Michelle L. Pisarek

Family Service Specialist II Permanency Worker- 2020- Present, 2012- 2014

Family Service Specialist II Adoption Specialist - 2014- 2020, 2006- 2012

Family Service Specialist Trainee- 2005 - 2006

• Attended and participated in staff meetings and training seminars.
• Maintained confidential records and documentation in NJ Spirit database.
• Liaised with community organizations and provided resource and treatment referrals.
• Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
• Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
• Interviewed individuals and families to assess needs and provide informational resources.
• Collaborated with community program leaders and advocates to make resources accessible to those in need.
• Completed home welfare checks to align with state and program guidelines.
• Reported child abuse in accordance with legal standards of mandatory reporters.
• Compose legal documents for Court during permanency and compose documents for legally free children to process successful adoptions
• Testify in permanency hearings and termination of parental rights trials
• Design case plans and performed follow ups to determine that quality service has been provided to clients
• Facilitate strength based family team meetings
• Counsel individuals and family members regarding behavior modifications, rehabilitations, social adjustments, financial assistance, vocational training, child care, medical care and mental health.
• Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect.
• Investigate home conditions for safety and risk conditions that may put children at risk of harm
• Identified and reported signs and symptoms of violence, abuse and neglect for immediate intervention and remediation.
• Administered case management for dependant children to provide counseling and formulate treatment plans to determine long-term placement.

• Participated as member of multi-disciplinary team providing on-going case management services to adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses.
• Provided crisis intervention and risk assessments.
• Assisted with outreach and engagement services to engage clients and maintain working relationships.
• Participated in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings.
• Participated in professional growth programs to support special education improvement efforts.
• Helped patients receive appropriate, high-quality care with reasonable results.
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• Identified care needs of individual patients and coordinated responses based on physician advice, insurance limitations and procedural costs.
• Partnered with physicians, social workers, activity therapists, nutritionists and case managers to develop and implement individualized care plans and documented patient interactions and interventions in electronic charting systems.

• Reviewed caseload of patients for length of stay, care and services to perform outcomes monitoring and variance analysis.
• Liaised with staff psychiatrist, psychologist and nurse to mitigate patient discharge delays by coordinating tests, therapy and other treatments.
• Conducted utilization review to verify medically necessary care is received in correct setting.
• Completed psychosocial evaluations and needs assessments.
• Provided ongoing counseling to help patients deal with conditions and processes
• Updated treatment plans on monthly basis with latest intervention strategies and progress notes.
• Preserved and prepared reports and treatment records.
• Delivered social work services to adults with mental health and developmental disabilities in transitional step down housing situation to prepare individuals for re-entry into societal living from mental health institution. .

• Worked with medical teams, patients and families to implement effective treatment plans.
• Documented case notes daily and coordinated follow-up for seamless case management.
• Provided ongoing counseling to help patients deal with conditions and processes
• Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
• Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
• Worked flexible hours; night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
• Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.