Sarah Ficquette
Lynchburg Department of Social Services
Lynchburg,VA
1
Certification
3
years of professional experience
Compassionate and dedicated social work professional with a Bachelor of Social Work from Liberty University and a little over three years of experience with the Lynchburg Department of Social Services, providing child welfare services, investigations, and case management. Experienced working with children, adults, and families navigating complex trauma, behavioral health concerns, crisis situations, legal involvement, and significant social barriers. Skilled in case management, psychosocial assessments, safety and risk assessments, crisis intervention, service planning, resource coordination, and multidisciplinary collaboration. Experienced partnering with hospitals, behavioral health providers, Community Services Boards, law enforcement, attorneys, schools, healthcare professionals, and community agencies to coordinate services and support positive outcomes. Recognized for exceptional documentation and professional writing skills, including investigative reports, court reports, affidavits, petitions, service plans, and comprehensive case documentation. A resourceful and solutions-focused social worker who demonstrates strong professional judgment, ethical decision-making, advocacy, and the ability to effectively support individuals and families during challenging circumstances.
Work History
Foster Care Social Worker
5 Months- Provide comprehensive case management services to children and families while promoting safety, stability, and positive outcomes.
- Complete ongoing psychosocial, family functioning, safety, and needs assessments to identify strengths, barriers, and appropriate interventions.
- Develop individualized service plans and coordinate care with families, foster parents, healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, schools, attorneys, and community agencies.
- Collaborate with inpatient psychiatric hospitals, treatment teams, and community providers to support continuity of care and safe transitions following hospitalization.
- Participate in multidisciplinary meetings to coordinate services, address barriers, and develop effective case strategies.
- Prepare detailed court reports, affidavits, service plans, case summaries, and legal documentation requiring strong written communication and attention to detail.
- Maintain accurate electronic case documentation while ensuring compliance with agency, state, and federal requirements.
- Advocate for children and families while utilizing professional judgment, critical thinking, and resourcefulness to identify solutions and appropriate supports.
Child Protective Services Investigator
2 Years 7 Months- Conducted comprehensive investigations involving allegations of child abuse and neglect while assessing safety, risk, family functioning, and service needs.
- Completed interviews, observations, collateral contacts, and assessments to gather information and determine appropriate interventions.
- Managed complex cases involving severe abuse and neglect, domestic violence, trauma, behavioral health concerns, exploitation concerns, sex trafficking, international circumstances, and child fatalities.
- Developed safety plans and coordinated services with families, law enforcement, attorneys, healthcare providers, schools, behavioral health professionals, and community organizations.
- Collaborated with psychiatric hospitals, emergency departments, therapists, and Community Services Boards to support individuals and families experiencing mental health crises.
- Partnered with hospital social workers and treatment teams to assist with safe discharge planning for children and adults receiving psychiatric care.
- Prepared detailed investigative reports, affidavits, court petitions, service plans, and legal documentation requiring exceptional writing skills and analytical ability.
- Presented findings during court proceedings and collaborated with legal professionals to support informed decision-making.
- Managed a high-volume caseload while consistently meeting statutory deadlines, documentation requirements, and agency standards.
- Demonstrated professionalism, resilience, empathy, and sound judgment while working with individuals and families experiencing significant life challenges.
Education
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Skills
Crisis Intervention
Psychosocial Assessments
Service Planning
Community Resource Coordination
Trauma-Informed Practice
Legal Documentation
Legal Advocacy
Behavioral health management
Critical Thinking
Solution-Oriented Strategies
Ethical Decision-Making
Technical Writing
Organization
Collaborative teamwork
Family advocacy
Certification
- Completed all required comprehensive Virginia Department of Social Services Child Protective Services training requirements, including investigation procedures, safety and risk assessment, documentation standards, interviewing practices, and child welfare decision-making.
- Completed extensive Virginia Department of Social Services Foster Care training requirements, with continued advancement in foster care case management, permanency planning, service coordination, and placement stability practices.
- ChildFirst Forensic Interviewing Trained, with specialized training in child-focused forensic interviewing practices and techniques.
- Maintain ongoing professional development through continued training in child welfare practices, trauma-informed care, behavioral health, case management, and emerging best practices in social services.
Timeline
Foster Care Social Worker
Lynchburg Department of Social Services
03.2026 - CurrentRead More
Child Protective Services Investigator
Lynchburg Department of Social Services
08.2023 - 03.2026Read More
Liberty University
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)
Read More
PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS
- Strong advocate for children, adults, and families with a commitment to safety, dignity, and individualized care.
- Extensive experience working with high-risk and complex cases involving trauma, mental health concerns, abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and legal involvement.
- Exceptional documentation skills with experience preparing professional reports, court documents, affidavits, and case records.
- Skilled at building collaborative relationships with clients, families, treatment teams, healthcare providers, attorneys, law enforcement, and community partners.
- Able to manage competing priorities, high-volume caseloads, and rapidly changing situations while maintaining professionalism and attention to detail.
- Resourceful problem solver who uses critical thinking and professional judgment to identify solutions and connect individuals with appropriate services.