Michelle D. Cruz
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
Problem solver skilled at researching, locating and coordinating interventions in the educational and behavioral health realm. Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills with a positive, proactive and resourceful disposition. Focused on maximizing effectiveness of the education setting and amplifying student leadership.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Community School Coordinator
City Of Philadelphia
02.2022 - Current
- Identifying, Managing, and implementing programs, initiatives and activities to enhance school learning environment and mitigate barriers to student learning and success.
- Seeking out and onboarding partners and stakeholders to provide programming and resources to students, family and surrounding community.
- Organizing and hosting large scale school wide and community events by convening necessary stakeholders and working collaboratively with school administration.
- Implemented several support teams and task forces to provide a more sustainable learning environment and community.
Director of Admissions
Carson Valley Children's Aid
08.2018 - 01.2022
- Restructuring, coordinating, and facilitating all admissions to the agency across the behavioral health continuum including residential treatment, residential care, day school treatment, foster care, community placement and independent living
- Reviewing all referrals on 24 hour basis, interviewing children in various settings and completing assessments
- Communicating with stakeholders and outside agencies including DHS and court officials to ensure documentation is complete, accurate and up to date to reduce and mitigate risk and agency liability.
- Managing our electronic database and central admissions program
- Supervising members of the admissions team to ensure program census remains at capacity.
- Served as primary contact for coordination of application screening and tracking, visit and interview arrangement and marketing communications.
- Worked with marketing team to develop recruitment strategies in accordance with organizational goals and within budgetary guidelines.
- Implemented strategies to increase student recruiting, engagement and retention.
- Collaborated with faculty, staff and students to identify and address institutional challenges.
Therapeutic Services Clinical Case Manager
Carson Valley Children's Aid
08.2015 - 08.2018
- Coordinating behavioral health services in the public-school setting
- Identifying children in need of behavioral health supports, providing referrals, supports and intervention to children grades K-8
- Integral part of the school climate community to implement structure around behavior supports and intervention for students and clients
- Provide supervision and training to behavioral health staff; assigning workers according to client and program needs, review documentation for completeness and accuracy for submission to payroll and insurance reimbursement
- Other responsibilities include coordinating with families, behavioral health providers, and school personnel to schedule evaluations, interagency meetings, ensure quality of care, and serve as an advocate for clients and families in atypical circumstances.
- Provided leadership, guidance and support to staff members.
- Developed and implemented training programs for staff.
- Analyzed trends and data to inform decision-making and program development.
Trauma Informed Care Trainer
Carson Valley Children’s Aid
07.2017 - 01.2022
- Integral part of a Trauma Focused Training team responsible for training new hires on Trauma Informed care Practices
- Contributing to agency wide compliance of being an agency skilled in trauma informed practices and understanding how trauma affects child behavior and family dynamics and engagement.
Adult Blended Case Manager
NHS Human Services
12.2012 - 02.2014
- Development and implementation of treatment plans for clients adults that would aid and sustain their recovery.
- Updated client charts with data such as medications and appointments to keep records current and support accurate treatments.
- Worked with different disciplines to provide cohesive care to clients.
- Utilizing a team approach, coordinating and facilitating all schedules and applications of consumer treatment including but not limited to employment, physical health, health and welfare benefits, drug and alcohol treatment, medication management, money management, family planning, housing and on-going mental health treatment.
Prevention Case Manager
Girls Incorporated of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
10.2008 - 12.2010
- Managed a case load of adolescent females, developing and implementing service plans, providing counseling and educational and employment services to children and parents, and referring families to services as needed.
- Other duties included the facilitation and management of the afterschool programming.
- Coordinated individual referrals to obtain community services, advocate for client needs and resolve roadblocks.
Clinical Therapist
April Lancit & Associates
03.2019 - Current
- Providing individual, couples and family therapy in an outpatient setting
- Utilizing strength based, person centered, emotion focused, and cognitive behavioral approaches to help clients reach their therapeutic and personal goals
- Compiled detailed client histories using intake forms, interviews and assessments to build complete picture for determining optimal therapeutic approaches.
- Completed assessments and planned customized treatments, applying wide range of resources.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PAMaster of Arts - Clinical Psychology
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
West Chester, PA05.2018
Skills
- Experience with software programs such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
- Extensive experience in behavioral health billing submission and reconciliation
- Ability to manage staff and delegate responsibilities as per needs and priorities of program
- Certified as trainer of Trauma Informed Care
- Effective School Communications
- Group Mentoring - Sorority and high school student leadership
- Large Group Presentations
- Activity Planning
- Community Engagement
Accomplishments
Presented for The Institute for Educational Leaderships during the 2023 National Community Schools & Family Engagement Conference - Workshop: Let's Get Engaged - Engaging students, families and communities at the high school level
Presented for 2023 American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Systemic Family Therapy Conference - Workshop: Mental Health Working in Urban Schools
Affiliations
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated
Urban Health Solutions Advisory Board Member
Timeline
Community School Coordinator
City Of Philadelphia
02.2022 - Current
Clinical Therapist
April Lancit & Associates
03.2019 - Current
Director of Admissions
Carson Valley Children's Aid
08.2018 - 01.2022
Trauma Informed Care Trainer
Carson Valley Children’s Aid
07.2017 - 01.2022
Therapeutic Services Clinical Case Manager
Carson Valley Children's Aid
08.2015 - 08.2018
Adult Blended Case Manager
NHS Human Services
12.2012 - 02.2014
Prevention Case Manager
Girls Incorporated of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey
10.2008 - 12.2010
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
Master of Arts - Clinical Psychology
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
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