Tana Walker
Wiggins,MS
Summary
Passionate and empathetic professional with extensive experience with children in foster care with special needs at Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth and Pearl River County Department of Human Services. Expert in problem-solving during crises and fostering relationships with community partners. Proven ability to recruit and train therapeutic foster parents, enhancing service delivery and support for vulnerable children. Strong writing skills complement my commitment to meeting diverse needs.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Specialist
Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth
Gulfport, MS
10.2014 - 03.2025
- Recruited, trained, completed home studies of, and licensed therapeutic foster and adoptive parents.
- Reviewed applications of foster children in need of specialized foster care and therapeutic services for potential goodness of fit with licensed therapeutic families.
- After children were placed in a home, continually evaluated children and families for services and training that may be needed to help the children to heal from the trauma they experienced.
- Provided case management services for overflow caseloads.
Director of Adoption and Therapeutic Foster Care
Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth
Gulfport, MS
01.2013 - 09.2014
- Recruited and trained therapeutic foster and adoption parents.
- Supervised two family specialists, one in Central MS, and one in South MS.
- Reviewed applications for children for potential families and attended Adoption Placement Committee meetings to match children with families.
- Completed reports and all other administrative duties
Family Specialist
Services for Children and Youth
Gulfport, MS
01.2011 - 09.2013
- Recruited, trained, completed home studies of, and licensed therapeutic foster and adoptive parents.
- Reviewed applications of foster children in need of specialized foster care and therapeutic services for potential goodness of fit with licensed therapeutic families.
- Provided case management services for adoption and therapeutic foster care cases, both in central and south Mississippi.
Area Social Work Supervisor
Pearl River County Department of Human Services
Poplarville, MS
05.1996 - 01.2011
- Supervised all staff in the Division of Family and Children Services.
- Supervised investigations of abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults.
- Supervised prevention of abuse and neglect cases.
- Supervised foster care cases.
- Supervised the licensure of foster homes.
- Supervised the bookkeeper.
- Supervised Stone County in addition to Pearl River County when the ASWS position was vacant in Stone County for approximately 2 years.
Social Worker
Pearl River County Department of Human Services
Poplarville, MS
10.1987 - 04.1996
- Took intakes for reports of abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults.
- Took intakes for one-time emergency services.
- Conducted investigations of allegations of abuse and neglect of children and vulnerable adults.
- Provided case management services for prevention of abuse and neglect cases.
- Provided case management services for foster care cases.
- Supervised homemakers working with families.
- Coordinated Medicaid transportation services by vetting volunteer drivers and assigning trips.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology With Social Work Emphasis
University of Southern Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS08-1987
Skills
- Problem-solving during a crisis
- Prioritizing the urgency of tasks
- Relationship building with co-workers, community partners, and clients
- Creativity and the ability to think outside of the box
- Being a team player
- Writing skills
- Ability to see needs, and attempt to meet those needs
Certification
- Licensed through the Mississippi State Board of Examiners for Social Workers and Marriage and Family Therapists, August 5, 1993-present, W3081
- Trust Based Relational Intervention Practitioner Certification, Summer 2022
Accomplishments
- Recipient of the 2017 Congressional Angel in Adoption Award for the state of MS
- Employee of the Quarter most recently in 2024
- Other agency wide awards at SCSCY
Affiliations
- Love to teach Sunday School and Vacation Bible School at my church
- Enjoy crafting
- Passionate bargain hunter
- Active in all activities of my church including Ladies' Auxiliary
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Senior Specialist
Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth
10.2014 - 03.2025
Director of Adoption and Therapeutic Foster Care
Southern Christian Services for Children and Youth
01.2013 - 09.2014
Family Specialist
Services for Children and Youth
01.2011 - 09.2013
Area Social Work Supervisor
Pearl River County Department of Human Services
05.1996 - 01.2011
Social Worker
Pearl River County Department of Human Services
10.1987 - 04.1996
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology With Social Work Emphasis
University of Southern Mississippi
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