SARA P. SHAHIN-KESTI
Wisconsin Rapids,WI
Summary
Dedicated social worker with experience in case management and crisis intervention. Expert in advocacy, fostering relationships, and supporting team success to enhance outcomes for vulnerable populations. Proven ability to build trust with clients and manage complex caseloads effectively.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Initial Assessment Case Manger
Wood Co. Human Services
03.2025 - 11.2025
- Responded to child abuse allegations by conducting comprehensive interviews with families, children and collateral sources.
- Completed home visits to evaluate parental capacities and living conditions for children.
- Analyzed assessment information to evaluate child safety and assess risk levels effectively.
- Collaborated with families to create safety plans, identifying essential services for support and identifying barriers to success.
- Facilitated referrals and supported families in accessing essential resources for stability and well-being.
- Created safe environments for families, fostering open communication and trust during crises while employing de-escalation techniques.
- Supervised family interactions when safety risks were identified, assessing supervision needs.
- Completed court-required documentation promptly and testified at hearings regarding case progress.
Youth Mentor Case Manager
Wood Co. Human Services
05.2024 - 03.2025
- Developed individualized support plans for at-risk youth, addressing unique needs.
- Provided ongoing case management, coordinating with service providers to ensure comprehensive support.
- Supported youth in developing essential life skills, social skills, and emotional regulation techniques to foster resilience.
- Utilized strength-based, trauma-informed approach to enhance youth success and confidence.
- Facilitated group discussions that enhanced youth engagement and strengthened communication skills.
- Maintained professional relationships with mentees' families, establishing rapport and boundaries.
- Maintained accurate case notes to ensure comprehensive documentation for each client. and performed administrative duties efficiently.
- Reported unethical or dangerous behavior to supervisor while ensuring confidentiality.
ICWA Child Protection Ongoing Case Manager
Oneida Nation Family Services
11.2019 - 12.2023
- Managed full caseload of tribal court and ICWA cases, collaborating with county case managers and social workers to ensure comprehensive support for families.
- Delivered ongoing supportive services to foster home parents and relative caregivers, addressing behavioral challenges to foster stable and nurturing environments for children.
- Assessed placement home providers' capabilities to ensure safety and eliminate potential threats.
- Provided after-hours on-call coverage for emergency child protection calls, assisting in danger assessments.
- Facilitated family meetings, scheduling agendas and mediating discussions to enhance communication and strengthen family relationships.
- Provided counseling and referrals to local resources to support client needs.
- Completed and maintained documentation according to relevant timelines, codes, and policies.
- Participated in court processes, preparing required documentation within specified time frames.
Parent Educator/Family Home Visitor
Oneida Nation Early Head Start
09.2017 - 11.2019
- Delivered extensive parenting instruction during home visits, modeling effective child behavior management techniques.
- Educated families on community crisis intervention resources, ensuring timely access to support.
- Provided ongoing feedback and collaboration with social workers regarding family assessments and progress.
- Advocated for families by providing essential resources and referrals to address specific needs.
- Maintained comprehensive case management records to track family interactions and progress.
- Enhanced parenting quality through education on child development and guidance strategies.
- Taught conscious discipline and positive parenting models in group classes and individual sessions.
- Evaluated family interactions to support development and engagement., providing interventions to ensure progress.
Early Childhood Mentor Coach
Oneida Nation Head Start/Early Head Start
08.2017 - 11.2019
- Guided classroom teachers and home visitors in structuring environments, routines, and parent-child interactions to promote positive social-emotional outcomes for children and families.
- Collaborated with classroom teachers and home visitors to establish and execute goals enhancing services for families and caregivers.
- Observed and assessed classroom activities to provide on-the-job guidance and training to the Head Start program staff, volunteers, and home visitors, improving their job performance and skills.
Parent Educator/ Family Home Visitor
Family and Childcare Resources of N.E.W
10.2014 - 09.2017
- Provided parenting instruction during home visits with families, to include modeling, coaching, and providing extensive parenting instruction in age appropriate and effective child behavior management techniques.
- Provided parent education and family support to enhance the quality of parenting and increase a parent's understanding of child development and guide parents to help their child learn, grow and develop to meet their full potential.
- Taught Conscious Discipline, Positive Parenting Model and Triple P group classes and one-on-one in home and office sessions.
- Scheduled and monitored family interactions while evaluating progress and activities to support developmental goals.
- Facilitated and supervised parent child play interactions.
- Educated families on available community resources during crises, assessed their needs, and made referrals.
- Advocated for families by identifying and connecting them with essential resources and referrals.
- Collaborated with social workers and professionals to provide feedback on family assessments and address needs and progress.
- Facilitated and supervised parent child play interactions.
Education
Bachelor of Arts Program - Social Science, Family and Child Development
Ashford University
Chandler, AZ01-2014
Associate Degree - Early Childhood
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay, WI01-2009
Associates Degree - Advanced Instructional Assistant
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Green Bay, WI01-2007
Skills
- Complex case management
Family support services
In-home visitation
Wraparound services - Trauma-informed practice and resource coordination
- Crisis intervention
- family advocacy
- Needs assessment
- Needs assessment
- Active listening
- Rapport and relationship building
- Collaborative teamwork
- Cultural competency
- emotional intelligence
- Adaptable learner
Timeline
Initial Assessment Case Manger
Wood Co. Human Services
03.2025 - 11.2025
Youth Mentor Case Manager
Wood Co. Human Services
05.2024 - 03.2025
ICWA Child Protection Ongoing Case Manager
Oneida Nation Family Services
11.2019 - 12.2023
Parent Educator/Family Home Visitor
Oneida Nation Early Head Start
09.2017 - 11.2019
Early Childhood Mentor Coach
Oneida Nation Head Start/Early Head Start
08.2017 - 11.2019
Parent Educator/ Family Home Visitor
Family and Childcare Resources of N.E.W
10.2014 - 09.2017
Bachelor of Arts Program - Social Science, Family and Child Development
Ashford University
Associate Degree - Early Childhood
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Associates Degree - Advanced Instructional Assistant
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College