Melissa McGee
Idabel,OK
Summary
Passionate and dedicated professional with 28 years of experience in child welfare, tribal relations, supervision, and policy development. Proven track record of advocating for at-risk children, ensuring their safety, and promoting their well-being. Known for exceptional organizational skills, confidentiality, crisis intervention, and effective communication.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
TRIBAL FELLOW
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
03.2023 - Current
- Serve as a strategic advisor to the National Center in matters regarding tribal relations
- Provide cultural education and awareness training to NCMEC colleagues and partnering state and federal agencies
- Conduct nationwide outreach to tribal nations regarding resources available to tribes for missing and exploited children
- Provide formal presentations to tribes, state and federal agencies, and other child-serving organizations at conferences, summits, business meetings, and events
- Collaborate internally and with partnering agencies regarding cultural considerations for missing and exploited children.
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
Capacity Building Center for Tribes
12.2023 - Current
- Support capacity building and technical assistance to tribal child welfare programs nationwide to enhance workforce development, policy and procedure, prevention, and data management.
- Collaborate on creation and revision of new and existing products and resources such as web content, podcasts, webinars, eLearnings, and online resources and tools.
- Manage multiple project activities within large tribal, state, and national multi-year child welfare projects.
- Provide expertise in the development of tools and resources for tribal child welfare programs.
- Draft product content, design appropriate formats, and oversee communication strategies and dissemination of products
INDIAN CHILD WELFARE (ICW) SUPERVISOR
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
08.2015 - 12.2023
- Advocate on behalf of Choctaw children and families in accordance with the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA.) Join with state workers and the courts in working to ensure safe and healthy homes for Choctaw children removed from their homes
- Supervise Indian Child Welfare workers as they intervene and advocate in Child Welfare cases throughout the United States - Supervised 20+ successful adoptions, 75+ successful reunifications, and 100+ permanency outcomes
- Develop new Children & Family Services (CFS) policies to align with Title IV-E foster care requirements
- Participate in periodic review and revision to submit for Legal review
- Collaborate with leadership to create departmental 5-year budget and goals based on Title IV-B, per the Administration for Children & Families (ACF) Children’s Bureau
- Monitor and analyze data to determine if goals are being met per IV-B standards
- Develop and train others in the creation of annual internal Worker Expectations to ensure best practices are in place for Child Welfare outcomes
- Provide review, feedback, and guidance to workers to maintain high standards of performance
- Conduct ICWA training on Active Efforts, ICWA Basics, historical trauma, and Choctaw culture to Choctaw Nation Indian Child Welfare department and regional OKDHS partners.
SOCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST II
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
04.2002 - 08.2015
- Managed caseload of 200+ federal and state assistance programs for families in need according to policies and guidelines set forth by the state of Oklahoma - Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Child Care Assistance, and Medicaid.
CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST III / CERTIFIED SEXUAL ABUSE SPECIALIST
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
05.1996 - 12.1997
- Completed 100+ investigations and assessments of child abuse and neglect
- Prioritized and investigated allegations of abuse and neglect regarding minor children
- Prepared court documents, including reports for the District Attorney
- Composed safety plans with families and placed children in foster homes when necessary
- Partnered with Tribal Child Welfare and adhered to the Indian Child Welfare Act
- Served as interim Supervisor
- Mentored and trained new workers.
FAMILY FOCUS OKLAHOMA CHILDREN’S INITIATIVE (OCI) WORKER
Eastern Oklahoma Youth Services
05.1996 - 12.1997
- Mentored families to successfully achieve Child Welfare and/or Juvenile Services treatment goals through in-home, intensive social work and guidance
- Prepared weekly progress reports regarding the families' goals and objectives
- Participated in regular team staff meetings with Oklahoma Department of Human Services, Office of Juvenile Affairs, the Office of District Attorney, and other key personnel regarding the progress of the family and youth.
Education
Master of Science - Native American Leadership
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK05.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology/Psychology
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Durant, OK05.1996
Skills
- Documentation proficiency
- Case Management
- Maintaining Client Records
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Excellent Communication
- Microsoft Office
- Cultural Competency
- Documentation skills
- Data Confidentiality
Certification
- Strategic Organizational Leadership, Management & Strategy Institute, 2022
- CW203: Child Sexual Abuse Specialist, University of Oklahoma, 2000
Affiliations
- Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association (OICWA), 2015, Present, Member
- National Indian Child Welfare Association, 2022, Present, Member
- Secretary, Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association (OICWA), 11/2022 - 11/2024
Timeline
PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
Capacity Building Center for Tribes
12.2023 - Current
TRIBAL FELLOW
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
03.2023 - Current
INDIAN CHILD WELFARE (ICW) SUPERVISOR
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
08.2015 - 12.2023
SOCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST II
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
04.2002 - 08.2015
FAMILY FOCUS OKLAHOMA CHILDREN’S INITIATIVE (OCI) WORKER
Eastern Oklahoma Youth Services
05.1996 - 12.1997
CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST III / CERTIFIED SEXUAL ABUSE SPECIALIST
Oklahoma Department of Human Services
05.1996 - 12.1997
Master of Science - Native American Leadership
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology/Psychology
Southeastern Oklahoma State University
- Strategic Organizational Leadership, Management & Strategy Institute, 2022
- CW203: Child Sexual Abuse Specialist, University of Oklahoma, 2000
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