KRISTIN M. GERRITSEN
BRIDGEWATER,Massachusetts
Summary
Dynamic leader with extensive experience in child welfare and crisis intervention, excelling in trauma-informed care and multidisciplinary collaboration. Proven track record in grant writing and community engagement, enhancing child welfare services. Passionate about fostering partnerships and driving innovative solutions to support vulnerable populations. Committed to impactful advocacy and effective communication.
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Juvenile Court Investigator
Various Locations
BRIDGEWATER, Massachusetts
09.2013 - Current
- Receive appointments from Juvenile Justices in Bristol, Plymouth and Norfolk County Juvenile Courts.
- Complete comprehensive, child welfare investigation regarding the social, physical, mental health and welfare of child(ren) who are the subject of Care and Protection custody proceedings brought forth by DCF.
- Make recommendations to the Court with regard to next steps for all parties involved in the Court case.
Executive Director of the Plymouth County Children’s Advocacy Center
Plymouth County District Attorney Office
Brockton, MA
06.2022 - 04.2025
- Provide oversight, direction, management, development, planning and inter-agency cooperative activities on behalf of the Plymouth County CAC (PCCAC).
- Conduct monthly staff meetings with all CAC staff.
- Work in partnership w/ Massachusetts’s Office of Victim Assistance (MOVA), Department of Public Health (DPH), Brockton Area Multi-Service (BAMSI), the Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Program (SANE), the Sexual Assault Investigation Network (SAIN), the National Children’s Alliance (NCA), local and state law enforcement, and the Massachusetts Children’s Alliance (MACA), and update and maintain MOU.
- Work to maintain full accreditation by the NCA.
- Oversee and help facilitate the Multidisciplinary Team Case Review process.
- Work Collaboratively with the PCDAO Human Trafficking Task Force and Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children Task Force to serve the needs of the adult and minor victims of trafficking and law enforcement.
- Evaluate PCCAC’s services and provide input regarding improvements.
- Assist in financial management grant writing; collect, maintain and report data with grants department for compliance purposes.
- Meet with the PCDAO Executive Team regarding informational updates, office needs and work-related matters.
- Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with professional and social service groups.
- Attend various child abuse/sexual assault community meetings and task forces.
- Serve on various child abuse boards.
- Create public relations materials, brochures, fact sheets and other information in conjunction with the Director of Communications of the PCDAO.
- Disseminate information regarding the mission and activities of the Center.
- Provide outreach and training to youth-serving agencies, including local law enforcement, schools, mental health agencies, pediatricians’ offices, etc.
- Work with CAC Directors, child abuse professionals and other key constituents in MA to create awareness of child abuse.
- Coordinate responses to public inquiries and for public statements.
- Serve on the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking.
Lead Behavioral Health Emergency Service Clinician
Aspire Health Alliance
South Weymouth, MA
06.2020 - 06.2022
- Work with medical staff to triage clients who may be in need of behavioral health service.
- Will provide assessment of need, risk and appropriate level of services.
- The clinician gathers and documents collateral information from family and care givers that may inform treatment decisions.
- The clinician will consult with the medical staff to identify a patient’s known symptoms, triggers and successful coping strategies.
- When consulted, will provide services to patients in affiliated primary care practices or on medical floors exhibiting signs of behavioral health crisis.
- The clinician will assist in the development and implementation of the clinical pathways for behavioral health patients in the hospital.
- This includes working with both Aspire Health Alliance staff and hospital staff to include a multi-disciplinary approach to the treatment of behavioral health patients in the hospital.
- The clinician will follow up on referral needs of patients who can be discharged with appropriate community supports.
- Demonstrates the ability the join with clients and families in distress and work with them in disposition planning.
- Demonstrates the ability to balance the needs of children and adolescents while recognizing the parents as being caretakers and decision makers.
- Demonstrates awareness of impact of developmental issues on crisis presentation.
- Aspire Health Alliance at South Shore Hospital ED
Mental Health Coordinator
Norfolk Advocates for Children
Foxboro, MA
11.2018 - 07.2020
- Develop and execute contracts with trauma-informed community clinicians to serve sexually abused victims and families.
- Attend weekly multidisciplinary team interviews of child abuse victims.
- Provide referrals for trauma-informed treatment for every victim seen at the NAC.
- Follow up with phone calls to victims and their families after referrals have been made.
- Consult with multidisciplinary team members to provide feedback on issues of child development and trauma.
- Provide mental health consultation on CSEC referrals.
- Co-facilitate psychoeducation and prevention programs for identified CSEC youth.
Investigator
Department of Children & Families
Weymouth, MA
03.2003 - 08.2012
- Receive and screen 51 A reports from mandated and non-mandated reporters.
- Conduct 51A investigations of reported conditions of child neglect and abuse in accordance to Departmental policy.
- Complete emergency removal and placement of children, in consultation with supervisor, when necessary.
- Make substantiation decisions in accordance with Departmental policy.
- Complete all necessary written documentation in accordance with Departmental policy and procedures.
Social Worker III
Department of Social Services
Weymouth, MA
04.2000 - 03.2003
- Responsible for case management of 18-22 families at a State child welfare agency.
- Complete assessments and on new cases to determine intervention needed to address problems.
- Develop and maintain written service plans with families to identify services to be provided and make referrals.
- Maintain contact with clients and all collaterals in accordance with service plan to ensure effective intervention.
- Coordinate and monitor case management activities to ensure services are provided to clients.
- Conduct kinship home studies for placements.
- Complete written documentation in accordance with Departmental and Judicial policy.
- Conduct and participate in case reviews to assess the status of the case and evaluate the effectiveness of services.
Children’s Intensive Support Supervisor
TILL, Inc.
Dedham, MA
09.1998 - 03.2000
- Screen and assess referrals from DMR, DMH and DSS.
- Recruit, screen, interview, train and supervise paraprofessionals involved with the referral.
- Design, facilitate and amend treatment plans for children with developmental disabilities.
- Oversight and assist in the implementation of action plans by DMR, DMH and DSS.
- Identify and assist in obtaining other resources the referred family may need.
- Maintain, coordinate, and document efforts with all involved collaterals.
- Responsible for the Support Services emergency beeper covering 110+ individuals statewide.
Specialized Home Care Supervisor
TILL, Inc.
Dedham, MA
05.1996 - 09.1998
- Supervise, train and support 20 Specialized Home Care Providers and 15 Individual Support Providers.
- Recruit, interview and train new providers in specific target areas throughout MA.
- Conduct home studies for perspective placements.
- Aide in resource finding and development for consumers and SHC providers specific to ISP goals.
- Responsible for oversight of the Individual Support Program that served 20 individuals who live independently.
- Human Rights Committee Representative for the Support Services Department.
Developmental Specialist
TILL, Inc.
Chelsea, MA
08.1994 - 05.1996
- Case manager for 4-6 individuals with developmental disabilities in a therapeutic day habilitation program.
- Assisted in the development of appropriate scheduling and programming for participants in and out of the site.
- Assisted in the development of community contacts to further the development of the participants’ experiences and the building of community awareness.
Education
Certification - Life And Wellness Coaching
Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts, MA11-2025
CAGS - Trauma Informed Treatment
Simmons School of Social Work
Boston, MA05.2010
M.Ed. - Mental Health Counseling
Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA01.2006
B.A. - Psychology
Hartwick College
Oneonta, NY05.1994
Skills
- Trauma-informed care
- Child welfare assessment
- Crisis intervention
- Behavioral health support
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Grant writing
- Community engagement
- Effective communication
- Focus group facilitation
- Policy formulation
- Financial management
- Fundraising expertise
- Business planning
- Media relations
- Social media
- Board relations
- Partnership development
- Contract management
- Staff management
- Innovation and creativity
- Compliance and regulations
- Speechwriting
- Negotiation
- Team bonding
- Training methods
- Relationship building
Awards
Massachusetts DCF Commissioners Award: Linda Silva Memorial Award, 12/01/09
Professional Licenses
- LSW, 07/01/00, present
- Family Group Conference Facilitator, 08/01/01, present
- LMHC eligible
- My Life My Choice certified prevention group facilitator
- Word On The Street certified prevention group facilitator
- TF-CBT certification
Timeline
Executive Director of the Plymouth County Children’s Advocacy Center
Plymouth County District Attorney Office
06.2022 - 04.2025
Lead Behavioral Health Emergency Service Clinician
Aspire Health Alliance
06.2020 - 06.2022
Mental Health Coordinator
Norfolk Advocates for Children
11.2018 - 07.2020
Juvenile Court Investigator
Various Locations
09.2013 - Current
Investigator
Department of Children & Families
03.2003 - 08.2012
Social Worker III
Department of Social Services
04.2000 - 03.2003
Children’s Intensive Support Supervisor
TILL, Inc.
09.1998 - 03.2000
Specialized Home Care Supervisor
TILL, Inc.
05.1996 - 09.1998
Developmental Specialist
TILL, Inc.
08.1994 - 05.1996
Certification - Life And Wellness Coaching
Harvard University
CAGS - Trauma Informed Treatment
Simmons School of Social Work
M.Ed. - Mental Health Counseling
Bridgewater State University
B.A. - Psychology
Hartwick College