Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
Generic

Lona Charles

Port St Lucie

Summary

Reliable and compassionate Child Development Specialist with extensive experience in Case Managment at Early Steps and Homesafe/Healthy Beginning, skilled in early childhood education. Successfully implemented tailored learning strategies that enhanced developmental outcomes for children with developmental delay. Proven ability to build strong relationships with families, fostering a supportive environment for growth and advocacy. CPR certified.

Overview

18
18
years of professional experience

Work History

Childcare Provider

Angels Wings Family Home Daycare
01.2021 - Current


  • Developed age-appropriate activities and crafts to engage children 0-3year old.
  • Collaborated with parents to address individual child needs and discuss progress reports regularly.
  • Implemented hands-on learning opportunities that encouraged exploration, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills among children.
  • Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
  • Enhanced sensory and perceptual-motor skills, language, cognition, and memory development, by employing both traditional and modern educational strategies and techniques.

Substance Abuse Prevention Counselor

Drug Abuse Treatment Association
05.2023 - 09.2023
  • Coordinated with local schools and organizations to implement substance abuse prevention programs targeted towards youth populations.
  • Educated families on addiction, its impact, and methods for supporting their loved ones in recovery.
  • Provided ongoing support for clients in recovery through regular check-ins, encouragement, and guidance.
  • Provided crisis intervention services during emergencies or periods of heightened distress for clients struggling with addiction.

Child Development Specialist

Homesafe/Healthy Begining
10.2019 - 03.2020
  • Conducted developmental assessment to children 0-5 year olds.
  • Constructed age-appropriate goals and outcomes to assist children from 0-5 years with special needs and developmental delays.
  • Communicated respectfully and thoughtfully with parents and guardians by remaining sensitive to different families' cultures, values and needs.
  • Built and maintained strong parent and student relationships.
  • Conducted educational, behavioral and well-being assessments.
  • Provided community resources and education to families to increase knowledge and advocacy skills.
  • Created and managed weekly personal schedule to accommodate visits with families, initial evaluations and reviews.
  • Evaluated and assessed children''s progress regularly, identifying areas of improvement and adjusting strategies accordingly.

Family Services Coordinator

Easterseals
04.2013 - 09.2019
  • Attended and participated staff meetings and training seminars.
  • Maintained confidential records and documentation in database.
  • Conducted intake interviews and completed assessments to understand client needs and discover issues that affect treatment.
  • Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
  • Identified and reported signs and symptoms of violence, abuse and neglect for immediate intervention and remediation.
  • Conducted home visits regularly, assessing family dynamics and observing progress towards identified goals.

Service Coordinator

YWCA
07.2007 - 04.2013
  • Served as a primary point of contact for clients, addressing inquiries, providing updates, and ensuring overall satisfaction with services rendered.
  • Managed a high volume of client requests, ensuring timely and effective service delivery.
  • Maintained accurate records of all service activities, facilitating smooth communication between clients and technicians.
  • Established strong relationships with clients through regular follow-ups, keeping them informed about progress updates regarding their services requested or concerns raised.
  • Conducted support group for children 0-12 years
  • Developed comprehensive service plans tailored to individual client needs, resulting in high levels of satisfaction.

Education

Master of Science - Criminal Justice

Lynn University
Boca Raton, FL
12-2011

Bachelor of Science - Social Work

Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, FL
08-2007

Skills

  • Childcare /Education Program Director
  • CPR training
  • Early childhood education
  • Bilingual
  • Child development
  • Age-appropriate activities
  • Child development knowledge
  • Coordination and teamwork
  • Infant care
  • Early childhood development

Languages

Creole
Native or Bilingual

Timeline

Substance Abuse Prevention Counselor

Drug Abuse Treatment Association
05.2023 - 09.2023

Childcare Provider

Angels Wings Family Home Daycare
01.2021 - Current

Child Development Specialist

Homesafe/Healthy Begining
10.2019 - 03.2020

Family Services Coordinator

Easterseals
04.2013 - 09.2019

Service Coordinator

YWCA
07.2007 - 04.2013

Master of Science - Criminal Justice

Lynn University

Bachelor of Science - Social Work

Florida Atlantic University

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Lona Charles