Nia Hodge
Newport News,VA
Summary
Knowledgeable Family Service Counselor experienced in group and individual counseling, case management and conflict resolution to strengthen families. Background in applying sound judgment and independent discretion to provide quality mental health services to achieve client objectives. Bachelors in Science, valid Virginia driver's license and established history of counseling children, adolescents and teens.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Services Specialist
City of Newport News
01.2024 - Current
- Assists the unit supervisor with providing technical guidance and training of staff; serves as a policy expert in an area of social work specialization; oversees and coordinates program(s) or project(s)
- Conducts comprehensive clinical assessments, prepares and implements service plans to address the needs of adults, children and families, the elderly and the disabled; counsels and provides services to individuals and families by focusing on family preservation and family reunification, monitoring progress of clients, planning for adoption and emancipation and implementing court ordered services
- Manages complex financial exploitation cases involving the senior population and coordinating with law enforcement for appropriate action
- Coordinates the removal of children from endangering situations with the assistance of local police and arranging for alternative living arrangements; assures ongoing safety through contact with their caregivers in accordance with department policy
- Reviews court documents and orders, represents the Department in court proceedings, serves as the policy expert in the area of court processes and proceedings, researches and recommends department practices to meet court requirements, and participates in review finding meetings
- Performs a wide array of related services; attends and coordinates related meetings and seeks to resolve crisis situations for families and individuals regarding personal safety, shelter, food and clothing
- Makes referrals for services by being knowledgeable of local services and resources, working with service providers in the community, serving on interagency service assessment teams, serving as a client advocate in accessing services and working with other agencies such as schools, courts and mental health providers
- Acts as an advocate for clients’ rights; assists clients with petitions for custody; initiates court petitions; attends court hearings and testifies as necessary; arranges for withdrawal from and placement in schools, as necessary
- Serves as a liaison to federal, state and local agencies, state communities, courts, professional boards and task force groups; and collaborates with other agencies to develop and coordinate resources order to establish effective working relationships
- Provides training and education on a variety of social work topics and remains abreast of current statewide policy initiatives and best practices related to the Human Services field.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address complex family situations and deliver comprehensive care.
- Strengthened relationships among families by facilitating group sessions and providing conflict resolution support.
- Increased family stability by providing crisis intervention and connecting them to appropriate community supports.
- Attended and participated staff meetings and training seminars.
- Maximized client engagement through proactive outreach efforts, including home visits, phone calls, and written correspondence.
- Maintained confidential records and documentation in Oasis database.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet strict standards.
- Planned and participated in off-site and on-site client events and activities.
- Administered case management for dependant children to provide counseling and formulate treatment plans to determine long-term placement.
- Liaised with community organizations and provided resource and treatment referrals.
Therapeutic Family Consultant (Case Manager)
Intercept Health Services
03.2021 - 01.2024
- Conduct and write home studies
- Service planning by developing individualized treatment and service plans
- Counsel children and families in preparation for placement or discharge
- Supervise children in resource, foster, and adoptive homes, and in independent living arrangements
- Prepare and maintain case records
- Coordinate services to minimize fragmentation of care, reduce barriers, and link children with appropriate services to ensure comprehensive, continuous access to needed medical, social, educational, and other services appropriate to the needs of the child
- Assess periodically to determine the child's needs for psychosocial, nutritional, medical, and educational services
- Coordinate referrals by assisting the child in arranging for appropriate services and ensure continuity of care for a child in treatment foster care
- Link the child to services and supports specified in the individualized treatment and service plan
- Assist the child to locate or obtain needed services and resources
- Coordinate services and service planning with other agencies and providers involved with the child by arranging, as needed, medical, remedial, and dental services
- Monitor and follow up by assessing ongoing progress in each case and ensure services are delivered
- Continually evaluate and review each child's plan of care
- Collaborate with the family assessment and planning teams and other involved parties on reviews and coordination of services to children and their families
- Educate and counsel by guiding the child and developing a supportive relationship that promotes the service plan
- Collaborate closely with the family assessment and planning teams and other involved parties in preparation of all case plans.
- Conducted thorough evaluations of family environments, identifying areas for improvement and potential risks to child development.
- Developed strong rapport with clients, fostering a supportive environment where families felt comfortable discussing sensitive issues openly.
- Assisted families in setting realistic goals for improvement, monitoring progress over time and adjusting interventions as necessary.
Group Facilitator
Hope Recovery - Remote
08.2020 - 10.2021
- Facilitate support group and present the Workshop developed to survivors or professionals and promoted equitable access to resources, supporting individuals from various socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic, and educational backgrounds
- Achieved treatment goals using thorough knowledge of crisis intervention techniques and supportive problem-solving
- Executed a curriculum that offered a cognitive approach to help clients with emotional and behavioral challenges of active addiction
- Included motivating and gauging clients to addressing tendency for recidivism, and relapse
- Facilitated groups to address client's issues with anger and other antisocial behaviors
- Help change client’s paradigm toward recovery
- Assessed client’s readiness for formal treatment by viewing client’s insight on the social, communication, and networking curricula
- Assessed client’s motivation for change during one to one & treatment appointments
- Dealt with clients’ crises through brief interventions
- Performed community outreach for 6 moth follow ups
- Made referrals for treatment detoxification process, sexual abuse recovery, binge eating, and trauma recovery for continuity of care.
Customer Service Lead
Ashley Furniture Homestore
05.2020 - 03.2021
- Responding to issues such as service inquiries, problem resolution, and retaining accounts
- Handling customer escalations and all customer relations issues
- Writing reports and business correspondence
- Relaying information in a concise and clear manner
- Managing customer expectations
- Building customer relationships and loyalty
- Quickly researching and investigating issues that concern a customer
- Managing customer service teams, processes, and polices
- Creating work schedules
- Allocating staff resources.
- Leveraged advanced interpersonal skills to defuse difficult situations calmly while preserving long-term client relationships.
- Assisted with onboarding new hires by sharing expertise in company policies, procedures, systems usage.
- Coordinated schedules, assignments, and daily tasks for team members, optimizing resource utilization.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving complex issues and providing timely solutions.
- Managed high call volumes while maintaining a professional demeanor, resulting in increased customer loyalty.
- Actively listened to customers, handled concerns quickly and escalated major issues to supervisor.
Program Coordinator
American Association of University Women
01.2017 - 08.2020
- Work on Assigned Projects and assist with creating electronic documents by creating files, filing documents, scan documentation, entering data in the database pertaining to enrolled students
- Developed and implemented needs-based programs for college students and local community focusing sexual assault, domestic violence, and prevention of on campus bullying
- Worked effectively with a diverse team to accomplish daily objectives and meet long-term goals and updated office files daily and kept records organized
- Provided ongoing evaluation and assessment of programs to determine effectiveness and maintain organizational objectives.
Resident Advisor
Old Dominion University
08.2019 - 05.2020
- Develop a positive living environment for residents, often resolving conflicts
- Implement and enforce all College and Campus Living policies, promoting academic excellence, addressing student needs, and encouraging involvement
- Promote the interaction and construction of social networks between community and residents
- Create, market, and lead student centered hall programs to promote social, education, diversity, health, emotional, understanding and growth
- Assist in the selection, evaluation and training of incoming resident advisors
- Communicate, correspond and collaborate with on and off-campus offices such as counseling, student activities, campus security, Planned Parenthood, maintenance, etc
- Collaborate with orientation staff on first year and transfer student opening week activities
- Budget and allocate money used for residence hall and floor events
- Handled administrative duties such as liaising between the residents, families, and building coordinator, drafted and maintained reports, solved residents' problems.
Camp Counselor
Fredericksburg Field House
08.2018 - 08.2019
- Plan outdoor activities or sports for groups of campers
- Create weekly or daily schedules considering children’s age groups and interests
- Lead recreational and educational activities (such as swimming, caving or crafting)
- Escort and oversee children
- Educate campers through games and explorations
- Set up and maintain equipment (like camping sets)
- Resolve occasional fights between children and address behavioral issues.
Teacher
Learn N' Play
12.2017 - 01.2018
- Demonstrated knowledge and competency of basic child development
- Provided individualized positive interactions with children in a respectful manner
- Provided daily opportunities to the children to make plans, choices, solve problems review and assess their actions
- Assisted the designated supervisor in planning an organizing childcare program
- Attended to the social, emotional, physical, safety and health needs of children
- Developed teaching plans in accordance with curriculum.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Human Services
Old Dominion University - Norfolk, VA
Norfolk, VA12.2020
No Degree - High School Diploma
Spotsylvania High School - Spotsylvania, VA
Spotsylvania, United States06.2014
Skills
- Behavioral assessment
- Multicultural Competence
- Individual Counseling
- Professional ethics
- Child Development
- Service planning
- Time Management
- Foster care youth
- Home visits
- Family services
- Report Preparation
- Client documentation
Timeline
Family Services Specialist
City of Newport News
01.2024 - Current
Therapeutic Family Consultant (Case Manager)
Intercept Health Services
03.2021 - 01.2024
Group Facilitator
Hope Recovery - Remote
08.2020 - 10.2021
Customer Service Lead
Ashley Furniture Homestore
05.2020 - 03.2021
Resident Advisor
Old Dominion University
08.2019 - 05.2020
Camp Counselor
Fredericksburg Field House
08.2018 - 08.2019
Teacher
Learn N' Play
12.2017 - 01.2018
Program Coordinator
American Association of University Women
01.2017 - 08.2020
Bachelor of Science - Human Services
Old Dominion University - Norfolk, VA
No Degree - High School Diploma
Spotsylvania High School - Spotsylvania, VA
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