Rachelle Watts
Indianapolis,IN
Summary
Compassionate School Social Worker with experience in providing emotional, social and academic support to school-aged students. Strengths include effective communication, crisis management, and implementation of intervention strategies for at-risk youth. Significant impact made in previous roles by promoting student well-being and fostering positive relationships between students, families, and school staff.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
School Social Worker
Catholic Charities
Indianapolis, Indiana
08.2025 - Current
- Provide counseling services to students and families in crisis situations.
- Collaborate with teachers to create supportive educational plans for students.
- Facilitate group therapy sessions to promote social skills and emotional well-being.
- Conduct assessments to identify student needs and resources available.
- Implement intervention strategies to address behavioral issues in classrooms.
- Educate parents on mental health resources and available school services.
- Advocate for student rights and access to necessary support systems.
- Collaborate with teachers, administrators, parents, and other professionals to develop and implement appropriate interventions for students facing social or academic difficulties.
- Counsel individuals and groups in specific problem areas.
- Maintain confidential case documentation.
- Facilitate conflict resolution between peers when needed.
- Assist teachers with identifying, referring, and supporting students.
- Create a positive school climate by providing support to staff members, and encouraging respectful behavior among students.
- Serve as an advocate for students who are victims of neglect or abuse.
- Conduct research on best practices related to social work in schools.
Skills Development Specialist
Adult and Child Health
Indianapolis, Indiana
10.2021 - 08.2025
- Engage each client in skills development techniques to improve behaviors or mental health struggles, monitor the client's progress, develop a plan of care, and collaborate with the client's collaterals.
- Created instructional materials tailored for various learning styles and abilities.
- Developed learning materials such as handouts, presentations, videos, or online resources.
- Maintained strong knowledge by participating in workshops, conferences, and online education classes.
- Identified individuals strengths based on assessments and observations.
- Developed individualized training plans for clients based on their identified needs.
Student Therapist Intern
Adult and Child Health
01.2025 - 08.2025
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop care plans.
- Utilized evidence-based practices to deliver effective therapeutic interventions.
- Maintained accurate client records and documentation in compliance with regulations.
- Conducted individual therapy sessions for diverse client populations.
- Assessed client needs through comprehensive evaluations and assessments.
- Engage in supervision with a practicum supervisor to address professional and educational growth.
- Engage in research regarding therapeutic techniques and models to employ with clients.
- Maintain concurrent session documentation in a timely manner.
- Built therapeutic relationships with clients to facilitate growth and healing.
- Documented care and collaborated with other healthcare professionals to obtain and share vital health information to support continuum of care.
- Conduct crisis interventions, and develop safety plans.
- Provide community resources and referrals for families.
- Educated clients and families on mental health resources and coping strategies.
Patient Care Concierge
11.2020 - 10.2021
- Ensured timely follow-up care for patients discharged from affiliated hospitals.
- Assisted patients with appointment scheduling, insurance approval, and care team management.
- Coordinated health records to facilitate seamless transitions in patient care.
- Conducted follow-ups to enhance overall patient experience after discharge.
Home-based caseworker
Ireland Home-Based Services
Columbus, IN
10.2019 - 11.2020
- Monitored family visitations, documenting all occurrences and interactions during sessions.
- Transported children to family visitations, ensuring timely arrivals.
- Educated parents on effective parenting skills to enhance familial relationships.
- Delivered case management services to individuals seeking resources or skill development.
- Tutored clients while maintaining weekly communication with clients and DCS case managers.
- Participated in weekly group staff meetings, documenting all communications and hours worked.
- Followed strict policies and procedures to maintain client confidentiality and keep data private.
- Developed relationships with local agencies to ensure access to necessary services for clients.
Mental Health Technician
Valle Vista Health Systems
Greenwood, IN
11.2018 - 04.2019
- Monitored and documented patient participation levels in treatment groups.
- Redirected behaviors while serving as a role model and providing peer mediation.
- Executed verbal de-escalation techniques to maintain a safe environment.
- Applied Handle with Care procedures to ensure patient safety and well-being.
- Recorded vital signs and completed regular patient safety rounds.
Mental Health Technician
Bloomington Meadows Hospital
Bloomington, IN
08.2018 - 11.2018
- Facilitated group discussions with six to eleven children to deliver treatment material.
- Monitored phone calls and peer interactions to enforce boundaries and ensure safety.
- Tracked food intake of participants to maintain adherence to treatment plans.
- Documented individual treatment objectives and progress for each patient.
- Monitored patient behavior and provided support during therapeutic activities.
- Maintained a safe and clean environment, ensuring compliance with health standards.
- Established trusting relationships with clients by demonstrating empathy and understanding towards them.
- Observed and documented changes in patient behavior and reported any significant changes to the clinical team.
Direct Support Professional
Opportunities for Positive Growth
Indianapolis, Indiana
09.2014 - 06.2015
- Provided direct care to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, fostering activities of daily living.
- Assisted individuals with daily living skills and personal care tasks.
- Provided emotional support and companionship to enhance well-being.
- Maintained accurate documentation of client activities and incidents.
- Communicated with parents and caregivers regarding individual's behaviors and progress.
- Applied problem-solving techniques to understand behaviors and effectively de-escalate situations.
Education
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Indiana Wesleyan University-Online
Marion, IN08.2025
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, IN08.2018
Skills
- Problem solving and conflict resolution
- Care plan development
- Individual counseling
- Perseverance
- Organization skills
- Time management
- De-escalation techniques
- Documentation practices
- Student advocacy
- Risk assessment strategies
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
Community Service
Brightlane Learning, 2025: Provide educational tutoring to individuals living in a domestic violence shelter.
Brown Bag food distribution, 2025: Distribute food and other necessary items to the unhoused population.
Special Olympics, 2018: Offered attendants health-related information and helped them take their vitals after physical activity.
Horizon House, 2018: Worked in the kitchen, serving food to visitors.
Center for Inquiry, 2016: Helped teachers grade assignments and assisted students with learning new material.
Gleaners Food Bank, 2014: Stocked and organized shelves, distributing items to patrons.
Peer Advising, 2011-2013: Worked one-on-one with four students, first to sixth grade.
Best Buddies, 2009-2013: Participated in events with schoolmates with developmental disabilities and served as a "buddy" to my classmate.
Coursework
- Human Growth and Development
- Ethics and Diversity in a Pluralistic Society
- Abnormal Psychology
- Health Psychology
Accomplishments
- Phi Alpha Honor Society Member
Timeline
School Social Worker
Catholic Charities
08.2025 - Current
Student Therapist Intern
Adult and Child Health
01.2025 - 08.2025
Skills Development Specialist
Adult and Child Health
10.2021 - 08.2025
Patient Care Concierge
11.2020 - 10.2021
Home-based caseworker
Ireland Home-Based Services
10.2019 - 11.2020
Mental Health Technician
Valle Vista Health Systems
11.2018 - 04.2019
Mental Health Technician
Bloomington Meadows Hospital
08.2018 - 11.2018
Direct Support Professional
Opportunities for Positive Growth
09.2014 - 06.2015
Master of Social Work - Social Work
Indiana Wesleyan University-Online
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Indiana University-Purdue University of Indianapolis