Nikia Palmer
Willingboro,NJ
Summary
An Accomplished professional offering over 20 years of experience working in the Human Services field, including 19 years of state service serving in the capacity as a Probation officer and Family Service Specialist with Child Protection Services. In the private sector I have experience working with individuals with behavioral psychological, and substance use disorders. I am a dedicated and methodical professional with extensive experience within the Criminal Justice field such as supervising criminal offenders, working closely with social service agencies, Co-occurring treatment providers, Superior Court Criminal Court Judges and Trial Team and presently as a School Counselor.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
School Counselor
Urban Promise Academy
Pennsauken, NJ
2024.02 - Current
- Coordinated crisis interventions for students facing difficult life situations.
- As an intricate team member of Wellness, attend weekly meetings with the Wellness Director, and Social Worker to debrief and discuss student progress and identify areas of improvement as it relates to Wellness.
- Submit referrals to outside mental health professionals for additional support services when needed.
- Participated in school-wide initiatives focused on promoting a safe and welcoming environment for all learners.
- Implemented behavior modification techniques aimed at increasing positive behaviors among students.
- Maintained accurate documentation of student interactions including assessments, referrals, progress notes and treatment plans.
- Performed outreach activities within the school community to increase awareness about available counseling services.
- Counseled students regarding variety of social, educational and interpersonal issues.
- Established trusting relationship with students and parents to nurture confidence in school counseling process.
- Identified at-risk students to provide support for successful academic experience and personal growth.
- Worked with parents and teachers to implement consistent behavior therapy techniques at home and school.
- Teach Wellness classes as it relates to social and emotional learning.
- As a mandated reporter, initiating child welfare and/or abuse concerns to the NJ Abuse hotline when necessary
Probation Officer
Superior Court of New Jersey
Camden , NJ
2016.10 - 2023.11
- Adult Probation – Adult Supervision
- Supervised adult clients to monitor compliance with court ordered conditions.
- Managed full caseloads up to one-hundred clients for direct supervision.
- Conduct Ohio Risk Assessment Tool to assess clients' risk level to the community, to themselves, and to determine whether they are low, mediate. high, or very high.
- Referred offenders to appropriate community agencies to complete services in compliance with court orders.
- Conducting Field/Home Visits
- Recommended Probation conditions to Court, including drug treatment, vocational rehabilitation and mental health programs.
- Conduct random urine specimens
- Prepare formal updated documentation to the Court by updating the client’s response to Probation such as urine specimens, reporting status, payment of fines, and attendance of any court ordered programs.
- Report unusual conditions and/or questionable items to the supervisor for corrective action.
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
- Recovery Court Special Probation (formerly Drug Court)
- Direct supervision of probationers released on bail conditions for sixty to ninety days prior to being sentenced.
- Delivered bail recommendations to court to assist with case outcomes.
- Coordinated phases of offender prison release program.
- Administered regular drug and alcohol tests and completed DNA indexing for
- Initiate sanctions, violations, and bench warrants due to noncompliance.
- Offered transitional services for program clients and referral to appropriate community agencies and organizations.
- Interview probationer; investigate and research their criminal history for preparation of writing their Presentence Investigation report for sentencing.
- Counseled adult felony offenders with legal, substance abuse, mental health, employment and personal problems.
- Tracked information for summary documentation to strengthen case outcomes.
- Conduct Mandatory Recovery Court Screening on all indictments and accusations to determine one’s eligibility for Recovery Court
- Prepare upcoming court list for the Recovery Court Team and the Judge for future court matters
- Criminal Case Management - Trial Team:
- Interview the litigants of crime to prepare presentence investigation reports.
- Gathered social and legal data on each probationer and verified details.
- Make accurate sentencing recommendations based on criminal history.
- Maintained detailed case log of all cases assigned to monitor progress and completion.
- Maintained organized records of all information and material pertinent to open investigations.
- Developed case plans and conducted comprehensive investigation tactics to obtain necessary evidence.
- Ran background checks of individuals to obtain data on character, financial status and personal history.
- Execute bench warrants
- Complete extraditions for an inmate to serve time in the awaiting state
- Special Job Assignment - Avenel Coordinator
- Interview and schedule adult sexual offenders for court ordered
- Psychological testing with the Adult Diagnostic Treatment Center
- Prepare discovery and court orders to be forwarded to the trial team, and Psychologist
- Forward time sensitive diagnostic psychological testing results to trial team
- Promoted high customer satisfaction by resolving problems with knowledgeable and friendly service.
Family Service Specialist II
Division of Child Protection and Permanency
Camden , NJ
2004.04 - 2016.10
- Case Management - Permanency Unit
- Protected children by identifying risks and implementing protective actions and improvement plans.
- Supported needs of at-risk families with housing, food and other critical assistance.
- Completed intake assessments on families to determine service needs.
- Maintained effective working relationships with law enforcement, court officials and medical professionals to give families comprehensive and effective support.
- Worked with care team to assess client needs and discuss collaborative treatment efforts.
- Established behavioral modification goals and assessed progress.
- Managed parent support groups addressing topics such as positive discipline and parenting styles.
- Maintained confidentiality through stringent handling of charts and data.
- Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services.
- Used job-related software to compose or prepare correspondence, case notes and technical reports
- Worked with community resources to engage youth in pro-social activities and help families access services.
- Interfaced with local court system, attending court proceedings and working directly with private attorneys, Law Guardian, and the Deputy Attorney General..
- Working with families towards reunification and concurrent planning
- Prepare and update case plans for high and low risk families
- Facilitate Family Team Meetings parent and treatment providers to discuss case goals
- Conduct monthly home or facility visitations with the child, parent and/or resource parent
- Appearing and testifying in court as well as complying with Family Court orders.
- Conducted high/low risk investigations for child abuse, neglect, and child welfare referrals.
- Resource Family Unit
- Arranged adoptions and located resource family homes for children that were removed from their home due to abuse and neglect.
- Conduct home inspections for New Jersey State licensing purposes
- Special Projects
- Assist in Fundraisers for Adolescents Unit
- Mentor to Family Service Specialist Trainees
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Teaneck, NJ05.2025
Master of Administrative Science -
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Teaneck, NJ05.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Teaneck, NJ05.2001
Skills
- Criminal Investigations
- Crisis Management
- Crisis Intervention Training
- Courtroom Practices Familiarity
- State Laws Knowledge
- Juvenile Court Procedures
- Ethical Standards of Conduct
- Non-Violent Intervention
- Behavioral Disorders Familiarity
- Therapy and counseling
- Cultural Competency
- Suicide Prevention
- Student Records Management
- Conflict Mediation
- Conflict Resolution
- Listening actively
- Mental health assessments
- Policy and procedure improvements
- Confidential services
- Referral Coordination
- Adolescent Counseling
- Social-emotional learning
- Community resource intelligence
- Mediation
- Behavioral assessment
- Group Counseling
- School counseling
- Individual Counseling
Timeline
School Counselor
Urban Promise Academy
2024.02 - Current
Probation Officer
Superior Court of New Jersey
2016.10 - 2023.11
Family Service Specialist II
Division of Child Protection and Permanency
2004.04 - 2016.10
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Master of Administrative Science -
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Fairleigh Dickinson University
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