KATHLEEN BOOKER
Milan,IL
Summary
I graduated from Colorado Technical University on February 5th, 2024, earning a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and human resources. I am currently looking for a position that allows me to apply my extensive knowledge, skills, and excellent interpersonal abilities to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds. Compassionate Family Support Specialist with experience providing resources and assistance to families in crisis. Strengths include effective communication, problem-solving, and empathy, along with knowledge of community resources and case management. Previous roles demonstrate significant impact through support and advocacy for vulnerable families, contributing to improved family stability and well-being.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Family Support Specialist
Every child
Moline, IL
10.2024 - Current
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings to discuss treatment plans for clients.
- Actively participated in training sessions related to best practices for working with families.
- Adhered to ethical standards while interacting with clients during service delivery.
- Provided education about child development stages, parenting techniques, financial management, and nutrition.
- Identified potential barriers that could impact a family's ability to achieve their goals.
- Demonstrated excellent communication skills when interacting with families from diverse backgrounds.
- Established positive relationships with clients by providing emotional support and guidance.
- Assisted with case management tasks such as making referrals for services or arranging transportation for appointments.
- Conducted home visits to assess the safety of the environment and provide additional support when needed.
- Monitored progress of clients on an ongoing basis and provided feedback to team members regarding any changes or updates needed.
- Facilitated access to community resources such as housing, education, employment opportunities, and mental health services.
- Provided individualized support services for families, including crisis intervention, counseling and advocacy.
- Initiated and maintained regular contact with families in homes.
- Participated in workshops, seminars, and education programs to promote professional growth and development.
- Referred clients to community resources for services, such as job placement, debt counseling, legal aid, housing, medical treatment,, and financial assistance, and provided concrete information, such as where to go and how to apply.
Site Coordinator
Scott County YMCA
Davenport
05.2018 - 06.2019
- Assisted in budget preparation for departmental needs and monitored expenditures accordingly.
- Implemented safety protocols throughout the school building to ensure student safety at all times.
- Coordinated after-school activities designed to encourage academic achievement among students.
- Established collaborative relationships with parents, students, faculty, administrators, and community members.
- Managed student behavior in accordance with established disciplinary policies, providing positive guidance when needed.
- Maintained accurate records of attendance and other pertinent information related to program operations.
- Attended professional development workshops related to youth services on a regular basis.
- Provided individual assistance to students who had difficulty understanding concepts or completing assignments.
Toddler Teacher
Tiger Tales
Sherrard
05.2016 - 05.2018
- Collaborated with other childcare professionals to coordinate resources and ensure best practices were met
- Established positive relationships with children and their parents, resulting in smooth transitions between home and childcare environments
- Established indoor and outdoor safe play environments for toddler-age children.
- Utilized educational software and technology to enhance learning experiences.
- Administered first aid and medication in accordance with health and safety regulations.
- Taught children foundational skills in colors, shapes and letters.
- Communicated with children's parents and guardians about daily activities, behaviors and problems.
- Provided support for children who had difficulty adjusting socially or emotionally within the group setting.
- Created and maintained a clean, organized, and stimulating environment conducive to learning.
- Maintained daily records of individual activities, behaviors, meals and naps.
- Assisted children with daily routines, including toileting, feeding, and nap times.
Preschool Teacher
Early Learning Center
Eldridge
11.2012 - 05.2016
- Met with parents to discuss child behavior and academic progress.
- Read stories to children and taught painting, drawing, and crafts.
- Attended professional development workshops to stay current on best practices for early childhood education.
- Enhanced sensory abilities by giving children access to numerous textures and shapes.
- Taught children foundational skills in colors, shapes and letters.
- Observed children to record development.
- Implemented behavior modeling and positive reinforcement into daily routines.
- Developed lesson plans that incorporated creative teaching techniques.
- Engaged with children on individual basis to build positive, trusting relationships.
- Instructed and assisted children in eating, toileting, and resting to help develop healthy personal habits.
- Created and implemented developmentally appropriate curriculum addressing learning styles.
- Implemented hands-on, play-based strategies for experiential learning.
- Incorporated music, art, games, books, blocks, puzzles into daily instruction.
- Organized creative and fun activities, enhancing children's physical, emotional and social well-being.
- Supervised outdoor playtime while ensuring safety regulations were followed.
- Directed and supervised children during field trips and special activities.
Education
Bachlors of Science - Criminal Justice/ Human Resources
Colorado Technical University
Colorado Springs02.2024
Child Development Associate -
Scott County Community College
Muscatine05.2015
High School Diploma -
Rock Island High School
Rock Island05.2010
Skills
- Problem solving
- Ability to work under pressure
- Microsoft Office
- Communication Skills
- Effective Team Player
- Leadership
- Teamwork
- Quick Learning Ability
- Meticulous Attention To Detail
- Logical Reasoning Skills
- Effective Listening
- Good team player
- Parenting education
- Child development
- Individualized service planning
- Self-awareness
- Behavioral assessment
- Client advocacy
- Case management
- Behavioral support
- Assessments
- Elder care
- Attention to detail
- Staff supervision
- Home visits
- Calendar preparation
- Support advocacy
- Self-care awareness
- Family dynamics
- Policy understanding
- Disability awareness
- Senior activities planning
- Conflict resolution
Completed Courses
- Sociology
- American Government and Public Affairs
- Science and Technology - Laboratory Course
- Environmental Science and Sustainability
- Homeland Security
- Law Enforcement Operations and Report Writing
- Ethics in Criminal Justice
- Psychology
- American Corrections
- Victimology
- Criminal Law
- Criminology
- Juvenile Delinquency
- Social Psychology
- Public Administration
- The Laws of Evidence
- Abnormal Psychology in the Workplace
- Criminal Procedure
- Interpersonal Communications
- Study of Alcohol Use and Abuse
- Ethics for the CD Counselor
- Grant Writing Basics
- Foundations of Individual Counseling
- Foundations of Group Counseling
- Chemical Dependency Elective - Special Topics
- Human Service Practice in the Criminal Justice Setting
- Drug Use and Abuse
- Child and Adolescent Psychopathology
- Family Counseling
- Alcohol & Drug Treatment Continuum
- DSM-IV knowledge
- Risk assessments
Certification
- Child Development Associates
- Mothers & Babies
- GGK Curriculum & Home Visiting
- Adverse Childhood Experiences: (ACEs)
- Start Early: Foundations For Supporting Families
- Healthy Families America:(Family Resilience and Opportunities for Growth) Scale
- Ages and Stages (ASQ)/ Ages and Stages+Social Emotional (ASQ+SE)
- Domestic Violence (Futures without violence)
- Essential of Home Visiting (Observing mother and child)
- Safe Sleep PCA Illinois
- PLN: Healthy Families Illinois Community of Practice
- HFA: CHEERS Check In
- HIPPA
- Prenatal Training
- Civil RIghts (Training)
- HFA: Intimate Partner Violence
- HFA: Cultural Self-Awareness
- Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals: Mental Health
- Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals: Culture Humility in Home Visiting
- Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals: Child Abuse & Neglect
- Mandated Reporter
- Plus More available upon request
Timeline
Family Support Specialist
Every child
10.2024 - Current
Site Coordinator
Scott County YMCA
05.2018 - 06.2019
Toddler Teacher
Tiger Tales
05.2016 - 05.2018
Preschool Teacher
Early Learning Center
11.2012 - 05.2016
Bachlors of Science - Criminal Justice/ Human Resources
Colorado Technical University
Child Development Associate -
Scott County Community College
High School Diploma -
Rock Island High School
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