LATONIA BLUE
Fayetteville,United States
Summary
Motivated Social Work professional with robust background in providing comprehensive support to individuals and families. Skilled in developing and implementing tailored intervention plans to address specific needs. Strong focus on team collaboration and achieving impactful outcomes, adaptable to evolving circumstances. Dedicated to forming trusting relationships and advocating for the best interest of clients. Invested in building strategic partnerships with those in the community to promote change.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Worker II-Adult Services
Cumberland County Department of Social Services-DHHS
01.2024 - Current
- Provide services to disabled adults who physicians deem domiciliary level of care (Rest Home) but who desire to continue to live in the community independently
- Serve adults and our community by providing assessments that are structured around a person-centered service plan that will support an adult’s ability to avoid out of home placement
- Cohesively work with clients, primary caregivers, family members, guardians and providers on person-centered service plans and with community agencies to ensure adults are linked to services that will allow them to function at their highest possible level
- Meet all mandated standards in a fast-paced, and rewarding environment that ultimately seeks to assure adults are cared for with respect and dignity
- Assess eligibility for the Special Assistance/In Home Program by developing, coordinating, revising, and monitoring a service plan with client, primary caregiver, guardians, family members and providers on a monthly basis
- Visit clients’ homes for the purpose of completing quarterly and annual reviews and as needed in-between quarterly reviews; Note accordingly time spent with each client on Day sheets per NC-DHHS requirements
- Discuss in depth with SA/IH clients and families life challenges regarding their physical health, mental health, personal care, economics, socialization, daily living tasks, and living arrangements
- Provide intake services for the Adult Services Unit monthly when on the intake rotation
- Update client documentation for accurate, compliant and current records.
- Interview clients, families, or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure appropriate care coordination and resource allocation for clients.
- Educate families on available community resources, connecting them with essential services such as housing assistance, financial aid, or healthcare providers.
- De-escalate stressful situations through individual and family crisis interventions.
- Support clients and families with empathy and compassion during difficult times.
- Maintain accurate case documentation, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and facilitating informed decision-making by team members.
Elementary Teacher (K-5)
Cumberland County Schools
02.2019 - 12.2023
- Rendered in-person and virtual general education lessons in all core subjects to children that range from age 5 to 8 years old in a structured setting
- Planned rigorous lessons based on N.C
- Standards and requirements
- Collaborated with team members discussing lesson content and implementing interventions for those students who are struggling academically, behaviorally and socially in the classroom
- Joined forces with guidance counselors, special education case managers and parents to develop Individual Education Plans for those students who had challenges or a disability
- Prepared, administered, graded quizzes and analyzed state test results to improve skills
- Organized activities to stay connected to the school community and encouraged family support
- Faithfully supported administration team and delivered necessary data to help develop effective learning strategies for student growth
- Embraced different cultures by teaching diversity, creating a family atmosphere and relate experiments to real-life situations to give the students a deeper understanding
- Maintained consistent records/documentation of student progress as well as keep a positive rapport with parents/guardians
- All the skills listed were utilized in this position
Instructional Assistant/Remediation Specialist/Bus Driver/Web Manager/Computer Lab Assistant/Media Clerk
Cumberland County Schools
10.2009 - 01.2019
- Assisted first grade teams to enhance that their growth in a positive manner
- Reinforced lessons presented by lead teachers
- Reviewed materials with students one-on-one in a small group
- Managed behaviors well by enforcing rules, school procedures and classroom guidelines
- Calculated grades and recordkeeping
- Maintained a clean and caring environment where students feel safe and secure
- Fostered positive relationships with parents, students, teachers, staff and administration team
- Implemented steps to ensure academic progress in all areas
- Proctored state required testing sessions
- Transported students along designated stops and routes
- Planned field trips, special events and created itineraries
- Conducted safety bus drills with students and teachers
- Abided by all required Department of Motor Vehicle laws and regulations
- Completed necessary bus inspections prior to departing school campus
- Cleaned and secured school bus after route was completed
- Coordinated scheduling of students and teacher for maintaining computer lab operations
- Instructed students in grades Kindergarten through 5th and teachers in computer lab technology and software applications to enhance their understanding of lab operations and academic concepts
- Inputted pertinent information and managed school’s website and social media pages
- Troubleshooted technological issues and submitted work orders to appropriate department to repair
- Prepared and printed awards and recognitions for deserving recipients every nine-week period of the school year
- Assisted in planning setup of book fairs and other fundraisers for the benefit of the school
- Completed extensive inventory of equipment, books and other reading materials in school library
Child Support Agent
Cumberland County Child Support Services-DHHS
10.2004 - 09.2008
- Commenced case files by obtaining information through interviews by phone or in person from custodial party, non-custodial party, family members, witnesses, law enforcement, agencies or institutions, and attorneys to verify facts
- Established paternity, located absent parents, explained procedures for child support processing, and determined financial status
- Calculated enforceable support obligations
- Prepared and maintained forms, applications, and other records pertinent to each child support case
- Ensured information was entered accurately in case record
- Maintained chronological log of case contacts and events
- Monitored and evaluated payment performance by reviewing payment records and verifying payment history with the custodial parent
- Determined appropriate enforcement action by evaluating the facts of the case
- Recommended cases for prosecution, prepared legal documents for court filing, assisted attorneys in preparing cases, attended court hearings, and testified in court as necessary
Education
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
Colorado Technical University
Colorado Springs, CO02.2014
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, NC05.1997
Skills
- Strong Verbal and Written Communication
- Decision Making
- Detail-Oriented
- Organizational Planning
- Capacity Building
- Conflict Resolution
- Safe Driving Record
- Client Relations
- Compassionate
- Case Management
- Client Advocacy
- Social Services
- Efficient under pressure
- Attention to Detail
- Self-awareness
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Cooperative
- Analytical Thinking
- Client Confidentiality
- Motivational Interviewing
- Crisis Assessment
- Empathy building
- Cultural Competency
- Crisis Intervention Techniques
- Referrals and networking
- Solution-based interventions
- Service planning
- MS Office
- Records Management
- Independent Judgment
Timeline
Social Worker II-Adult Services
Cumberland County Department of Social Services-DHHS
01.2024 - Current
Elementary Teacher (K-5)
Cumberland County Schools
02.2019 - 12.2023
Instructional Assistant/Remediation Specialist/Bus Driver/Web Manager/Computer Lab Assistant/Media Clerk
Cumberland County Schools
10.2009 - 01.2019
Child Support Agent
Cumberland County Child Support Services-DHHS
10.2004 - 09.2008
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Fayetteville State University
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
Colorado Technical University
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