Social Worker

April 2023 – Present, City of Newark Office of Violence Prevention & Trauma Recovery, Newark, NJ. In this role, I facilitate youth outreach tours throughout Newark, NJ, with the Newark Police Department. I also provide clinical support to the curfew initiative outreach team while overseeing youth engagements. I also manage outreach staff schedules, training, and community engagements.

 

Clinical Social Worker

November 2023 — November 2024

York Street Project, Jersey City, NJ. Provide individual and group bio-psychosocial services. Facilitate didactic groups and provide comprehensive clinical training to prepare staff to work with clients in crisis. Assess the level of care needs, identify presenting issues, and treat individuals and families experiencing social, emotional, and behavioral problems that affect function, self-sufficiency, and quality of life. Provide crisis management to help clients maintain shelter placement.

 

Veterans Social Worker

March 2023- July 2023

New Jersey Reentry Corporation, Jersey City, NJ

In this role, I gathered and managed resources for veterans related to housing, behavioral health, social services, and Veterans Affairs benefits, including referrals. I also verified the Veteran's status using the DD-214 for eligibility for VA medical care and program participation. My role was directly responsible for ensuring homeless Veterans who meet the criteria for chronic homelessness are considered primary participants for program acceptance. I was responsible for providing clinical case support to veteran services case managers.

 

Outreach Case Manager 

Oct 2021 — April 2023

Mental Health Association of Essex & Morris- Newark, NJ

I facilitated outreach tours with the Port Authority Police Department. I assessed consumers for crisis and behavioral health issues. I maintained client case files, documented interactions, and organized transportation for individuals experiencing homelessness to their referral site for emergency housing. I provided consumers with case management and ongoing linkage to community supports, such as mental health and medical treatment, shelter placement, and transportation to the shelter.

 

Consumer Coordinator Intern 

May 2020 — April 2021

Essex County Public Defender's Office- Newark, NJ

I managed MSW interns, facilitated intern meetings, and provided day-to-day support to struggling interns. I managed the COVID-19 juvenile offender early release program. I created and supervised the implementation of services for the Juvenile Offender Unit. I coordinated services in accordance with funding guidelines. I researched criminal case histories, conducted pretrial risk assessments, prepared reports, and attended meetings with defendants for judicial processing and pretrial detention hearings to assist them in attaining specific goals and ensuring their successful transition back to society.

 

Counselor Intern 

June 2018 — May 2020

C.U.R.A Inc. - Newark, NJ

I supervised a team of 3 drug court case managers. I facilitated didactic groups and client activities and provided crisis intervention on a case-by-case basis. I co-facilitated staff skills training to enhance the case managers' ability to engage with resistant clients, build healthy working relationships, and maintain healthy boundaries. I also provided guidance on client advocacy in court and on completing behavioral health documentation and progress notes correctly. I also supervised client treatment plans and client progress notes and provided monthly reports to the drug court program on behalf of the clients on my caseload.

 

Intake Manager 

December 2016 — June 2017

St. Paul's Community Development Corporation, Newark, NJ

I managed the intake department. I supervised intake assessments, created service plans tailored to clients' needs, and coordinated employment services to prepare clients to re-enter the workforce. I managed the client resource budget, staff schedules, and the shelter staff training addendum. I coordinated with the One-Stop in Paterson, NJ, to provide training and employment opportunities for shelter clients. I supervised the completion of documentation and case notes, ensuring that organizational documentation requirements were met.

 

Program Coordinator 

January 2015 — December 2015

Integrity House Inc., Newark, NJ

I supervised weekend staff, group therapy sessions, and client leisure activities. I did health & safety checks of the premises to ensure that the safety, security, and agency functions were consistent with program policy. I oversaw new-client orientation, provided each client with program rulebooks, informed them about the therapeutic community, and followed up to enforce program rules.

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VOLUNTEER WORK

Peer Mentor Supervisor

August 2017 – May 2019

Rutgers University- Newark Honors Living Learning Community, NJ

I assisted in implementing services and documentation to support the program's success and facilitated student resource fairs. I met with incoming Non-traditional transfer students and facilitated campus resource tours. I introduced them to others who shared the same goals and interests. I created a group chat to connect them with me and others and provide them with cutting-edge support. I facilitated weekly meetings to give extra support when navigating unfamiliar spaces. Discussed domestic violence, sexual assault, substance use, mental health, and tutoring resources.