MICHELLE PAIONK
Bad Axe,MI
Summary
Experienced in client advocacy and case management with strong attention to detail, seeking to leverage solution-oriented interventions in a Social Worker - Child and Youth role. Skilled in developing effective relationships and accessing community resources to support clients. Ready to contribute positively to a team focused on child and youth welfare.
Professional with significant expertise in team leadership and operational management. Proven track record in driving team collaboration and delivering impactful results. Skilled in conflict resolution, process optimization, and strategic planning, with flexible approach to evolving business needs. Known for reliability, strong communication, and fostering productive work environment.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Supervisor
Professional Counseling Center
Marlette, MI
09.2025 - Current
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring compliance with counseling protocols and regulatory standards.
- Led a team of counselors, providing mentorship and guidance to enhance service delivery.
- Conducted performance evaluations for staff members, identifying areas of improvement and guiding professional development plans.
- Managed case assignments, optimizing counselor workload distribution for balanced service delivery.
- Enhanced communication within the team by holding regular meetings and encouraging open dialogue among all members.
- Reduced employee turnover by fostering a positive work environment and providing ongoing feedback to staff members.
Family Preservation Social Worker
Professional Counseling Center
Marlette, MI
08.2017 - 09.2025
- Maintained accurate documentation of clinical activities, including progress notes, incident reports, and discharge summaries.
- Developed and maintained effective relationships with clients, families, and other professionals.
- Collaborated with schools to address students'' social-emotional needs, working closely with teachers and administrators to create supportive learning environments.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments for individuals and families to identify needs, leading to personalized intervention plans.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance the client's outcome of intervention plan.
- Improved client access to community resources from social, health and welfare agencies thorough assisting in a thorough needs assessment and effective referral processes.
- Promoted family reunification and stability, conducting assessments, providing tailored family support services, assisting clients with navigating and accessing social services such as housing, food and medical care.
- Conducted home visits to assess living environment, facilitate access to necessary resources, assess family dynamics, provide guidance on effective communication strategies and conflict resolution techniques.
- De-escalated stressful situations through individual and family crisis interventions, provided support through empathy and compassion during difficult times.
- Monitored clients' progress and adapted treatment plans to meet changing needs, develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
Case Manager
Wolverine Human Services
Vassar, MI
02.2019 - 11.2019
- Participated in team meetings to discuss case management strategies for individual cases.
- Educated clients on available community resources and how to access them effectively.
- Ensured precise documentation of clinical activities, encompassing progress notes, incident reports, and court-related reports.
- Facilitated communication between clients, families, and service providers to enhance support networks.
- Coordinated comprehensive care plans to address individual client needs and goals.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address client needs and formulate tailored support strategies.
Daycare Worker
Early Years
Bad Axe, MI
06.2013 - 02.2017
- Monitored developmental milestones and communicated progress to parents and guardians effectively.
- Developed and implemented age-appropriate educational activities to promote learning, social skills and emotional development.
- Developed strong and trusting relationships with parents through open communication channels and ongoing collaboration on their child''s care plan requirements.
- Supervised daily activities to ensure safety and engagement for children in care.
- Assisted in creating educational and nurturing atmosphere by actively engaging with the children through play, conversation and care routines to stimulate physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development in children.
- Observed play activities to identify positive behaviors and areas in need of improvement, implementing behavior redirection where appropriate.
- Supported child development tailored to individual needs by implementing age-appropriate learning activities to develop good cognitive, physical and language skills.
Daycare Worker
Sonshine Kids Daycare
Bad Axe, MI
06.2004 - 07.2007
- Developed and implemented age-appropriate educational activities to stimulate physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development in children.
- Monitored developmental milestones and communicated progress to parents and guardians effectively.
- Managed challenging behaviors by effectively establishing clear expectations, employing positive reinforcement techniques and redirecting negative actions towards more constructive outlets.
- Observed play activities to identify positive behaviors and areas in need of improvement, implementing behavior redirection where appropriate.
- Supported child development by implementing age-appropriate learning activities by encouraging the development of healthy physical, social/language skills, cognitive/emotional skills tailored to individual needs.
- Provided compassionate emotional support for children experiencing stress or anxiety throughout the day, fostering a secure attachment bond between caregiver and child.
- Facilitated language development among children through reading aloud, storytelling, and engaging in age-appropriate conversations throughout the day.
- Provided support and guidance to children in conflict resolution, enhancing their emotional and social development.
- Assisted in potty training and toilet hygiene.
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Human Services
Baker College
Cass City, MI09-2019
Skills
- Attention to detail
- Case management and documentation
- Efficiency under pressure
- Client advocacy
- Solution-oriented interventions
- Training and mentoring
- Staff management
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving abilities
- Goal setting
Timeline
Supervisor
Professional Counseling Center
09.2025 - Current
Case Manager
Wolverine Human Services
02.2019 - 11.2019
Family Preservation Social Worker
Professional Counseling Center
08.2017 - 09.2025
Daycare Worker
Early Years
06.2013 - 02.2017
Daycare Worker
Sonshine Kids Daycare
06.2004 - 07.2007
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Human Services
Baker College
Personal Information
Title: SOCIAL WORKER - FAMILIES, CHILD AND YOUTH