Ursulynn Hamilton
Beach,IL
Summary
Dedicated Social Worker offering 20 years of counseling and crisis intervention expertise. Offering comprehensive background in social services and child welfare, as well as strong interpersonal, organizational and computer skills. Builds client rapport and assesses needs to provide appropriate resources. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Child Protection Investigator
Department Of Children And Family Services
Waukegan, IL
07.2023 - Current
- Serves as Child Protection Investigator.
- Prepares investigation reports for assessing validity of reports of allegations.
- Selects, summarizes, and presents case material for transfer to permanency caseworker or community agencies.
- Determines the need for and coordinates the placement of children in substitute care facilities.
- Attends multi-disciplinary diagnostic and technical staff conferences to assess needed services.
- Transports clients when taking protective custody, when placing them in substitute care, and when changing placement location.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
Case Management Analyst
Aetna, A CVS Health
Lake County North, IL
09.2021 - 03.2024
- Evaluation of Members: -Through the use of care management tools and information/data review, conducts comprehensive evaluation of referred member’s needs/eligibility and recommends an approach to case resolution and/or meeting needs by evaluating member’s benefit plan and available internal and external programs/services.
- Identifies high risk factors and service needs that may impact member outcomes and care planning components with appropriate referral to clinical case management or crisis intervention as appropriate.
- Coordinates and implements assigned care plan activities and monitors care plan progress.
- Enhancement of Medical Appropriateness and Quality of Care: – Using holistic approach consults with case managers, supervisors, Medical Directors and/or other health programs to overcome barriers to meeting goals and objectives; presents cases at case conferences to obtain multidisciplinary review in order to achieve optimal outcomes.
- Identifies and escalates quality of care issues through established channels.
- Utilizes negotiation skills to secure appropriate options and services necessary to meet the member’s benefits and/or healthcare needs.
- Utilizes influencing/ motivational interviewing skills to ensure maximum member engagement and promote lifestyle/behavior changes to achieve optimum level of health.
- Provides coaching, information and support to empower the member to make ongoing independent medical and/or healthy lifestyle choices.
- Helps member actively and knowledgably participate with their provider in healthcare decision-making.
- Monitoring, Evaluation and Documentation of Care: – Utilizes case management and quality management processes in compliance with regulatory and accreditation guidelines and company policies and procedures.
Child Welfare Supervisor
Department Of Children And Family Services
Shreveport, LA
06.2002 - 03.2021
- Supported professional growth opportunities for staff members, contributing to increased job satisfaction and retention rates.
- Implemented new policies and procedures in alignment with federal and state regulations, promoting adherence to best practices in child welfare services provision.
- Monitored spending within budgetary constraints while ensuring the availability of necessary resources for effective service delivery across all programs overseen.
- Ensured timely service delivery by closely monitoring caseloads and adjusting priorities as needed.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices and new developments in the field of child welfare.
- Coordinated multidisciplinary teams comprising social workers, therapists, educators, medical professionals, legal counsel, and other stakeholders to develop individualized service plans addressing each child''s unique needs.
- Advocated for needed resources within the organization and community at large to enhance service delivery options for children and families experiencing complex challenges.
- Improved child welfare outcomes by implementing evidence-based practices and providing ongoing staff training.
- Promoted a positive work environment through recognition of staff accomplishments, team-building activities, and open communication channels.
- Developed performance improvement plans to address identified areas of weakness in service delivery, resulting in measurable progress towards goals.
- Provided guidance and supervision to staff members in the conduct of safety, risk, and needs assessments for children and families served.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, case consultations, and sharing of resources.
- Managed complex cases requiring intensive intervention strategies while maintaining a focus on safety and permanency planning for children involved.
- Provided leadership, guidance and support to staff members.
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet treatment needs.
- Monitored program performance and outcomes for successful delivery of services.
- Established and maintained relationships with key stakeholders.
- Coordinated individual referrals to obtain community services, advocate for client needs and resolve roadblocks.
Mental Health Professional
Unlimited Alternative To Change
Bossier City, LA
01.2019 - 02.2021
- Provided targeted therapeutic interventions for clients experiencing a variety of mental health challenges, including anxiety disorders, depression, trauma-related issues, and substance abuse concerns.
- Provided clients with recommendations to community resources.
- Managed caseloads efficiently by prioritizing based on client needs and availability of resources, ensuring timely intervention for all patients.
- Documented client progress in confidential files.
- Improved patient outcomes by developing and implementing comprehensive mental health treatment plans.
Mental Health Professional
Insight Guidance Group
Lafayette, LA
01.2017 - 10.2018
- Provided targeted therapeutic interventions for clients experiencing a variety of mental health challenges, including anxiety disorders, depression, trauma-related issues, and substance abuse concerns.
- Provided clients with recommendations to community resources.
- Documented client progress in confidential files.
- Managed caseloads efficiently by prioritizing based on client needs and availability of resources, ensuring timely intervention for all patients.
- Encouraged clients to express feelings and discuss what was happening in day-to-day life in order to help each person develop insight into personal experiences and relationships
- Managed crisis situations effectively, deescalating potentially dangerous behavior and ensuring the safety of all involved parties.
- Observed and monitored client behavior and responses to treatment.
- Conducted crisis interventions to respond to clients in crisis, assess immediate needs and provide support and resources.
Mental Health Professional
Life Changing Solutions
Lafayette, LA
01.2015 - 01.2017
- Helped clients develop coping skills to deal with specific triggers and stressful events.
- Conducted 7-10 assessments per week and carried a case load of 3-5 clients in the PSR/CPST program.
- Assisted with the development of treatment plans for recipients.
- Conducted CPST and PSR services to clients.
- Assisted recipients in the stabilization of acute symptoms of their mental illness.
- Participated in individual and group monthly trainings.
- Documented services provided in Sharenote.
Education
Master's of Social Work - Social Work
Grambling State University
Grambling, LA05.2002
Bachelor's of Social Work - Social Work
Grambling State University
Grambling, LA05.1999
Skills
Collaboration and Teamwork
Resilience and persistence
Multicultural Sensitivity
Writing and verbal communication
Assertiveness
Safety Planning
Certification
- Licensed Social Worker - 9/2023-11/2025
Timeline
Child Protection Investigator
Department Of Children And Family Services
07.2023 - Current
Case Management Analyst
Aetna, A CVS Health
09.2021 - 03.2024
Mental Health Professional
Unlimited Alternative To Change
01.2019 - 02.2021
Mental Health Professional
Insight Guidance Group
01.2017 - 10.2018
Mental Health Professional
Life Changing Solutions
01.2015 - 01.2017
Child Welfare Supervisor
Department Of Children And Family Services
06.2002 - 03.2021
Master's of Social Work - Social Work
Grambling State University
Bachelor's of Social Work - Social Work
Grambling State University