Sarra DeRocco
Frankfort,New York
Summary
Dedicated and adaptable human services professional with a proactive attitude and the ability to learn quickly. Strong work ethic and effective communication skills. Excited to work in a different facet of human services while still assisting individuals and families in need
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Child Protective Investigator
Herkimer County Department of Social Services
Herkimer, NY
09.2020 - Current
- Investigated reports of child abuse and neglect that were made to the State Central Registry to determine if the child or children were safe in their home.
- Conducted home visits, interviews, and assessments in order to evaluate the safety of a child's environment.
- Collaborated with other agencies, such as law enforcement, mental health providers, and schools, as part of the Multi-Disciplinary Team that investigates the most severe abuse cases.
- Prepared documents as required by state timelines.
- Position requires the ability to respect and engage children and parents to get an accurate assessment of the family's current situation.
- Provided appropriate referrals for counseling or other supportive services.
Preventive Caseworker
Herkimer County Department of Social Services
Herkimer, New York
01.2007 - 09.2020
- Responsibilities included maintaining a caseload of 12-18 families in an effort to prevent foster care placement for children.
- Case Management responsibilities include referrals to community agencies, casework contacts with parents and children, court involvement, transportation, and other tasks necessary to keep children in their home environments. This role also assisted parents with seeking employment, including helping locate open employment positions, helping fill out applications, and identifying any barriers to prospective employment.
- This position requires the ability to work with other professionals within the agency, as well as service providers in the community, to ensure the family's needs are being met.
- The position requires the ability to complete tasks within specified deadlines and strong communication skills with families to engage them in services.
Primary Therapist/ Caseworker
The House of the Good Shepherd
Utica, New York
11.2004 - 01.2007
- Responsibilities include coordinating the care of adolescents placed in a Residential Treatment Center, including completing initial assessments and providing individual, family, and group therapy.
- The position also required referring clients for other services within the agency and in the community.
- This position requires the ability to work with members of a treatment team to ensure that all aspects of a client's care are addressed, the ability to complete tasks such as paperwork and assessments within specified deadlines with minimal direct supervision.
Senior Family Support Specialist/Family Support Specialist
The House of the Good Shepherd
Utica, New York
12.1998 - 11.2004
- Responsibilities include coordinating an aftercare program for residents of Oneida County who have been placed at the Residential Treatment Center level of care, supervising Family Support Specialists within the program, training new and current staff, and arranging appropriate discharges from the RTC level of care and the Continued Care Program.
- Responsibilities further include individual and family counseling, linking children with services within the community, and monitoring the progress of clients as they transition back to their home environment. Position also required assisting parents in obtaining and maintaining employment to ensure that they maintained stable housing and could provide for their children upon return home.
- The position requires the ability to effectively supervise staff, work with other professionals, and relate to children and families in need.
Mentor
KIDS Oneida
Utica, New York
07.2000 - 09.2001
- Responsibilities include interacting with at risk youth as a positive role model while helping them learn proper social skills and participate positively within in the community in an effort to prevent future out of home placement
- The position required the ability to relate to children and families, involve the child in the community and being able to create new and innovate activities for children to participate in.
Child Care Worker
The House of the Good Shepherd
Utica, New York
08.1997 - 12.1998
- Responsibilities included working with a population of fifteen adolescent boys placed in a residential treatment center
- The ability to work with youth on communication skills, anger management techniques and other interpersonal skills were required interpersonal characteristics for this position
- Instrumental in organizing pilot program with a local fitness center to allow residents of the adolescent boys' program to utilize the facilities at their club.
Education
Masters in Social Work -
University at Albany
Albany, New York05.2000
B.A. in Sociology -
University at Albany
Albany, New York05.1997
Skills
- Excellent Computer Skills
- Excellent Organizational and Time Management Skills
- Strong Teamwork and Cooperation
- Experienced in client engagement and assistance and conducting interviews
- Always submit quality case documentation
Training
- Center for Development of Human Services, Child Welfare/Child Protective Services Common Core Training for Caseworkers, 5 weeks
- The House of the Good Shepherd, Attended several in-services and conferences both within the agency and outside the agency on behavior management techniques, individual problem solving skills and different Axis I diagnoses and treatments common to Adolescents.
- Cornell University, Training of Trainers Week- Long Residency Program, 1 week
Volunteer Experience
2016 - 2021 - Registrar of Frankfort AYSO program.
2021 - 2023 - Committee Member of Mohawk Valley Soccer Club Fundraising Committee
2022 - 2024 - Secretary of FRankfort Schuyler Knights Athletic Council
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Child Protective Investigator
Herkimer County Department of Social Services
09.2020 - Current
Preventive Caseworker
Herkimer County Department of Social Services
01.2007 - 09.2020
Primary Therapist/ Caseworker
The House of the Good Shepherd
11.2004 - 01.2007
Mentor
KIDS Oneida
07.2000 - 09.2001
Senior Family Support Specialist/Family Support Specialist
The House of the Good Shepherd
12.1998 - 11.2004
Child Care Worker
The House of the Good Shepherd
08.1997 - 12.1998
Masters in Social Work -
University at Albany
B.A. in Sociology -
University at Albany
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