Meghan Nicholas
Oneida County Dept of Mental Health
Clinton,NY
1
Language
8
years of professional experience
Dedicated Social Services Coordinator looking to grow and continue learning in this challenging field. Background includes direct family support with Headstart, supervising Family Support Specialists with Headstart, children's care management, home visits, monitoring court ordered supervised visitation, working directly with High School students, and being the single point of access to connect children with the appropriate services to address their mental health needs. Certifications in Youth Mental Health First Aid, Trauma Informed Care, Narcan administration, and more.
Work History
Children's SPOA (Single Point of Access) Coordinator
2 Years 1 Month- Monitors services/resources for non-Medicaid populations to ensure availability and access;
- Developed and prioritized waiting lists for SPOA programs, enhancing access to Case Management, Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Waiver Programs, and Skill Building;
- Prepares the Residential Treatment Facility (RTF) packet of information for the Pre-Admission Certification Committee (PACC) and maintains communication with the PACC
- Coordinated priority youth and children's psychiatric referrals to facilitate appropriate treatment pathways.
- Facilitated monthly C-SPOA committee meetings with Oneida County agency representatives to coordinate efforts addressing children's mental health concerns;
- Represented Oneida County C-SPOA at community meetings, advocating for children's mental health initiatives in coalitions such as the Oneida County Suicide Prevention Coalition and the Child Fatality Review Committee
- Executed various responsibilities designated by the Commissioner of Mental Health.
Site Coordinator
2 Years 4 Months- Collaborated with community agencies to connect families and students with vital community resources
- Collaborate with community agencies to provide families and students with community resources
- Provide family engagement opportunities for families and students within the School District
- Supervise and support high school students on a daily basis, maintain the high school HUB as a safe space for students to engage with each other, get snacks, school supplies, etc...
- Supervised and supported high school students daily, maintaining high school HUB as a safe space for engagement and access to snacks, school supplies
- Connect school faculty, administration, and students with community educators and presenters
- Attend regular staff meetings and regular trainings provided by the CCS initiative
Youth Care Coordinator
11 Months- Conducted outreach and engagement to formally enroll referred children into the care management program
- Evaluated needs, established and maintained care plans and maintained referrals for enrollees
- Conducted assessments, scheduled referrals, provided advocacy and supports, counseling, education of patients and enrollees and care team members, assuring the patient receives quality services
- Ensured support systems were established, including connections with peers and family members.
- Developed Interim Plan of Care based on preliminary clinical information and assigned level that identified linkages and services immediately required.
- Collaborated with service providers to establish effective team communication plan
- Monitored goals continuously to ensure team communication and alignment on care strategies
- Advocated for additional services and linkages.
- Maintained current care management documentation and information regarding care management activities within the required health IT system within regulatory and quality standards
Supervised Visitation Monitor (Part-Time)
1 Year 9 Months- Monitored the supervised visits of children with their non-custodial parent or other relatives
- Recorded detailed observations and interactions during visits to ensure accurate documentation of child-parent dynamics
- Participated in staff meetings and training sessions to enhance visitation quality and support team objectives
Family Services Manager
1 Year 6 Months- Promoted from Family Support Specialist to Family Services Manager
- Oversaw Family Support Specialists and collaborated with Site Supervisors for effective monitoring and evaluation
- Facilitated Policy Council meetings to enhance stakeholder engagement and trainings while ensuring communication with the Governing Body, Parent Committees and Management
- Facilitated recruitment and managed eligibility, selection, enrollment, and attendance processes for Headstart
- Supported recruitment efforts and all functions of eligibility, selection, enrollment and attendance for Headstart
- Conducted interviews for Family Support Specialists, program assistants, and peer mentors; alongside the Family Services Coordinator and Human Resources
- Collaborated and built relationships with relevant internal and external partners
- Developed and managed monthly reports to track outcomes and program effectiveness
Family Support Specialist
1 Year- Advocated for families of students in Headstart program, ensuring access to necessary resources and support.
- Conducted monthly family visits in the family's home or at the center
- Assisted families in applying for programs such as SNAP, HEAP, and WIC and in locating housing and local food banks
- Worked with and provided resources to families to help them achieve their goals in the community
- Guided families in applying for SNAP, HEAP, and WIC programs, and connected them with housing and food bank resources.
Education
B.S. - Community and Human Services
A.A.S - Criminal Justice
Skills
Care management
Case coordination
Crisis intervention
Data collection
Trauma-informed care
Mental health experience
Family support
Care plans
Records management
HIPAA Compliance
Supervisory experience
Google Suite
Microsoft Office
Medical Records
Mandated reporter
Supervising experience
Medical Transcription
Customer Service expertise
Medical terminology
Languages
English
Timeline
Children's SPOA (Single Point of Access) Coordinator
Oneida County Dept of Mental Health
07.2024 - CurrentRead More
Site Coordinator
Connected Community Schools
03.2022 - 07.2024Read More
Youth Care Coordinator
ICAN
04.2021 - 03.2022Read More
Family Services Manager
Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency
10.2019 - 04.2021Read More
Supervised Visitation Monitor (Part-Time)
ICAN
08.2019 - 05.2021Read More
Family Support Specialist
Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency
10.2018 - 10.2019Read More
Herkimer County Community College
A.A.S from Criminal Justice
Read More
SUNY Empire State College
B.S. from Community and Human Services
Read More