Lori Lunsford
Child Welfare
Allerton,IA
Summary
Well-versed in court and child welfare systems and processes. Highly supportive and motivated to help families. Good documentation, planning and problem-solving abilities.
Overview
39
39
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Support Specialist
Mid Iowa Family Therapy Clinic, Inc.
Des Moines, IA
10.2016 - Current
- Reported child abuse in accordance with legal standards of mandatory reporters.
- Visited home environments to help clients develop comprehensive life, technical, and job skills.
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
- Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop treatment plans.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
- Conducted outreach to families and other community partners to identify ways to address social, emotional and behavioral needs.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
Direct Care Professional
Optimae Life Services
12.2010 - 09.2016
- Coordinated daily medicine schedules and administration to help clients address symptoms and enhance quality of life.
- Assisted patients with dressing, grooming and feeding needs, helping to overcome, and adapt to mobility restrictions.
- Offered support for client mental and emotional needs to enhance physical outcomes and overall happiness.
- Helped with home management tasks, meal preparation, grocery shopping, and routine cleaning.
- Arranged transportation and accompanied patients to doctors' offices and errands.
- Assisted disabled clients to support independence and well-being.
- Maintained clean, safe, and well-organized patient environment.
- Assisted patients with handling daily chores and errands by transporting to appointments, cleaning personal spaces, and purchasing supplies.
- Kept close eye on behavior and emotional responses of clients to address concerns and protect each person from harm.
- Analyzed overall patient performance and recommended adjustments to care plan goals, supporting individual progression.
- Supervised daily activities and provided assistance to staff.
- Followed nutritional plans to prepare optimal meals.
- Developed rapport to create safe and trusting environment for care.
- Evaluated client progress toward established annual and quarterly goals.
- Kept clients engaged in social networks and communities for personal health and growth.
- Assisted clients with daily living needs to maintain self-esteem and general wellness.
- Administered medication as directed by physician.
- Transported clients to medical and dental appointments to provide support.
- Assisted with crisis intervention to de-escalate challenging behavior and maintain peaceful encounters.
- Monitored clients to assess and report physical and behavioral changes to supervisors.
- Educated clients and family members on relevant topics to support independent living.
- Encouraged and supported clients to participate in recreational and leisure activities to promote social interactions and reduce loneliness.
- Assisted clients navigate the justice system.
Jailer/911 Dispatcher
Wayne County Sheriff's Office
Corydon, IA
11.1985 - 08.2004
- Completed appropriate forms and radio announcements for police department needs such as BOLO requests.
- Answered calls from automatic routing system and took basic information from callers.
- Routed calls to police, fire, and ambulance service to meet individual call needs.
- Read system maps and caller information, and documented details in system.
- Received public emergency and non-emergency calls and supervised response prioritization in order to effectively dispatch official units such as police, fire, and EMS while tracking data in real-time environments.
- Relayed latest information to first responders via electronic means, telephone calls, and radio responses.
- Directed responders using assigned mapping systems for timely emergency attendance.
- Dispatched and coordinated emergency services teams according to high-priority calls.
- Developed and delivered emergency response plans to improve attendance timeframes.
- Provided on-the-job training and coaching to develop new dispatchers.
- Followed established protocols for professional handling of emergency situations.
- Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
- Assessed emergency requests and made quick judgment calls to determine appropriate action.
- Offered friendly and efficient service to customers, handled challenging situations with ease.
- Monitored Police and Fire radios to provide assistance to responding personnel.
- Recorded and tracked emergency requests utilizing computer-aided dispatch systems.
- Applied interpersonal skills in neutralizing hostile and emotionally charged situations.
- Automated document flow by ensuring logbooks and fire, accident, and emergency reports were maintained with 100% accuracy.
- Reduced risks and emergency response issues by observing public safety field units.
- Assisted callers in emergency situations with appropriate information and support.
- Operated emergency response systems to update and retrieve up-to-date information for first responders.
- Communicated pre-arrival instructions to emergency medical personnel, helping first responders deliver appropriate care and support to individuals.
- Provided transportation and supervision for inmates in legal/court proceedings.
- Gained criminal law knowledge, effective communication, problem solving skills, integrity, attention to details, people skills, being able to handle moral dilemma, and honesty.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Human Services
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, IA05.1988
Associate of Arts - Human Services
Indian Hills Community College
Ottumwa, IA05.1986
Skills
- Multimodal intervention
- Child abuse and neglect dynamics
- Assessments
- Community resources
- Family case plans
- Interagency collaboration
- Care plan intervention
- Client needs assessment
- Communication skills
- Working as a team member
- Solution Based Casework
- Child welfare and protective services
Timeline
Family Support Specialist
Mid Iowa Family Therapy Clinic, Inc.
10.2016 - Current
Direct Care Professional
Optimae Life Services
12.2010 - 09.2016
Jailer/911 Dispatcher
Wayne County Sheriff's Office
11.1985 - 08.2004
Bachelor of Arts - Human Services
Buena Vista University
Associate of Arts - Human Services
Indian Hills Community College
Additional Information
There is a gap in my work history from when I left the Wayne County Sheriff's Office until I went to Optimae. I worked as a waitress and other labor professions during this time.
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