Pamela M. DeFabrizio
Selden,NY
Summary
With a background in social services, notably at the Dept. of Social Services, I excel in advocacy skills and public service. My expertise encompasses advocating for vulnerable populations, coordinating services, and enhancing case management processes, significantly improving client welfare.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Court Liaison/Sr. Caseworker
Suffolk County Dept. Of Social Services
Ronkonkoma, NY
08.2023 - 10.2024
- Served as a Court Liaison between Child Protective Services (CPS) and the Assistant County Attorneys (ACAs) representing Child Protective Services.
- Obtained contemporaneous Court Updates from CPS, and provided them to the ACAs.
- Relayed information to CPS regarding the events that occurred in Court.
- Completed progress notes regarding the events that occurred in Court.
- Addressed emergency and non-emergency petitions filed by CPS, as they were filed to the court.
- As needed, testified in Court on behalf of CPS.
- Provided relevant Court Orders to CPS.
Sr. Caseworker
Suffolk County Dept. of Social Services/CPS
Ronkonkoma, NY
12.2012 - 08.2022
- Provided advocacy and monitoring of the welfare of children placed in foster care.
- Met with the foster children and foster parents of assigned cases a minimum of one time monthly, for the purpose of assuring that the foster child's welfare and needs are being met by the foster parents.
- Submitted progress notes regarding each visit.
- Met with respondent and non-respondent parents, providing referrals for Court mandated programs as well as for additional recommendations.
- Worked with the respondent and non-respondent parents toward reunification.
- Monitored the respondents' progress in their Court mandated programs.
- Completed bi-annual FASPs (Family Assessment Services Plans) and Permanency Planning reports.
- When needed, provided testimony in Family Court.
- When needed, facilitated supervised visits for the respondent parent with the children.
Service Coordinator
Concern For Independent Living
Riverhead, NY
07.2011 - 12.2012
- Provided oversight and advocacy for individuals with chronic and severe mental illness, residing in a 50 unit CR-SRO (Community Residence-Single Room Occupancy).
- Responsible for all documentation of the progress of 17 individuals.
- Complete annual and bi-annual assessments for 17 individuals.
- Monitor the benefits and entitlements for 17 indivviduals.
Medicaid Service Coordinator
Developmental Disabilities Institute, DDI
Huntington, NY
01.2010 - 10.2010
- Provided advocacy regarding the needs and services to children and adults with intellectual and or developmental disabilities.
- Worked under the auspices of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPwDD).
- Coordinated and supervised the various waiver services for each Individual.
- Monitored the overall welfare of each individual.
- Documented their needs, issues and concerns in bi-annual Individualized Service Plans.
- Participated in academic meetings (CSE, IEP & Transitional meetings), for the purpose of advocating on behalf of school-aged individuals.
- Provided linkage and referral services to assist with academic issues, such as transitioning out of school to day programs, structured workshops or supported employment as well as adjustment to their communities.
- When needed, assisted in securing residential placements.
- When needed, assisted in obtaining appropriate legal representation.
Medicaid Service Coordinator
East End Disability Associates
Riverhead, NY
05.2006 - 01.2010
- Provided advocacy regarding the needs and services to children and adults with intellectual and or developmental disabilities.
- Worked under the auspices of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPwDD).
- Coordinated and supervised the various waiver services for each Individual.
- Monitored the overall welfare of each individual.
- Documented their needs, issues and concerns in bi-annual Individualized Service Plans.
- Participated in academic meetings (CSE, IEP & Transitional meetings), for the purpose of advocating on behalf of school-aged individuals.
- Provided linkage and referral services to assist with academic issues, such as transitioning out of school to day programs, structured workshops or supported employment as well as adjustment to their communities.
- When needed, assisted in securing residential placements.
- When needed, assisted in obtaining appropriate legal representation.
- Was trained and then served as a CORE Trainer of new Medicaid Service Coordinators, in conjunction with OPwDD protocol. This training was provided by OPwDD.
Medicaid Service Coordinator
LI Head Injury Association
Commack, NY
02.2002 - 05.2006
- Provided advocacy regarding the needs and services for adult survivors of Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).
- Worked under the auspices of the Dept. of Health (DOH) and the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPwDD), then known as OMRDD.
- Coordinated and supervised the various waiver services for each Individual.
- Monitored the overall welfare of each individual.
- Documented their needs, issues and concerns in bi-annual Individualized Service Plans required by OPwDD or Service Plans required by the DOH.
- Provided linkage and referral services to assist with structured workshops or supported employment as well as adjustment to their communities.
- When needed, assisted in securing residential placements.
- Monitored each individual's benefits and entitlements.
- When needed assisted in obtaining appropriate legal representation.
- When requested by the CEO and Director of Social Work, I participated in a meeting with NY State representatives from the Dept. of Health (DOH). I was asked to represent the concerns of the Medicaid Service Coordinators regarding meeting the needs of the individuals served.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology With a Minor in Dance
Adelphi University
Garden City, NY08-1983
Skills
- Investigative skills
- Interviewing techniques
- Legal terminology
- Communication skills
- Case management
- Written communication
- Professional demeanor
- Professional ethics
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Court Liaison/Sr. Caseworker
Suffolk County Dept. Of Social Services
08.2023 - 10.2024
Sr. Caseworker
Suffolk County Dept. of Social Services/CPS
12.2012 - 08.2022
Service Coordinator
Concern For Independent Living
07.2011 - 12.2012
Medicaid Service Coordinator
Developmental Disabilities Institute, DDI
01.2010 - 10.2010
Medicaid Service Coordinator
East End Disability Associates
05.2006 - 01.2010
Medicaid Service Coordinator
LI Head Injury Association
02.2002 - 05.2006
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology With a Minor in Dance
Adelphi University
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