Kathy Futrell Blanchard

• Work with disability students and families to ensure services are received as instructed on IEP/IFSP
• Connect with East Baton Rouge Pupil Appraisal to ensure referrals are received and children screened in a timely Manner
• Make sure students are receiving services as per IDEA and Head Start standards in the least restricted environment
• Partner and create MOU with community agencies to connect families to services needed and making sure parents understand the services and exceptionalities the child may have
• Transition Part B and C students to kindergarten Or pre-k at age 3
• Plan and recruited for the disabilities area and the program as a whole through community partners and businesses

As of October 2020, begin working as Disability and Mental Health Content Specialist Manager

• Acquired a contract with Licensed therapist to work with children and families
• Refer students who may need counseling with therapist
• Plan Trainings for staff in Mental Health and Disabilities
• Established and maintained effective communication with staff, physicians and community organizations to promote high quality student and family care.
• Communicated with patients, ensuring that medical information was kept private.
• Developed and updated policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with guidelines relating to HIPAA,
• Conducted routine facility inspections, identifying areas needing improvement and eliminating hazards posed to staff and residents for continued compliance with associated regulations.
• Monitored and inspected staff processes to eliminate hazards posed for both residents and staff while ensuring continuous compliance with regulations.
• Discussed medical histories with patients in effort to provide most effective medical understanding of processes and procedures.
• Developed and maintained positive relationships with clients to create safe and supportive environment.
• Applied de-escalation and limit-setting techniques to promote patient cooperation.
• Observed patient behaviors and mental status and notified parents and on staff counselors of unusual occurrences.
• Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss progress and treatment plans of students.

• Monitored, assisted and managed social work cases of 200 individuals and families as case manager.
• Assisted clients in navigating housing, legal services and public benefits to gain access to valuable resources.
• Monitored clients' progress and tracked client services to provide crisis interventions.
• Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists, and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented client interactions and interventions in electronic systems.
• Work to link children and families to services systems to achieve a successful outcome
• Plan, implements, assess, coordinates, options and services to meet individual needs of children and families in the most efficient way
• Serve as liaison with various professionals and agencies, advocate on the behalf of the children and families.
• Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.
• Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.

• Worked with a case load of 80 out of school and incarcerated youth to encourage and guide in achieving their high school diplomas and Continue on to job training
• Connected clients to services needed to achieve goals and go through barriers To success.
• Connected with business and recruiters to build relationships and increase opportunities for students.
• Developed career and education plans based on individual needs.
• Equipped students with job search skills to increase success chances.
• Attended job fairs and visited classrooms to provide wide range of information to prospective job seekers.
• Counseled clients one-on-one regarding current situation, desires, aptitudes, education, and employment history.
• Maintained case files and documented actions.

• Counsel with emphasis on prevention
• Working to help clients deal with addictions, substance abuse, family, parenting, marital problems, stress management, problems with self esteem, and issues with mental and emotional health.
• Maintained confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
• Guided clients in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
• Offered guidance and advice to help cultivate self-esteem and community involvement.
• Engaged clients in conversation to determine feelings and apprehensions.
• Developed individualized counseling plans for clients to incorporate short-term and long-term goals.
• Implemented evidence-based therapeutic interventions to promote positive behavior change.
• Acted as client advocate to coordinate required services or resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
• Listened to clients' concerns and provided encouragement and support.
• Facilitated weekly group sessions to encourage self-reflection and problem-solving.
• Assisted clients in exploring feelings and understanding behaviors.
• Designed safe and supportive environment for clients to discuss issues.
• Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
• Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
• Educated clients on dangers of substance abuse and prevention techniques.
• Supervised meetings with family members to help create support system for clients.

• Met with families, probation officers, police and other parties to assist in patient treatment plan.
• Guided clients in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
• Maintained confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
• Offered guidance and advice to help cultivate self-esteem and community involvement.
• Engaged clients in conversation to determine feelings and apprehensions.
• Developed individualized counseling plans for clients to incorporate short-term and long-term goals.
• Acted as client advocate to coordinate required services or resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
• Arranged and facilitated therapy sessions for individuals, couples, and families.
• Listened to clients' concerns and provided encouragement and support.
• Supported individuals dealing with mental health and emotional issues.
• Assisted clients in exploring feelings and understanding behaviors.
• Designed safe and supportive environment for clients to discuss issues.
• Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
• Determined clients' risk of self-harm or other dangerous behaviors.
• Collaborated with other professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for clients.
• Provided education on mental health topics and resources to clients.
• Adapted counseling techniques to best suit individual needs of each client.
• Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
• Educated clients on dangers of substance abuse and prevention techniques.
• Supervised meetings with family members to help create support system for clients.

• Worked as Counselor in Training (C.I.T.) with clients in group therapy sessions, assisted clients with daily schedules, and attended training and rehabilitation functions with clients
• Completed intake information on clients upon entering and leaving the rehabilitation center.
• Assisted families of clients with chosen treatment plan and patient goals and objectives.
• Eagerly provided one-to-one attention to campers for special instruction, personal counseling and self-esteem-building activities.
• Carefully learned and upheld rules and regulations for safety and behavior management.
• Energetically participated in outings, games and physical activities with youth residence.
• Supported Lead Counselor in treatment plan creation and field trip planning.
• Managed counseling schedule for diverse group of youth aged 12 to 24.
• Deescalated conflicts among youth and sought assistance from seniors for permanent resolutions.
• Removed trash, debris and waste from facility area every evening as part of routine clean up activities.
• Fostered communication and friendship among group members through team-building activities.
• Guided students to and from G-unit to dining areas safely for set meal times.
• Devised and enacted team-building exercises.
• Counseled clients to help understand and overcome personal, social and behavioral problems.
• Maintained high level of patient confidentiality to comply with all federal and company regulations.
• Encouraged participants to open up and share thoughts at group counseling sessions.
• Assisted clients in exploring feelings and understanding behaviors.
• Educated clients on dangers of substance abuse and prevention techniques.
• Displayed sensitivity to cultural and linguistic needs of clients and families served.
• Designed safe and supportive environment for clients to discuss issues.

• Worked with students ages five – eighteen in an Alternative school setting
• Lead the Drug Prevention program, Project Success, which was implemented by the school system for the school year
• Program is a highly effective school based substance abuse prevention and early intervention program
• As a counselor the following intervention strategies were implemented: information dissemination, normative and prevention education, problem identification and referral, community based process and environmental approaches
• In addition, resistance and social competency skills, such as communication, decision making, stress and anger management, problem solving, and resisting peer pressure are implemented into the program.
• Assisted clients in exploring feelings and understanding behaviors.
• Designed safe and supportive environment for clients to discuss issues.
• Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources.
• The counselors primarily work with adolescents in groups and individually.
• Maintained confidentiality of records relating to clients' treatment.
• Guided clients in developing skills and strategies for dealing with problems.
• Offered guidance and advice to help cultivate self-esteem and community involvement.
• Engaged clients in conversation to determine feelings and apprehensions.
• Acted as client advocate to coordinate required services or resolve emergency problems in crisis situations.
• Developed and expanded referral system of service providers to assist clients in attaining services.
• Listened to clients' concerns and provided encouragement and support.