Tierra Alexander
Virginia Beach,VA
Summary
Experienced Family Service Specialist with a background in crisis intervention and motivational interviewing. Recognized for enhancing family stability and support through exceptional interpersonal skills and a results-driven approach. Demostrated effective collaboration with teams to achieve positive outcomes, even in changing circumstances. Strong communication skills and problem-solving capabilities.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Service Specialist
Virginia Beach Department of Human Services
04.2022 - Current
- Interview / Meet with clients and providers to determine services that may be needed such as prevention, counseling, behavioral health, or case management
- Advocate for the well-being of the family to ensure safety and permanency while linking to resources in the community as well as consultation, networking, family support and crisis intervention
- Coordinate and collaborate with appropriate licensing agencies, law enforcement agencies, legal entities, contractors/providers, physicians, hospitals, and numerous community agencies, to provide services to vulnerable families
- Assist cases with more than one type of alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation, and may have multiple alleged perpetrators
- Complete documentation and casework within required timeframes based on local and/or state guidelines
- Prepare service plans and case reviews to meet local, state, and federal requirements and have a documented treatment plan for the client and timely reviews of services provided
- Participate and complete all relevant and mandated training
- Increased family stability by providing crisis intervention and connecting them to appropriate community supports.
- Conducted in-depth assessments to determine if children were safe from harm and abuse at home.
- Devised and implemented safety plans for children of high risk for abuse or neglect.
- Enhanced family support systems by connecting families with appropriate resources and services.
- Conducted home visits to assess living conditions, interview family members, and observe interactions between children and caregivers.
- Documented cases meticulously, maintaining accurate records for court proceedings and agency use.
- Enhanced family stability by providing comprehensive support and resources tailored to individual needs.
- Implemented evidence-based interventions designed to reduce risk factors associated with child abuse or neglect.
- Expedited court proceedings by preparing affidavits, upon request from city attorneys.
- Facilitated, scribed, and coordinated Family Partnership Meetings for clients, staff, and community members to discuss pressing issues related to family service needs.
Disability Unit Manager
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia
06.2020 - 03.2022
- Organized and supervised training groups to assist with rent relief grants for homeless and potential homeless clients
- Conducted initial assessments and final evaluations for clients to obtain social security benefits, sometimes these were home visits when client was unable to come in
- Attended, recorded, and transcribed confidential meetings with clients and attorneys to complete social security applications, civil court preparation, and will & estate signings
- Recorded, tracked, and documented yearly grant assistance data, to provide in the debrief with administration
- Successfully organized and completed homeless outreach at Star of the Sea, Union Mission, Housing Resource Center, and Potters House to provide homeless with local community resources
- Assisted clients with obtaining vital records (birth certificate, social security cards, and state IDs)
- Update social media outlets with community outreach locations
- Assisted with organizing and setting up monthly team meetings via Zoom
- Assisted in drafting complex legal documents such as affidavits, subpoenas, deposition notices, and motions to ensure accuracy and compliance with court requirements.
- Managed scheduling of court calendars and deadlines to maintain smooth flow of firm operations.
- Assisted with estate planning activities including drafting wills, power of attorney, and medical directive documents, which ensured clients'' wishes were accurately represented.
- Assisted clients in preparing applications for social security benefits, housing and assistance programs.
Legal Administrative Assistant
Tidewater Finance Company
10.2016 - 04.2020
- Provided administrative assistance and reported directly to the Legal Manager
- Answered and routed all legal department calls
- Charted and tracked team department numbers for team goal and incentive payout
- Provided clients or client legal representative with updated information of vehicle status
- Researched client bankruptcy status through court pacer
- Assisted customers by phone or in person with vehicle payments using company database
- Fax, mail, and file client legal notification letters, vehicle title, and vehicle insurance
- Ensured seamless communication between various departments by serving as a key liaison for all legal matters.
- Managed general clerical needs such as opening and closing files, scanning sheets and faxing documents.
- Assisted cross-functional teams to ensure timely delivery of supplies.
Education
Master of Social Work -
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN08-2025
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Stratford University
Falls Church, VA08.2020
Skills
- Proficient in MS Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, Access, Teams, and PowerPoint)
- Ability to conduct client interviews
- Ability to effectively interact and form collaborative relationships
- Strong attention to detail
- Highly organized
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Notary Public
- Case Documentation
- Client engagement and assistance
- Motivational Interviewing
- Crisis Intervention
References
Professional references upon request
Timeline
Family Service Specialist
Virginia Beach Department of Human Services
04.2022 - Current
Disability Unit Manager
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia
06.2020 - 03.2022
Legal Administrative Assistant
Tidewater Finance Company
10.2016 - 04.2020
Bachelor of Business Administration -
Stratford University
Master of Social Work -
Capella University
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