career objective                              
human/social services specialist eager to contribute dynamic client/case management, project coordination, and administrative skills toward supporting the community in delivering quality services

profile                                                

ø  offer more than 11 years of progressive counseling and advisement services with expertise working with at-risk children, plus strong background in creative art therapy

ø  provide fair and ethical assessments to develop customized action plans and guidance for families in need

ø  facilitate results-focused approach while handling multiple responsibilities simultaneously

ø  work closely with human services specialists, state courts, and community resources to optimize opportunities

ø  monitor and analyze performance, provide counseling and therapy, develop realistic solutions, and execute strategies

ø  dynamic communication and listening skills crucial to building productive client relations

ø  proactive team player equally effective in independent and collaborative environments

ø  ensure compliance with established program and government protocol/policies/procedures

professional experience                

social worker 3, department of social and health services, seattle, wa                                    10/97 c present

interstate compact on the placement of children (icpc) adoption permanency unit (11/06 c present)

• perform a wide range of services to ensure each child s well-being and permanent placement in a stable home environment; work closely with children, families, and interdisciplinary specialists to achieve optimal placement conditions and improve the quality of life for individuals and families in need
• conduct investigations and interviews to complete comprehensive interstate compact adoption and relative home studies; assess prospective adoptive parents to determine levels of functioning
• collaborate with other social workers to identify educational and emotional needs of children in placement

adolescent / foster care / guardianship units (10/97 c 11/06)

• effectively provided adolescent child protective services, child welfare services, and family preservation services for a diverse client base
• contributed expertise toward actively participating in case consultations as well as child protective service, prognostic and multidisciplinary team meetings vital to maximizing quality and outcome of broad-scope services
• responded to instances of child abuse and neglect and therapy and crisis counseling to youth ages 12 c 17 and their families; developed recommendations regarding ongoing care and treatment, and provided legal testimony
• identified and qualified temporary and permanent placements for youth, including behaviorally challenged chronic runaways and teenagers who are difficult to place; followed up on child health and safety post-placement

 

~ additional experience ~

volunteer, therapeutic drama program, playback theater, seattle, wa                                   insert dates

education                                           

master of arts: creative arts therapy, lesley college, cambridge, ma                                             1992                             

 

bachelor of arts:  human services & social work, state university of new york, plattsburgh, ny  1984