Tawanda Howard
Raleigh,NC
Summary
Collaborative leader with dedication to partnering with coworkers to promote engaged, empowering work culture. Documented strengths in building and maintaining relationships with diverse range of stakeholders in dynamic, fast-paced settings.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
3
3
Certifications
Work History
CPS Assessment Social Worker
Wake County Health and Human Services
Raleigh , NC
02.2022 - Current
- Assess reports of neglect and dependency on their caseloads, conduct home visits to ensure safety, petition courts for custody of children whenever necessary, complete documentation on each case, develop behavioral based safety plan, prepare cases for transfer to other providers within child welfare as needed, hold child and family team meetings as needed, attend multi-disciplinary (MDT) meetings with community partners, arrange CME forensic interview for children on caseloads.
- Maintained case records and legal documentation.
- Attended court proceedings, submitted documents and offered testimony.
Field Supervisor
Private Contract Services
Raleigh , NC
08.2021 - Current
- Provides daily supervision for 8 to 10 MSW graduate student through a local nonprofit.
- Completes weekly one-on-one supervision meetings and administrative support, to ensure objectives of the nine social work competencies are achieved.
- Engaging in positive leadership by using and teaching coaching skills, interviewing techniques, fundamentals of child developing and family systems, rapport building, self-regulation, and stress management techniques
- Attends field site visits and completes weekly supervision summaries along with student evaluations per each universities guidelines, also acts a liaison between university and agency
- Works with NC State, NC Central and UNC Chapel Hill.
- Kept teams on task to complete milestones on time.
- Evaluated performance and progress, and made proactive adjustments.
Program Manager
Boomerang Youth Inc
Chapel Hill , NC
07.2021 - 02.2022
- Co-administer Boomerang programs, including the alternative-to-suspension component of the STRIVE Program, Oversee transitions mentoring program and after school program, conduct regular program activity evaluation and complete program development, Provide overall program management of Boomerang services, Conduct regular case meetings, develop, and facilitate staff trainings , Provide Leadership to staff, assist in recruiting and screening of support staff
- Provided supervision to student coordinators, MSW interns and volunteers
- Advocated for students through participation in community boards and committees
- Collaborate with Executive Director on grant applications and reporting to funders
- Development and planning of agency events with community partners, and completion of periodic updates to program policies as needed
- Coached team members on productivity strategies to accomplish challenging goals.
- Addressed and resolved technical, financial, and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
Family Services Caseworker II Lead
Washington County DSS
Hagerstown , MD
08.2020 - 08.2021
- Performs individualized behavioral and clinically based assessments.
- Performed evidence-based case management with service coordination.
- Worked with students experiencing homelessness and in current foster care placements.
- Provided crisis intervention to families, which included school and community outreach and resources.
- Assisted with completing Medicaid applications, housing programs, and other community referrals, maintained timely and accurate case records, completed confidential safety planning, and analyzed program needs and data.
- Worked with a multidisciplinary team, advocating for client’s needs, reduced risks, and overall wellbeing.
- Determined eligibility and suitability for programs by performing client intake interviews and bio-psycho-social assessments.
- Created treatment or service plan meeting each client's individualized needs.
Internship/Client Eligibility Specialist
Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs
Frederick , MD
01.2020 - 07.2020
- Performed client intakes and assessments for financial assistance and other agency services
- Obtains client information using HMIS (Homeless Management Information System) for submitting data into statewide system
- Providing referrals and resources, conducting case management and follow up as part of a research related project that supports funding homeless individuals, veterans and formerly incarcerated individuals while working in collaboration with other for local community nonprofits.
- Communicated with people from various cultures and backgrounds on application process.
- Interviewed applicants and explained scope of different available benefits.
Community Health Outreach/Support Service Worker
Frederick County Health Department
Frederick , MD
11.2017 - 01.2019
- Provided case management services to newly diagnosed HIV positive individuals, testing, connecting to case management and Disease Intervention Specialist, development, Coordination of HOPWA program, Coordination of support group of 20 individuals living with HIV infection, conducted phone calls, community and home visits, with document monthly case notes.
Program Assistant II/Emergency Services Intake Coordinator
Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County
Montgomery County , MD
02.2014 - 08.2018
- Determined eligibility for financial assistance, data collection, coordination of informal hearing process, process recertification's, explain program requirements, review actions by the housing specialist, Work with tax credit properties and section 8 vouchers, contact vendors, provide referrals, facilitate monthly voucher briefings and trainings, initiate termination process, housing counseling, providing resources per client’s needs.
- Supported planning and coordination of housing program and associated activities.
- Managed both digital and physical filing systems and retrieved documents as required.
- Drafted agendas, recorded minutes and generated documents to facilitate meetings.
- Conducted research and analyzed data to inform program decisions.
- Supported planning and coordination of housing program and associated activities
Education
Master of Social Work (MSW) - Social Work
School of Social Work, Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD 08.2020 - 05.2021
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) -
School of Social Work, Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD 08.2018 - 05.2020
Associates of Arts (AA) - Human Services/Social Work
Frederick Community College
Frederick, MD 08.2015 - 12.2017
Skills
Crisis InterventionReporting & DocumentationClient AdvocacyTeam Building & LeadershipTraining and Facilitation
Child Advocacy
Cultural Competency
Multidisciplinary Collaboration
Community Networking
Documentation Skills
Certification
Certified Financial Social Worker-Center for Financial Social Work, NC
Affiliations
National Association of Social Workers-NASW, MD & NC
Leadership Development
- Comunidad & Umoja Scholars Program (CUSP) at Salisbury University School of Social Work (2020)
- Specialized leadership development and mentoring fellowship, designed to Increase the number of culturally responsive social work practitioners and leaders
- Creation and implementation of a community financial wellness program
Community Service
- Frederick Rescue Mission-food bank coordinator and server
- The Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs- client eligibility specialist
Timeline
CPS Assessment Social Worker
Wake County Health and Human Services
02.2022 - Current
Field Supervisor
Private Contract Services
08.2021 - Current
Program Manager
Boomerang Youth Inc
07.2021 - 02.2022
Master of Social Work (MSW) - Social Work
School of Social Work, Salisbury University
08.2020 - 05.2021
Family Services Caseworker II Lead
Washington County DSS
08.2020 - 08.2021
Internship/Client Eligibility Specialist
Religious Coalition for Emergency Human Needs
01.2020 - 07.2020
Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) -
School of Social Work, Salisbury University
08.2018 - 05.2020
Community Health Outreach/Support Service Worker
Frederick County Health Department
11.2017 - 01.2019
Associates of Arts (AA) - Human Services/Social Work
Frederick Community College
08.2015 - 12.2017
Program Assistant II/Emergency Services Intake Coordinator
Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County
02.2014 - 08.2018