Kirsten Cardwell
Holts Summit,Missouri
Summary
Effective at delivering high-quality foster care case management services to provide targeted care and program support. Proficient in FACES and CSWIS with a 7.5-year history of successful industry performance.
Seasoned foster care team member with expertise in case management, reporting and court proceedings. Detail-oriented and hardworking with an organized nature and excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Foster Care Case Manager
Every Child's Hope
06.2020 - Current
- Proficient in navigating FACES and CSWIS programs
- Working closely with my supervisor to train and lead new employees.
- Assisting supervisor with daily reports, reading and correcting court reports, facilitating Family Support Team meetings, and participating in court hearings.
- Managing a consistent case load of 13 to 15 children along with their parents/guardians.
- Creating and updating systems of organization for case service plans and court reports.
- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of current research, policy changes, and best practices in child welfare through professional development opportunities.
- Attending court proceedings and testifying for a number of reunification and permanent placement cases.
- Completing regular visitations to check on children, families and home environments.
- Providing in-home training and support to foster parents, parents, or guardians during weekly and/or monthly meetings to help mitigate problems arising from child behavior.
- Developing strong rapport with clients, maintaining regular communication and offering guidance throughout their time in the foster care system.
- Proficient knowledge of family dynamics, child abuse and neglect, trauma, substance abuse, mental health and other identified areas which has lead to the family interacting with the child welfare system.
- Development of individualized Written Service Agreements with parent(s) or guardian(s) for the purpose of identifying and addressing the needs of the family with the primary permanency goal of reunification.
- Connecting and assisting families in identifying resources needed to help them reunify with their child(ren) and monitoring the family’s progress as they work with these resources .
- Participating in and facilitating monthly family support team meetings for the purpose of providing updates on how the child(ren) are doing, parents' progress made on their Written Service Agreement or Social Service Plan and re-evaluation and/or change of the permanency goal.
- Maintaining documentation of the case in the FACES system and meeting monthly deadlines, providing monthly updates on the family, court reports and other specialized documents as needed.
- Meeting the requirements of engaging and participating in forty hours of yearly training.
Foster Care Case Manager
Every Child's Hope
04.2016 - 05.2020
- Created and updated systems of organization for case service plans and court reports.
- Checked with newly placed children frequently to support comprehensive success and assimilation.
- Enhanced community partnerships by building relationships with local schools, mental health providers, and other supportive services for children in foster care.
- Provided thorough training to new case managers, fostering a supportive team environment that ultimately benefited client outcomes.
- Reduced case re-entry rates by providing ongoing support, resources, and crisis intervention to foster families as needed.
- Improved children''s well-being by coordinating appropriate medical, educational, and therapeutic services.
- Monitored foster home compliance with state regulations and conducted regular home visits to ensure safe environments for children placed in care.
- Safeguarded children''s rights by advocating for their best interests in court hearings and collaborating closely with legal representatives.
- Enhanced family stability by conducting comprehensive assessments and developing individualized service plans.
- Advocated for foster children by facilitating access to community resources and services to maximize safety and well-being of child.
- Established parental eligibility through frequent meetings and reviewing information.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of current research, policy changes, and best practices in child welfare through professional development opportunities.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure the best possible outcomes for children in foster care.
- Expedited permanency planning processes by diligently working towards reunification or adoption when appropriate.
- Increased placement success rates by matching children with suitable foster families based on their needs and preferences.
- Facilitated successful transitions to independent living for older youth aging out of foster care through life skills training and resource coordination.
- Strengthened child-parent relationships through facilitating supervised visitations and providing support during reunification processes.
Community Support Specialist
Compass Health
11.2014 - 03.2016
- Supported clients in developing goals and social skills, improving individual wellness and productivity.
- Liaised with community members, recommending resources and programs.
- Enhanced client well-being by providing personalized support and resources tailored to individual needs.
- Monitored client progress regularly, adjusting support strategies as needed based on evolving circumstances.
- Assisted in implementation of community support services in alignment with needs.
- Managed caseloads efficiently, ensuring timely follow-up and thorough documentation of all interactions.
- Coordinated with external agencies to establish partnerships for expanded service offerings and collaborative initiatives.
- Trained new staff members in best practices for community support work while promoting a culture of empathy and professionalism.
- Developed innovative solutions to address emerging challenges faced by clients or the broader community.
- Established trusting relationships with clients, fostering a supportive environment for growth and selfimprovement.
- Provided crisis intervention when needed, utilizing de-escalation techniques and coordinating appropriate responses.
- Educated clients about available resources within the community, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care plans.
- Developed effective communication strategies to facilitate understanding between clients and their support networks.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams for comprehensive service delivery and improved client outcomes.
- Improved community engagement by organizing and leading support groups, workshops, and events.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on relevant policies, regulations, and best practices through ongoing professional development.
- Advocated on behalf of clients in various settings, securing necessary resources and services for their success.
- Conducted assessments to determine clients'' needs, strengths, and potential barriers to success.
- Facilitated goal-setting sessions with clients, helping them identify realistic objectives aligned with their personal values.
- Initiated outreach efforts targeting underserved populations, increasing access to vital resources within the community.
- Provided emotional support to affected residents and victims and assisted in developing long-term recovery plans and goals.
- Offered compassionate care during transitional periods such as housing changes or medical emergencies, providing stability amid uncertainty.
- Developed personalized care plans, addressing each client''s unique needs and goals for improved quality of life.
- Implemented creative problem-solving techniques for resolving conflicts or challenges faced by clients in their daily lives.
- Organized recreational activities that fostered positive social interactions and improved overall client satisfaction.
- Assisted clients in achieving greater independence, fostering a sense of empowerment through guidance and encouragement.
- Facilitated group sessions focused on skill-building activities, promoting social engagement and personal growth among participants.
- Conducted home visits to assess living conditions and identify potential barriers to client success, recommending modifications as needed for enhanced safety and accessibility.
- Delivered consistent follow-up care to monitor progress towards goals, adjusting support strategies as necessary based on ongoing evaluation results.
- Planned and hosted on- and off-campus community service activities.
- Established trust-based relationships with clients through empathetic communication and active listening skills.
- Advocated for client rights, ensuring equitable access to necessary services and resources across diverse populations.
- Conducted thorough assessments to identify areas of need, devising targeted interventions for maximum impact.
- Maintained accurate case records to track progress, sharing relevant updates with supervisory staff and stakeholders as needed.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Human Services
Columbia College
Jefferson City05.2014
Skills
- Family Relations
- Trauma Experience
- Records Maintenance
- Reunification Procedures
- Proficient with FACES and CSWIS programs
- Court Testimony
- Family Support
- Court Proceedings
- Foster Parent Support
- Records Management
- Report Writing
- Visitation Experience
- Case Service Plans
Timeline
Lead Foster Care Case Manager
Every Child's Hope
06.2020 - Current
Foster Care Case Manager
Every Child's Hope
04.2016 - 05.2020
Community Support Specialist
Compass Health
11.2014 - 03.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Human Services
Columbia College
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