Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Awards
References
Timeline
Generic

Taylor Gentry, LMSW

Lawrence,KS

Summary

I am an Invested Social Worker dedicated to forming trusting relationships and advocating for best interest of clients. I have a passion for psychotherapy and holding myself to the utmost ethical standards and principles in practice. I am a respectful, compassionate, and empathetic professional offering over 4 years of serving the community. I have worked child welfare, foster care, case management and in a school setting. I am a Motivated Social Worker with comprehensive knowledge of social justice issues and systems affecting marginalized communities. I have a strengths-based approach with trauma informed care at the forefront of my mind. I have a passion for working with people and uplifting the community I live in.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Americorps Intern

Boys And Girls Club At Sunflower Elementary
08.2023 - 05.2024
  • Enhanced student emotional well-being by providing individual and group counseling sessions.
  • Collaborated with teachers and administrators to address the social, emotional, and academic needs of all students.
  • Developed a safe and supportive school environment by promoting positive behavior and addressing issues such as bullying and harassment.
  • Provided crisis intervention in response to emergencies, employing existing trust, and rapport to deescalate situations.
  • Maintained positive relationships with students, faculty, alumni, and administration.
  • Partnered with parents and guardians to promote student success in school environment.
  • Used data to monitor students' progress and recommend solutions for improvement.
  • Maintained a high level of professional development through continuous education, conference attendance, and participation in professional organizations related to school counseling.

CPA Specialist

DCCCA
08.2021 - 11.2022
  • Child Placing Agency Specialist
  • Aided in foster care and adoption
  • Served about 27 foster family homes and 24 foster placements in those foster homes.
  • Facilitated successful adoption placements by carefully matching prospective adoptive parents with children in need of permanent homes.
  • Provided crisis intervention services to families experiencing emergencies, connecting them with appropriate resources as needed.
  • Ensured timely permanency for children in foster care by diligently working towards reunification or alternative placement options.
  • Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address complex cases, ensuring the best possible solutions for families involved.

Child Protection Specialist

Department for Children and Families
08.2020 - 08.2021
  • I started with DCF as a practicum student/intern
  • I then was hired on as a Child Protection Specialist (CPS) and have experienced many diverse populations and backgrounds in child welfare
  • I investigated abuse and neglect and also provided services to families in need of assessments.
  • Collaborated with schools and healthcare providers to ensure that children''s educational and medical needs were met in a timely manner.
  • Fostered trust with clients by demonstrating empathy, active listening skills, and cultural competence during interactions with diverse populations.
  • Maintained confidentiality of sensitive information while navigating complex legal proceedings involving child abuse or neglect allegations.

Bartender/Team Leader

Bigg's
02.2013 - 05.2021
  • Bartender and team leader at a local Lawrence staple.
  • Served high customer volumes during special events, nights, and weekends.
  • Managed cash handling duties responsibly, ensuring accurate accounting at the end of each shift.
  • Efficiently opened or closed the bar according to established procedures, ensuring preparedness for each shift.
  • Contributed to a positive work environment through effective teamwork and communication with colleagues.

Front Desk Manager

Genesis Health Clubs
09.2015 - 01.2018
  • Greeted visitors and customers upon arrival, offered assistance, and answered questions to build rapport and retention.
  • Prepared weekly employee work schedules to meet operational needs.
  • Trained new staff on correct procedures, compliance requirements, and performance strategies.
  • Mentored and trained new hires, fostering a supportive work environment that facilitated professional growth.
  • Oversaw daily cash reconciliations, maintaining accurate financial records for the front desk department.

Volunteer

Special Olympics
  • I volunteered with The Topeka Special Olympics for over ten years.

Intern/Volunteer

Let's Talk
  • I interned with Let's Talk, an agency in Lawrence which is an all-inclusive and comprehensive health and sex education non-profit
  • When interning with Let's Talk, I would assist in teaching a health sex education course at schools and pass out resources around the community.

Education

Master of Arts - Social Work

Washburn University
Topeka, Kansas
05.2024

Bachelor of Arts - Social Work

Washburn University
Topeka, KS
05.2022

High School -

Washburn Rural High School
Topeka, KS

Skills

  • Friendly, Positive Attitude
  • Teamwork and Collaboration
  • Problem-Solving
  • Time Management
  • Attention to Detail
  • Flexible and Adaptable
  • Dependable and Responsible
  • Client Advocacy
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Compassionate
  • Efficient under pressure
  • Self-awareness
  • Multidisciplinary team collaboration
  • Crisis Assessment and Intervention
  • Risk Assessment
  • Intervention Planning
  • Empathy building
  • CPR, First Aid, AED certified
  • Cultural Competency
  • Confidential case/client documentation
  • Child Welfare Expertise
  • Client Needs Assessment
  • Multicultural Competence
  • Child Development
  • Community Resources
  • Safety Planning
  • Solution-based interventions
  • Behavioral Management
  • Psychosocial assessment
  • Boundary Setting
  • Trauma Informed Care Framework
  • Group facilitation
  • Licensed Social Worker (LMSW)
  • DSM-IV knowledge
  • Biopsychosocial Assessments
  • Cognitive behavioral therapy
  • Family Dynamics Understanding
  • Strengths-based solution-focused therapy

Awards

  • Washburn University's President's Honor Roll- Fall 2019, Spring 2020, Fall 2020, Spring 2021
  • JCCC Dean's Honor Roll List Spring 2019


References

  • Julie Heatwole, LMSW, Sunflower Elementary School Counselor- P: 785-840-4445, E: jheatwol@usd497.org
  • Cassidy Miller, LBSW, Department of Children and Families Supervisor- P:785-324-1716, E: cassidy.miller@ks.gov
  • Alex Hillard, LMSW, Boys and Girls Club Director of Social Emotional Programs- P: 785-813-6842, E:ahillard@bgclk.org

Timeline

Americorps Intern

Boys And Girls Club At Sunflower Elementary
08.2023 - 05.2024

CPA Specialist

DCCCA
08.2021 - 11.2022

Child Protection Specialist

Department for Children and Families
08.2020 - 08.2021

Front Desk Manager

Genesis Health Clubs
09.2015 - 01.2018

Bartender/Team Leader

Bigg's
02.2013 - 05.2021

Volunteer

Special Olympics

Intern/Volunteer

Let's Talk

Master of Arts - Social Work

Washburn University

Bachelor of Arts - Social Work

Washburn University

High School -

Washburn Rural High School

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Taylor Gentry, LMSW