Melissa Festa
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Jensen Beach,FL
Summary
Dedicated School Social Worker offering 10 years of experience in education environments. Familiar with issues such as learning difficulties, socialization problems and emotional needs. Background working in urban areas of poverty with high population of at-risk students.
Overview
3
3
Certifications
6
6
years of post-secondary education
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
School Social Worker /, School Partnership Executive
TeleTeachers, Remote
09.2020 - Current
- Provides online therapy to individuals and groups to help overcome daily obstacles, address educational issues, and improve social skills.
- Makes recommendations to assist in improving student learning in the classroom.
- Participates in crisis management by counseling and or making referrals.
- Attended and participated in over 90 Individual Educational Plan (IEP) meetings, including initial evaluations and re-evaluations within the Special Education Department.
- Achieves monthly sales target and maintain existing customer accounts.
- Developed a series of educational and marketing materials to achieve sales targets.
- Developed professional relationships with Superintendents and administrators while introducing new services and increasing brand awareness.
Family Specialist
Helping People Succeed, Inc
Jensen Beach, FL
02.2019 - Current
- Initiate voluntary in-home and virtual assessment and counseling services for family crisis, addictions, mental health issues, child abuse/neglect and/or domestic violence.
- Conduct psycho-social assessments to determine strengths, extent of the problems, the families' readiness to engage in treatment and barriers to intervention.
- Develop and update treatment plans to address concerns identified at the initial assessment or during services.
- Provide ongoing individual, relationship, and family in-home and remote counseling services to overcome the risk factors and improve evidenced-based protective factors.
- Provide staff training on topics such as working with overburdened families, the principles of infant mental health, promoting attachment, recognition of attachment difficulties, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence and substance abuse.
School Social Worker
Youth Connection Charter Schools
10.2019 - 12.2019
- Conducted initial assessments; interviewed and evaluated students and family members.
- Provided individual and group therapeutic counseling to students, parents, teachers, and community members.
- Delivered crisis response and intervention services to students, families and staff, when needed.
- Actively participated with the IEP team to design, develop, and implement IEP goals, objectives, and instructional plans.
- Provided social work services to meet students' IEP goals.
- Provided parent or guardian educational workshops on identified issues related to adolescent development, stress reduction, discipline and safety and teacher/parent/student communication.
- Completed risk assessments on referred students.
- Completed functional behavior assessments and created behavioral intervention plans on identified students.
- Conducted regular case review meetings to review and discuss progress, assure consistent implementation of goals/objectives, and promote team involvement in problem solving/resolution.
School Social Worker
Camelot Excel Academy
09.2017 - 09.2019
- Provided direct and/or indirect individual and group counseling for special and general education students.
- Worked as part of the special education team to develop, implement, and continue individualized education plans for students.
- Attended and participated in IEP meetings to determine special education eligibility.
- Observed, assessed, and implemented interventions to create a plan of action for at-risk student behaviors.
- Provided crisis management for clients, including on-call and school consults, making recommendations for interventions as appropriate.
- Conducted full social developmental assessments to help determine student's social emotional, and educational needs.
- Facilitated supportive services/counseling for students and their family members in times of crisis.
- Provided referral linkage to school-based support services and community resources.
- Recommended school programs to help students improve their academic achievement.
- Co-taught classroom activities that involve social emotional learning.
School Social Worker
Youth Connection Charter Schools
11.2013 - 06.2017
- Helped students function effectively in the school environment.
- Assessed areas in which students may require assistance or counseling.
- Communicated with parents, teachers and administrators.
- Maintained accurate case files and reports to track student issues and progress.
- Assisted in remediation by providing treatment plans or counseling.
- Evaluated student transcripts.
- Participated in the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process as necessary.
Research Coordinator, Founder
University of Illinois, Have
Chicago, Neuropsychiatry
02.2005 - 05.2008
- Coordinated drug company / NIMH sponsored trials working closely with pharmacists, psychiatrists, and nurses in order to give the best treatment to the patients.
- Assessed and evaluated patient's moods and behavior using national and statewide psychological measures: WASH-U-KSADS diagnostic interview, KYMRS, CDRS, OASM, BRPS-C, CGIS.
- Administered tests on children and adolescents with bipolar disorder, ADHD, and healthy controls on cognitive function (neurocognitive testing), brain activity (fMRI scans), and eye movement (eye lab).
- Neurocognitive Testing includes WMS-III, WASI, WRAT, CVLT, Trails, Penn Battery, Cogtest, lab developed tasks.
- Consented each participant into the studies by going over procedures, risks, benefits, questions and ensuring confidentiality.
- Ran fMRI experiment software using Flash MX and Windows IIS; data output in Microsoft Access 2003 and WINDAQNon-Profit / Philanthropy Experience Kids.
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Work
University of Illinois At ChicagoJane Addams School of Social Work
Chicago, IL 09.2006 - 05.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
DePaul University
Chicago, IL 09.2001 - 03.2005
Skills
Applied behavioral analysis
Multidisciplinary team collaboration
Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBA)
Counseling services
Life skills development
Family collaboration
Confidential case documentation
Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIP)
Solution-based interventions
Socialization issues
Crisis Intervention
Special needs
IEP understanding
Verbal and written communication
Additional Information
- Professional Training and Certification:, Licensed Social Worker November 2009 – PresentProfessional Educational License School Counselor K-12 Type 73 – November 2009 – Present Licensed Clinical Social Worker Licensed Clinical Social Worker – September 2020 – Present
Affiliations
NASW - National Association of Social Workers
Certification
LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Timeline
LCSW - Licensed Clinical Social Worker
10-2020
School Social Worker /, School Partnership Executive
TeleTeachers, Remote
09.2020 - Current
Certified School Social Worker - FL
03-2020
School Social Worker
Youth Connection Charter Schools
10.2019 - 12.2019
Family Specialist
Helping People Succeed, Inc
02.2019 - Current
School Social Worker
Camelot Excel Academy
09.2017 - 09.2019
School Social Worker
Youth Connection Charter Schools
11.2013 - 06.2017
Certified Type 73- School Professional
11-2009
Master of Social Work - Social Work
University of Illinois At ChicagoJane Addams School of Social Work
09.2006 - 05.2009
Research Coordinator, Founder
University of Illinois, Have
02.2005 - 05.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
DePaul University
09.2001 - 03.2005