Hard-working professional with 10+ years of experience and proven knowledge of behavior management, behavior modification, and case management. A self-starting, goal-oriented strategist whose confidence, perseverance, and vision promote success. Collaborate with clients' families to implement rehabilitation plans such as behavioral, residential, social, and employment goals. Collaborate with community agencies to establish facilities and programs for persons experiencing homelessness. Ability to cope with challenges and find solutions to unexpected problems. Ability to prioritize assignments, plan workload efficiently, and deliver the output within the prescribed time frame.
Hi, I’m
VICTOR KAMARA
Brandywine,MD
Summary
Overview
14
years of professional experience
Work History
St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth & Families
Education & Employment Coordinator
03.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Responsible for the daily implementation of the employment/job training and educational (school and life skills) component of the agency’s Employment and Education
- Oversee the development and implementation of a comprehensive employment and life skill program that provides enrichment and support in a residential setting
- Collect pay stubs, budgets, and work schedules, and support them in credit counseling and improving their credit scores
- Collaborate with other departments by participating in multi-disciplinary, resident treatment, and service planning meetings to discuss the implementation of programming to expose and prepare residents for post-discharge options
- Supervise the development of workshops, events, and activities that will support, inspire, and inform residents about the skills needed to pursue employment and other opportunities including Administering appropriate skills assessments for employment
- Coordinate with external partners to connect residents with relevant resources (interviews, job preparations, work ethics) that help them find safe, legitimate, appropriate (to skill level) employment
- Work with local community organizations and groups to develop life skill programming that includes, but is not limited to: financial literacy, employment skills, hygiene, health, food literacy, drug awareness, mental wellness, educational planning, tenant’s rights, first aid, youth leadership, relationship building, and self-esteem, networking skills, arts and music
- The Life Skill and Employment Coordinator manages relationships with state and federal partners and volunteers
- Conduct a small number (Maximum of 3) of case management protocols from the clinical department
- Work in collaboration with the V.P
- Of Programs to develop and build linkages to like-minded agencies in the community and, thus, develop ongoing professional development opportunities for residents
- Participates in the Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) process by collecting and analyzing outcome data on residents and volunteers, suggesting program enhancements, and implementing identified programmatic changes as necessary
- Accepts and completes other duties as assigned
- Collaborated with local employers to identify job opportunities for clients.
- Assisted with writing job postings and job descriptions for boards.
- Pre-screened resumes prior to sending to corporate hiring managers for consideration.
People Encouraging People
Mental Health Professional
11.2021 - 03.2023
Job overview
- Conduct visits to various agencies, shelters, and hospitals to recruit clients for the homeless service program
- Screen clients upon admission to the Homeless service program: obtain complete psychiatric and medical health history
- Conduct screening interviews and assessments using personal interviews, referral information, medical history, collateral contact, and additional methods as needed
- Providing ongoing counseling to individuals, groups, or families as reflected in the treatment plan.
- Provide ongoing assessment of clients' issues and their response to treatment.
- Provide emotional support and facilitation of staff debriefings following traumatic events (difficult ambulance calls, infant deaths, treating other colleagues, trauma, or difficulties in their own family situations).
- Provide case management for an assigned group of clients including coordinating and monitoring the activities of the individual treatment; assume responsibilities for developing, writing, implementing, evaluating, and revising overall treatment goals and plans
- Provided ongoing counseling to individuals, groups, or families as reflected in the treatment plan
- Identify gaps in service, barriers to treatment, and the acquisition of community resources
- Advocate for the reduction of such barriers and the development of needed services
- Participate in community mobile treatment-related meetings, client care conferences, clinical programs, etc
- Provide symptom education and illness management as prescribed by evidence-based practices or established guidelines
- Provide group as well as family and individual therapy/treatment
- Utilized evidence-based practice for co-occurring disorders when performing group substance abuse treatment and individual treatment.
- Educate and support the client's family, and advocate for the client's rights and preferences
- Conduct a comprehensive assessment of all domains of a person's life
- Provided on-call crisis intervention when assigned covering nighttime and weekend hours
- Principal Accountabilities: Counseling compliance with treatment plans, Completion of pertinent client documentation, Quality of service, Liaison with outside agencies, Client well-being (clinical and physical)
- Documented client progress in confidential files
- Performed client assessments and developed treatment plans
- Encouraged clients to express feelings and discuss what was happening in day-to-day life to help each person develop insight into personal experiences and relationships
- Provided clients with recommendations for community resources
- Evaluated patients and implemented comprehensive treatment plans to enhance mental health
- Leveraged positive uncertainty and multi-systemic family systems therapy to help clients deal with ambiguity, accept inconsistencies and adopt intuition when making decisions
- Worked collaboratively with other mental health professionals to provide consistent care and minimize diversion
- Provided comprehensive case management services, created treatment plans, and connected clients and families to appropriate resources
- Developed goal-oriented psychoeducational and activity therapy groups to improve clients' level of functioning
- Guided clients in effective therapeutic exercises integrated from Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)
- Managed patients with substance dependence and co-occurring Axis I and Axis II disorders
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility
- Evaluated patients and implemented comprehensive treatment plans to enhance mental health.
- Provided targeted therapeutic interventions for clients experiencing a variety of mental health challenges, including anxiety disorders, depression, trauma-related issues, and substance abuse concerns.
Catholic Charities
Case Manager
07.2018 - 11.2021
Job overview
- Prepare and maintain records and case files, including documentation such as clients' personal and eligibility information, services provided, narratives of client contacts, and relevant correspondence
- Provide direct service and support to 30 individuals or clients, such as handling a referral for child advocacy issues, conducting a needs evaluation, or resolving complaints.
- Collaborate with clients' families to implement rehabilitation plans such as behavioral, residential, social, and employment goals
- Collaborate with community agencies to establish facilities and programs for persons with disabilities
- Direct case service allocations, authorizing expenditures and payments
- Developed and maintained relationships with external partners to facilitate program operations
- Collaborate with clients' families to implement rehabilitation plans such as behavioral, residential, social, and employment goals
- Collaborate with community agencies to establish facilities and programs for persons with disabilities
- Develop rehabilitation plans that fit clients' aptitudes, education levels, physical abilities, and career goals
- Speak to community groups to explain and interpret agency purposes, programs, and policies
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes
Catholic Charities
Program Manager/ Supervisor/ Case Manager
09.2015 - 07.2018
Job overview
- Responsible for the day-to-day operation and administration of the Transitional Substance Use Rehabilitation Program and Youth Transitional Program, including coordinating and monitoring operational staff coverage and adherence to policies
- Build, coach, and supervise a team of 26 passionate, engaging, and high-quality Case Workers, Program Assistants, and Administrative Assistants, Case Managers, who are responsible for providing case management, referrals for housing, medical insurance, and other services
- Monitor and review programming to ensure that schedules are met, guidelines are adhered to, and performances are of adequate quality
- Confer with physicians, psychologists, occupational therapists, and other professionals to develop and implement client rehabilitation programs
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work
- Assist in maintaining quality program practices (CQI) and updating program policies, procedures, and manuals
- Hold the team accountable for meeting all mission, quality, safety, and other performance standards
- Assist in the maintenance of the facility and equipment by health, fire, and safety codes
- Participated and provided leadership in regular Case Management Team meetings to monitor residents' progress and achievement
- Coordinated the preparation and reviewed all submissions of internal and external program reports promptly
- Engaged and fully participated in interviewing, hiring, and training staff; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and providing support in strengthening organizational values and work ethics for associates; addressing complaints, sick calls, absences, and resolving problems
- Locate barriers to client employment, such as inaccessible work sites, inflexible schedules, and transportation problems, and work with clients to develop strategies for overcoming these barriers
- Establish and maintain relationships with other agencies and organizations in the community to meet community needs and to ensure that services are not duplicated
- Establish and oversee administrative procedures to meet objectives set by boards of directors or senior management.
- Coordinate the preparation and submission of internal and external program reports
- Prepare and maintain records and reports, such as budgets, personnel records, or training manuals
- Implement and evaluate staff, volunteer, or community training programs
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground
- Participate in job development and placement programs, contacting prospective employers, placing clients in jobs, and evaluating the success of placements
- Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members
- Communicated clearly with employees, suppliers, and stakeholders to keep everyone on the same page and working toward established business goals
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules, and monitored performance
- Evaluated employee performance and conveyed constructive feedback to improve skills.
- Managed and motivated employees to be productive and engaged in work
- Direct case service allocations, authorizing expenditures and payments
- Developed and maintained relationships with external partners to facilitate program operations
- Scheduled and supervised staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones
- Collaborated with other program coordinators to achieve consistency in program objectives and services.
- Kept program-related data accurate, up-to-date and easily accessible for accessibility
- Organized and managed program development from conception through successful execution
- Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations
- Motivated and directed staff to align operations with an organizational mission using appropriate training initiatives and presentations
- Collaborated with various teams to uncover issues, identify applicable solutions, and offer guidance
- Monitored programming trends to keep content relevant and up-to-date
- Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations
Catholic Charities
Case Manager
09.2011 - 07.2013
Job overview
- Provided a variety of individual and/or group supportive services that address both short-term, mid-term, and long-term client needs
- Interviewed and assessed clients for direct services, and developed case plans for clients including written short-term and long-term goals and tasks
- Served as a member of the multidisciplinary clinical case team and ensured gender inclusion in decisions
- Collaborated with other disciplines including substance abuse, legal, medical, educational, vocational, mental health professionals and other service providers; ensured appropriate referrals for emotional, substance abuse, legal, medical, dental, educational recreational, vocational, employment, and housing needs
- Collaborate with clients' families to implement rehabilitation plans such as behavioral, residential, social, and employment goals
- Collaborate with community agencies to establish facilities and programs for persons with disabilities
- Assisted clients in navigating housing, legal services, and public benefits to gain access to valuable resources
- Developed comprehensive discharge plans to transition clients to appropriate service providers in the community
- Developed and implemented safety plans for clients at risk of harm to provide protection.
- Coordinated individual referrals to obtain community services, advocate for client needs and resolve roadblocks
- Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies, and organizations to meet treatment needs
- Participated in community events to promote services and engage with the public
- Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals
- Monitored clients' progress and tracked client services to provide crisis interventions
Education
Loyola University MarylandBaltimore, MD
Master of Science from Clinical Pastoral Counseling
05.2004
University Overview
Iona UniversityNew Rochelle, NY
Bachelor of Science from Psychology
05.2002
University Overview
Skills
- Case Documentation
- HIPAA Requirements
- Psychosocial Assessments
- Crisis Intervention
- First Aid and CPR
- Ability to operate computer
- Microsoft Word
- Excel
- PowerPoint
- Case management
- Crisis intervention
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Workplace safety
Accomplishments
Accomplishments
- Used Microsoft Excel to develop inventory tracking spreadsheets.
Core Competencies
Core Competencies
Mastery of all aspects of human resource management. In-depth knowledge of international and Local staff regulations and rules, human resource policies and guidelines, and ability to apply them in work situations. Proven conceptual, analytical, and communications skills. Ability to identify key strategic issues, opportunities, and risks. Proven efficiency in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results. Shows pride in work and achievements; demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter. Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines, and achieving results; is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations., Considers all those to whom services are provided to be 'clients' and seeks to see things from clients' point of view; establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect; identifies clients' needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients' environment to keep informed and anticipate problems; keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects; meets timeline for delivery of products or services to the client., Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately; asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication; tailors language, tone, style, and format to match audience; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed., Serves as a role model that other people want to follow. Empowers others to translate vision into results; is proactive in developing strategies to accomplish objectives; establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions; drives for change and improvements; does not accept the status quo; shows the courage to take unpopular stands. Provides leadership and takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work; demonstrates knowledge of strategies and commitment to the goal of gender balance in staffing., Identifies strategic issues, opportunities, and risks; communicates links between the Organization's strategy and the work unit's goals; generates and communicates broad and compelling organizational direction, inspiring others to pursue that same direction; conveys enthusiasm about future possibilities. An observant individual with excellent interpersonal and communication skills builds meaningful relationships with clients and families. Experienced in working with clients from diverse cultural and religious backgrounds. Offers crisis intervention to help individuals navigate through traumatic experiences. Empathetic professional with hands-on experience providing quality psychological services to children and adults. Skilled in identifying, assessing, and diagnosing mental health and emotional issues. Develops and implements treatment plans and provides counseling and therapy to obtain maximum results for patients.Timeline
Education & Employment Coordinator
St. Ann’s Center for Children, Youth & Families
03.2023 - Current
Mental Health Professional
People Encouraging People
11.2021 - 03.2023
Case Manager
Catholic Charities
07.2018 - 11.2021
Program Manager/ Supervisor/ Case Manager
Catholic Charities
09.2015 - 07.2018
Case Manager
Catholic Charities
09.2011 - 07.2013
Loyola University Maryland
Master of Science from Clinical Pastoral Counseling
Iona University
Bachelor of Science from Psychology
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