Nicolo A Festa
NEW LONDON,Connecticut
Summary
Dedicated Social Worker provides exceptional professional care and implements appropriate interventions. Utilizes variety of resources to identify unique needs and assist vulnerable populations. Adept at establishing strong rapport with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Strong background in serving older adults and characteristics of that population.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Worker
Connecticut Department Of Social Services
01.2010 - 05.2015
- Conducted home visits to assess the need for Protective Services for older adults (60+).
- Developed service plans for capacitated clients in a state of abuse, neglect, self neglect, or exploitation.
- Petitioned the probate court for the provision of emergency services for clients who lacked the capacity to consent and were in imminent danger of serious harm.
- Provided crisis counseling and intervention services to walk-in clients seeking goods or services to meet basic needs.
- Acted as conservator of person for older adults in nursing home placements including periodic visiting, monitoring, participating in care tem meetings, documenting those activities, and completing the yearly report to the probate court.
- Enrolled clients into in home services programs including Medicare waiver programs, developed service plans and monitored them.
Service Coordinator
Reliance Health
03.2009 - 12.2010
- Provided case management services for approximately twenty adults with mental illness with the goal of supporting their function at home and in the community
- Conducted assessments, developed person centered plans, assisted as needed to achieve goals, monitored plan implementation, and documented those activities.
- Provided ongoing support to persons in my caseload as needed.
Adult Protective Services Supervisor
Louisiana Department Of Health And Hospitals
11.2002 - 09.2007
- Supervised six adult protective services specialists
- Provided case consultation, case reading, case review, and support in cases involving interdiction (conservatorship)
- Conducted protective service investigations when short on staff and provided services as needed
- Participated in program planning, policy development, and writing policy
- Networked with public and private health/social services providers with the goal of improving services to abused and neglected adults (18-59)
Program Specialist IV
Texas Department Of Family And Protective Services
10.1989 - 10.2002
- Participated in program planning and development
- Wrote program policy, procedures, planning documents, and regional reviews
- Consulted with regional staff on policy, procedure, and casework
- Covered for absent regional supervisors and field staff as needed
- Coordinated quality assurance program
- Reviewed Texas Department of Health nursing home investigations and conducted oversight re-investigation as needed
- Coordinated efforts to promote staff's cultural competence
APS Specialist
Texas Department Of Family And Protective Service
02.1986 - 09.1989
- Conducted home visits of persons with disabilities (18-64) and older persons (65+) for the purpose of investigating abuse, neglect, self neglect, and exploitation and providing services as needed to remedy identified problems.
- Documented cases
- Petitioned the probate for emergency services when clients lacked the capacity to consent to needed services and were in danger of imminent serious harm.
- Supervised unit staff when supervisor was absent.
Director of Social Services
Northwest Pilot Project
09.1983 - 10.1985
- Managed Title III aging services contract including negotiation with Area Agency on Aging( AAA), including contract preparation, contract monitoring, and acting as a liaison to AAA.
- Provided general supervision for aging program staff
- Provided case consultation, case reading, and case review for aging services case managers to ensure quality and compliance with contract standards
- Assisted executive director in administration, planning, and management of agency
- Provided in home case management services to clients sixty and older to help them maintain independence in the community
Night Manager
Rita Owens Group Home
09.1981 - 09.1983
- Supervised 15 men with chronic mental illness
- Assisted residents in the implantation of a plan to increase their ability to perform daily living activities including self administration of psychotropic medications
- Provided supportive and crisis counseling as needed
- Recorded behavioral incidents, tracked token economy, and wrote daily log notes.
Case Manager
Project Able (defunct)
11.1979 - 11.1980
- Provided case management services to clients sixty and older to help them maintain independence in the community
- Attended activities in senior center to network with older adults
Education
Master of Arts - Masters in Social Work
Portland State University
Portland, OR06.1983
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Connecticut
Storrs, CT09.1974
High School Diploma -
St. Bernard High School
Uncasville, CT06.1969
Skills
- Resource Navigation
- Case Documentation
- Service planning
- Client Needs Assessment
- Crisis intervention
Accomplishments
- Assisted in the founding of the TEAM Institute in 1997, the first adult protective service, medical school, and public hospital collaboration in the United States. Team provides multidisciplinary geriatric assessment, training, and research in the area of elder mistreatment.
- Assisted in the creation and implementation of the SWIFT team and SWIFT assessment process used in the Houston Astrodome after Hurricane Katrina to trige older adult evacuees from Louisiana to safer placements.
Certification
Timeline
Social Worker
Connecticut Department Of Social Services
01.2010 - 05.2015
Service Coordinator
Reliance Health
03.2009 - 12.2010
Adult Protective Services Supervisor
Louisiana Department Of Health And Hospitals
11.2002 - 09.2007
Program Specialist IV
Texas Department Of Family And Protective Services
10.1989 - 10.2002
APS Specialist
Texas Department Of Family And Protective Service
02.1986 - 09.1989
Director of Social Services
Northwest Pilot Project
09.1983 - 10.1985
Night Manager
Rita Owens Group Home
09.1981 - 09.1983
Case Manager
Project Able (defunct)
11.1979 - 11.1980
Master of Arts - Masters in Social Work
Portland State University
Bachelor of Arts - English
University of Connecticut
High School Diploma -
St. Bernard High School
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