Nadia Ramirez
Union
Summary
Detail-oriented professional with over 20 years of experience in child welfare. Skilled in critical thinking, client engagement, information gathering, assessment of child safety, and compliance with state regulations. Successfully handled numerous sensitive cases, ensuring child safety and well-being through thorough assessments and intervention strategies. Demonstrated effective crisis management and empathetic communication skills to support vulnerable children and families.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Quality Reviewer
State Of Florida Department Of Children And Famili
08.2021 - Current
- Conducted thorough reviews of active child abuse investigations to ensure child safety through compliance with DCF policy and state regulations.
- Provided constructive feedback virtually and in person to the field for improvement and increased child safety outcomes.
- Conducted Child and Family Service Reviews to assess how well our contracted foster care agencies ensure child safety, permanency, and well being.
- Supported continuous improvement initiatives by actively participating in team meetings, trainings, and workshops focused on enhancing skills in relevant areas such as domestic violence.
- Actively sought opportunities for professional development, attending industry conferences and webinars to expand expertise in relevant fields.
- Volunteered to assist in other areas of the department as needed, such as Disaster Food Stamp (DSNAP) processing, Child abuse hotline web report screening, and performing home visits of foster care children.
- Coordinated events to boost engagement within our department since we telework.
Child Protective Investigator
State Of Florida Department Of Children And Famili
04.2009 - 08.2021
- Conducted thorough investigations to make assessments of child safety.
- Utilized strong interviewing skills to gather critical information from children, parents, educators, medical professionals, and law enforcement personnel.
- Participated in ongoing professional development, staying current on best practices in child protection investigation techniques.
- Collaborated with community agencies to gather critical information and provide resources to strengthen and support families.
- Administered urinary and saliva on site drug screens so that any substance abuse and associated impacts on child safety could be discussed in real time.
- Developed safety plans to mitigate risks for at-risk children and families.
- Performed thorough assessments of patterns of behaviors found in prior criminal and child abuse history and provision of services by reviewing case histories and drawing connections between past incidents and current concerns.
- Conducted home visits to assess living conditions, interview family members, and observe interactions between children and caregivers.
- Mentored new investigators on protocols, legal requirements, and investigative techniques.
- Participated in multidisciplinary team meetings to coordinate services for families in crisis.
- Documented case information meticulously, maintained accurate records, and drafted court petitions as needed.
- Remained objective in handling each case, especially when children and families were in high-stress situations.
- Managed high caseloads efficiently, prioritizing tasks based on urgency and level of risk to the child.
- Provided expert testimony in court hearings, contributing to informed decisions on child welfare matters.
Child Protective Investigator
State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
02.2004 - 03.2009
- Conducted thorough investigations to assess child safety and welfare concerns.
- Monitored ongoing cases to ensure compliance with safety measures and follow-up actions.
- Interviewed children, members of families, medical personnel and law enforcement to gain valuable information for each case.
- Identified patterns of abuse/neglect during investigations by reviewing case histories and drawing connections between past incidents and current concerns.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations regarding timelines for investigations, documentation, and reporting requirements.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive assessments and intervention plans for children at risk.
- Advised families on steps required for successful completion of service plans aimed at reducing risks within the home environment.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Grand Valley State University
Allendale, MISkills
- Adaptability and flexibility
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking
- Writing and verbal communication
- Case documentation
- Client engagement and assistance
- Information gathering
- Danger and threat assessments
- Active listening
- Multitasking Abilities
- Organizational skills
Timeline
Quality Reviewer
State Of Florida Department Of Children And Famili
08.2021 - Current
Child Protective Investigator
State Of Florida Department Of Children And Famili
04.2009 - 08.2021
Child Protective Investigator
State of Michigan Department of Health and Human Services
02.2004 - 03.2009
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Grand Valley State University