LORI WILLIAMS
Savannah,Georgia
Summary
Experienced social worker serving vulnerable children and families for over 6 years. Proficient in psychosocial assessments and providing workable solutions to overcome various barriers (Poverty, Child/Adult Abuse, Behavioral/Mental Health deficits) in an efficient manner. Resourceful change agent, creating and maintaining working relationships within an array of community partners. Currently seeking to advance skills and knowledge in the social service arena.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Service Supervisor
Georgia Department of Family and Children Services
Savannah, GA
07.2022 - Current
- Supervises and plans work of assigned staff and oversees approximately 125 cases
- Conduct in-depth bio-psychosocial assessments and provide recommendations for treatment services
- Review and assess clients assessments such as psychological/psycho-socials, psycho-sexual, and trauma assessments to determine level of services/care needed to include therapy, and medication management
- Compiles records and prepares reports; performs follow-up to determine status of client's case
- Evaluates case managers notes and documentation to ensure accuracy
- Coordinates and monitors services, including comprehensive tracking of client's activities
- Develops case plans that effectively utilize community resources to meet needs of individual custodial clients
- Initiates legal process for guardianship, protective services, placement and/or adoption.
- Makes immediate assessments regarding safety of clients and responds according to established protocols and policies
- Performs initial investigations of protective services referrals to determine appropriateness of protective services intervention.
- Reviews, approves/disapproves, or renders decisions on casework being performed by staff
- Works in collaboration with legal system to determine permanency decision for children in care.
- Works in collaboration with Housing Authority of Savannah to issue housing vouchers to mothers/fathers who have attained permanency
- Facilitates Family Team Meetings
- Manage new case managers for first 90 days to ensure job readiness and retention
- Conduct interviews for new higher case manager positions.
Social Service Case Manager
Georgia Department of Family and Children Services
Savannah, GA
06.2017 - 07.2022
- Previously managed caseloads of over 25 clients monthly
- Developed and reviewed service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups, assessing quantity and quality of services provided.
- Addressed safety concerns by immediately developing and implementing safety plans
- Processes Medicaid/IV-E applications for incoming clients
- Previous member of Pre-Team: provided input on rather children should be removed from their home while consulting with County, Regional Directors, Attorneys and other DFCS Personnel.
- Partnered with children and parents in development and utilization of Family Functioning Agreements, Action Plan, and Family Plan to achieve desired individual and family-level outcomes
- Consult with State Physician regarding plan of care for children with mental health needs
- Participated in family team meetings/multi-disciplinary meetings to establish individualized safety/intervention plans
- Serves as liaison to FUP (Family Unification Program) between Housing Authority of Savannah, and DFCS to assist parents being reunified with their children and find adequate housing
- Served as liaisons between students, schools, family services, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts, to help children who face problems such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty
- Provide placement assistants to case managers in foster care to insure children with behavioral/mental health challenges are in therapeutic placements
- Utilized brief solution-focus techniques as forms of crisis intervention with families and placing children upon their entry into foster care.
- Gathered information from mental and physical health and educational records to make recommendations and determine appropriate care plans.
Intern
SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY
Savannah, GA
08.2015 - 04.2016
- Provided support and guidance to students experiencing academic and personal troubles
- Managed caseload of approximately 20 students per semester and developed plan of action for students who were at risk of being placed on academic suspension
- Assess mental capacity of students and refer to outside resources if necessary
- Communicated with instructors and advocated on behalf of students with learning disabilities to obtain accommodations for class assignments, and testing
- Assisted students with obtaining clothing, food, and securing housing through University S.T.A.R
- (Students That Are Rising) Program.
Community Support Worker
DURDEN CONSULTING SERVICES, INC
Savannah, GA
10.2014 - 07.2015
- Managed caseload of over 20 clients assisting with life skills, mental health needs, and behavior management
- Identified economical, educational, recreational, and social services within community that meet needs of clients
- Maintained written documentation regarding clients' daily activities and weekly progress
- Monitored clients progress and well-being and assisted clinical staff in evaluating effectiveness of planned counseling and support through treatment team meetings
- Participated in group planning and help develop individual activity plans which focused on treatment plans of each client served by organizations.
Customer Service Reservation Agent
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS Call Center
Savannah, GA
10.1995 - 06.2013
- Managed over 100 calls per day to complete online booking inquiries and assisted guests and travel partners with questions throughout entire booking cycle
- Resolved customer complaints and provided compensation when necessary
- Arranged for group airline bookings in collaboration with sales department for special events
- Provided high level of customer service to each person by engaging customer and using active listening and effective interpersonal skills.
Education
Master of Social Work: Clinical Track -
Savannah State University
Savannah, GA06.2015
Bachelor of Psychology -
Argosy University
Orange, CA04.2012
Skills
- Facilitates Family Team Meetings
- Excellent Written and Verbal Communication
- Crisis Assessment
- Interviewing Skills
- Client Needs Assessments
- Conflict Resolution
- Community Outreach
- Proficient in Microsoft
- Risk Assessment
- Treatment Planning
- Medicare and Medicaid Applications
- Psychosocial Assessment
Accomplishments
- Volunteer with Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure April 2013-April 2015.
- Prepare meals for families at Ronald McDonald House January 2015 to present.
- Studied Abroad in West Africa in 2016, to study their welfare system, and complete community service with orphanages and other community agencies in need.
- Provides mentorship to young adults as they matriculate out of the Foster Care System June 2017 to present.
- 2018 Social Service Case Manager of the Year
- 2021 CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Case Manager of Month
Affiliations
- Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
References
Available upon request
Timeline
Social Service Supervisor
Georgia Department of Family and Children Services
07.2022 - Current
Social Service Case Manager
Georgia Department of Family and Children Services
06.2017 - 07.2022
Intern
SAVANNAH STATE UNIVERSITY
08.2015 - 04.2016
Community Support Worker
DURDEN CONSULTING SERVICES, INC
10.2014 - 07.2015
Customer Service Reservation Agent
AIRTRAN AIRWAYS Call Center
10.1995 - 06.2013
Master of Social Work: Clinical Track -
Savannah State University
Bachelor of Psychology -
Argosy University
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