Monika Farkas
Canon City,CO
Summary
Compassionate Family Advocate known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Well-versed in conflict resolution, case management, and community outreach skills that enable successful advocacy for families in need. Excel in empathy, communication, and problem-solving, ensuring each family receives personalized support and guidance.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Forensic Interviewer
Kindred Kids Child Advocacy Center
Canon City , CO
02.2023 - 06.2024
- Served as an expert witness in court proceedings when necessary by presenting testimony regarding interview findings or providing additional insight into the case at hand.
- Conducted in-depth interviews with victims of crime to collect evidence and information for criminal investigations.
- Analyzed collected data from interviews and investigations to identify patterns or inconsistencies among different accounts.
- Researched best practices related to forensic interviewing strategies that could be implemented within current investigative processes.
- Provided emotional support to victims during interviews by actively listening and responding empathetically.
- Participated in regular training sessions designed to enhance knowledge base and stay abreast of new developments within the field.
- Provided feedback and guidance on how investigators can improve their questioning techniques during future inquiries.
- Utilized specialized interviewing techniques such as cognitive interviewing methods to elicit more comprehensive responses from individuals being interviewed.
- Developed rapport with victims to encourage them to open up and provide accurate information related to their experiences.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information obtained through interviews according to established standards of practice.
Lead Family Advocate
Kindred Kids Child Advocacy Center
Canon City, CO
08.2019 - 06.2024
- Provided crisis intervention counseling when needed to help manage difficult situations involving the family unit.
- Educated clients about available community resources and assisted them with accessing those resources when needed.
- Assisted families with completing paperwork required by various government programs or services.
- Collaborated with community partners such as schools, hospitals, social service organizations. to provide comprehensive services to families in need.
- Developed individualized service plans in collaboration with families and relevant professionals.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients by providing ongoing support through regular check-ins or phone calls.
- Provided crisis intervention services during times of emergency or distress.
- Advocated for clients' rights in court proceedings and meetings with government agencies.
- Coordinated referrals for mental health services and other specialized services.
- Attended trainings and workshops on topics related to family advocacy work.
- Assessed risk factors within a family environment in order to determine appropriate interventions necessary for safety.
- Maintained accurate records of all client contacts including documenting progress notes into an electronic database system.
- Organized events such as parent education seminars or job fairs aimed at helping families gain access to economic opportunities.
Court Preparation Developer
Kindred Kids Child Advocacy Center
Canon City, CO
08.2023 - 05.2024
- Court Preparation
Caseworker
Department of Human Services
Canon City , Co
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Provided crisis intervention when necessary by responding quickly to urgent requests from clients or referral sources.
- Counseled families on issues related to family dynamics, substance abuse prevention, recovery, domestic violence prevention, intervention and parenting skills.
- Responded promptly to phone calls from clients or referral sources seeking assistance or information about available resources.
- Created monthly reports summarizing caseload activities for review by supervisor.
- Adhered strictly to HIPAA regulations regarding confidentiality of client information at all times.
- Developed relationships with local agencies to ensure access to necessary services for clients.
- Maintained accurate records of client information in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
- Provided casework services to clients, including conducting initial assessments and developing individualized case plans.
- Collaborated with other departments within the agency to ensure that all services are provided in a timely manner.
Education
MSW - Social Work
Colorado State University - Pueblo
Pueblo, CO08-2024
High School Diploma -
Canon City High School
Canon City 05-2016
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
Colorado State University - Pueblo
Pueblo, COAssociate of Arts - Social Work
Pueblo Community College
Pueblo, COSkills
- Forensic Psychology
- Building rapport
- Report Preparation
- Records handling
- Interview techniques
- Federal, state, and local laws knowledge
- Data review
- Continuous Improvement
- Action planning
- Deadline and results-oriented
- Witness interviews
- Court Testimony
- Case Management
- Data Collection
- Family needs assessments
- Community Resources
- Relationship Building
- Client Advocacy
- Behavioral Management
- Crisis intervention strategies
- Effective Communication
- Relationships and rapport
- Interpersonal and written communication
- Highly effective communication
- Issue identification and resolution
Accomplishments
- Zeta Delta Phi Alpha Honor Society (2021 - Present)
- Child Welfare Scholar (2021-2022)
- Service Excellence from Canon City Police Department (2022)
- Fremont Exceptional Women Janet Gunkel Award Rising Start (2023)
- Mental Wellness Supervision & Workforce Development Program (2023)
Certification
Introduction to Human Trafficking in Colorado
2020 (2.5 Hours)
Victim Advocacy 101: The Initial 24 hours
June 26, 2020 (24 Hours)
Human Trafficking in Colorado
August 5, 2020 (2 Hours)
Victim Rights Training Colorado Division of Criminal Justice
August 26, 2020 (2 Hours)
Sexual Assault Response Teams: Coordination Our Efforts to Address Sexual Violence
October 26, 2020 (1 Hour)
Criminal Justice 101
October 26, 2020 (1 Hour)
"When the Child Trust You: Trial Preparation with Abused and Neglected Children"
February 28, 2021 (9 Hours)
Cultural Competency Curriculum for Disaster Preparedness and Crisis Response
February 28, 2021 (9 Hours)
The Colorado Victim Assistance Academy COVA
June 14-18, 2021 (50 Hours)
- Assessing Needs of Victims
- Domestic Violence
- Child Sexual Abuse
- Victim Panel
- Sexual Assault
- Death Notification
- Intimate Partner Violence
- Cyber Fraud
- Identity Theft
- Homeless Victims
- Immigrant Victims
- LGBTQ
- Disabilities
- Mental Health
- Advocacy
- Communications
- Trauma Informed Care
- Vicarious Trauma
- Resources
- Cultural Considerations
- Value and Boundaries
- Ethics
- Collaboration/Networking
- Confidentiality
- Conflict Management
- Problem Solving
- Victim Rights History
- Criminal Justice System
- Colorado Victim Rights Amendments
- JDs/VA Roles
- Victim Compensation
- Military Justice System
- Civil Justice System
- Tribal Justice System
- Address Confidentiality Program
- Victim Offender Dialogue
Hotline and RED Team: Where Assessment With Families Begins 2021-2022
September 9, 2021 (16 Hours)
Safety Through Engagement 2021-2022
September 29, 2021 (19.5 Hours)
Working Toward Closure 2021-2022
September 29, 2016 (19.5 Hours)
Legal Preparation for Caseworkers 2021-2022
November 29, 2021 (14 Hours)
Choose Your Own Trails
November 29, 2021 (8 Hours)
Fundamental Practice Simulation 2021-2022
November 29, 2021 (7 Hours)
Rocky Mountain Behavioral Health Lab And UA Results
October 27, 2021 (1 Hours)
Affirming Care for the LGBTQ+ Community
July 28, 2022 (5 Hours)
Healthy Touch for Children and Youth
November 2, 2022 (16 Hours)
Caregiver Children's Alliance Qualified Forensic Interviewer
February 10, 2023 (56 Hours)
- Block I Semi-Structured Narrative Process
(21 Hours)
- Block II Beyond the Sexual Abuse Interview
(21 Hours)
- Block III Essential Issues of Forensic Interviewing & Preparing for Court
(24 Hours)
Victim Rights Act 101
February 15, 2023 (2 Hours)
Colorado State Patrol Mission to Protect the Innocent
February 28, 2023 (8 Hours)
Kids & Teens in Court Program
May 16, 2023 (8 Hours)
Situational Awareness
June 3, 2023(4 Hours)
Part 1 Interviewing Children with Disabilities
June 6, 2023 (2 Hours)
The Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance 35th Conference
October 2-4, 2023 (12 Hours)
- Investigation and Prosecution of a Murderer
- What I Learned from an 11-Year-Old
- What Aiden Taught us: The life and death of a baby in foster care
- Colorado Victims Rights
- Long-Term Effects of DV exposure to Children
- Colorado Crime Victim Compensation
- Domestic Stalking Case Involving Higher ED and Multiple Agencies
Mental Health First Aid USA from National for Mental Wellbeing
October 30, 2023 (8 Hours)
Wyoming's Joint Symposium on Children & Youth
June 11-13 2024 (24 Hours)
- Adverse Childhood Experiences: Trauma & Resilience
- Toxic Stress and Coping Strategies for Children
- Case Study on Sibling Sexual Abuse
- Motivational Interviewing: A Change In Heartset
- Through the Eyes of Survivor
- Inner Working of Trauma: The Body & the Brain
- Interactive Look at Forensic Exam Findings and Documentaion
- Protectiong Students with disabilities in Education
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Court Preparation Developer
Kindred Kids Child Advocacy Center
08.2023 - 05.2024
Forensic Interviewer
Kindred Kids Child Advocacy Center
02.2023 - 06.2024
Caseworker
Department of Human Services
08.2021 - 05.2022
Lead Family Advocate
Kindred Kids Child Advocacy Center
08.2019 - 06.2024
MSW - Social Work
Colorado State University - Pueblo
High School Diploma -
Canon City High School
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
Colorado State University - Pueblo
Associate of Arts - Social Work
Pueblo Community College
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