforcement, healthcare, and social services.
- Liaised with members of justice system on behalf of victim/witnesses.
- Developed safety plans to meet victims' assessment of need.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
Teacher Assistant
Laradon Hall
03.2011 - 04.2012
- Communicated nonverbally with children to provide them with comfort, encouragement and positive reinforcement Physically and verbally interacted with students throughout the day.
- Created strategies to meet the needs of mentally and physically disabled students.
- Implemented and taught a life skills program.
- Led activities that developed students physical, emotional and social growth.
- Gave one-on-one attention to students, while maintaining overall focus on the entire group.
- Daily tracking and data collection of behavioral progress Managed and restrained violent, and potentially violent students.
Senior Account Advisor
Eagle Legacy Credit Union
12.2008 - 03.2011
- Politely assisted customers in person and via telephone.
- Provided an elevated customer experience to generate a loyal clientele.
- Developed reputation as an efficient service provider with high levels of accuracy.
- Executed customer transactions, including deposits, withdrawals, money orders and checks.
- Rapidly and efficiently prepared customer and ATM cash and change orders.
- Organized, stocked and maintained the teller window area.
- Handled various accounting transactions.
- Created member account profiles on Eagle Legacy's online banking program.
- Collected member loan payments.
- Sold cashier's checks, traveler's checks and money orders.
- Continued education on current banking products and services.
Counselor III/Senior Case Manager
Turning Point
05.2007 - 01.2009
- Led 4 group therapy sessions each week.
- Explained available substance abuse treatment services to clients.
- Administered oral medications, following physician's prescriptions and hospital procedures.
- Consulted with clients when developing long term treatment plan goals and objectives.
- Counseled clients to help them understand and overcome personal, social and behavioral problems.
- Led supportive group discussions and education sessions with alcohol and drug users Educated clients and their families about client rights and responsibilities.
- Consulted with other staff members regarding treatment plans as deemed appropriate by the team leader.
- Encouraged clients to get involved in social, recreational and other therapeutic activities to enhance interpersonal skills and develop social relationships.
- Notified supervisor in cases involving potential domestic abuse and other family problems affecting client's development.
- Served as part of an on-call emergency response team for crisis intervention within the facility.
- Managed a caseload of 8 patients with substance dependence and co-occurring Axis I and Axis II disorders.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, including creating treatment plans and connecting clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Assisted and accompanied clients and families to court, legal appointments, health care, public benefits and social or community agencies relative to client short- and long-term stabilization goals.
Mental Health Worker
Devereux Cleo Wallace
04.2005 - 05.2007
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment.
- Supervised the residential and day treatment children during class and on field trips.
- Consulted with other staff members regarding treatment plans as deemed appropriate by the team leader.
- Managed and restrained violent, potentially violent and suicidal clients.
Education
Master of Science - Criminology
Regis University
Denver, CO2020
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO2007
Associate of Arts - Photography
Front Range Community College
Fort Collins, CO2002
Skills
- Quality and Safety
- Assessment reports and other documentation
- Client coping mechanisms
- Medication Management
- Client transportation
- Activity monitoring
- Crisis Intervention
- Infection control understanding
- Case documentation
- Substance abuse experience
- Community Resources
- First Aid/CPR
- Compassion
- Training & Development
- Family services
- Good listening skills
- Intervention strategies and techniques
- Behavioral treatment services
- Case information confidentiality
- Client interaction
- Client advocacy
- Motivational interviewing
- Behavioral observation
- Conflict mediation
- Family engagement
- Case file documentation
- Patient support
- Treatment Planning
- High-risk populations identification
- Emergency response training
Additional Information
Currently volunteer as a Deputy Probation Officer-Adams County Probation-09/2021-Present
Interned with COVA as a victim advocate for Adams County DA's office working with fast tacks and victims of Domestic Violence 06/19-06/20.
Timeline
Caseworker III
Adams County Department Of Child And Family Servic
09.2022 - 08.2025
Victim Court Advocate
Adams County District Attorney's Office
07.2020 - 06.2021
Behavioral Health Specialist-
Children's Hospital Colorado
04.2012 - Current
Teacher Assistant
Laradon Hall
03.2011 - 04.2012
Senior Account Advisor
Eagle Legacy Credit Union
12.2008 - 03.2011
Counselor III/Senior Case Manager
Turning Point
05.2007 - 01.2009
Mental Health Worker
Devereux Cleo Wallace
04.2005 - 05.2007
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Colorado State University
Associate of Arts - Photography
Front Range Community College
Master of Science - Criminology
Regis University