Dedicated Mental Health Specialist/Social Worker with over 10 years of experience serving children and families in the child welfare system, school system, and community. Skilled at empathizing with others and delivering meaningful and enriching experiences. Demonstrates strong leadership abilities and analytical thinking skills. Motivated by a sincere desire to witness individuals thrive. Recognized for trustworthiness, hard work, and self-motivation, while also excelling as a team player. Exceptional communication skills facilitate effective collaboration with diverse stakeholders. Seeking an opportunity to utilize expertise and create a positive impact within a new organization.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Nursery Worker
First Presbyterian Church
08.2011 - Current
Assist in maintaining a safe and clean nursery environment for children.
Coordinate and organize special events and activities for children in the nursery.
Assist in providing age-appropriate activities and play opportunities for children in the nursery.
Establish and maintain open communication with parents to ensure the well-being of the children in the nursery.
Assist in providing a nurturing and supportive environment for children in the nursery.
Provide emotional support and comfort to young children in the nursery.
Maintain a positive and inclusive atmosphere for children in the nursery.
Provided individualized care for each child, addressing their unique needs and preferences.
Established a nurturing environment with clear boundaries and routines, fostering children''s social-emotional growth.
Developed strong relationships with families through open communication channels and frequent updates on their child''s wellbeing.
Contributed to the creation of a diverse curriculum that respected all cultural backgrounds and learning styles present in the nursery setting.
After School-Care & Camp Bruins Director/Early Childhood Assistant Director/Teacher
The University School of Jackson
05.2018 - 07.2023
Assist in the administration and supervision of the ASC Program.
Training/orientation of staff.
Ensuring that the staff has the tools and equipment they need.
Provide support for ASC & infant and toddler teachers, children, and parents.
Lesson Plans/Subs in grades infant-8th grade.
Plan schedules for 300-350 children.
Manage and monitor all-day daycare throughout the year during school breaks.
Manage and monitor Camp Bruins during the summer.
Manage and monitor After School Care (ASC),
Manage and monitor care for Delayed Start mornings throughout the year,
Provides staff orientation and training for all new staff.
Develops weekly staff work schedules.
Reviews and submits staff payroll timesheets.
Addresses and assists in resolving staff concerns and grievances.
Conducts monthly group staff meetings for the improvement of the after-school program.
Instructs staff on implementing recreational activities with students.
Serves as role model for staff displaying encouragement, fair play, skill development, and discipline.
Monitors staff supervision of students at designated locations.
Worked closely with organizational leadership and board of directors to guide operational strategy.
Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment.
Participated in team projects, demonstrating an ability to work collaboratively and effectively.
Continuously pursued professional development opportunities such as workshops or conferences to stay current in educational trends.
Developed and implemented classroom routines to address varying student needs.
Shifted between formal and informal methods of teaching to keep students engaged.
Communicated frequently with parents, students, and faculty to provide feedback and discuss instructional strategies.
Participated in parent teacher conference to discuss developments of students and increase support.
Supported student physical, mental, and social development using classroom games and activities.
Enhanced classroom engagement through the use of interactive teaching methods, such as group projects and hands-on activities.
Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
Demonstrated leadership skills in managing projects from concept to completion.
Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
Supervised team of 50+ staff members.
Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets. Created invoices (1-pay, 2-pay, 10-pay payment plans).
Independent Contractor/Home Study Writer
Catholic Charities
02.2020 - 02.2021
Kinship Assessments for prospective kinship caregivers, Foster Care & Adoption.
Prepare for Assessments: Review DFPS referral packet, discuss areas of focus with Child Placing Manager (CPM).
Schedule and conduct interviews with the family (all family members within the household).
Submit assessment drafts to CPM for review by the due date.
Correct, edit and resubmit within 24 hours of receiving CPM feedback.
Submit accurate invoices for completed assessments on a timely basis.
Conduct background checks on prospective kinship caregivers.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of DFPS (Department of Family and Protective Services) guidelines and requirements related to kinship assessments.
Maintain thorough documentation of all assessment interviews, findings, and recommendations.
Coordinate with other home study writers to ensure consistency and quality of assessments.
Provide support and guidance to prospective kinship caregivers throughout the assessment process.
Paid attention to detail while completing assignments.
Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
Organized and detail-oriented with a strong work ethic.
Resolved problems, improved operations and provided exceptional service.
Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
Wrote and edited high-quality content and visually impactful programs under deadline pressure with exciting, captivating, and authentic approach.
Interviewed individuals by phone, video chat and in-person to write conduct assessments.
Foster Care Recruiter/Trainer
Meritan
08.2019 - 02.2020
Provide foster parent support/training.
Teach TN-Key classes statewide (TN).
Recruitment and Placement.
Home study writing/assessments.
Attend community events and set up informational booth.
Build connections and positive rapport with the community and other agencies, etc.
Develop and implement marketing strategies to attract potential foster parents.
Develop and implement strategies to increase foster parent recruitment and retention rates, including targeted marketing campaigns and outreach efforts to attract individuals and families who are passionate about providing loving and stable homes for children in need.
Conduct home visits to assess potential foster parents' suitability and provide recommendations.
Create and maintain a database of potential foster parents.
Collaborate with social workers and other staff members to ensure the best possible match between foster parents and children in need of a home.
Collaborate with other agencies and organizations to develop partnerships and referral networks for foster parent recruitment and training.
Organize and facilitate foster parent support groups to provide ongoing support and resources for foster parents.
Managed high-volume requisitions in a timely manner to meet client staffing needs efficiently.
Coordinated implementation of people-related services, policies and programs through departmental staff.
Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
Cultivated interpersonal skills by building positive relationships with others.
Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
Intern, Social Worker
Veterans Affairs
07.2018 - 05.2019
Conducted home visits for 25 veterans.
Provided services such as safety and treatment plans, psychosocial assessments, and case management.
Assisted with referrals and follow-ups.
Managed paperwork including faxing, scanning, emailing, and phone calls.
Assisted with developing individualized care plans for clients to ensure their needs are met.
Assisted in developing and implementing therapeutic and recreational programs for veterans.
Assisted in organizing and facilitating support groups for veterans.
Provided support and assistance in connecting veterans with community resources and services.
Provided emotional support to veterans during home visits.
Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to develop comprehensive treatment plans for veterans.
Assisted in coordinating and facilitating training sessions for new interns to ensure a smooth onboarding process.
Assisted and helped connect veterans to a home visiting physician service, additional home care, and link to other benefits.
Participated in workshops and presentations related to projects to gain knowledge.
Conducted research for various projects, leading to well-informed decisions and successful outcomes.
Developed organizational skills through managing multiple tasks simultaneously while adhering to strict deadlines.
Participated in professional development opportunities to enhance skill set, contributing to overall intern growth and potential future employment prospects.
Gathered, organized and input information into digital database.
Actively participated in team meetings, offering insightful suggestions that led to innovative problem-solving strategies.
Prepared written summaries of meeting discussions to ensure clear communication throughout the team while promoting accountability for action items.
Completed research, compiled data, updated spreadsheets, and produced timely reports.
Enhanced intern productivity by assisting with project coordination and providing ongoing support.
Developed and maintained relationships with key internal stakeholders.
Sorted and organized files, spreadsheets, and reports.
Prepared comprehensive reports summarizing data analysis findings, informing key decision-makers of important trends and patterns.
Collaborated effectively with team members across departments, fostering a cohesive work environment conducive to accomplishing shared objectives.
Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.
Demonstrated a high level of initiative and creativity while tackling difficult tasks.
Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment.
Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Implemented evidence-based therapeutic interventions for clients struggling with mental health challenges or behavioral concerns.
Assisted clients in identifying community resources and connecting with appropriate services.
Maintained accurate case documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and facilitating informed decision-making by team members.
Intern, Social Worker
Comfort Keepers
01.2018 - 05.2018
Provided services for seniors, such as home safety assessments, initial contact and meetings, and client care agreements.
Assisted in the development and implementation of marketing strategies to increase brand awareness and attract potential clients.
Conducted research on the local senior care market to identify potential areas for expansion and growth.
Assisted in providing support to clients and families by helping them adjust, cope, and plan for the journey ahead.
Assisted in organizing and facilitating workshops for seniors on various topics.
Conducted satisfaction surveys for clients and analyzed the results to enhance the quality of services provided to seniors.
Assist in coordinating and managing resources for client care and support.
Interacted with customers by phone, email, or in-person to provide information.
Participated in workshops and presentations related to projects to gain knowledge.
Actively participated in team meetings, offering insightful suggestions that led to innovative problem-solving strategies.
Developmental Technician
Therapy & Learning Center
12.2014 - 08.2018
Teach and care for a group of 4 children from the ages of 2 months-1 yrs.
Care for children with different disabilities.
Create weekly lesson plans, subjects including Language, Early Literacy, Math/Science, Social Studies, Creative Arts, Social/Emotional, and Physical.
Provide daily documents on the children's progress.
Team up with different therapists to create and set goals for each child.
Identify and address any safety concerns or hazards in the environment to ensure the wellbeing of the children.
Collaborate with parents to ensure consistency in the child's development and progress.
Collaborate with parents and provide support and guidance for their child's developmental progress.
Collaborate with other developmental technicians to share best practices and develop new strategies for supporting children with disabilities.
Develop and implement individualized therapy plans for children with disabilities, based on their specific needs and goals.
Continuously research and stay up-to-date on the latest developments and best practices in child development and disability support, and incorporate this knowledge into daily practices and lesson plans to ensure the highest quality care and education for the children.
Assist in the assessment of children's developmental progress and provide feedback to parents and therapists.
Actively participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay informed on best practices within the field of developmental services.
Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
Preschool Teacher
Forest Heights Preschool
05.2012 - 11.2014
Teach and provide care for children ages 3 & 4 (7-14 daily).
Create lesson plans for everyday learning with activities, subjects including Math & Science, Dramatic Play, Manipulative, Arts & Crafts.
Create emergency plans and make sure children are familiar with them.
Provide daily progress notes of children for parents.
Implement positive behavior management techniques to create a safe and supportive learning environment for children.
Implement and maintain a safe and nurturing classroom environment for children.
Design and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum and activities that promote cognitive, physical, and socio-emotional growth in young children
Collaborate with parents to create an individualized learning plan for each child
Develop and implement individualized education plans (IEPs) for children with special needs
Develop and implement strategies to foster a sense of community among parents and facilitate their involvement in the preschool's activities and events
Regularly communicate with parents to provide updates on their child's progress and address any concerns or questions they may have.
Developed and implemented behavior management plans.
Enhanced student reading skills by implementing engaging literacy activities and utilizing age-appropriate books.
Established positive communication with parents in daily conversation and formal conferences.
Ensured a safe and nurturing environment for all students, adhering to health and safety guidelines in the classroom.
Utilized creative teaching strategies to engage students in classroom.
Addressed behavioral and learning issues with parents and daycare management.
Assisted in creating a safe and nurturing classroom environment that promoted emotional well-being and academic growth for all students.
Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
Observed children to identify individuals in need of additional support and developed strategies to improve assistance.
Supported students in developing social skills through structured activities and positive reinforcement techniques.
Developed weekly lesson plans and activities to engage children and promote learning.
Monitored students' academic, social, and emotional progress and recorded in individual files.
Improved student behavior by implementing effective classroom management strategies and establishing clear expectations for conduct.
Implemented behavior modification strategies, resulting in improved self-regulation and classroom participation among students.
Increased student satisfaction by frequently communicating with students about needs and adapting lessons to interests and classroom progress.
Intern, Social Work
Department Of Children's Services (CPS, Foster Care, Kinship, And Juvenile Justice)
08.2011 - 05.2012
Assisted with taking important detailed information during Child and Family Team Meetings at various locations.
Created and updated Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths Assessments.
Helped recruit foster families.
Researched and provided approximate services for child and family.
Investigated referrals from child abuse and neglect and attended court hearings in surrounding counties.
Identified risks that contributed to abuse or neglect.
Delivered appropriate services to reduce risks and evaluated the success of the intervention for the client.
Closed cases by reuniting children and family members.
Collaborate with community organizations and stakeholders to develop and implement programs and services that support the needs of children and families.
Assist in the development and implementation of prevention programs to reduce the number of child abuse and neglect cases in the community.
Assist in facilitating the transition of youth aging out of the foster care system into independent living.
Assist in the development and implementation of trauma-informed care training for social work interns and staff members.
Assist in conducting home visits to assess the safety and suitability of potential foster families.
Conduct regular home visits to assess the safety and well-being of foster families.
Assist in providing support and resources to foster families to ensure their success in caring for children.
Worked with youth to employ coping skills and teach youth techniques to calm and/or de-escalate behaviors.
Engaged with youth on one-on-one basis to identify strengths and needs as well as identify triggers that tend to escalate youth's behaviors.
Help develop a behavior management plan they can implement independently or with prompting from staff.
Identified maladaptive behaviors and taught youth skills to promote adaptive, pro-social behaviors.
Observed behaviors of youth and intervened when initial signs of escalation were identified to avoid intense reaction.
Assisted youth in utilizing identified strategies to return to a calm and regulated state.
Help utilized de-escalation skills when youth became agitated and aggressive to defuse the situation
Assist in coordinating and facilitating sibling visits for children in foster care.
Assist in conducting interviews with potential foster families to assess their suitability and commitment to providing a safe and nurturing environment for children.
Assist in organizing and facilitating cultural enrichment activities for children in foster care.
Assist in developing and implementing educational programs to support the academic needs of children in foster care.
Assist in providing individual and group counseling services to children and families involved in the child welfare system.
Assist in developing and implementing therapeutic interventions for children experiencing trauma and mental health challenges.
Assist in conducting research on best practices and evidence-based interventions in the field of child welfare to inform program development and decision-making.
Exercised leadership capabilities by successfully motivating and inspiring others.
Developed and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
Acted as a team leader in group projects, delegating tasks and providing feedback.
Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Proven ability to learn quickly and adapt to new situations.
Used strong analytical and problem-solving skills to develop effective solutions for challenging situations.
Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
Provided professional services and support in a dynamic work environment.
Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems.
Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
Developed strong organizational and communication skills through coursework and volunteer activities.
Developed strong communication and organizational skills through working on group projects.
Participated in workshops and presentations related to projects to gain knowledge.
Gathered, organized and input information into digital database.
Education
EdD - Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN
07.2026
MBA - Master of Business Administration
Union University
Jackson, TN
05.2021
MSW - Master of Social Work
Union University
Jackson, TN
05.2019
BSW - Bachelor of Social Work
Union University
Jackson, TN
12.2012
Skills
Excellent communication skills
Excellent customer service skills
Ability to empathize with others
Strong desire to see others succeed
Hard worker
Self-starter
Trustworthy
First Aid
CPR
AED
Child Welfare (DCS)
School Social Worker
Eta Phi Chapter of Phi Alpha Honor Society
TECTA
Social Work in Schools
Emergency packet with important contacts
Child care
Teaching
Lesson planning
Progress monitoring
Case management
Budgeting
Correspondence
Enrichment activity development
Marketing
Billing and collection
Safety and operating procedures
Payroll management
Staff orientation and training
Staff scheduling
Staff policy guidelines
Parent communication
Substitute management
Staff meetings
Recreational activity instruction
Equipment and program material security
Art and craft supply management
Laundry
Repair
Space preparation and cleanup
Attendance tracking
Collaboration
Substitute identification and training
Honesty
Courtesy
Professionalism
Letter writing
Attendance tracking
Calendar management
Liaison
Budget preparation and monitoring
Correspondence management
Website management
Research
Invoicing
Customer service
Logistics management
Windows XP
Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Internet
Fax
Email
Analytical thinking
Leadership abilities
Time management
Team player
Problem solving
Data analysis
Project management
Mental Health
Community
Analytical Thinking
Adaptability
Flexibility
Behavior Modeling
Parent Communication
Windows Operating System
Age-Appropriate Activities
Time Management
Patience and Empathy
Early Childhood Education
Team Collaboration
Curriculum Planning
Remote Office Availability
Relationship Building
Dependable and Responsible
Research
Research Project (SW 421) - Presentation on how to improve the Department of Children's Services standards, Union University, Jackson, TN
Social Work on the Hill, Nashville, TN
Alzheimer's Awareness Conference, Jackson, TN
Social Work Month Conference, Veterans Affairs, Memphis, TN
TN-Key update and T4T, Knoxville, TN and Jackson, TN
UDELAS, Panama City, Panama
Warehouse, Cape Town, South Africa
Room in the Inn, Jackson, TN
Carl Perkins Angel Tree, Jackson, TN
Nursing Home Pal, Jackson, TN
Day of Remembrance, Jackson, TN
RIFA CANstruction, Jackson, TN
References
Mrs. Ashley Comer, 731-609-9955
Mrs. Kim Eanes, 731-217-1192
Mrs. Kim Garland, 731-695-4922
Mrs. Cindy Kirsch, 979-888-4443
Mrs. Keli McAlister-Miller, 206-992-1708
Mrs. Linsey Pickens, 731-217-0006
Mrs. Katie Thompson, 731-988-6952
Mrs. Melissa Zerfoss, 731-217-1851
Certification
CPR/First Aid
Timeline
Independent Contractor/Home Study Writer
Catholic Charities
02.2020 - 02.2021
Foster Care Recruiter/Trainer
Meritan
08.2019 - 02.2020
Intern, Social Worker
Veterans Affairs
07.2018 - 05.2019
After School-Care & Camp Bruins Director/Early Childhood Assistant Director/Teacher
The University School of Jackson
05.2018 - 07.2023
Intern, Social Worker
Comfort Keepers
01.2018 - 05.2018
Developmental Technician
Therapy & Learning Center
12.2014 - 08.2018
Preschool Teacher
Forest Heights Preschool
05.2012 - 11.2014
Nursery Worker
First Presbyterian Church
08.2011 - Current
Intern, Social Work
Department Of Children's Services (CPS, Foster Care, Kinship, And Juvenile Justice)
08.2011 - 05.2012
EdD - Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership
Capella University
MBA - Master of Business Administration
Union University
MSW - Master of Social Work
Union University
BSW - Bachelor of Social Work
Union University
CPR/First Aid
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