Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Kate Vanderlin

Hebron,IN

Summary

Compassionate and strong social work and humanity principles with a focus on fostering impactful care in child and animal welfare. Background in non profit, child, animal and family welfare and special education. Excelling in case management, a dynamic administrative professional background, team leadership and committed to enhancing organizational efficiency and community engagement.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Administrative Assistant/Manager

Porter Co. Animal Shelter
Valparaiso, IN
06.2008 - 10.2013

• Responsible for making executive decisions for animals at the shelter, including on sight care, veterinary care, adoption, foster and legal cases with Animal Control & relevant court & law enforcement.

• Provided administrative support to various departments in the County including Commisioners, Councils and Auditors office by handling data entry tasks, filing documents, and organizing records and responsible for the Report of collections.

• Led a team of employees, providing guidance and support to ensure efficient operations of animal shelter and responsibilities.

• Organized & personally developed Community Outreach Programs, ie. Fundraising, Open adoption vending events, School Humane Education Programs, Educational Kid’s Camp and Juvenile Detention Center dog training program. Public broadcast marketing, and several liaisons with community organizations and the onsite shelter Volunteer program.

• Facilitated conflict resolution among team members, promoting a positive work environment

• Assisted in the hiring process, reviewing resumes, scheduling interviews, and onboarding new employees efficiently

• Managed executive calendars to strategically coordinate meetings and appointments.

• Achieved cost savings with meticulous budget management, reducing unnecessary expenses for the shelter. Conducted counts of inventory and ordering supplies for animal shelter needs.

• Served as Interim Director for 3 months

Case Manager

Indiana Department of Child Services
Gary, IN
08.2007 - 06.2008
  • Assessment and Ongoing
  • Managed caseload of child welfare cases, ensuring the safety and well-being of children in accordance with state regulations
  • Conducted thorough assessments and investigations to determine the level of risk and develop appropriate intervention plans
  • Collaborated with families, service providers, and community resources to develop comprehensive treatment plans for children in need
  • Advocated for the best interests of children by attending court hearings, providing testimony, and making recommendations to judges
  • Monitored progress and compliance with court-ordered services, regularly assessing family dynamics and making necessary adjustments to ensure child safety
  • Worked closely with Foster Parents, Foster agencies & Residential Homes
  • Provided crisis intervention services to families in high-stress situations, offering support and connecting them with appropriate resources
  • Maintained accurate case documentation including assessment reports, progress notes, court reports, and other required paperwork
  • Collaborated with law enforcement agencies when necessary to ensure child protection measures were implemented effectively
  • Facilitated parent education classes on topics such as parenting skills development, anger management techniques, and substance abuse prevention strategies
  • Developed strong relationships with foster parents by providing ongoing support, training opportunities, and regular home visits to assess placement stability
  • Coordinated visitation schedules between biological parents or relatives and children in out-of-home care while ensuring a safe environment during visits
  • Assisted families in accessing community resources such as housing assistance programs, mental health services, educational support programs for children with special needs etc
  • Implemented trauma-informed practices when working with children who have experienced abuse or neglect
  • Collaborated closely with school personnel to address educational needs of children involved in child welfare system
  • Ensured timely completion of required documentation including court reports
  • Provided counseling referrals for families dealing with mental health issues
  • Conducted home visits to assess living conditions and ensure child safety
  • Developed and maintained relationships with community partners such as hospitals, mental health agencies, and substance abuse treatment centers
  • Assisted families in accessing financial assistance programs such as Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
  • Demonstrated cultural sensitivity when working with diverse populations, respecting individual beliefs and customs
  • Coordinated service plans for families, ensuring compliance with state regulations and policies.
  • Conducted comprehensive assessments to determine eligibility for services and support programs.
  • Facilitated communication between families, service providers, and community resources to enhance service delivery.
  • Developed individualized case management strategies to address complex family dynamics and needs.

Substitute Teacher, K-12

School City Of Hobart
Hobart, IN
09.2001 - 12.2004

• Followed Teacher lesson plans

• Adapted instructional materials to meet individual student needs and learning styles

• Managed classroom behavior effectively, promoting a positive learning environment

• Collaborated with full-time teachers to support curriculum implementation and student assessment.

Special Education Paraprofessional

Special Education Learning Facility (SELF)
Valparaiso, IN
01.2002 - 01.2004

• Provided one-on-one support to students with special needs, assisting them in their academic and social development

• Assisted in the implementation of behavior management techniques, promoting a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students

• Supported students during transitions between activities or classrooms, ensuring their safety and well-being at all times

• Assisted with physical accommodations for students with mobility challenges, including wheelchair transfers or positioning aids as required

• Supported communication needs of non-verbal or limited verbal ability students through alternative communication systems such as picture schedules or sign language cues

• Developed positive relationships with parents/guardians by maintaining open lines of communication regarding student progress, challenges faced, and strategies implemented

• Ensured a safe learning environment for all students by implementing appropriate behavior intervention plans when necessary

• Attended professional development workshops/trainings regularly to stay updated on best practices in special education and inclusion strategies

• Supported students during community-based instruction outings, facilitating their participation and engagement in real-world experiences

• Provided emotional support to students with behavioral or emotional challenges, implementing de-escalation techniques and promoting self-regulation skills

Preschool Teacher

Kids First Daycare & Preschool
Hobart
01.1999 - 01.2001
  • Designed and implemented engaging lesson plans tailored to developmental milestones.
  • Fostered a nurturing environment that encouraged social, emotional, and cognitive growth.
  • Developed and maintained effective communication with parents regarding children's progress.
  • Collaborated with staff to create a cohesive curriculum promoting teamwork and inclusion.

Education

Bachelor Of Continued Education - Early Childhood Education/Special Education

Indiana University Northwest
Gary, IN
04.2005

Skills

  • Social work principals
  • Humanities
  • Inclusion
  • Diversity
  • Excellent communication and management skills
  • Case management
  • Documentation and reporting
  • Relationship building
  • Decision-making
  • Conflict resolution
  • Positive attitude
  • Email and telephone etiquette
  • Client advocacy
  • Care coordination
  • Community resources
  • Case planning
  • Community outreach
  • Crisis intervention
  • MS office
  • Patient assessment
  • Staff management
  • Discharge planning
  • Needs assessment
  • Intervention plans
  • Direct patient care
  • Staff education and training
  • Social work
  • Family education
  • Family education programs
  • Comprehensive understanding of marginalized communities
  • Risk assessment
  • Empathy and compassion
  • Eligibility assessment
  • Vulnerable population awareness
  • IEP compliance
  • Learning disabilities support
  • Classroom organization
  • Teaching and instruction
  • Lesson plan implementation
  • Student supervision
  • Nonverbal communication
  • Life skills development
  • Autism and spectrum disorders
  • Special needs
  • Physical disabilities support
  • Personal hygiene assistance
  • Social skills training
  • Parental interaction
  • Emotional regulation
  • Activity management
  • Social and group settings
  • Seizure management
  • Cultural awareness
  • Mobility assistance
  • Proficient with technology
  • Activities oversight
  • Classroom management strategies
  • Peer mentoring
  • Data collection
  • Transition planning
  • IEP goals
  • Executive function support
  • Toileting assistance
  • Skill building
  • Autism support
  • Positive behavior reinforcement
  • Classwork oversight
  • Classroom recordkeeping
  • Home therapy
  • Learning environment management
  • Excellent communication
  • Multitasking Abilities
  • Behavior management techniques
  • Organizational skills
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Friendly, positive attitude

Affiliations

Serving on the board of Animal Welfare for Sunset Hills Farm In Valparaiso, IN

Certification

Indiana Dept. Of Child Services 90 day training Social Work Case Manager Certification

CPR Training

Timeline

Administrative Assistant/Manager

Porter Co. Animal Shelter
06.2008 - 10.2013

Case Manager

Indiana Department of Child Services
08.2007 - 06.2008

Special Education Paraprofessional

Special Education Learning Facility (SELF)
01.2002 - 01.2004

Substitute Teacher, K-12

School City Of Hobart
09.2001 - 12.2004

Preschool Teacher

Kids First Daycare & Preschool
01.1999 - 01.2001

Bachelor Of Continued Education - Early Childhood Education/Special Education

Indiana University Northwest
Kate Vanderlin