Lisa Zientek

Was tasked with the creation and development of the CareerTech (CT) Inmate Eligibility Assessment from the ground up for the Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) with the following responsibilities:

• Created all CT forms utilized in the assessment process.
• Developed positive and open communication with Lexington Correctional administration, support staff, and officers, along with outside entities such as probation and parole, inmate extended family members, education department, and other DOC facility staff members.
• Assessed both male and female individuals for potential eligibility of available CT programs during their incarceration and reported such eligibility to both DOC and CT administration for consideration.
• Conducted daily assessment sessions for up to 30 inmates in a classroom setting.
• Interpreted information gathered and made educated recommendations to DOC as to potential DOC placement recommendations.
• Successfully coordinated with security staff in the transfer of inmates to and from the classroom and when necessary interviewed inmates one-on-one or from cell to cell when facility was placed on lock-down.
• Maintained the high level of confidentiality of information received from DOC and assessed inmates.
• Completed required documentation on a variety of weekly/monthly reports to supervisor and main CT office.
• Gathered and provided documentation on licensed skilled tradesmen entering into DOC to the DOC Director of Construction & Maintenance and CT Licensed Trades instructor in order to utilize their skills while serving their sentence.

State wide child and elder abuse hotline welfare specialist responsible for:

• Professionally, accurately, and efficiently handle an average of 10 - 45 incoming call/emails/faxes per shift from the general public, law enforcement agencies, DHS social workers, and out-of-state agencies reporting alleged child and/or elder abuse or neglect.
• Utilized trained interviewing techniques to accurately obtain specific information pertaining to the abuse being reported.
• Maintained and submitted accurate weekly call logs.

Working as a contractor writing home studies for potential foster, kinship, and adoptive home placements with the following responsibilities:

• Conducted comprehensive, in-depth interviews with approximately 35+ potential foster and adoptive families that required a minimum of two (2) separate in-home visits with all individuals residing in the home.
• Conducted criminal background and reference checks, extended family member interviews, home inspections, financial and work histories that aligned with DHS and EOYS required information and status per contract.
• Comprised all information gathered into an extensive and detailed report submitted to EOYS in the time frame allotted for each individual study.

Initial employment with Shawnee Public Schools (SMS) from 1998 to 2008.

Developed, managed, instructed, and directed the In-School Detention (ISD) program while maintaining a classroom of 10 - 25 6th, 7th and 8th grade students with the following responsibilities:

• Oversaw/monitored students assigned to the Before and After School Detention (6 yrs).
• Instructed students in areas of Life Skills, Time Management, Goal Setting, Behavior Modification and Awareness, Accountability, Community Pride, and Reality Therapy in a non-clinical setting.
• Provided individual instruction in all subject areas when needed.
• Ensured a safe and structured classroom environment where students were able to improve their grades and behaviors.
• Maintained daily contact with a staff of 60+ educators, administrators, and support staff which resulted in a more cohesive learning experience, eliminated confusion as to individual assignments for each student,and allowed accountability for all.
• Created the parental Student's Progress Report designed to maintain open communication with parents/guardians addressing their child's behavior, assignment completion and assigned homework needing to be completed, and addressed any areas of concern to/from parent(s).

Working as a Child Welfare Specialist II (CWSII) in a small rural county resulted in the need to be multifaceted in all areas of child welfare: Investigations (CPS), Permanency Planning, Foster Care, Independent Living Coordinator, Shelter Liaison, Indian Child Welfare, and Interstate Compact Placements with the following responsibilities:

• Required to work a case from the onset of the investigation to resolution as in reunification or adoption.
• Conducted monthly worker visits with children placed into DHS custody while residing out of home in a foster placement, kinship care, mental health facility, or group home setting. As well as worker visits with families in reunification, in jail/prison, or out-of-state placement.
• Developed a "Monthly Activities" resource book for each child in an out-of-home placement for the foster parent to utilize. This allowed for more time to interact with the child and to discuss any areas of concern voiced by the child or the foster parent.
• Created and maintained an accurate available resource/contact list for the Child Welfare Team, foster parents, and biological parent to utilize on a monthly basis.
• Performed Forensic Interviews with child trauma victims and completed comprehensive assessments of all family members to identify needs and develop individual treatment plans.
• Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for the family's best interests and making recommendations as to what was in the best interests of the children.
• Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children and parents experiencing emergencies and disruptive behaviors or incidents.
• Maintained a high level of confidentiality concerning all cases investigated and/or involved in the DHS system.
• Worked closely with a variety of tribal entities, law enforcement agencies, Oklahoma Juvenile Agency (OJA), DOC facilities, Drug Court, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) workers, and District Attorney's Offices for the duration of a case.