Christina Buchan
Calgary,AB
Summary
Dedicated Social Worker with comprehensive knowledge working in the government administration industry; areas of practice include Community Development, Youth Justice, Youth Probation, and Child Protective Services. Skilled in collaborative practice, crisis intervention, communication and conflict resolution. Trained in the delivery of trauma informed care, with demonstrated ability to work supportively and effectively with diverse and vulnerable populations. Passionate about social justice, advocacy and empowering clients to achieve success in their lives.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Community Social Worker
City of Calgary
04.2021 - Current
- Utilize a community development approach to partner with residents and other participants, to identify opportunities for increased social inclusion and economic participation in their neighbourhoods
- Support residents in increasing their capacity to identify gaps, harvest local resources and skills, and lead and contribute to neighbourhood projects, groups, and initiatives.
- Completion of comprehensive Community Assessment and Plan
- Developed and facilitated Winter Wellness Series
- Collaborated with community partners in planning of Regional Community Safety Event
Case Investigator
Alberta Health Services
03.2021 - 09.2022
- Follow up of COVID-19 lab confirmed, probable and suspect cases and their contacts
- Conduct investigations and report COVID-19 cases legislated in the Public Health Act of Alberta
- Collaborate with Public Health and other health care providers in the public health management of COVID-19
- Member of an inter-disciplinary team, providing a broad range of services to patients and their families including psycho-social assessments, resource-based interventions, risk screening, case management, coordination, and prevention.
Youth Probation Officer
City of Calgary
09.2018 - 03.2021
- Supervised community-based court and/or legal orders and monitored and evaluated the young person's response to supervision
- Worked effectively with families and other helping professionals to implement strategies conducive to coordinated and integrated case management
- Developed and implemented case plans that identified goals and objectives relevant to risks and needs of the young person and their family connect them to meaningful, relevant resources
- Conducted investigations and prepared various reports including pre-sentence reports, violation reports, and others as required by the court
- Created and recommended appropriate sentencing options in accordance with the Youth Criminal Justice Act.
Youth Justice Social Worker
City of Calgary, MASST
08.2013 - 08.2018
- The Multi Agency School Support Team -, Provided early intervention through assessment, mentoring and support to children, youth, and their families
- Worked in partnership with the Calgary Police Service to reduce behaviors placing children and youth at risk for criminal involvement and/or victimization
- Engaged and empowered families to ensure success at school, home and within their community
- Worked collaboratively within a multi-disciplinary team including the City of Calgary, Calgary Police Service, Alberta Health/Mental Health Services, Calgary Board of Education and Calgary Catholic School District to develop and implement strategies for enhancing client resilience, success, and accessibility to community resources.
Home Study Assessor
Calgary and District Foster Parents Association
10.2014 - 01.2016
- Prepared and completed comprehensive assessments and provided recommendations for applicants seeking to foster vulnerable children.
Child Protection Investigator & Caseworker
Government of Alberta, Child and Family Services Authority
05.2001 - 07.2013
- Delivered core child protective services including case management (3 years) and investigations/assessments (9 years) – community investigations, complex, high-risk, and emergency investigations and specialized investigations of foster homes, group homes and other placement facilities
- Executed knowledge and application of the Alberta Child Youth and Family Enhancement Act
- Delivered risk/safety assessments and planning for children, youth, and families across the region in a collaborative and supportive manner
- Established and maintained strong working relationships with a variety of partners, communities, schools, organizations, and government services, achieving coordinated services on behalf of children, youth, and families
- Worked supportively and effectively with diverse and vulnerable populations
- Supported clients through the court process and delivered testimony in Provincial Family Court.
Education
Bachelor of Social Work -
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB2001
Social Work Diploma -
Mount Royal College
Calgary, AB1998
Skills
Registered with Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW)
Effective facilitation, collaboration, conflict resolution, case management and critical thinking skills
Ability to interact with clients during stressful and difficult situations
Strong advocacy skills, safety awareness, political sensitivity, and attention to detail
Initiative-taking, adaptable, and self-directed with strong time management and organizational skills
Excellent interpersonal skills and able to present written and oral information effectively
Comprehensive assessment and investigative skills
Expertise in the application of legislation, policies, and directives with a Public Service
Extensive court experience, including testimony, report submission and familiarity with court protocols, processes and standards
Ability to navigate complex administrative tasks, including operating CD/OM, ACERT SharePoint, Netcare, Justice Online Information Network (JOIN) and Offender Records and Correctional Administration (ORCA),
Currently possess enhanced security clearance and valid Class 5 Driver’s License
Accomplishments
- Alberta COVID-19 Exposure Response Team (ACERT)
- ASIST Suicide Intervention Training
- Being Trauma Aware
- Brain Story Certification
- City Calgary Anti-Racism
- City of Calgary Code of Conduct
- City of Calgary Diversity in Leadership
- City of Calgary Respect in the Workplace
- Correctional Service Induction Training (CSIT-C)
- Critical Incident Group Debriefing
- Domestic Violence Threat Assessment
- Drug Endangered Children’s Act (DECA)
- Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS)
- Fentanyl – Harm Reduction and Overdose Prevention
- Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP)
- Gender Based Analysis Plus
- Harm Reduction 101 – AAWEAR (Alberta Alliance Who Educate and Advocate Responsibly)
- Indigenous Awareness
- Mental Health First Aid & Mental Health First Aid for Youth
- Motivational Interviewing
- Offender Records and Correctional Administration (ORCA)
- Protecting Patients from Sexual Abuse and Misconduct (ACSW)
- Protection Against Family Violence Act (PAFVA)
- Protection of Sexually Exploited Children Act (PSECA)
- Radicalization
- Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE)
- Sexual Exploitation Awareness Conference (S.E.A.)
- Service Planning Instrument (SPIN)
- Success in Community Action – Community Development Learning Initiative
- Tattered Teddies Suicide Intervention Training
- Team Investigation of Child Sexual Abuse
- Youth Assessment and Screening Instrument (YASI)
- Individual Contributor Development Series (ICDS) – Developing Your Career, Effective Decision Making, Influence Without Authority, Responding to Change and Responding to Conflict
Affiliations
Volunteer & Committee Work Safety Committee Member – Community Strategies Business Unit – City of Calgary – 2022 – present Internal Safety Expo Committee 2023 – City of Calgary – October 2022 – March 2023 Internal Neighbourhood Grants Committee - City of Calgary – September 2022 – present Volunteer Team Member - Social Work Support Program - City of Calgary – 2014 – present Mentor - Project Protégé - City of Calgary – 2016 - 2017 Volunteer - Child Court Preparation Program - Canadian Child Abuse Association – 2014 - 2016
Timeline
Community Social Worker
City of Calgary
04.2021 - Current
Case Investigator
Alberta Health Services
03.2021 - 09.2022
Youth Probation Officer
City of Calgary
09.2018 - 03.2021
Home Study Assessor
Calgary and District Foster Parents Association
10.2014 - 01.2016
Youth Justice Social Worker
City of Calgary, MASST
08.2013 - 08.2018
Child Protection Investigator & Caseworker
Government of Alberta, Child and Family Services Authority
05.2001 - 07.2013
Bachelor of Social Work -
University of Calgary
Social Work Diploma -
Mount Royal College
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