Katherine Smith
Berlin Heights,OH
Summary
Dependable individual with hands-on experience in behavior and strength in navigating challenges. Brings strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach to new tasks. Known for adaptability, creativity, and results-oriented mindset. Committed to making meaningful contributions and promoting organizations mission.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Support Specialist
Vermilion Local Schools
Vermilion, OH
03.2020 - Current
- Facilitate academic and behavioral interventions for students and promote social-emotional and cultural initiatives for the district. Promote best practices concerning the identification of students with disabilities
- Provide case management support to the school psychologist
- Complete classroom observations using a standard protocol
- Collect and document education background data
- Administer achievement tests
- Analyze assessment and classroom data as it relates to an IDEA/504 evaluation or response to intervention
- Work collaboratively with the Director of Pupil Services, School Psychologist, and building level teams to support problem solving teams and multi-tiered systems of supports
- Current District CPI Instructor
- Complete required reports within the timeframe given
- Conduct 504 reevaluations
- Provide academic and behavioral intervention suggestions and data collection tools to staff
- Develop Functional Behavior Assessments and Behavior Intervention Plans
- Provide school and district level professional development related to district initiatives
- Facilitate social-emotional lessons
- Assist in the identification of students at-risk for mental health or behavioral concerns
- Work collaboratively with teams to identify systemic culture and social-emotional needs for the district
- Arrange and schedule team meetings
- Support and mentor struggling students and prepare them for life after high school
- Connect students and families with community resources
- Collaborate with community partners
Children's Services Worker
Erie County Jobs and Family Services
Sandusky, OH
05.2018 - 03.2020
- Serve as a first responder to reported allegations of child abuse and neglect, to investigate such reports in a timely manner and to provide appropriate protective services to children who are found to be abused and neglected in accordance with legal mandates.
- Visit homes, talk to family members and help them access services to make changes to ensure the children are cared for and safe
- Assess reports of abuse or neglect, collaborate with other organizations that serve children Erie County, and help families meet the needs of our community’s most vulnerable children.
- Coordinate needed services, which are provided directly by caseworkers or through referrals to appropriate community resources
Eligibility Worker III
Erie County Jobs and Family Services
Sandusky, OH
01.2018 - 05.2018
- Conduct interviews with applicants to determine initial eligibility and with recipients to re-determine their eligibility for public assistance
- Explain to clients their rights and responsibilities
- Refer situations of neglect or abused children to Children Services
- Refer clients to OBES/JOBS for those who are required to participate for their benefits
- Prepare and maintain case records regarding applicant and recipient eligibility and status for public assistance
- Notify investigation unit of all cases where there is a question of fraud or over issuance of benefits
- Prepare appeal summaries and attend state hearings
- Attend conferences, meetings, workshops, and trainings
- Ability to perform budgeting, carrying out written and oral instruction
- Knowledge of budgeting, public relations, office practices and procedures, interviewing, income maintenance programs, procedures and regulations
- 2018
Service and Support Administrator
Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Sandusky, OH
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Help families develop a plan of supports addressing needs and goals
- Manage a caseload of forty or more individuals
- Facilitate planning, team process, and development of an individual’s support services for adults
- Authorization of funding for local services
- Monitor and ensure implementation of individual support plan and monitoring reviews
- Focus on independence, skill development, employment, and limiting barriers
- Address issues of informed consent and competency/guardianship
- Refer and link families to community resources, courts, law enforcement and other agencies
- Address health and safety needs, report MUI/UI as a mandated reporter
- Encourage participation in the community and citizenship responsibilities (memberships, churches, neighborhood connections)
Restaurant Manager
Perkins Restaurant and Bakery
Sandusky, OH
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Managed and supported servers, bussers, hosts, cooks and dishwashers during hectic periods of time in the restaurant, which created a non-stressful environment
- Experienced with handling stressful situations and thinking quickly to resolve any issue
- Able to multitask and finish tasks quickly
Classroom Instructor
Haugland Learning Center
Sandusky, OH
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Instructed a small classroom of teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Created and developed IEP’s based on student’s needs, including but not limited to life goals, academic goals, and behavioral goals
- Developed and modified lesson plans to cater to each individual student
- Observed and recorded data to notice changes with progress
- Promote safety and independence with students to enhance skills for real world situations
- Trained in Crisis Intervention
- Capable of dealing with and handling challenging behaviors, and noticing settle signs and cues to possibly prevent a behavior from occurring
Aide
Nationwide Children's Hospital
Columbus, Ohio
03.2012 - 07.2013
- Worked with a team to use Intensive Behavioral Intervention to develop and plan goals based on a client’s individual needs
- Utilized ABA therapy within community settings
- Observed and assessed different levels of behavior and determined different ways to approach and change behaviors
- Created materials based on client needs
- Served more than one client in a day in several different settings
Aide
L.I.F.E. INC.
Columbus, Ohio
01.2009 - 01.2010
- Developed goals and objectives for a young child with Autism to provide support for independence
- Handled multiple challenging behaviors
- Promoted independence while still observing and coaching the child to do basic life skills, such as showering, teeth brushing, hair brushing, getting dressed, making meals, etc.
- Practiced skills out in the community such as counting money, using safety skills, polite words and actions, and learning directions
Education
B.A. - Psychology
The Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio05-2013
High School Diploma -
Perkins High School
Sandusky, Ohio06-2008
Skills
- CPI Instructor
- Multiple years working with Developmental Disabilities, Behavioral needs, and Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Ability to identify functions of behavior
- Strong knowledge of child development
- Strong knowledge of behavioral supports
- Strong Interpersonal relationships
Timeline
Family Support Specialist
Vermilion Local Schools
03.2020 - Current
Children's Services Worker
Erie County Jobs and Family Services
05.2018 - 03.2020
Eligibility Worker III
Erie County Jobs and Family Services
01.2018 - 05.2018
Service and Support Administrator
Erie County Board of Developmental Disabilities
01.2015 - 01.2018
Restaurant Manager
Perkins Restaurant and Bakery
01.2014 - 01.2015
Classroom Instructor
Haugland Learning Center
01.2013 - 01.2014
Aide
Nationwide Children's Hospital
03.2012 - 07.2013
Aide
L.I.F.E. INC.
01.2009 - 01.2010
B.A. - Psychology
The Ohio State University
High School Diploma -
Perkins High School