La Monica Matthews
Mental Health Counseling
Baton Rouge,LA
Summary
To obtain a position in a professional setting in which, I am able to continue to utilize my education and training in the area of Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Disaster Case Management. Expert in crisis handling, alliance building and service screening. Good communication, conflict management and multitasking abilities. Highly motivated and enthusiastic about helping people in need.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Crisis Counselor
Area Human Services District, Louisiana Spirit
10.2020 - 03.2023
- Provided individual and group counselor for people dealing with a crisis via hotline and zoom call
- Assisted clients with safely planning and shelter placement in crisis situations
- Advocated for clients for housing, employment, public assistance and health care issues
- Helped create a step by step plan to achieve goals
- Collaborated with internal and external providers for continuation of care and provided referrals as needed
- Worked in the Region 2 area providing outreach to communities affected by covid and Hurricane Ida
- Provided Stress Management and Coping Skills Presentations with team members for schools, colleges, churches, and organizations
- Inputted statistical information in the SAMHSA Disaster Technical Assistance Center (DTAC) program
- Attended daily team meetings via zoom
- Completed all required paperwork & other duties requested daily
Senior Care Coordinator
The Village Life Center
06.2018 - 10.2018
- Assisted 12 to 14 Medicaid recipients ages 1 – 20+ that were diagnosed with mental health disorders, suffered a form of abuse or addiction through providing Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR) and Community Psychiatric Support and Treatment (CPST) services
- Taught social skills, anger management skills, life skills, and coping skills to clients to improve their quality of life, adaptation to change and social functioning
- Prepared clients progress notes and submitted into agency's database within a 48 hour time frame
Disaster Case Manager
Catholic Charities
10.2016 - 04.2018
- Assisted the affected victims of the 4277 Flood in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas by:
- Preparing assessments to determining the flood victims' services needs
- Providing flood victims with community resources to assist them with home repairs, locating housing, mental health assistance as applicable, financial assistance for household bills, replacing furniture, appliances, and other types of household good
- Inputting clients' data into database program derived by FEMA
Support Coordinator
Cadence of Acadiana
12.2014 - 10.2016
- Worked with the Office of Aging and Adult Services' Community Choice Waiver and Adult Day Health Care Waiver
- Monitored thirty eight Medicaid recipients that were part of the elderly or disabled population
- Completed monthly telephoning, quarterly visits and annual assessments
- Monitored the participants Comprehensive Plan of Care, flex schedule and budget
- Prepared and completed follow ups and submitted critical incidents to the Department of Health and Hospitals
- Ascension Council on Aging
Social Worker
06.2013 - 05.2014
- Arranged home assessment appointments with seniors 60 and up that were interest in receiving home bound services
- Reassessed clients currently receiving services
- Assisted seniors with preparing their Medicare and Medicaid application online
- Performed routine clients to check on them and their services
- Provided clients with information and assistance and made appropriate referrals when needed
Activity Coordinator/Information & Assistance Case Manager/Clerical
EBR Council on Aging
05.2006 - 01.2013
- Promoted and supported recreational activities, wellness, and nutritional meals for seniors aged 60+
- Educated seniors and their caregivers about in-home services for homebound individuals
- Made appropriate referrals for services when needed
- Visited client's homes and evaluated them for COA services Educates and provides information about COA services (senior centers, Meals-On-Wheels, Personal Care/ Homemakers) to the elderly; makes referrals for other services when needed
- Multi-tasks, make intercom announcements, answer multiple phone lines, & take payments for recreational trips
- Provides wellness & helpful tips documentation to all EBRCOA senior centers, Meals-On-Wheels, & Personal Care/Homemakers' participants monthly
- Other Work and volunteer opportunities
Nutritional Counselor
La Weight Loss Center
05.2005 - 06.2006
- Counseled clients on their personalized meal plans daily
- Monitored clients' blood pressure, food diaries, body measurements, and weight loss/ gain
- Prepared clients' daily visit and medical history documentation
- Sold LA Weight Loss products.
Shift Supervisor
Terry House
05.2001 - 06.2002
- Supervised four staff members and twelve male clients 12yrs.-17yrs
- Old
- Prepared daily paperwork and scheduled appointments for clients
- Developed a daily schedule for the staff and residents to follow
- Taught clients life skills and assisted in their everyday problem-solving
- Chauffeured clients to and from appointments
- Co-facilitated in community group with LCSW
After School Instructor/ Summer Camp Director/ Activity Supervisor
BREC
05.2000 - 05.2001
- Coordinated the afterschool program during school months for neighborhood elementary school
- Supervised four counselors and fifty campers during the summer
- Managed expense budget
- Scheduled and planned recreational activities and field trips
- Prepared work schedule and daily paperwork
- Monitored and scheduled parties, special events, meetings, etc
- At various BREC centers
Education Coordinator/Phonics Teacher
Kids-R-Us Christian Childcare Center
11.1999 - 03.2000
- Coordinated educational department at the childcare center
- Taught Phonics to preschoolers and toddlers
- Evaluated teachers and children progress
- Implemented lesson plans and others documents to be used at the center
Counselor/Tutor
Boys & Girls Club of Southeast, La. Inc
06.1999 - 03.2000
- Provided homework help and tutored all age groups in school subjects that participated at the club
- Supervised activities at the club and chaperoned on field trips
- Maintained order and helped children resolve interpersonal conflicts
Special Education Teacher
Jefferson Parish School Board
03.1998 - 06.1999
- Taught Learning Disabled and Emotional Behavior Disordered students at Elementary and Jr
- High level
- Taught at a mental health facility on restricted units
- Monitored students' classroom performance and behavior
- Prepared and arranged meetings with parents for Individualized
Education
M.A - Mental Health Counseling
Southern University A&M College
2004
B.S - Social Work
Southern University A&M College
1997
Skills
- Case Management
- Client Service/Satisfaction
- Computer Literacy
- Counseling
- Process Improvement
- Partnership Development
- Reflective Listening
- Risk Evaluation
- Group Activities
Timeline
Crisis Counselor
Area Human Services District, Louisiana Spirit
10.2020 - 03.2023
Senior Care Coordinator
The Village Life Center
06.2018 - 10.2018
Disaster Case Manager
Catholic Charities
10.2016 - 04.2018
Support Coordinator
Cadence of Acadiana
12.2014 - 10.2016
Social Worker
06.2013 - 05.2014
Activity Coordinator/Information & Assistance Case Manager/Clerical
EBR Council on Aging
05.2006 - 01.2013
Nutritional Counselor
La Weight Loss Center
05.2005 - 06.2006
Shift Supervisor
Terry House
05.2001 - 06.2002
After School Instructor/ Summer Camp Director/ Activity Supervisor
BREC
05.2000 - 05.2001
Education Coordinator/Phonics Teacher
Kids-R-Us Christian Childcare Center
11.1999 - 03.2000
Counselor/Tutor
Boys & Girls Club of Southeast, La. Inc
06.1999 - 03.2000
Special Education Teacher
Jefferson Parish School Board
03.1998 - 06.1999
M.A - Mental Health Counseling
Southern University A&M College
B.S - Social Work
Southern University A&M College
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