Summary
Work History
Education
Skills
References
Timeline
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Kara Gargano

Benton Harbor

Summary

To obtain a position within an organization which provides room for professional growth and development within as my educational & professional goals expand & develop. An opportunity to extend my knowledge base & expertise.

Committed Youth Specialist with background in counseling, program development and facilitating youth-oriented activities. Strengths include ability to connect with young individuals, creating safe spaces for expression and growth, and implementing strategies to improve mental well-being of youth. Previous work has resulted in improved interaction among peers and significant progress in personal development of participating youths.

Work History

Superior of Corewell Center for Wellness

Corewell Health
Benton Harbor
08.2025 - Current
  • Completed day-to-day duties accurately and efficiently.
  • Contributed innovative ideas and solutions to enhance team performance and outcomes.
  • Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
  • Prioritized and organized tasks to efficiently accomplish service goals.
  • Collaborated closely with team members to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines.
  • Worked with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.
  • Approached customers and engaged in conversation through use of effective interpersonal and people skills.
  • Maintained updated knowledge through continuing education and advanced training.
  • Provided support and guidance to colleagues to maintain a collaborative work environment.
  • Utilized advanced technical skills and expertise to troubleshoot complex problems and implement solutions.
  • Conducted comprehensive research and data analysis to support strategic planning and informed decision-making.
  • Utilized various software and tools to streamline processes and optimize performance.

Youth Specialist

Berrien County Juvenile Center
  • Observe & note youth's behaviors for use of court documents
  • Uphold & enforce program protocol & procedures
  • Maintain a safe & secure environment for staff & youths
  • Attend regular team meetings & provide input-based input for benefit of youth SMART goals
  • Attend regular trainings for license requirements
  • Uphold integrity of facility
  • Maintain confidentiality of youths & sensitive case materials

Eligibility Specialist

Michigan Department of Health & Human Services
  • Determine client program eligibility through interview & intervention services
  • Client data collection & processing
  • Adhere to local, State, & Federal policy
  • Participation in office monthly meetings & training
  • Case management
  • Monitor call volume
  • Update client information within Federal monitoring system
  • Practice professional communication during tense conversations
  • Communicate with partner agencies to best serve clients, i.e. Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, food pantries, local clothing banks, safe shelters

Family Programs Specialist

Berrien County Health Department
  • Determine client vs. program eligibility via central referral maintenance
  • Client data collection & processing
  • Program funding data reporting, i.e. Nurse Family Partnership, Taking Pride in Prevention, Triple P
  • Practice program model & fidelity
  • Communicate with community agencies in order to best serve client needs
  • Willingness to enter community to foster further connections
  • Participate in program Community Action Boards, Raising Up Health Babies & Local Leadership Group meetings
  • Maintain & monitor client confidentiality
  • Adhere to Berrien County Health Department policy & Procedure

Community Resource Navigator

Berrien County Health Department
  • Determine client eligibility for community programming & interventions, i.e. Parents as Teachers, Logan Center, Addiction Prevention
  • Client data collection, processing, & resource navigation within MiBridges system
  • Co-coordinate Local Leadership Group
  • Coordinate Fetal Infant Mortality Review
  • Coordinate Child Death Review
  • Coordinate community care seats
  • Coordinate Safe Sleep
  • Verbal & written communication with Berrien prosecutor's office, Child Protective Services, local law enforcement

Volunteer & Senior Engagement Coordinator - SHIP

Reg. 4 Area Agency on Aging
  • Community initiatives partnerships, i.e. Strong Woman of Faith, community resource fairs
  • Grant application writing, compliance, policy & reporting
  • Navigation of complicated Federal & State health systems, i.e. Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans benefits
  • Streamlining of Federal, State, & Private grant processes
  • Maintain, coordinate & further build upon program offerings
  • Presentations to agencies, professionals & community members outlining complicated medical systems

Education

Bachelor's Degree of Arts & Sciences - Social Work focus of Family, Couples & Children

Andrews University

Associates Degree of Arts & Sciences - Pre-Social Work focus of Cultural Studies

Lake Michigan College

Skills

  • Strong knowledge of Microsoft Suites
  • Excellent multi-tasking
  • Exceptional filling & organizational skills
  • Extensive experience in handling confidential materials
  • Very capable self-starter & staying on task
  • Precise & clear communication skills
  • Enjoys collaborating with fellow employees, public & community based partners
  • Advanced level knowledge of grant program based data systems
  • Eagerness to work with others & aid with needed services & interventions
  • Advanced grant writing & reporting skills
  • Advanced understanding of Community Outreach development
  • Strong ability of creation of resource & partner connection
  • Creation of referral process for both inner agency & community partner use
  • Program eligibility
  • Data collection
  • Case management
  • Community resource navigation
  • Grant writing
  • Client communication
  • Conflict resolution
  • Team collaboration
  • Confidentiality maintenance
  • Policy adherence
  • Presentation development
  • Training facilitation
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • Behavioral observation
  • Program evaluation
  • Activity oversight
  • Data collection and analysis
  • Skill building
  • Skill building support
  • Family support
  • Multicultural competence
  • Safety awareness
  • Safety
  • Activity planning
  • Mental health awareness
  • Case documentation
  • Clinical assessment
  • Written communication
  • Continuous improvement
  • Program development
  • Relationship building
  • Adaptability and flexibility
  • Multitasking Abilities
  • Patient support
  • Disability services
  • Motivational interviewing
  • Self motivation
  • Documentation skills

References

Available upon request

Timeline

Superior of Corewell Center for Wellness

Corewell Health
08.2025 - Current

Youth Specialist

Berrien County Juvenile Center

Eligibility Specialist

Michigan Department of Health & Human Services

Family Programs Specialist

Berrien County Health Department

Community Resource Navigator

Berrien County Health Department

Volunteer & Senior Engagement Coordinator - SHIP

Reg. 4 Area Agency on Aging

Bachelor's Degree of Arts & Sciences - Social Work focus of Family, Couples & Children

Andrews University

Associates Degree of Arts & Sciences - Pre-Social Work focus of Cultural Studies

Lake Michigan College

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Kara Gargano