Kelsey Thomas
Licensed Master Social Worker, Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Little Rock
Summary
Mental health professional with comprehensive background in providing effective mental health support and consultation. Proven track record of enhancing client outcomes through evidence-based practices. Reliable team collaborator with focus on achieving positive results and adapting to evolving needs. Skilled in client assessments and therapeutic interventions.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Project PLAY/ UAMS Contract
01.2023 - Current
- Provide consultation and guidance to early childhood educators, caregivers, and parents on mental health and behavioral challenges in young children.
- Assess and evaluate the emotional, behavioral, and social needs of children in early childhood settings.
- Develop and implement individualized interventions and strategies to support children with social-emotional difficulties.
- Offer training and professional development to staff on trauma-informed care, mental health awareness, and behavior management techniques.
- Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams (teachers, administrators, therapists) to create and maintain a supportive and inclusive classroom environment.
- Conduct screenings and assessments to identify developmental delays or mental health concerns and provide. recommendations for further services.
- Advocate for the mental health needs of young children in early childhood programs and services.
- Provide referrals and connections to appropriate community resources and mental health services for families and children.
- Maintain confidential records and documentation related to assessments, consultations, and interventions in accordance with professional and ethical standards.
- Engage in continuous professional development to stay updated on best practices, evidence-based interventions, and mental health trends in early childhood.
- Support the development and evaluation of policies and practices that promote mental health and well-being within early childhood programs.
- Empower clients by teaching coping strategies, emotion regulation techniques, and problem-solving skills that improved daily functioning abilities.
- Completed and certified by Yale to administer the Climate of Healthy Interactions for Learning & Development (CHILD) assessment.
Social Worker
Children and Family Evaluation Services
04.2020 - Current
- Developed and delivered in-person and virtual professional development workshops for early childhood professionals on topics such as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), family engagement, and effective communication, integrating mental health and trauma-informed strategies.
- Created tailored training modules based on the specific needs of early childhood professionals, covering mental health concepts, strengths-based practices, motivational interviewing, and navigating community resources.
- Recommended and designed new training content based on current research in early childhood mental health and ACEs to stay aligned with emerging best practices.
- Collaborated with Principal Investigators and Program Managers to write grant proposals, securing funding for projects related to family well-being within the Department of Defense (DoD).
- Leveraged knowledge of community resources to establish and maintain partnerships with local organizations, enhancing support for early childhood programs and families.
- Secured 6-month SBIR-funds to research the implementation of the Family Map Inventories, a screener designed to identify predictive ACE scores and family risks and strengths, within the Department of Defense (DoD).
Medical Social Worker
UAMS
05.2022 - 04.2024
- Provided psychosocial assessments for patients of all ages, including children, adults, and families, to evaluate mental health, emotional well-being, and social needs.
- Offered crisis intervention and emotional support to patients and their families, particularly in high-stress situations like the emergency room or during acute medical conditions.
- Developed and implemented care plans that address the psychosocial needs of patients, integrating mental health strategies to ensure comprehensive treatment.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams (doctors, nurses, therapists) to create holistic care plans and ensure optimal patient outcomes.
- Advocated for patients and families by providing resources and support services, including mental health services, financial assistance, and community resources.
- Conducted short-term counseling sessions with patients and families to address mental health concerns, coping strategies, and adjustment to illness or injury.
- Provided emotional support and counseling to patients and families dealing with trauma, grief, and loss, particularly in critical care and emergency situations.
- Facilitated communication between families and medical staff, ensuring understanding of medical conditions, treatment plans, and discharge instructions.
- Assisted in managing the social and emotional impacts of hospitalization, including fostering positive coping mechanisms for both children and adults.
- Ensured appropriate referrals to mental health professionals, community resources, or rehabilitation services based on patient needs.
- Educated and provide guidance on patient and family rights, navigating healthcare systems, and addressing issues like discharge planning or financial barriers.
- Maintained confidentiality and document all assessments, interventions, and services provided according to hospital protocols and legal/ethical standards.
- Demonstrated a trauma-informed approach to care, integrating strategies that address both immediate and long-term mental health and emotional needs.
- Supported the development of hospital policies and procedures that improve patient care and address the psychosocial well-being of patients and families.
- Completed psychosocial evaluations and needs assessments.
- Helped clients develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
Social Worker
Children and Family Eval Services/ HOME Project
08.2021 - 05.2022
- Conducted 40+ assessments with families, utilizing motivational interviewing and effective communication techniques to establish rapport and ensure accurate completion of interviews.
- Administered The Home Observation for Measurement of the Environment (HOME) and The Family Map Inventory assessments both virtually and in-person to collect data on family environments.
- Collaborated with an interdisciplinary team to analyze and evaluate assessment results, contributing insights on family dynamics and environmental factors.
- Utilized strengths-based practices to support families during the assessment process, ensuring they felt comfortable and engaged in the study.
- Contributed to discussions on the validity comparison between The Family Map Inventory and the HOME Screener, assisting in evaluating which tool most accurately measures family dynamics.
- Provided feedback and recommendations on the process to improve assessment protocols and ensure culturally sensitive, family-centered approaches.
- Documented and maintained accurate records of all assessments and interactions, following confidentiality and ethical standards.
Clinical Director
INCURA, INC
10.2019 - 04.2020
- Provided individual, group, and family therapy services for a caseload of 25+ patients, using evidence-based therapeutic interventions to support recovery and address mental health concerns.
- Developed and implemented policies and operating procedures for the startup rehabilitation center, ensuring compliance with industry standards and best practices.
- Designed and launched Intensive Outpatient (IOP) and Outpatient (OP) programs tailored to meet the needs of patients at various stages of recovery.
- Led the successful completion of the company’s CARF accreditation process, ensuring the facility met quality standards for substance abuse treatment.
- Worked closely with the interdisciplinary team (medical staff, counselors, and other specialists) to provide holistic, patient-centered care and ensure the best possible treatment outcomes.
- Supervised and provided guidance to clinical staff, ensuring proper delivery of therapeutic services and adherence to clinical protocols.
- Developed treatment plans based on thorough assessments of patients’ needs, progress, and goals, while ensuring integration of family involvement in treatment where appropriate.
- Monitored and evaluated patient progress, adjusting treatment plans and interventions as necessary to support continued recovery.
- Conducted training and professional development for staff on best practices, ethical guidelines, and treatment strategies in substance abuse rehabilitation.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of state and federal regulations related to substance abuse treatment and ensured the rehab center’s compliance.
- Worked with nurse manager to develop nursing staff through education, evaluation, performance management, and competency improvement.
- Provide ongoing case management to patients to implement appropriate treatment plan, adhere to quality models and maximize utilization of services needed to achieve optimal outcomes.
- Managed budgets and resources effectively, resulting in cost savings without sacrifice to quality of care.
Program Coordinator to Research Writer
UAMS
01.2018 - 10.2019
- Designed and delivered training workshops for adult learners, focusing on family engagement strategies and early childhood mental health practices to foster supportive, trauma-informed environments for children and families.
- Collaborated with the Principal Investigator and Program Manager to develop evidence-based interventions that created the Family Engagement Continuum, a state-wide initiative aimed at supporting families through early childhood.
- Maintained detailed records of program activities and participant data, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
- Created comprehensive training materials for educators, grounded in early childhood development and strengths-based family engagement approaches, aiming to improve social-emotional outcomes for children and their families.
- Developed and implemented a pilot project in collaboration with the DCFS Differential Response Department to enhance positive parenting practices and provide mental health resources for high-risk families, promoting resilience and family well-being.
- Produced supplemental resources for webinars and refresher courses, drawing on field observations and feedback to continually improve the integration of mental health support and effective communication strategies in family engagement efforts.
- Supported the evaluation and monitoring of training outcomes, collecting data to assess the effectiveness of family engagement initiatives and identify areas for improvement in program delivery.
Social Worker- Grant Writer
Arkansas Food Bank
01.2019 - 05.2019
- Worked in coordination with Development Director and Co-Chief Executive Officer to write and submit competitive grant proposals.
- Tracked statistics relevant to development and donor stewardship (e.g Quality of programs, number of donations, etc.)
- Experience writing and successfully securing grant proposals for funding/in-kind requests totaling $20,000.
- Managed and tracked grant budgets and accounts to ensure compliance with grant contracts and applicable laws.
Social Worker – Therapist
Methodist Family Home
05.2018 - 08.2018
- Provided individual and group therapy for adolescent patients, primarily focusing on young women ages 10-13, addressing mental health disorders, trauma, behavioral challenges, and emotional regulation.
- Developed and implemented therapeutic interventions based on evidence-based practices, including CBT, DBT, and trauma-informed care, tailored to the developmental and emotional needs of adolescents.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to evaluate the mental health needs of patients, creating individualized treatment plans with clear goals and measurable outcomes.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams, including psychiatrists, nurses, and other therapists, to provide holistic care and ensure the coordination of services for optimal patient outcomes.
- Facilitated family therapy sessions, working with parents and caregivers to improve communication, address family dynamics, and provide tools for supporting adolescents in crisis.
- Led psychoeducation groups focused on coping skills, anger management, social skills, and self-esteem building, promoting healthy emotional development and resilience in adolescents.
- Provided crisis intervention and support for patients in acute distress, ensuring safety and offering immediate emotional stabilization strategies.
- Assisted in the development of treatment protocols and provided input for clinical reviews and case discussions to enhance patient care and treatment effectiveness.
- Ensured confidentiality and maintained clinical documentation, including progress notes and treatment summaries, in compliance with ethical standards and facility policies.
- Advocated for patient-centered care, focusing on the empowerment of adolescents and fostering a therapeutic environment that promotes healing, self-awareness, and personal growth.
- Advocated for clients'' rights, navigating complex systems to secure necessary resources and benefits.
Social Worker
Feed Communities
05.2017 - 08.2017
- Managed community data collection and analysis to assess unmet needs related to food security, leveraging research methods to inform strategic interventions that address systemic barriers to well-being in the community.
- Led the development and implementation of evidence-based interventions based on research and community evaluation findings, focusing on family engagement and empowerment strategies to increase access to healthy food resources.
- Oversaw the creation and execution of a Horticulture program at 7Hills homeless shelter, incorporating mental health and social-emotional development into programming to promote resilience and community-building among participants.
- Conducted research, developed curriculum, and facilitated the Books & Bites healthy cooking class for 75+ adolescents, using trauma-informed practices to foster healthy eating habits and emotional well-being in underserved youth.
- Applied advanced networking skills to develop and sustain partnerships with community stakeholders, promoting a collaborative approach to tackling food insecurity and ensuring long-term, sustainable impact.
Social Worker
Yvonne Richardson Community Center
01.2017 - 05.2017
- Utilized experiential data and research findings to design and implement a community-based, tiered volunteer incentive program, successfully recruiting 100+ volunteers, and emphasizing the importance of community collaboration and strengthening social networks to support youth development.
- Directed and oversaw large-scale marketing and outreach efforts to secure community-based funding for the Summer for Kids program, employing strategic messaging that aligned with mental health promotion and early childhood development principles to ensure sustainability and engagement.
- Provided logistical support and served as a representative at Creative Referral Network meetings, promoting cross-sector collaboration and sharing resources to enhance family-centered services and mental health access in the community.
- Led curriculum development, coordination, and facilitation of a home-school P.E. Class for 75 students, integrating trauma-informed physical activity strategies that promoted emotional regulation, self-esteem, and social-emotional learning for children in a school setting.
- Supported the advancement of community engagement through innovative strategies that enhanced the integration of family-centered practices, focusing on the holistic development of children and ensuring inclusive participation from marginalized groups.
Education
Master of Arts -
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 05.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 05.2001 -
Skills
- Mental Health Consultation
- Program Development & Implementation
- Family and Community Engagement
- Clinical Counseling & Support
- Stakeholder Collaboration & Networking
Conference Presentations
- 2019, Family Engagement: Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences Through Partnerships, Arkansas Early Childhood Association Conference
- 2018, Teaching Important Parenting Skills through Technology Utilization, Arkansas Head Start Association
- 2024, Connection, Regulation and Play in Classrooms, Power of Play Conference
Credentials
- LMSW
- ECMHC
Personal Information
License: Licensed Master Social Worker (LCSW Pending)
Timeline
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant
Project PLAY/ UAMS Contract
01.2023 - Current
Medical Social Worker
UAMS
05.2022 - 04.2024
Social Worker
Children and Family Eval Services/ HOME Project
08.2021 - 05.2022
Social Worker
Children and Family Evaluation Services
04.2020 - Current
Clinical Director
INCURA, INC
10.2019 - 04.2020
Social Worker- Grant Writer
Arkansas Food Bank
01.2019 - 05.2019
Social Worker – Therapist
Methodist Family Home
05.2018 - 08.2018
Program Coordinator to Research Writer
UAMS
01.2018 - 10.2019
Social Worker
Feed Communities
05.2017 - 08.2017
Social Worker
Yvonne Richardson Community Center
01.2017 - 05.2017
Master of Arts -
University of Arkansas
05.2001 -
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
University of Arkansas
05.2001 -
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