Shaneka M. Ferguson
License Masters Social Worker
New Britain,CT
Summary
Compassionate clinician skilled in delivering patient care and therapeutic services with a focus on collaboration and adaptability. Specializes in patient assessment, treatment planning, and evidence-based interventions to improve mental health outcomes for at-risk children and adolescents. Driven to enhance social, emotional, and mental development while serving vulnerable populations and contributing to community well-being.
Overview
1
1
Certification
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
MDFT Clinician
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY
02.2026 - Current
- Assesses, diagnoses and recommends appropriate treatment for child and family and assists with appropriate referrals and linkage to other services.
- Completes assessment tool, integrates pertinent information to establish diagnosis, and analyzes data to create clinical formulation within designated timeframe.
- Developed achievable goals with client and family, establishing measurable and behavioral objectives within designated timeframes. Monitored treatment progress and provided updates within identified timeframes.
- Performs individual, family and group treatment utilizing evidence-based practices to facilitate positive strength-based change.
- Collaborated with external agencies, including schools, pediatricians, DCF, juvenile court, and other social service organizations to ensure comprehensive support for clients.
- Collaborates and coordinates with external agencies such as schools, pediatricians, DCF, juvenile court and other social service agencies.
- Provides referrals and linkage to community and internal resources as necessary to address clients' need.
- Secured reimbursement through obtaining authorizations, providing accurate documentation, and submitting progress notes promptly.
Ongoing Social Worker
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY
04.2023 - 01.2026
- Maintains medical, physical, social and psychological histories; counsel's families, children and youth both individually and in groups; investigates, evaluates and makes recommendations for Juvenile Court on all petitions alleging neglect or abuse of children.
- Maintained medical, physical, social and psychological histories; counseled families, children and youth individually and in groups; investigated, evaluated and made recommendations for Juvenile Court regarding petitions alleging neglect or abuse.
- Recruited and selected foster and adoptive homes for children; collaborated with psychologists, psychiatrists and staff to develop and implement treatment plans.
- Consulted with community groups to identify appropriate referrals and enhance community resources.
- May supervise volunteer workers in conjunction with department volunteer services programs and performs related duties as required.
Ongoing Social Worker
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY
08.2022 - 01.2023
- Assessed and evaluated children and family needs to conduct comprehensive case management for services.
- Empower families to make stable commitments to children by providing counseling and coordinating visits with biological parents and/or guardians and other relatives; develop a helping relationship and ensure needed supports and services are provided.
- Assess, evaluate, conduct initial and ongoing case management of children/family services, and needs.
- Visited homes and foster care placements to monitor child well-being.
- Maintained communication with DCF staff and stakeholders, facilitating collaboration and initiating court actions as required.
- Empowered families to commit to children's stability through counseling and coordinated visits with biological parents, guardians, and relatives, fostering supportive relationships and ensuring access to necessary services.
- Participated in weekly supervision and staff meetings to discuss case progress.
- Upheld professional standards while collaborating with community partners and clients.
Community Support Assistant
CONTINUUM OF CARE
04.2022 - 08.2022
- Enhances a client’s independent living skills by engaging, assessing, and providing various modalities of teaching and assistance.
- Enhanced client independent living skills through engagement, assessment, and diverse teaching modalities.
- Establishes rapport and positive working relationships with clients while maintaining professional ethics and boundaries.
- Facilitated transportation arrangements for client appointments.
- Educates and trains clients with travel planning and use of public and private transportation.
- Conducted regular apartment inspections and assisted clients in maintaining cleanliness.
- Developed and maintained collaborative relationships with community providers, families, and natural supports to support client needs.
- Facilitated psycho-educational groups.
- Addressed crisis situations and delivered interventions according to agency guidelines.
- Administered breathalyzer tests and collected urinalysis samples.
- Supervises, monitors and documents the self-administration of client medications.
Social Worker Intern
VA CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Reviewed agreements between Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities, and VA to establish effective referral sites for HUD-VASH placements.
- Responsible for reviewing agreements between Section 8, landlords, Public Housing Authorities, and the VA in establishing appropriate referral sites for HUD-VASH placements.
- Perform site visits of HUD-VASH apartments to ensure that veterans reside in safe environments in compliance with local housing codes.
- Verified the veteran's status, eligibility for VA medical care, and program participation eligibility.
- Ensuring that homeless veterans are considered as primary participants for program acceptance.
- Collected and submitted HUD-VASH Program participant data per NEPEC evaluation procedures to ensure compliance and program integrity.
- Provided comprehensive case management for HUD-VASH participants, facilitating access to necessary services and resources.
CSS/ Program Manager
CONTINUUM OF CARE
09.2021 - 04.2022
- Works with Program Director to ensure compliance and delivery of all applicable program goals and objectives.
- Provides assessment and decision-making skills needed to manage the program and any associated issues on a daily basis.
- Facilitated and monitored day-to-day service delivery within assigned program, ensuring alignment with program goals.
- Manages assigned budget, monitoring costs and allocation of such resources in collaboration with Program Director.
- Assigns caseloads, program duties, and determines scheduling of staff.
- Monitored engagement between staff, clients, and volunteers to enhance program support and client satisfaction.
- Ensured services remained person-centered and responsive to individual needs, promoting positive client outcomes.
- Facilitates psycho-educational groups as indicated to support client growth and life-skill development.
- Maintained vehicle cleanliness and organized periodic inspections with the team.
- Maintains property to ensure building/office is welcoming upon entrance and works with team to promote a clean, safe, and organized work environment for both staff and clients. Processes timely work orders with Facilities as necessary.
- Prepares for quality and chart audits, maintains benchmark guidelines, and develops corrective action plans as needed.
- Ensures continuity of care for delivery of services.
- As applicable, adheres to food bank rules, regulations, and submission of data.
- Supervises program admissions, planning, and discharge processes.
- Plans and facilitates staff and house/community meetings.
- Facilitates coordination with other agencies and/or community services ensuring appropriate client care.
- Monitors documentation of services and the collection of data for contracted/agency reporting.
- Responds to crisis situations and provides appropriate interventions, de-escalation, and debriefing.
- Provides rotating on-call coverage.
- Works with Program Director in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of staff.
- Provides and documents supervision and performance evaluations consistent with agency policy.
- Provides new staff with program orientation and ongoing professional development and training.
- Addresses concerns with staff or other professionals constructively and in a timely fashion.
- Oversaw daily operations of program to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
Youth Worker
THE BRIDGES FAMILY CENTER
09.2020 - 10.2021
- Managed behavioral needs of adolescents and young adults.
- Facilitated daily routines, promoting a healthy and safe living environment for residents.
- Encouraged positive peer relationships among adolescents and young adults through recreational and leisure activities.
- Maintaining daily routine, ensuring a healthy environment for the residents.
- Transported residents and administered medications, documented daily and shift activities.
- Set professional boundaries and limits, practiced cultural sensitivity, and communicated effectively with adolescents and young adults.
Social Worker Intern (Intake Unit)
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY
08.2020 - 05.2021
- Assisted with case work services for children, youth, and adults, ensuring tailored support for diverse needs.
- Assisted in conducting investigations and evaluations to gather necessary information.
- Collaborated with staff to develop treatment plans and consulted with community groups for appropriate referrals and resource development.
- Participated in various department and community meetings to discuss program updates.
- Visiting and Transporting clients using company cars.
Education
Master of Social Work - Advanced Generalist Practice
Springfield College
Springfield01.2022
B.S. - Education
Charter Oak State College
New Britain01.2017
Skills
- Clinical assessment
- Child development knowledge
- Proven ability to form and maintain positive, nurturing relationships with youth
- Complex trauma awareness
- Organizational skills
- Treatment record management
- Demonstrate understanding of Mental Health and its effect on adult and youth
- Proven ability to form and maintain positive, nurturing relationships with youth
- Multidisciplinary approach
- Assessment formulation
- Case management strategies
- Evidence-based practice
- Maintaining privacy
- SOAP note proficiency
- Documentation proficiency
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Strong verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to adapt to a changing environments, situations, and job responsibilities
- Knowledgeable and understanding about Mental Illness
- Understanding the importance of family engagement
Accomplishments
- Department of Children and Family worker of the month.
- 5/25
Certification
Master’s Level Social Worker License, DCF Worker of
CERTIFICATE OF APPRECIATION
- Department of Children and Family worker of the month.
- 5/25
Timeline
MDFT Clinician
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY
02.2026 - Current
Ongoing Social Worker
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY
04.2023 - 01.2026
Ongoing Social Worker
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY
08.2022 - 01.2023
Community Support Assistant
CONTINUUM OF CARE
04.2022 - 08.2022
Social Worker Intern
VA CONNECTICUT HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
09.2021 - 05.2022
CSS/ Program Manager
CONTINUUM OF CARE
09.2021 - 04.2022
Youth Worker
THE BRIDGES FAMILY CENTER
09.2020 - 10.2021
Social Worker Intern (Intake Unit)
DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY
08.2020 - 05.2021
B.S. - Education
Charter Oak State College
Master of Social Work - Advanced Generalist Practice
Springfield College