Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Community Service
Timeline
Generic

Velvet Elkins

Summary


Child welfare professional ready to bring valuable experience and results-driven approach to new opportunities. Proven capability in managing complex cases, ensuring safety and well-being of children through thorough assessments and coordinated interventions. Reliable team player known for adaptability and excellent communication skills. Experienced with child advocacy, focused on protecting and supporting at-risk children. Utilizes crisis intervention techniques and comprehensive case management to ensure safety and well-being. Knowledge of legal protocols and collaborative strategies to achieve positive outcomes.

Overview

16
16
years of professional experience

Work History

Child Protective Services Worker

State of West Virginia
12.2023 - Current
  • Conducted thorough investigations of child welfare cases to assess safety and risk factors.
  • Completed interviews with children and family members during investigation of Child Abuse and Neglect gather information.
  • Completed Initial Assessment including Maltreatment, and functioning information of the family.
  • Facilitated multidisciplinary team meetings to coordinate services for vulnerable children and families.
  • Provided crisis intervention support during high-stress situations involving children and caregivers.
  • Advocated for children's rights within the legal system, ensuring compliance with state regulations and standards.
  • Enhanced child safety by conducting thorough investigations and assessments of reported abuse and neglect cases.
  • Strengthened collaboration between agencies by fostering open communication channels with law enforcement personnel, mental health providers, schools administrators.
  • Provided critical testimony in court proceedings that contributed to positive outcomes for children under protection.
  • Maintained confidentiality regarding sensitive client information while ensuring compliance with all legal and ethical requirements.
  • Established trust with clients through empathetic communication, leading to more accurate case information gathering.
  • Facilitated successful reunification by closely monitoring progress and adjusting case plans as needed.
  • Reduced risk factors by developing individualized safety plans tailored to each family''s unique circumstances.
  • Improved family dynamics by providing supportive counseling and guidance on effective parenting strategies.
  • Promoted a safe living environment for children through regular home visits, inspections, and evaluations.
  • Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
  • Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
  • Collaborated with school personnel, parents and mental health providers to maintain comprehensive and integrated approach to student services.
  • Worked with educational team to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
  • Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
  • Conducted thorough assessments of child safety and welfare in high-risk situations.
  • Monitored compliance with state regulations, ensuring adherence to child protection laws.
  • Wrote Petitions to the Circuit Court
  • Completed Discoveries for the Court, gathered evidence for court case.
  • Worked with the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney.
  • Worked with foster care agencies to place children for safety.
  • Completed and implemented safety plans within the home.
  • Traveled to different areas of the State of WV to complete visits or transports of children.

Wraparound Facilitator and Outreach Coordinator

Home Base, INC
08.2021 - 09.2023
  • Work with West Virginia CESD Waiver Program for emotionally disturbed children. Aetna Insurance company.
  • Wraparound Facilitator works with a Aetna leadership, Bureau Medical Services, and a Aetna Care Manager assigned to each child.
  • Wraparound Facilitator duties include creating a team for each child, to keep child from going into placement for example a lockdown facility, residential treatment, or group home.
  • Wraparound coordinates a team to work with child and parents within their home.
  • This includes In-Home Therapy, Supportive Counseling, Respite and Adaptive equipment.
  • Wraparound Facilitator completes the CANS Assessment, Family Crisis Plan, and Plan of Care, and requests units for the budget for services.
  • Wraparound Facilitator completes critical incident reports upon report of crisis or incidents.
  • Wraparound Facilitator conducts via zoom all team meetings, 7-30-day meeting and every 90 days after that.
  • Wraparound Facilitator assists doing a crisis and helps find resources needed.
  • Wraparound Facilitator works with Therapists discussing child's needs. Research adaptive equipment for therapeutic purposes for the child.
  • Outreach Coordinator working with the courts holding supervised visitations and teach parenting class.
  • Assist parents with receiving their children back by court ordered improvement period. Complete reports to the court system, and CPS workers.

Behavior Management Specialist and Case Manager

Youth Services Systems, Inc.
07.2016 - 06.2021
  • Implemented solutions to present to team for decreasing behaviors for children that experienced trauma. Behaviors children display from suffering PTSD created from past traumas of child trafficking, Stockholm syndrome. Physical abuse, Sexual Abuse, Neglect, and Substance abuse.
  • Children ordered by the court system placed at emergency shelter or facility for various reasons.
  • Trained staff at Youth Achievement Center for boy's ages 12-17 a level II residential treatment facility about Positive Behavior direct care, and how to document behaviors on ABC charting system.
  • Analyzed client's psychological evaluation, list of medications, diagnosis, family history, birth, and environment raised. Rule out any medical reasons for behaviors or find the answer for the behavior.
  • Collected data documented by staff about behaviors to place into functional assessment to determine need for Positive Behavior Plan. The data will determine the need for Behavior plan.
  • Completed dysfunctional Sensory Processing Assessment when necessary and complete sensory diets. Completed communication, learning profile, assessment, likes and dislikes, family circle.
  • Trained staff on Behavior Plan after presented and approved by Human Rights Committees.
  • Attended team's treatment plan meetings reported on client's progress and attended IEP meetings at school. Outlined clients progress to Judge, at scheduled court meetings.
  • Worked with the Safe at Home Program working within the home of parents and child. The goal to reduce child's behavior, teach parents what strategies decrease behavior to keep child within the home. The goal would be not to separate family nor have child placed in another facility.
  • Cooperated with Youth Service Emergency Shelters assist when needed. Go to shelter and help staff to deescalate behaviors.

Behavior Support Professional

Mid Valley Health Care
06.2009 - 06.2016
  • Trained primary care provider, family residential habilitation providers, day habilitation providers, supportive employment, adult companion, respite providers in person specific aspects and methods of intervention.
  • Completed observation and assessments on individuals with Autism, Asperger's, Autism, Syndrome, Angel man Syndrome, Schizoaffective Disorder, Cervical Palsy, Down's Syndrome, Seizure Disorder and Trauma Brain Injury. in the day and residential waiver program.
  • Improved quality of life for each client by analyzing their environments, provided individual programs to assist clients to learn daily tasks and to live as independently as possible with staff assistance. Improving quality of life would decrease behaviors.
  • Collected and evaluated data around targeted behaviors when activity leads to functional assessment and behavior support plan.
  • Developed Task analysis and person specific strategy of methodology for implementation of intervention or instruction plans for an individual.
  • Created materials needed for the Task analysis for example: communication board, activity file folder, tactile board, fine motor skills activities. The materials made would be provided with client's programs.
  • Trained client in pre-Vocational and supportive employment.
  • Attended interdisciplinary team meetings provided reports at monthly, quarterly, and annual meetings. The results at the meetings were a percentage basis from data gathered throughout the month and turned in by staff or provider. The Behavior Support Professional calculates the data and reports if there was an increase or decrease in progress goals There would be a report on behaviors if there was an increase or decrease in percentage. The team would decide to change goals or create new programs.
  • Assisted at the crisis unit with group counseling on substances abuse, and coping skills.

Education

Authorized Trainer - Positive Behavior Support Direct Care Overview

West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities
Morgantown, WV
02.2017

Certificate of Training - Foundations of Positive Behavior Support Curriculum

West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities
Morgantown, WV
01.2013

Master of Arts - Teaching and Learning with Technology

Ashford University
Clinton, WV
10.2008

Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Leadership and Development

Wheeling Jesuit University
Wheeling, WV
08.2006

Skills

  • Advocacy for social justice
  • Support for foster care youth
  • Candidate assessment interviews
  • Client engagement
  • Effective time management
  • Analytical problem-solving
  • Community engagement
  • Client case management
  • Family guidance
  • Safety strategy development
  • Substance use management
  • Child welfare advocacy
  • Effective interviewing techniques

Community Service

Wheeling Jesuit University, Wheeling, WV, 2003-05-29, A Project Presented to the Faculty of Wheeling Jesuit University on May 29, 2003, Approved by Parks and Recreation. New Martinsville WV 26155. A Grant written and presented to Governor's Community Partnership Grant Program. The results successful Governor's Grant approved; City Council applied money. Pond renovations completed at Lewis Wetzel Park's Pond.

Timeline

Child Protective Services Worker

State of West Virginia
12.2023 - Current

Wraparound Facilitator and Outreach Coordinator

Home Base, INC
08.2021 - 09.2023

Behavior Management Specialist and Case Manager

Youth Services Systems, Inc.
07.2016 - 06.2021

Behavior Support Professional

Mid Valley Health Care
06.2009 - 06.2016

Certificate of Training - Foundations of Positive Behavior Support Curriculum

West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities

Master of Arts - Teaching and Learning with Technology

Ashford University

Bachelor of Arts - Organizational Leadership and Development

Wheeling Jesuit University

Authorized Trainer - Positive Behavior Support Direct Care Overview

West Virginia University Center for Excellence in Disabilities

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Velvet Elkins