Professional Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Family Support Counselor

Kira Burton

Self-Employed
Marysville,CA
1
Certification
10
years of professional experience

Resourceful and empathetic Human Services professional with over two years of community mental health experience, complemented by a robust six-year background in crisis intervention, specialized caregiving, and advocacy. Expertise in managing risk assessments, implementing positive behavior support plans, and coordinating complex care paths with state agencies, medical providers, and multidisciplinary teams. Skilled in leveraging lived experience alongside trauma-informed methodologies to foster trust, promote self-advocacy, and empower high-risk, underserved populations. Committed to driving meaningful change and enhancing the quality of life for individuals facing mental health challenges.

Work History

Family Support Counselor

2 Years 4 Months
Victor Community Support Services | 02.2024 - Current
  • Analyzed client intake data to assess needs and structural obstacles, ensuring effective community placement and risk mitigation strategies.
  • Achieved accurate documentation of baseline presentations of challenging behaviors, enhancing understanding of client needs. Facilitated thorough audits of client progress, ensuring alignment with established milestone intervals for effective treatment planning.
  • Established and monitored robust person-centered service plans through direct coordination with internal care teams and external mental health providers.
  • Conducted comprehensive consultations with secondary caregivers and family members, focusing on the implementation of positive behavior supports and verbal de-escalation practices.
  • Led family sessions focused on fostering open dialogue and developing effective conflict resolution strategies.
  • Conducted comprehensive evaluations to create personalized support plans reflecting client needs and family interactions.
  • Facilitated resource coordination and referrals for families to enhance access to community services.
  • Tracked client development and made necessary adjustments to support plans, fostering continuous improvement.
  • Coordinated discussions among multidisciplinary teams to enhance client case management and intervention strategies.
  • Facilitated referrals for mental health treatment and legal assistance, enhancing client access to essential resources.
  • Facilitated improved family functioning by implementing personalized case management strategies and goal-setting activities for each member.
  • Coordinated outreach efforts to connect vulnerable families with critical resources, such as emergency housing and financial aid, to prevent further instability.

In-Home Caregiver

3 Years
Pawnie's Home Care | 06.2023 - Current
  • Direct Care Delivery: Provide physical, logistical, and emotional health assistance to elderly residents within rural communities, proactively preserving client safety and independence.
  • Observation & Action: Synthesize multifaceted patient observation notes, managing medication reminders and altering daily routines based on real-time health indicators.
  • Provided compassionate personal care, ensuring comfort and dignity for clients in daily activities.
  • Assisted clients with mobility, medication management, and meal preparation to promote overall well-being.
  • Developed individualized care plans based on client needs and preferences, enhancing quality of life.

Author & Content Developer

10 Years 2 Months
Self-Employed | 04.2016 - Current
  • Trauma-Informed Research: Independently researched and published creative prose, poetry, and educational series analyzing child development, adult mental health challenges, and housing instability.
  • Strategic Communication: Designed highly adaptable communication frameworks using lived experience to engage effectively with vulnerable populations and high-risk youth.
  • Collaborated with editors and designers to enhance content quality and presentation.
  • Implemented marketing strategies through social media platforms to increase book visibility.
  • Mentored aspiring writers, providing guidance on storytelling techniques and publishing processes.
  • Analyzed reader feedback to refine writing style and improve subsequent publications.
  • Gathered inspiration from personal experiences or current events to create relatable and thought-provoking content.

Caregiver (Hospice Specialty)

2 Years 5 Months
Private Care | 02.2019 - 07.2021
  • Implemented individualized care plans to enhance quality of life for private client in hospice, focusing on dignity during cognitive and physical decline.
  • Provided assistance in daily living tasks to enhance client comfort and safety.
  • Developed individualized care plans tailored to specific client needs.
  • Monitored clients' health conditions and reported changes to healthcare professionals.
  • Coordinated with family members to provide emotional support and guidance.
  • Implemented strategies to improve client quality of life.
  • Advocated for clients' needs, enhancing their access to necessary services.
  • Built strong relationships with clients to deliver emotional support and companionship.

Podcast Host & Producer

5 Years 1 Month
Chaotic Good Podcast | 02.2016 - 03.2021
  • Information Synthesis: Researched complex social and mental health topics, executed structured pre-interviews, and managed collaborative scheduling workflows under strict time constraints.
  • Developed engaging content for weekly podcast episodes, enhancing audience retention and growth.
  • Conducted in-depth interviews with diverse guests, fostering insightful discussions on relevant topics.
  • Collaborated with production team to ensure high-quality audio and visual elements in each episode.
  • Implemented social media strategies to promote episodes, increasing overall reach and listener interaction.
  • Led brainstorming sessions for new episode ideas, driving creative direction of the podcast series.
  • Developed and maintained strong relationships with guests for compelling interviews and conversations.

Project Coordinator

2 Years 2 Months
Cosplay 4 Hope | 05.2018 - 07.2020
  • Crisis & Prevention Advocacy: Managed large-scale community outreach campaigns focused on suicide prevention, utilizing motivational interviewing elements and crisis intervention skills.
  • Resource Coordination: Built active partnerships with external healthcare facilities and partner organizations to effectively streamline local resource allocation.
  • Data Administration: Utilized Microsoft Excel and Word extensively to handle budget metrics, project timelines, and operational reports.
  • Facilitated team meetings to align goals, address challenges, and foster collaboration among stakeholders.

Education

GED

Phoenix High School | Lincoln, CA | 02-2005

Skills

Case Management & Support
Person-Centered Care Planning
Intake & Documentation Review
Housing & Client Advocacy
Crisis Intervention & Management
Behavioral De-escalation Strategies
Addiction & Substance Use Support
Compassionate Hospice/End-of-Life Care
Administration & Outreach
Inter-Agency Care Coordination
Public Speaking & Program Facilitation
Professional ethics
Substance abuse awareness
Child development
Family dynamics
Child abuse and neglect dynamics

Certification

  • Community Health Worker (CHW) Certification
  • Certified Home Health Aide
  • Home Care Aide Certification
  • First Aid & CPR / BLS Certifications (Current through June 2033)
  • Driver's License & Commercial Driver's License (CDL) (Clean driving record)

Timeline

Family Support Counselor

Victor Community Support Services
02.2024 - CurrentRead More

In-Home Caregiver

Pawnie's Home Care
06.2023 - CurrentRead More

Caregiver (Hospice Specialty)

Private Care
02.2019 - 07.2021Read More

Project Coordinator

Cosplay 4 Hope
05.2018 - 07.2020Read More

Author & Content Developer

Self-Employed
04.2016 - CurrentRead More

Podcast Host & Producer

Chaotic Good Podcast
02.2016 - 03.2021Read More

Phoenix High School

GED
Read More
Kira BurtonFamily Support Counselor