Kelsey N. Poelker
Louisville,KY
Summary
M.A. graduate of University of Missouri – Columbia, and previous B.A. graduate from Saint Louis University looking to apply my education and experience to a career that allows me to make a difference in the lives of those in need, specifically juvenile and at-risk populations. Compassionate Case Manager with substantial background in social work and providing support to vulnerable populations. Skills include crisis management, care coordination, and advocacy for clients' rights and needs. Demonstrated ability to establish trust with clients while effectively managing high caseloads. Notable impact on improving client well-being through personalized care plans and resource allocation.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Case Manager
Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth
Louisville, KY
04.2022 - 11.2024
- Facilitated communication between clients, families, caregivers, social services and other agencies to ensure client needs were met
- Assessed clients' needs, developed service plans and monitored progress towards goals
- Provided crisis intervention support for clients and foster parents in emergency situations
- Conducted home visits to assess the safety of living environments for clients
- Maintained accurate case records and documentation according to agency guidelines
- Connected clients to available resources within the community that could help meet their needs and assisted in completing applications for government benefits such as SNAP
- Coordinated or provided transportation services for clients who lacked access to reliable transportation
- Developed and maintained relationships with community resources and service providers
- Identified barriers to client success and collaboratively developed strategies to overcome them
- Advocated on behalf of clients to secure necessary services and support
- Provided direct case management, advocacy, and support services to clients in order to promote independent living skills
- Coordinated referrals to appropriate resources including housing, transportation, financial assistance programs
- Conducted workshops and provided individual skill-building on topics such as budgeting, job readiness, educational planning, and life skills development
- Assisted with fundraising events or campaigns aimed at supporting program operations
- Actively participated in outreach efforts within the community to increase awareness about Independent Living Services programs offered through the agency
Behavior Interventionist
Maryhurst, Inc.
Louisville, KY
11.2020 - 04.2022
- Completed 40-hour paraprofessional certification in behavior analysis, certified Registered Behavior Technician
- Observed client behavior in residential, community, and home settings in order to assess their strengths and weaknesses in order to develop appropriate strategies for addressing any issues that arise
- Performed crisis prevention and intervention duties as needed including physical restraint if necessary
- Utilized data collection methods such as frequency counts, duration recording, and ABC charts to monitor client progress
- Facilitated group activities designed to encourage social skills development among students with special needs
- Used trauma-informed strategies to work collaboratively with treatment team members and legal guardians to aid in development of treatment plans both quarterly and as needed
- Implemented behavior intervention strategies in one-on-one and group settings to improve client outcomes
- Maintained detailed records of interventions, progress, and challenges to inform future planning
- Utilized positive reinforcement and other evidence-based practices to encourage desirable behaviors.
- Developed individualized behavior intervention plans based on comprehensive assessments of client needs
- Facilitated dorm contingency systems under supervision of BCBA, specifically a successful Sharps Means and Exchange program to reduce self-harm behaviors and associated hospitalizations
Community Support Associate
Maryhurst, Inc.
Louisville, KY
03.2020 - 11.2020
- Community-based and in-home support services, providing support services within home, school, or community-based settings based on treatment and support needs of identified caseload
- Completed my own weekly schedule, kept accurate documentation, and developed treatment goals based on client needs
- Used trauma-informed strategies and worked collaboratively with treatment team members and legal guardians to aid in development of treatment plans both quarterly and as needed
Shift Supervisor
Maryhurst, Inc.
Louisville, KY
10.2017 - 03.2020
- Trauma-informed care, providing basic aspects of care to youth between the ages of 12-21 while working to create a therapeutic environment
- Provided structure, safety, and care to children who suffered severe traumatization
- Dispensed medication, kept accurate documentation, and provided consistency to clients served
- Used safety crisis management (SCM), trauma-informed strategies, and risking connections to properly serve escalated clients
- Led weekly development groups on a variety of topics
- Supervised youth counselors on shift
- Participated in weekly treatment team meetings to collaborate on informed and collective decisions regarding clients
- Helped create new systems within the environment to help structure run smoothly
- Coordinated volunteer opportunities for clients to participate in
- Completed quarterly utilization reviews to keep clients leveled up in care
- Attended monthly collaborative service meetings to ensure clients were receiving necessary services
- Assisted with creation of monthly and quarterly client direct care goals
Youth Counselor
Maryhurst, Inc.
Louisville, KY
10.2016 - 10.2017
- Trauma-informed youth counselor, providing basic aspects of care to youth between the ages of 12-21 while working to create a therapeutic environment
- Provided structure, safety, and care to children who suffered severe traumatization
- Dispensed medication, kept accurate documentation, and provided consistency to clients served
- Used safety crisis management (SCM), trauma-informed strategies, and risking connections to properly serve escalated clients
- Led weekly development groups on a variety of topics
Tutor and Mentor
The North Campus
St. Louis, MO
10.2014 - 05.2015
- Served as a tutor and a mentor, working alongside professionals allowing me to execute my skills
Education
Master of Arts - Human Development and Family Sciences – emphasis in Youth Development, Youth Culture, Program evaluation, implementation, and design, Youth Policy
University of Missouri – Columbia
12-2021
Bachelor of Arts - Criminology and Criminal Justice, Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice, Social Work and Psychology, Externship in at-risk youth after-school program
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO05.2016
Skills
- Service-Oriented Communication
- Collaborative Teamwork
- Self-Directed Motivation
- Logical Reasoning Skills
- Project coordination, oversight, and execution
- Detail-Oriented
- Strong Organizational Abilities
- Proficient in Written Communication
- Effective Time Management
- Innovative Problem Solver
- Client advocacy, engagement, and empowerment
- Resource Optimization
- Crisis Management
- Community Engagement in Fundraising
- Comprehensive Case Management
- Dynamic Prioritization Skills
Additional Trainings
- Human Trafficking Symposium, 2019
- Compassion Fatigue Training, 2019
- Trauma Resilient Communities, 2021
- Motivational Interviewing, 2023
- Seven Challenges, 2024
Affiliations
- Glow for Hope board member - A non-profit targeting mental health awareness and suicide prevention through community engagement and grassroots efforts
- Staff Appreciation Committee member – Maryhurst, Inc
- Wellness Committee member – Maryhurst, Inc.
- Successfully developed a Fall festival at the North Campus in North City, St. Louis, which resulted in a now-annual Fall festival that serves the urban youth in the area
- Tutoring at the North Campus, St. Louis, MO, October 2014 – May 2015
- Developed, coordinated, and faciliated a Professional Pathways Panel grant funded by WHAS
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Case Manager
Specialized Alternatives for Families and Youth
04.2022 - 11.2024
Behavior Interventionist
Maryhurst, Inc.
11.2020 - 04.2022
Community Support Associate
Maryhurst, Inc.
03.2020 - 11.2020
Shift Supervisor
Maryhurst, Inc.
10.2017 - 03.2020
Youth Counselor
Maryhurst, Inc.
10.2016 - 10.2017
Tutor and Mentor
The North Campus
10.2014 - 05.2015
Master of Arts - Human Development and Family Sciences – emphasis in Youth Development, Youth Culture, Program evaluation, implementation, and design, Youth Policy
University of Missouri – Columbia
Bachelor of Arts - Criminology and Criminal Justice, Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice, Social Work and Psychology, Externship in at-risk youth after-school program
Saint Louis University
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