Delegate- Delegation Lead- Secretary

• Sep 2013 - Present

http://www.iswep.com/ In 1996, a small group of committed social workers began the International Activities Network of international exchanges. Since that time, the group has evolved in many ways including a change in the title to the International Social Worker Exchange Partnership (ISWEP). ISWEP has hosted and/or participated in 24 international exchanges. The exchanges involved 7 of Chicago’s Sister Cities including Hamburg, Germany, Birmingham, England, Casablanca, Morocco, Durban, South Africa, Prague, Czech Republic, and Mexico City, Mexico. Over the last 20 years, local universities have played a significant role in supporting the professional exchanges by providing room and breakfast or ISWEP guests. Since 2008, Dominican University School of Social Work has been active supporter in not only providing room and board, but also in hosting the International Conference which concludes each exchange. The Chicago Sister Cities International program has been a partner with ISWEP since its inception in 1996. http://www.chicagosistercities.com/initiative/social-services/ Over the years, the IWEP exchange modal has evolved and adjusted while maintaining the basic principal of professional dialogue and cultural immersion. The International Social Work Exchange Partnership estimates that over 200 US social workers have utilized their exchanges since 1996 as a part of their professional development. In addition, some 300 foreign social workers have participated in the exchanges including elected officials.

Social Worker | Care Manager

• Jul 2017 - Present

•Provide case management, crisis intervention support, transition planning, mental health counseling, conduct in-depth psychosocial assessments, and complete internal/external service referrals for rehabilitation and social services •Multi-tasking priorities of complex care coordination, community connection, and discharge planning following medical crises, accidents and trauma, in serving individuals with brain and spinal cord injuries, complex wound care and technology dependence •Utilization management for insurance authorization cases •Patient advocacy and collaboration with bioethics team in mobilizing supports for safeguarding Rehabilitation social worker for adult and pediatric patient populations

Pianist: Weddings, events, instruction

• Jan 2000 - Present

Civil Service Medical Social Consultant

• Oct 2014 - Jun 2017

•Child Protection Team lead with extensive collaboration within the DCFS system •Policy review contributor: UIHHSS policy Abuse and Neglect •Engaged in speaking opportunities regarding the role of social work in medical settings •Health Social Work Department Internship coordination team and supervisor of MSW students •Conducted specialized psychosocial assessment with individuals across the lifespan •Served various populations and care needs including pediatric post renal transplant, persons with intellectual disabilities, school advocacy, bereavement, complex medical needs, juvenile justice involved, and postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, domestic violence and sexual assault counseling/support •Provided linkage to community, shelter, and employment supports as well as DHS services •Engaged families in discussion regarding medical treatment compliance, adjustment and barriers to care •Completed SASS referrals and obtain authorization for youth needing mental health treatment •Collaborated with nurse discharge planners and DSCC coordinators for children with disabilities •Connected families to Social Security Administration and supported applications •Provided support to grandparents raising grandchildren through ST- guardianship or adoption •Supportive clinical counseling, case management, resource linkage, and discharge planning •Engaged medical team in care planning for patients and families displaying low health literacy •Administered crisis intervention in cases of mental health crisis and life threatening challenges

Licensed Clinical Social Worker

• Aug 2011 - Oct 2014

Licensed Clinical Social Worker: Maternal-Child, NICU and Pediatrics•Managed complex discharge planning for pediatric and neonatal patients and provided regional consultation for teen parents, adoption, surrogacy, Safe Haven, and child abuse and neglect cases•Developed Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorder assessment, education, support and treatment planning•Conducted specialized assessments and counseling to sexual assault and domestic violence victims•Referred to infusion clinics and DHS, employment, financial, food, transportation and housing services•Consulted for specialty clinics: maternal-fetal medicine, family medical, and outpatient rehab Research, Program Development, Policies & Education• Implemented Postpartum Support Group and NICU parent supportive services • Social Work Consultant for 2012 JACHO survey in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit• Established patient resources at the Pediatric Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic and ED • Adoption, Surrogate and Safe Haven Policies: Consultant -Adventist Midwest Region• Maintained system wide database of resources for maternal, pediatric, and neonatal• Created CEU for Nursing Staff: Nursing Interventions with Women Experiencing PMAD’s

Medical Social Worker/Discharge Planner

• Dec 2008 - Aug 2011

Medical Social Worker for the Acute Rehabilitation Unit and General Medical/Telemetry Unit•Social Work Consultant for the 2010 CARF survey on the Acute Rehabilitation Unit•Created discharge destination report for the Acute Rehabilitation Unit Patient Care Committee•Completed psycho-social assessments, and provided case management and discharge planning services •Counseled patients and families facing new disabilities and challenges with caregiver fatigue•Multidisciplinary team member to address progress, barriers, decisional capacity, and discharge plans•Completed needs assessment and coordinated all referrals to services and discharge planning.•Community Specialist: Crisis intervention for callers, ER, IR, ambulatory and day surgery patients•Advocated for patient/family health care concerns in hospice, palliative care and new cancer diagnosis•Verified insurance coverage for medications•Located family members to act as surrogate decision makers •Advocated for management approval of charity medications & SNF contracts for uninsured patients•Worked closely with Utilization Review Nurses to address discharge barriers and length of stay •Educated doctors, nurses and ancillary staff on social work procedures, ethics and patient barriers•Consulted with risk management and community agencies: elder abuse services, and law enforcement •Work with medically complex psychiatric cases such as psychotic disorders, eating disorders, hoarding, Munchausen by proxy, and patients in need of a court appointed guardian

Intern

• May 2008 - Dec 2008

Received supervision and training on the role of a medical social worker in an inpatient hospital setting.

Graduate Coordinator- University of Illinois

• Aug 2007 - May 2008

Prevention Educator and Medical Advocate

• Aug 2006 - Jun 2007

•Co-facilitated a counseling group for female sexual abuse survivors at the Decatur women’s jail •Provided crisis counseling at community hospitals and through the crisis hotline •Prevention educator and public speaker at Millikin University and at elementary schools throughout five counties discussing topics of body safety, healthy relationships, sexual abuse and assault •Volunteer recruitment and coordination •Co-facilitated a counseling group for female sexual abuse survivors at the Decatur women’s jail •Provided crisis counseling at community hospitals and through the crisis hotline •Prevention educator and public speaker at Millikin University and at elementary schools throughout five counties discussing topics of body safety, healthy relationships, sexual abuse and assault •Volunteer recruitment and coordination

Intern

• Aug 2006 - Dec 2006