Kerry Ingalls, MSW
Vacaville,CA
Summary
Adoption Social Worker dedicated to open adoption and supporting adoptive parents through all stages of the adoption process. Extensive experience working within adoption and writing clear and concise home study and post placement reports for both international and domestic adoption.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Adoption Social Worker
Family Network Adoption Center
01.2017 - Current
- Guide adoptive parents through the full adoption process, including joint and individual interviews, a home inspection, and completing a clear, accurate, timely home study report.
- Complete post placement reports as well as educate clients on post-adoption subjects such as development, navigating birth parent relationships, and potential post-partum issues.
- Collaborate with FNAC staff and other professionals to ensure that each family is supported and the adoption goes smoothly.
- Seek out clinical guidance and advice as needed, and accept constructive feedback, and reasonable recommendations from other adoption professionals.
- Utilize clinical assessment tools, skills, and interviewing strategies to gather essential information needed for family evaluations.
Home Study Writer-Contractor
Independent Adoption Center
02.2006 - 01.2017
- Completed thorough and concise international and domestic home study reports promptly.
- Utilized exceptional writing, editing, and proofreading skills to produce engaging and error-free domestic and international home study reports.
- Provided ongoing contact with adoptive parents to provide support through the adoption process.
- Educated clients on the process, issues that may arise with birth parents, and how to manage the wait.
Adoption Coordinator and Open Adoption Counselor
Independent Adoption Center
02.2006 - 12.2006
- Evaluated potential adoptive homes through diligent background checks, home studies, and interviews to ensure a safe living situation for every child.
- Completed home studies, post placement reports, and kept organized files and detailed case notes.
- Ensured successful matches between children and families through thorough assessments and evaluations of each party's needs.
- Enhanced adoptive family satisfaction by providing timely updates, support, and resources throughout the adoption journey.
- Facilitated strong relationships with various agencies, social workers, and legal representatives for seamless collaboration on adoption cases.
- Collaboratively worked with birth parents, adoptive parents, and other professionals with the goal of an open adoption with a therapeutic, educational, and professional relationship.
- Led a monthly support group meeting to provide support, education, and guidance to pre and post-adoptive parents.
Clinical Social Worker
Aldea Children And Family Services
03.2004 - 02.2006
- Increased placement stability by closely monitoring foster home environments, providing referrals as needed, and addressing any concerns promptly.
- Assisted in recruiting potential resource parents through community outreach and education.
- Collaborated and advocated with multidisciplinary teams for effective decision-making on child placements and permanency planning.
- Streamlined documentation processes ensuring timely submission of home studies, visitation reports, assessments, and county quarterly reports.
- Provided crisis intervention services, including on-call services, to address immediate safety concerns and prevent further escalation of issues within the family unit.
- Facilitated resource parent training and support groups.
- Facilitated positive reunification within families by addressing barriers to parent-child bonding and promoting healthy attachment patterns during supervised visits.
Education
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
San Jose State University
San Jose, CAMasters of Social Work - Social Work
San Jose State University
San Jose, CASkills
- Case Management Expertise
- Effective Communicator
- Client Advocacy
- Assessment Skills
- Attention to Detail
- Knowledgeable of Family Systems
- Cultural Competency
- Documentation Proficiency
Timeline
Adoption Social Worker
Family Network Adoption Center
01.2017 - Current
Home Study Writer-Contractor
Independent Adoption Center
02.2006 - 01.2017
Adoption Coordinator and Open Adoption Counselor
Independent Adoption Center
02.2006 - 12.2006
Clinical Social Worker
Aldea Children And Family Services
03.2004 - 02.2006
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
San Jose State University
Masters of Social Work - Social Work
San Jose State University
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