Layla Abdullah, LCSW
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Highly accomplished and dedicated senior social worker and psychotherapist with 7 years of experience in social work, staff management, crisis intervention, case management, and treatment planning. Comprehensive knowledge of social justice issues and systems affecting marginalized communities. Proficient in developing and facilitating programs to support communities in need.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Clinical Pathway Coordinator
Interborough Developmental Consultation Center
08.2024 - Current
- Receive and process referrals for both routine and urgent cases to determine the appropriate level of care to meet the identified needs of the patient, particularly for those transitioning from a higher level of care.
- Ensure receipt of proper referral: Request and track the receipt of supportive documentation of a consumer's mental health treatment, core history, prior hospitalizations, etc.
- Identify the clinical pathways for the coordination of care for consumers with mental illness, substance use disorder, health conditions, and barriers to social determinants.
- Review and reassess risks, including but not limited to suicide or self-harm to inform prioritization of assignment for intake.
- Collaborate with CCBHC staff, CCBHC interdisciplinary team, community mental health providers, referral sources, and other professionals to inform eligibility, assessment, and external agencies and community stakeholders.
- Monitor a caseload of all high-risk clients and ensure adequate transition to all core services, including clinical pathways (i.e., suicide, diabetes, CVD, obesity).
- Review cases to reassess risk and inform prioritization of clinical pathways; assess for violence and provide provider consultation/technical assistance. Escalate situations requiring higher-level attention and/or intervention.
- Triage, review, and monitor case management assignments, intakes, outcomes, and program effectiveness, making adjustments as necessary to improve client outcomes.
- Develop partnerships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to enhance service delivery and access.
- Monitor financial performance and identify opportunities for cost savings and revenue generation
- Ensure compliance with billing and reimbursement requirements, maximizing revenue potential while maintaining program integrity.
- Establish and maintain quality assurance processes to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of services.
- Ensure compliance with regulations, accreditation standards, and reporting requirements.
- Participate in audits/reviews to ensure program requirements and standards adherence.
- Assists with new program development and program evaluations, to enhance service delivery and access.
Senior Social Worker
Brooklyn Justice Initiatives, Center for Justice Innovation
07.2020 - 08.2024
- Supervise case managers and social workers and provide weekly clinical supervision with a focus on comprehensive, case management services, voluntary referrals to individuals with mental health challenges to help address substance use, trauma, domestic violence, housing, and vocational needs
- Develop and facilitate training in a variety of clinical topics, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Crisis Intervention & De-escalation, Lethality Assessments, Intimate Partner Violence
- Monitor and report on compliance to court stakeholders and work with defense attorneys to bring program participants into compliance
- Audit caseloads for case management staff within SRP team and participate in data collection
- Coordinate in collaboration with SRP management on the development and implementation of new programs, initiatives, and/or interventions
- Manage the day-to-day provision of all clinical services on-site and provide crisis interventions for mental health/situational needs, including safety/security/operation within the workplace.
- Monitor program effectiveness, compliance, and consumer outcomes, including but not limited to, productivity standards, reporting to management, and funding sources
Psychotherapist
Brooklyn Counseling Services
02.2020 - 08.2024
- Provide individual psychotherapy to both insured clients from diverse and multicultural backgrounds across various age groups
- Utilized a variety of evidence-based counseling methods for individuals and family treatment such as a strengths-based approach, Trauma-focused CBT, Mindfulness-based modalities, CBT, DBT, Motivational Interviewing, and an Empowerment approach
- Develop comprehensive and holistic treatment plans to address a variety of psychological needs that are goal-directed, measurable, and achievable
- Complete crucial reports such as billing, patient information, initial comprehensive evaluations, mental status exams, psychotherapy progress notes, diagnostic impressions, and clinical interventions used
Youth Social Worker
Brooklyn Justice Initiatives, Center for Justice Innovation
07.2020 - 10.2020
- Provided comprehensive, trauma-informed, individual counseling and case management services to a caseload of 40+ justice-involved youth ages 16-24 including regular in-person meetings and phone calls
- Conducted intakes and assessments for youth participants and engaged clients’ support systems such as family members, and neighborhood supports
- Provided voluntary referrals to community-based services to help address mental health, substance abuse, trauma, housing, food security, and vocational/educational needs and maintain communication with service providers to ensure appropriate follow-up
- Facilitated Cognitive-Behavior Therapy sessions with clients who are mandated by the judge to complete a higher level of supervision
- Monitored and reported compliance to court stakeholders and worked with defense and prosecution to bring program participants into compliance
Resource Coordinator
Brooklyn Justice Initiatives, Center for Justice Innovation
07.2017 - 09.2020
- Served as a liaison in the Brooklyn Criminal Court arraignment parts to determine the risk level and program eligibility of defendants who will have bail set at arraignments
- Conducted in-court screening interviews and mental health assessments of eligible clients and ensure defendants are connected to an assigned social worker upon release
- Advocated on record for defendants to be released under supervision
- Communicated with prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other court staff about eligible defendants’ suitability for programs
- Provide to the presiding judge verbal and written case updates on compliance with the requirements of the supervised release program
Social Work Intern
Brooklyn Justice Initiatives, Center for Justice Innovation
09.2018 - 05.2020
- Completed intakes of participants admitted to the Supervised Release Program and administered an assessment tool to determine immediate needs and assess for crises, including suicidality and homicidality
- Co-facilitated cognitive behavior therapy and skills-based groups for participants based on presenting needs and performed individual counseling sessions for the Alternative to Incarceration department
- Conducted hiring cross-departmentally to create a hiring process that is streamlined and efficient
- Monitored and reported on compliance to court stakeholders and work with defense attorneys to bring program participants into compliance
Operational Assistant
Project More
02.2017 - 05.2017
- Conducted client intakes and check-in procedures of formerly incarcerated people mandated by probation
- Maintained accurate documentation of attendance, breathalyzer tests, and client files
- Co-facilitated GED, anger management, life, and skills development, and Moral Reconation Therapy groups, which addressed the needs of formerly incarcerated individuals transitioning back into the community
Group Leader
Good Shepherd Services
05.2016 - 08.2016
- Planned and facilitated integrated learning, recreational, arts, and developmental activities for youth from ages 10 to15
- Created sequenced lesson plans that created an engaging classroom environment
- Demonstrated effective classroom management skills
Domestic Violence Counselor/Advocate
Grace Smith House, Inc
01.2016 - 05.2016
- Offered trauma-focused and trauma-informed counseling to survivors of domestic violence and accompanied clients to community-based appointments
- Advocated for victims in social services and court settings making the issue of domestic violence a priority
- Utilized Alice domestic violence shelter software used to update clients’ activities, intake, and abuser information
- Assisted in facilitating support groups for domestic violence survivors and their children
Resident Assistant
Deyo Hall, SUNY New Paltz
08.2015 - 05.2016
- Served as a mediator and peer counselor for 200+ students
- Designed and facilitated social development and learning programs for the student population
- Enforced campus policies and followed administrative procedures to ensure compliance with campus standards
Investigator
Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem
06.2015 - 08.2015
- Facilitated delivery of subpoenas to court judges and other locations to obtain camera surveillance and evidence for the subpoenas court judges and other locations to obtain camera surveillance and evidence for the criminal defense attorneys
- Accountable for transcription of 911 calls and camera surveillance
Education
Master of Social Work, Licensed Master - Social Worker
Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology, Human Services, Black Studies
The State University of New York
New Paltz, New YorkSkills
- People Management
- Crisis Intervention
- Planning and Coordination
- Case management
- Data collection and management
- Trauma-informed care
- Stakeholder Relations
- Cultural Awareness
- Multidisciplinary Collaboration and planning
- Interviewing skills
- Verbal and written communication
- Training and Development
Certification
Licensed Master Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Microsoft Office; Raiser's Edge; Intermediate Spanish; CPR and First Aid Certified (Red Cross), Mental First Aid Certified, Certified Naloxone Opioid Overdose Responder, Abusive Traumatic Bonding in Intimate Partner Violence certification (NASW), Ethics with Minors for New York Mental Health Professionals: How to Navigate the Most Challenging Issues (PESI), Motivational Interviewing and Advanced Motivational Interviewing (The Training Institute Center for Court Innovation), Managing to Change the World (The Management Center).
Timeline
Clinical Pathway Coordinator
Interborough Developmental Consultation Center
08.2024 - Current
Senior Social Worker
Brooklyn Justice Initiatives, Center for Justice Innovation
07.2020 - 08.2024
Youth Social Worker
Brooklyn Justice Initiatives, Center for Justice Innovation
07.2020 - 10.2020
Psychotherapist
Brooklyn Counseling Services
02.2020 - 08.2024
Social Work Intern
Brooklyn Justice Initiatives, Center for Justice Innovation
09.2018 - 05.2020
Resource Coordinator
Brooklyn Justice Initiatives, Center for Justice Innovation
07.2017 - 09.2020
Operational Assistant
Project More
02.2017 - 05.2017
Group Leader
Good Shepherd Services
05.2016 - 08.2016
Domestic Violence Counselor/Advocate
Grace Smith House, Inc
01.2016 - 05.2016
Resident Assistant
Deyo Hall, SUNY New Paltz
08.2015 - 05.2016
Investigator
Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem
06.2015 - 08.2015
Master of Social Work, Licensed Master - Social Worker
Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology, Human Services, Black Studies
The State University of New York
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