Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Volunteer Experience
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Sara VanMaele

Lansing,MI

Summary

Highly driven and determined social justice advocate who is looking to obtain a full-time position of employment in the social work field. Dedicated and skilled when maneuvering through complex interpersonal interactions while maintaining a professional demeanor, and a passionate change agent for current advocacy initiatives.


Overview

9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

FOSTER CARE SERVICE SPECIALIST

STATE OF MICHIGAN
02.2016 - 11.2023
  • Responsible for managing a minimum caseload of 13 and referring parents and children to community service providers to alleviate the barriers to reunification after a removal occurs due to child abuse and/or neglect
  • Other responsibilities include (but are not limited to) making recommendations and testifying in court, identifying and addressing safety concerns with children and families, scheduling and facilitating Family Team Meetings to create effective case service plans for clients, engaging with families involved in the child welfare system, referring clients to services based on their individual needs, collaborating and maintaining open communication with community service providers that serve the families in Ingham County as well as other counties across Michigan as needed, completing detailed case notes and quarterly reports that are submitted to the court, completing 32 hours of training each year to maintain a knowledge on best practice standards, participating in the foster care mentoring program for new employees, and advocating for client needs to encourage a safe and successful reunification process.

WOC Lead Worker Service Specialist

STATE OF MICHIGAN
10.2020 - 09.2021
  • Responsible for managing a caseload of at least 6 children within the child welfare system for the Ingham County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and referring parents and children to community service providers to alleviate the barriers to reunification after a removal occurs due to child abuse and/or neglect
  • In addition to the job specifications of the Foster Care Service Specialist position, other responsibilities include (but are not limited to) organizing and facilitating trainings and meetings for direct foster care staff, contributing to the overall positive organizational climate by providing individualized support to direct foster care staff through one on one meetings as well as group meetings, maintaining a strong knowledge on MDHHS policy and procedures, completing special projects for upper management, facilitating Replacement Team Meetings for all replacements of children in foster care at Ingham County DHHS, and participating in Continuous Quality Improvement efforts for all of Ingham County Children’s Services.

MSW Intern

Michigan federation for chilren and families
09.2019 - 06.2020
  • Responsible for assisting Federation staff in advocacy efforts on a macro level that influence public policy and practice in child welfare for children and families throughout Michigan by collaborating with stakeholders such as Federation member agencies (private and non-profit child welfare agencies across Michigan), MDHHS Children’s Services Agency leadership, Michigan legislators, etc
  • Other responsibilities included (but were not limited to) networking with stakeholders, attending conferences and Board of Directors meetings, developing an executive summary and position paper regarding Child Welfare Workforce Retention and State Central Registry Requirements, participating in/attending workgroup meetings for FFPSA prevention, SOGIE, and Racial Disparities, attending Appropriations/House/Senate committee hearings, completing executive summaries for bills in legislation, locating national news articles regarding critical state and federal policy activity for the Federation’s monthly Policy Press, participating in advocacy action alerts by contacting local legislators, and attending/recording minutes for quarterly MIN meetings regarding the following focuses: Residential Treatment & Juvenile Justice Youth, Family Preservation, Performance/Quality Management, Licensing, Adoption, Foster Care & Youth, and Behavioral Health & Clinical Services.

MSW Intern

Small Talk Childrens advocacy center
10.2018 - 07.2019
  • Responsible for providing Trauma Focused-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) services for children who had experienced physical and sexual abuse
  • Other responsibilities included; completing case notes for sessions, assisting with recording, interacting with clients in the lobby, and completing parent intakes during forensic interviews, assisting with leading a teen group focused on resiliency, completing follow-up calls with clients for services, providing clients with referrals (if necessary), preparing resource folders, and collaborating with other therapists to meet client needs.

Youth Services Worker

Turning point youth center
11.2014 - 01.2016
  • Responsible for providing appropriate supervision of adolescent males by maintaining a safe, therapeutic environment for adjudicated youth with the use of verbal de-escalation, therapeutic group discussions, and Handle with Care techniques when youth safety was at risk
  • Other responsibilities included timely documentation, facilitating group discussions, determining appropriate corrective action for behaviors, and maintaining consistent collaboration with youth, therapists, and nurses to promote youth success.

Education

Master of Social Work -

Spring Arbor University
Spring Arbor, MI
08.2020

Bachelor of Arts - Community Services, Family Systems

Siena Heights University
Adrian, MI
08.2014

Skills

  • Exceptional community engagement with children, families, and community providers
  • Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Empathetic communication with individuals in crisis and verbal de-escalation when needed
  • Time management and organization
  • Creative problem solving for complex issues on a micro and macro level
  • Excellent at maintaining a professional demeanor in challenging situations
  • Mentoring and leadership experience within governmental systems (ie child welfare)
  • Advocate for social justice and change
  • Data analysis and qualitative research experience with attention to detail

Volunteer Experience

  • St. Johns, michigan, Special Olympics michigan area 28, 03/2013, 01/2017
  • Zambia, africa, Maranatha volunteers international, 01/2013, 02/2013
  • Pichon, Haiti, bucoseh, 08/2012

Certification


  • Masters Social Worker Limited License - 11/03/2024

Timeline

WOC Lead Worker Service Specialist

STATE OF MICHIGAN
10.2020 - 09.2021

MSW Intern

Michigan federation for chilren and families
09.2019 - 06.2020

MSW Intern

Small Talk Childrens advocacy center
10.2018 - 07.2019

FOSTER CARE SERVICE SPECIALIST

STATE OF MICHIGAN
02.2016 - 11.2023

Youth Services Worker

Turning point youth center
11.2014 - 01.2016

Master of Social Work -

Spring Arbor University

Bachelor of Arts - Community Services, Family Systems

Siena Heights University

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