Octavion Thomas
Summary
Innovative social outreach specialists with over 12 years of experience working with individuals to resolve mental health issues and promote positive living choices. Highly skilled and understanding the socio-ecological approach to solving key issues; sensitive to servicing culturally diverse populations.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Crisis Intervention Specialist
National Youth Advocate Program
07.2022 - Current
- Monitor 24-hour crisis hotline and respond attentively to individuals experiencing suicidal thoughts and other trauma related circumstances.
- Render de-escalation resolve and offer counseling and stabilization supportive assistance that reinforces calm in crisis moment; respond out if necessary.
- Evaluate risk to client or others by gathering information and conducting assessments.
- Build safety plans to help lower and minimize risk of crisis and intervened in specific manners outlined by best practice procedures.
- Collaborate with mental health professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for clients.
- Maintain client records to document assessment, treatment plans and progress.
- Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness or physical abuse.
Operations Manager
Streetplus
04.2013 - Current
- Manage payroll of 16 employees; oversee daily functions and operations, including recruiting, interviewing, hiring, and training process fot new hires.
- Provide insight and direction to supervisors and employees to produce a high-level quality of services to customers and stakeholders.
- Engage proactivity with homeless population to help identify mental health and chronic homeless issues and help to obtain shelter and, or long-term housing outcomes.
- Manage a caseload of over 200 clients, overseeing their daily needs, appointments, and counseling sessions.
- Supervise the distribution of resource guides by working inclusively with the business community, to help promote a practical neighborhood-approach to social service outreach.
Gang Prevention and Intervention Specialist
BUILD INC
08.2009 - 04.2013
- Worked closely with rival gang factions on the streets to help stabilize and diffuse neighborhood tension.
- Partnered with Chicago Alternative Policing Strategy Unit (C.A.P.S) in the Chicago Police Department, 18th district branch to help ensure the safety and well-being of the 27th ward.
- Worked closely within neighborhood schools, with teachers and other staff members to identify and assess at- risk youth that required extra peer support and mentorship guidance.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Clinical Psychology
Northeastern Illinois University
Chicago, IL03.2024
Skills
- Risk Assessment
- Therapeutic Services
- Client Needs Assessment
- Best Practices and Standards
Relevant Skills
- Ability to develop and distribute information materials concerning
- resources and other related matters.
- Effective in establishing healthy working relationships with outside agencies that help foster a long-term critical approach to solving
- chronic homeless issues.
Accomplishments
- Nominated and received an acrylic award for outstanding and dedicated service in the 27th ward.
- Completed a CPI training course (Crisis Prevention and Intervention Training) which provides best practices in recognizing how to identify and respond to various levels of crisis behaviors and situations.
Timeline
Crisis Intervention Specialist
National Youth Advocate Program
07.2022 - Current
Operations Manager
Streetplus
04.2013 - Current
Gang Prevention and Intervention Specialist
BUILD INC
08.2009 - 04.2013
Bachelor of Science - Clinical Psychology
Northeastern Illinois University