Melinda M. Schultz
Buffalo
Summary
Dynamic and dedicated professional committed to embracing new challenges and driving positive outcomes. Proven expertise as an empathetic Case Manager with 9 years of experience supporting at-risk youth, foster families, and individuals with developmental disabilities. Demonstrates a robust work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills while effectively collaborating with probationers facing substance abuse issues, domestic violence concerns, and diverse criminal backgrounds. Passionate about fostering resilience and empowering clients to achieve goals through compassionate support and tailored interventions.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Probation Officer
Erie County Probation
Buffalo, NY
10.2023 - Current
- Monitored Domestic Violence offenders on a specialized caseload, meeting all caseload requirements per the Department of Criminal Justice Services.
- Monitored compliance with court-ordered probation terms and conditions.
- Conducted risk assessments to evaluate probationer needs and challenges.
- Developed and implemented individualized supervision strategies for diverse caseloads.
- Monitored progress and reported on probationers' adherence to conditions set by the court.
- Supported probationers in finding stable employment, housing, and education opportunities, promoting long-term success postrelease.
- Developed positive relationships with probationers, fostering trust and encouraging adherence to supervision requirements.
- Conducted home visits, workplace checks, and drug tests as required by court orders, ensuring compliance with all conditions of release.
- Effectively managed large caseloads while maintaining a high level of attention to detail and thoroughness in all aspects of the job duties performed for each case assigned.
- Determined appropriate supervision levels by conducting risk and needs assessments.
- Maintained organized offender records and documentation in compliance with department and legal standards.
- Conducted investigations into violations and other allegations.
- Employed appropriate incentives and sanctions to achieve desired behaviors and outcomes.
- Monitored defendants' compliance and progress in treatment by reviewing reports from counseling agencies.
- Completed reports on behalf of court and associated legal entities.
- Coordinated with community resources for referrals and support services.
Care Manager
Kids Peace
Bufalo, New York
10.2022 - Current
- Working with the youth and families to ensure that they are up to date with medical and dental, linking them with services, and ensuring that they are involved in activities that assist in them working towards their goals on their treatment plans while offering support to the youth and families.
- Created plan of care to assist patients in reducing problems or barriers to achieve optimal level of health.
- Monitored care plan to evaluate effectiveness, document interventional achievement and suggest changes.
- Attended and actively participated in meetings to provide and receive information on patient progression.
- Developed individualized care plans to address specific needs of children and families.
- Monitored progress of care plans, adjusting strategies to ensure optimal outcomes for clients.
- Established and maintained relationships with clients, families and community partners to coordinate services to meet client's needs.
- Conducted thorough assessments to identify patients needs, strengths, and barriers to achieving optimal health outcomes.
Foster Care Family Specialist
Berkshire Farm Center Youth and Family Services
03.2016 - Current
- Facilitate coached family visits between youth and their parents, provide support to the youth, foster families and the birth families
- Assist birth parents with referrals and monitor their services as mandated by family court
- Attend court and advocate for the youth
- Complete home visits and community visits for the foster children
- Facilitate relationships between the foster youth and the parents to reach their placement goal, and reunite families
- Complete adoption paperwork as necessary, and complete all paperwork as regulated by OCFS.
- Conducted assessments of foster homes and children under care.
- Interviewed client, parents, foster parents, school officials and other related parties to fully understand child's individual needs.
- Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services.
- Worked with care team to assess client needs and discuss collaborative treatment efforts.
- Counseled parents on proper child-rearing choices.
RTA Prevention Family Specialist
Berkshire Farm Center And Services For Youth
Bufalo, New York
03.2020 - 10.2023
- Assisted youth on probation in connecting with necessary services. Supported completion of job applications and obtaining identification. Followed up with service providers and maintained communication with collateral contacts.
- Facilitated court attendance for youth, partnering with probation to uphold adherence to probation mandates.
- Facilitated youth groups to develop life skills through the WOW curriculum. Provided support to youth and families as needed. Met with youth bi-weekly to monitor progress and guide them on their developmental journey.
- Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services.
- Worked with care team to assess client needs and discuss collaborative treatment efforts.
- Facilitated family engagement through effective communication and support strategies.
- Developed individualized service plans to address unique family needs and challenges.
- Coordinated resources and referrals to enhance family stability and well-being.
- Assisted families in navigating complex social service systems by providing informed guidance and advocacy support.
- Maintained accurate case records, ensuring efficient documentation for ongoing monitoring and progress evaluation.
- Strengthened family relationships through tailored interventions and conflict resolution strategies.
- Built and maintained strong partnerships with community organizations to support the diverse needs of families served, increasing access to vital resources.
- Conducted home visits regularly to assess living conditions, safety concerns, and overall familial well-being within their environment.
- Visited home environments to help clients develop comprehensive life, technical, and job skills.
Child Care Therapy Aide
Child And Family Services Agency
Bufalo, New York
07.2014 - 08.2019
- Mentor youth and create a safe, therapeutic environment
- Assist youth with completing daily living skills, assist youth when in crises by using therapeutic techniques
- Interact with the youth and create therapeutic relationships with them to assist them in reaching their treatment goals to return to their families.
- Monitored children's play activities to verify safety and wellness.
- Supported children's emotional and social development with one-on-one attention.
- Communicated with parents about daily activities and any concerning behaviors.
- Instructed children in health and personal habits involving eating, resting and hygiene habits.
Child Care Specialist
Gateway Longview
Williamsville, NY
02.2014 - 10.2015
- Served as a mentor to staff, ensured staff was following proper procedures to maintain a safe environment for the youth, responded to crises campus wide and monitored staff effectively
- Completed paperwork to OCFS standards, and ensured that staff were properly completing paperwork
- Mentored the youth and ensured that youth followed program and procedures.
- Assisted children in development of social, communication and problem-solving skills.
- Supported children's emotional and social development, encouraging understanding of others and positive self-concepts.
- Cared for children in institutional settings.
- Maintained a safe environment during crisis calls by implementing TCI techniques
Team Leader
People Incorporated
Grand Island, NY
04.2012 - 01.2014
- Served as a mentor to staff, demonstrated best practices and taught effective ways to work with the individuals
- Attended all required meetings and works with other departments as necessary
- Acted as part of the chain of command for staff, when Program Manager was not on site.
- Offered training and support to keep team members motivated and working toward objectives.
- Delegated daily tasks to team members to optimize group productivity.
IRA Specialist
People Incorporated
Grand Island, NY
01.2007 - 04.2012
- Assisted clients with daily living skills, including hygiene, mobility and feeding
- Maintained a safe environment by implementing SCIP techniques appropriately
- Maintained a clean environment by providing house keeping services to the group home
- Planned group outings and assisted the residents on attending
- Used Person Centered Planning techniques to achieve appropriate quality of living for the residents
- Maintained communication with the families
Team Leader
Burger King
07.2005 - 09.2011
- Acted as a supervisor and oversaw entry-level workers
- Specific job duties included scheduling, delegating work, carrying out regular BK team member tasks, and assisting Burger King managers with administrative responsibilities.
Education
Bachelors of Science - Criminal Justice
Niagara University
Lewiston, NY06.2011
Associate’s Degree - Business Administration
Niagara County Community College
Sanborn, NY08.2009
Regents Diploma -
Grand Island High Senior High School
Grand Island, NY06.2006
Skills
- Proficient in Windows and Microsoft Office
- Leadership and communication
- Case Assessments
- Time Management
- Employee Supervision
- Critical Thinking
- Verbal and Written Communication
- Client Engagement
- Community Referrals
- Friendly, Positive Attitude
- People Skills
- Good Work Ethic
- Court Report Documentation
- Case Planning
- Documentation
- Offender supervision
- Home inspections
- Report writing
- Risk and needs assessments
- Case management
- Trained in defensive tactics
- Adult probation
- Exceptional communicator
- Court procedures
- First aid training
- Community resources
- Presentence investigation reports (PSI)
- Court filings
- Interstate compact familiarity
- Crisis intervention techniques
- Verbal and written communication
- Field experience
- Electronic monitoring
- Urinalysis testing
- Firearm basic training
- Search and seizure procedures
- Time management
- Attention to detail
- Multitasking
- Problem-solving abilities
Certification
- CPR training
- Motivational Interview training
- Fundamentals of probation training
Timeline
Probation Officer
Erie County Probation
10.2023 - Current
Care Manager
Kids Peace
10.2022 - Current
RTA Prevention Family Specialist
Berkshire Farm Center And Services For Youth
03.2020 - 10.2023
Foster Care Family Specialist
Berkshire Farm Center Youth and Family Services
03.2016 - Current
Child Care Therapy Aide
Child And Family Services Agency
07.2014 - 08.2019
Child Care Specialist
Gateway Longview
02.2014 - 10.2015
Team Leader
People Incorporated
04.2012 - 01.2014
IRA Specialist
People Incorporated
01.2007 - 04.2012
Team Leader
Burger King
07.2005 - 09.2011
Associate’s Degree - Business Administration
Niagara County Community College
Regents Diploma -
Grand Island High Senior High School
Bachelors of Science - Criminal Justice
Niagara University
References
References:
Will be provided upon request.