Melissa Evans
Reading,PA
Summary
Dedicated social worker with over 18 years of experience in social services, specializing in student advocacy and mental health support. Skilled in building strong rapport with diverse individuals and families and creating safe, inclusive, trauma-informed environments. Recognized for effective collaboration, adaptability, and delivering reliable support that promotes positive outcomes.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
School Social Worker
Manheim Central School District
Manheim, Pennsylvania
10.2023 - Current
- Collaborated with students, teachers, administrators, families, and community-based agencies to support students' social, emotional, and educational needs.
- Helped students develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
- Advocated for student well-being by participating in multidisciplinary team meetings and case reviews.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to develop intervention strategies that are trauma-informed and individualized.
- Created a safe space for students experiencing crises by providing immediate support and appropriate referrals.
- Participated and led threat assessments and provided recommendations.
- Monitored student attendance, documented truancy, and submitted referrals per requirements, including filing truancy citations.
- Established supportive relationships with at-risk youth through regular check-ins, goal-setting activities, and consistent follow-up.
- Developed and implemented professional development workshops for school staff on topics related to social-emotional learning, mental health awareness, and trauma-informed practices.
- Connected families with community resources to address needs such as housing, healthcare, and financial assistance.
- Promoted student success by addressing barriers to accessing their education through targeted interventions and case management services.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary team meetings to discuss individual student needs holistically.
- Enhanced student attendance by addressing underlying social and emotional issues.
Supported students with special needs by coordinating with external agencies, ensuring comprehensive care. - Led the McKinney-Vento Program, providing case management services to homeless youth and families.
- Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources, and connecting with community-based supports.
- Student Assistance Team Member.
Community Care Team Social Worker
Lehigh Valley Health Network
Allentown, Pa
04.2023 - 10.2023
- Completed timely documentation in patient care software.
- Worked closely with case managers and the clinical team to better coordinate intensive cases and individualized, patient-centered services.
- Supported clients and families with empathy and compassion during difficult times.
- Advocated for clients to ensure their respected rights and wishes.
- Assisted clients with navigating and accessing social services, such as housing and medical care.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to coordinate comprehensive care strategies for patients.
- Advocated for clients' rights within healthcare systems, ensuring access to necessary resources and services.
- Provided case management services for individuals and families needing social services support.
- Updated client documentation for accurate, compliant, and current records.
- Educated families on available community resources, connecting them with essential services such as housing assistance, financial aid, or healthcare providers.
School Social Worker
Governor Mifflin School District
Shillington, Pa
09.2020 - 03.2023
- Provided consultation and training to teachers and staff regarding mental health concerns, behavior management, and trauma.
- Built, established, and maintained relationships with students, families, and staff.
- Developed and facilitated goal-oriented psychoeducation and therapy groups to improve students' social-emotional well-being.
- Attended multidisciplinary meetings, including IEP, disciplinary and attendance meetings.
- Mentored students through the Check and Connect Program.
- Lead Crisis Response Team.
- Collaborated with students, teachers, administrators, families, and community-based agencies to support students' social, emotional, and educational needs.
- Helped students develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
- Advocated for student well-being by participating in multidisciplinary team meetings and case reviews.
- Collaborated with teachers and administrators to develop intervention strategies that are trauma-informed and individualized.
- Created a safe space for students experiencing crises by providing immediate support and appropriate referrals.
- Established supportive relationships with at-risk youth through regular check-ins, goal-setting activities, and consistent follow-up.
- Connected families with community resources to address needs such as housing, healthcare, and financial assistance.
- Promoted student success by addressing barriers to accessing their education through targeted interventions and case management services.
- Supported students with special needs by coordinating with external agencies, ensuring comprehensive care.
- Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources, and connecting with community-based supports.
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultan
PA Key
, Pennsylvania
07.2019 - 08.2020
- Observed interactions between children and staff and provided recommendations to promote healthy social-emotional development and mental health.
- Offered suggestions for professional development to increase staff's knowledge of the importance of social-emotional development and to build capacity for designing classroom environments and teaching strategies that enhanced social-emotional competence.
- Supported staff and families in accessing more intensive services as needed.
- Modeled effective relationship-building and communication skills during interactions with families, teachers, staff, and directors.
- Participated in monthly reflective supervision and team meetings.
- Applied play-based strategies to provide diverse approaches to learning.
- Worked with teaching staff to evaluate individual progress and recommend appropriate interventions.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance service-delivery effectiveness.
- Monitored client progress and adjusted treatment plans as necessary for optimal outcomes.
Foster Care Case Manger
Diakon Adoption and Foster Care
Topton, PA
10.2018 - 07.2019
- Assisted in locating and referring children and families to appropriate, community-based services.
- Completed at least monthly contact with children and families to assess progress and supports.
- Collaborated with team members to assure the safety and well-being of children on the assigned case load.
- Detailed and timely documentation of all contacts with assigned families, children, and team members.
- Compiled the necessary documentation for court hearings.
- Liaison between foster families and birth families.
- Developed individualized service plans to address unique needs of clients.
- Monitored progress towards goals, adjusting strategies as necessary for improvement.
- Trained and mentored new case managers on best practices and policies.
- Advocated for resources and services to ensure optimal outcomes for children in care.
- Monitored ongoing cases closely, adjusting case management strategies as needed based on evolving circumstances or new information.
- Educated clients on available programs, benefits, and services, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care needs.
- Enhanced communication between clients and providers through consistent follow-ups and progress updates.
Child Protective Services Caseworker
Berks County Children & Youth Services
Reading, Pennsylvania
06.2009 - 10.2018
- Obtained information regarding family members to assess and develop achievable goals and address concerns that brought the family to the attention of social services.
- Maintained at least monthly contact with children and families to assess progress and services and to provide support.
- Collaborated with providers, supervisors, and other unit members for input and support.
- Provided detailed and timely court paperwork.
- Documented all meetings, face-to-face contacts, phone conversations, and casework sessions to ensure compliance with legal paperwork requirements.
- Investigated child abuse reports, and completed all required paperwork in a timely manner.
- Wrote extensive and detailed documentation, and presented verbal and written testimony to the court on a regular basis.
- Visited homes, inspected surroundings, and interviewed family members to ensure the safety and well-being of children.
- Built a solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering communication to meet case needs.
- Completed home welfare checks in alignment with state and program guidelines.
- Trained and mentored junior caseworkers on best practices in child welfare services.
- Developed detailed case plans tailored to individual family situations and goals.
- Advocated for children's rights within legal frameworks during court proceedings and hearings.
Therapeutic Assistant
ViaQuest Behavioral Health
Reading, PA
09.2007 - 09.2010
- Participated in team meetings with behavioral specialists, school counselors, parents, and children to develop appropriate treatment plans.
- Demonstrated and transferred skills to caregivers to reduce undesired behaviors.
- Implemented goals and behavior-modification strategies outlined in treatment plans with children and their families.
- Developed appropriate reward and consequence systems to promote positive behavior.
- Participated in weekly supervision to discuss clients' compliance and progress.
- Completed all case documentation, including DAP notes.
- Facilitated therapeutic interventions tailored to individual client needs.
- Assisted school staff with implementing targeted interventions within classroom settings for improved academic performance among students receiving therapeutic support.
Education
Doctor Of Social Work - Social Work, Administrative Leadership
University of Kentucky
Lexington, KY05-2025
Master Of Social Work (MSW) - Social Work
Marywood University
Scranton, PA05-2016
Bachelor Of Arts (BA) - Psychology, Minor Criminal Justice
Alvernia University
Reading, Pennsylvania, PA12-2007
Skills
- Child Welfare and Protective Services
- Case Management
- Confidential Case Documentation
- Therapeutic Services
- Multidisciplinary Team Collaboration
- Solution-Based Interventions
- Crisis Intervention
- Student Advocacy
- Cultural Competency
- Establishing Relationships & Rapport
Timeline
School Social Worker
Manheim Central School District
10.2023 - Current
Community Care Team Social Worker
Lehigh Valley Health Network
04.2023 - 10.2023
School Social Worker
Governor Mifflin School District
09.2020 - 03.2023
Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultan
PA Key
07.2019 - 08.2020
Foster Care Case Manger
Diakon Adoption and Foster Care
10.2018 - 07.2019
Child Protective Services Caseworker
Berks County Children & Youth Services
06.2009 - 10.2018
Therapeutic Assistant
ViaQuest Behavioral Health
09.2007 - 09.2010
Doctor Of Social Work - Social Work, Administrative Leadership
University of Kentucky
Master Of Social Work (MSW) - Social Work
Marywood University
Bachelor Of Arts (BA) - Psychology, Minor Criminal Justice
Alvernia University