Wendy Merrill
Rochester,IN
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate professional with a background in the human services field. Offers valuable support and guidance to individuals facing challenges. Possesses a deep understanding of effectively working with diverse populations. Committed to making a positive impact in the lives of those in need. Unwavering passion for helping others drives the assurance of access to essential services.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Foster Parent Growth and Retention Coordinator
National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP)
09.2024 - Current
- Develop strong community contacts
- Provided accurate information to prospective families
- Encourage families to consider providing safe homes youths in need
- Distribute requirement materials in high visibility areas
Administrative Assistant/Field Officer
Marshall County Community Corrections
07.2024 - Current
- Answer and direct phone calls
- Organize and schedule appointments and meetings
- Reply to email, telephone, or face-to-face inquiries
- Greet and assist visitors to the office
- Administer drug screens
Wraparound Facilitator
IPMG
01.2022 - 03.2024
- Worked with families of youths that struggle emotionally and/or behaviorally
- Help families develop and engage their wraparound team made up of professionals, friends, and family
- Create a plan of care based on the strengths and needs of the family
- Help families access services and support as needed to meet their goals
- Facilitated monthly meetings with family and team members
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Collaborated with school personnel, parents and mental health providers to maintain comprehensive and integrated approach to student services.
Homebuilders Family Consultant
Lifeline Youth & Family Services, Inc.
05.2017 - 07.2020
- Worked with families that were identified to be in crisis and at imminent risk of DCS removing children from home
- Empowered parents by teaching them skills for managing stressors within the home environment effectively
- Assisted families in setting realistic goals for improvement, teaching skills to facilitate behavior changes with in the family unit, monitoring progress over time and adjusting interventions as necessary
- Used evidence-based treatment practices, including motivational interviewing, behavioral parent training, using CBT and REBT strategies, and relapse prevention
- Worked with all family members to teach a variety of skills, including child behavior management, effective discipline, positive behavioral support, communication skills, problem-solving skills, resisting peer pressure, mood management skills, safety planning, and establishing daily routines
Family Support Specialist
Healthy Families -Area Five Agency
10.2016 - 04.2017
- Worked directly with families with children from ages prenatal to three years of age for non-profit national program
- Enhanced family well-being by providing comprehensive support services and resources
- Assisted families in navigating complex social service systems to access needed supports and benefits
- Conducted regular home visits to assess family progress and adjust support plans as needed
- Maintained detailed case notes documenting client interactions, interventions provided, progress made, and any barriers encountered during service delivery
QDDP
Help at Home
04.2016 - 10.2016
- Responsible for maintaining consumer files, attending meetings with families and case managers, ensuring appropriate services are provided to consumers, and monitoring and reporting progress on goals, served as representative payee for Supported Living sites
- Covered on-call crisis calls and responded situations as needed
- Self-motivated, with strong sense of personal responsibility
Case Manager
Four County Counseling Center
01.2015 - 04.2016
- Worked with adults and youth with mental heath diagnosis, teaching life skills, coping skills, parenting skills
- Worked with families referred by DCS, supervising visitations, and addressing DCS identified concerns
- Facilitated adult metal health groups on wide range of topics including ADL's and Parenting groups
- Trained in Love and Logic and Step-Teen parenting
- Conducted thorough assessments of clients'' situations, identifying issues, goals, and necessary interventions
- Maintained accurate documentation on all cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements
Family Advocate
Forte Residential
08.2012 - 07.2014
- Management of the personal household and medical treatment of an adult with physical disabilities
- Hiring, training, scheduling and daily management of all direct care staff that was required for the individual cared for
- Payroll entry and reporting for all staff involved with individual
Education
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Trine University
Angola, IN05-2016
Skills
- Motivational interviewing
- Life skills training
- Community networking
- Behavioral support
- Mental health awareness
- Needs assessment
- Experience with at-risk youth
- Client interviewing
- Problem-solving aptitude
- Behavioral assessment
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Family support
- Problem-solving abilities
- Cognitive behavioral therapy
Timeline
Foster Parent Growth and Retention Coordinator
National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP)
09.2024 - Current
Administrative Assistant/Field Officer
Marshall County Community Corrections
07.2024 - Current
Wraparound Facilitator
IPMG
01.2022 - 03.2024
Homebuilders Family Consultant
Lifeline Youth & Family Services, Inc.
05.2017 - 07.2020
Family Support Specialist
Healthy Families -Area Five Agency
10.2016 - 04.2017
QDDP
Help at Home
04.2016 - 10.2016
Case Manager
Four County Counseling Center
01.2015 - 04.2016
Family Advocate
Forte Residential
08.2012 - 07.2014
Bachelor of Science - Psychology
Trine University
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