KIKIE DEGROAT
Cary,NC
Summary
Adaptable social service professional with 12 years of experience in Advocacy. Qualified to provide crisis coverage and education to help survivors, and marginalized individuals regain their autonomy. Committed to victim needs and competent in community resources and navigating justice system protocols and procedures. Specialties in Special Needs, Military families, Domestic Violence and abuse. Offering a comprehensive background in developing targeted training programs and projects, crisis intervention, family and relationship coaching, and supporting individuals with diverse learning styles, trauma, and special needs. Highly effective verbal and written communicator with an in-depth understanding of de-escalation techniques and crisis management strategies. Experienced in learning new program and administrative protocols quickly and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. Adept at making critical decisions and assessments in time-sensitive and high-stress settings.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Victims Advocate
Mountain Home US Air Force Base Domestic Abuse
01.2022 - 08.2022
- DAVA- Magellan Contractor
- Case Management for victims of domestic violence- safety plans, counseling services, coordinating with specialists on and off military installations, sheriff officers, Operations Security Investigations, Military Security Forces and FBI
- Providing confidential reporting
- Risk Assessments and Safety Planning
- Accompanying victims to medical, legal, law enforcement and court appearances to provide support through examinations and trials/ court proceedings
- Providing emergency interventions for victims in crisis by coordinating community resources and implementing evacuation plans
- Provides crisis counseling to victims
- Able to work as part of a team as well as able to handle crisis individually with quality decision-making skills within a complex, fast-paced, and rapidly changing work environment
- Effectively problem solve and achieve conflict resolution
- Responsible for after-hour on-call and hospital advocacy Provides court advocacy
- Facilitates support groups for battered women and/or sexual assault survivors
- Responsibilities include case management and client care, emergency response associated with the domestic violence hotline, Risk assessments and safety planning Dava has knowledge of military and civilian law enforcement and judicial systems, processes, and procedures
- The job requires the ability to navigate and network with a multitude of community services
- Some skills pertinent to this job include communication, critical thinking, de-escalation, mediation skills, adaptability, collaboration, and situational awareness
Relationship & Family Advisor
Misawa AFB
01.2016 - 01.2022
- Met with over 30 military families to provide mentorship, counseling, and guidance on sensitive topics including children with special needs, trauma, behavioral and marital challenges, deployment-related challenges, and anxiety
- Provided 1-on-1 and small group consultations in a confidential setting to assess needs, develop strategies, and create long and short-term goals; maintained cultural competence with clients of diverse backgrounds and languages
- Assisted with emergency interventions for families in crisis, including providing access to community resources
- Advocated for families of children with special needs, helping to navigate complex educational systems in domestic and international settings, gain access to programs and resources, and understand Special Education service offerings
Committee Member | Special Events Coordinator
United States Air Force
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Coordinated with cross-functional teams including military base leadership, unit commander, and military family representatives to facilitate program initiatives
- Assisted with the coordination of programs to promote an inclusive culture
- Implemented improved communication systems to disseminate timely and critical information points regarding resources and updates; provided confidential counseling and support in emergency situations for military families
- Maintained a rotating contact roster of approximately 150 families attached to the unit, ensuring strict confidentiality of personal information of all personnel
- Organized community programs and events to engage and involve military members, managing a $1,500 event budget.
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A - Psychology
University of Maryland
Master of Marriage and Family Therapy - Couples counseling
Northcentral University
Skills
- Case Management- Client care Victim Intake Services
- Hospital & Court Advocacy- Clients Rights, Child Abuse and Neglect, Domestic abuse, Special needs
- Outreach & Advocacy: Domestic Violence Response & Victim Advocacy- Resource & Referral consultant
- Emergency Response/ Crisis Situations
- Risk Assessments & Safety Planning
- IEP- Individual Education plans
- Public Speaking
- Crisis Counseling & Intervention Conflict
- Bilingual: English & Portuguese
- Resiliency/ Adaptability
- Collaboration Skills & Community Partnerships
- Cultural competency working with Marginalized individuals
Accomplishments
- Student advocate-collaborating with school staff in managing the academic plans, social support, and specialized educational services
- Developed extensive knowledge on the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process for students with special needs, ensuring and monitoring 100% legal compliance with state and federal education laws
- Coordinated with clinicians across a range of specialties including occupational therapists, PT, Speech, psychologists, pediatric specialists, and behavioral health services
- Coordinated appointments, maintenance repairs, travel arrangements, and multiple international relocations, communicating professionally with varying vendors and agencies across multiple time zones
- Relocations Specialist- Utilized multilingual skills to communicate with stakeholders and businesses
Certification
- NACP Credentialed Advocate-Provisional
- Idaho Council on Domestic Violence & Victim Assistance- Safety & Resiliency Domestic & Intimate Partner Abuse
- De-escalation & Conflict Management
- Child Abuse Identification and procedural protocol
- Connecting, Calming & Communicating with Autistic
- Legal Procedures for Guardianship in Special Needs Neurodiversity & Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Special needs Socialization & Communication training Mindfulness & Resiliency
- Military Sexual Trauma
- SAPR- Sexual Assault Prevention & Response
- Cross-Cultural Awareness & Marginalized advocacy
- Trauma Counseling & Stress Management
- Conflict Resolution
Additional Information
TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES
- Microsoft Office Suite, Google Drive Operating Systems: Mac, Microsoft Windows, Kaltura, PowerPoint, Word, Excel
Timeline
Victims Advocate
Mountain Home US Air Force Base Domestic Abuse
01.2022 - 08.2022
Relationship & Family Advisor
Misawa AFB
01.2016 - 01.2022
Committee Member | Special Events Coordinator
United States Air Force
01.2016 - 01.2019
Bachelor of Arts (B.A - Psychology
University of Maryland
Master of Marriage and Family Therapy - Couples counseling
Northcentral University
- NACP Credentialed Advocate-Provisional
- Idaho Council on Domestic Violence & Victim Assistance- Safety & Resiliency Domestic & Intimate Partner Abuse
- De-escalation & Conflict Management
- Child Abuse Identification and procedural protocol
- Connecting, Calming & Communicating with Autistic
- Legal Procedures for Guardianship in Special Needs Neurodiversity & Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Special needs Socialization & Communication training Mindfulness & Resiliency
- Military Sexual Trauma
- SAPR- Sexual Assault Prevention & Response
- Cross-Cultural Awareness & Marginalized advocacy
- Trauma Counseling & Stress Management
- Conflict Resolution
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