Colleen Walker
Kitchener,Canada
Summary
Experienced social work professional with strong commitment to fostering positive outcomes and enhancing community well-being. Adept at providing support, advocacy, and resources to diverse populations while maintaining high ethical standards. Demonstrates collaborative approach, adaptability to changing needs, and focus on delivering impactful results. Skilled in case management, collaboration, and effective communication.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Registered Social Worker
Independent Consultant for Long Term Care Homes
12.2019 - Current
- Completing psychosocial admission assessments for all new admissions
- Provide adjustment support to new residents and their family
- Complete clinical assessments such as Geriatric Depression Scale, MOCA’s, Suicide Risk Assessments, Generalized Anxiety Scales
- Assist and guide residents in Advance Care Planning
- Ongoing resident and family support regarding mental health, family dynamics, loss and grief, consent and capacity, financial concerns
- Liaise with community organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Society, Hospice, ODSP, Public Guardian and Trustee, and Service Ontario/Canada
Respite Children and Youth Support Worker
Carizon Family and Community Services
09.2019 - 09.2021
- Provided respite care to children and youth experiencing mental health and/or autism spectrum disorder
- Planned and executed programing to keep participants engaged in a supportive therapeutic environment
- Completed incident reports as required
- Provided ongoing crisis prevention/management
Residential Support Worker
Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
09.2019 - 01.2020
- Supported women and children to move beyond violence
- Provided crisis line support, safety planning, ongoing assessment and emotional support
- Provided community referrals and information
- Assisted with discharge planning and advocacy
Social Service Worker
Shalom Manor Long Term Care Home
02.2015 - 08.2016
- Provided supportive counselling to residents who were experiencing a variety of psychosocial challenges
- Implemented individualised interventions to help reduce the frequency, severity and duration of these challenges
- Provided counselling and support to family members who have a loved one living in the home
- Referred family members to community agencies for additional assistance
Transitions Coordinator
Nightlight Youth Services for the marginally housed
01.2015 - 01.2016
- Company Overview: Boys and Girls Club Niagara Falls
- Worked with marginally housed individuals in a shelter setting
- Prepared reports and case histories
- Appraised clients' needs or eligibility for specific services
- Completed intakes and provided support for the short-term shelter
- Supported those living in the transitional housing program to achieve self determined goals
- Supervised medication administration
- Maintained program statistics
- Boys and Girls Club Niagara Falls
Social Service Worker
The United Mennonite Long Term Care Home
04.2013 - 06.2014
- Provided supportive counselling to residents who were experiencing a variety of psychosocial challenges
- Implemented individualised interventions to help reduce the frequency, severity and duration of these challenges
- Provide counselling and support to family members who have a loved one living in the home
- Worked with community partners as part of a responsive behavioural committee
Volunteer Coordinator
The United Mennonite Long Term Care Home
04.2013 - 05.2014
- Responsible for coordinating and integrating volunteer services that enrich the lifestyles of the residents
- Recruit, screen, train, and supervise volunteers
Casework Supervisor
Big Brothers Big Sisters St Catharines-Thorold & District
01.2011 - 04.2013
- Managed a staff team to provide them with direction and support in their work with volunteers, children, and programs
- Monitored program activity to ensure accountability of service as per agency policies and National Standards
- Responsible for annual performance evaluations for program staff
- Participated in the hiring and training of new casework staff
- Assisted the Director of Services to achieve the overall strategies and goals for the agency
Caseworker
Big Brothers Big Sisters St Catharines, Thorold & District
08.2008 - 01.2011
- Created agency and program awareness through public presentations within the community – schools, government offices & other social agencies as well as actively participated in volunteer recruitment efforts
- Provided casework management in accordance with National Standards
- Completed casework duties including matching volunteer mentors with children and youth and monitoring those matches to ensure the healthy development of their relationship
- Managed intake of children and volunteers
Child Care Worker
Mutual Support Systems
01.2002 - 08.2008
- Specialized in behavioral intervention techniques
- Worked in partnership with section 23 classroom teachers to educate and support students to work towards and achieve their established goals created in their Individual Education Plans
- Worked in partnership with the residents’ social worker to help them work towards their goals set out in their Plan of Care
- Taught social skills, anger management and life skills
Education
Bachelor of Social Work -
Renison University College
06.2019
Bachelor of Arts - Social Development Studies
Renison University College
10.2017
Social Service Worker Diploma -
Niagara College Canada
04.2002
Skills
- Compassionate
- Case management
- Client advocacy
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
Certification
- Therapeutic Models of Mindfulness, Wilfred Laurier University – Faculty of Social Work, 05/01/19
- Self-Compassion & Emotional Resilience, Led by Dr. Kristin Neff, PhD, 05/01/19
- Gentle Persuasive Approaches in Dementia Care, Advanced Gerontological Education Inc., 09/01/18
Field Placement Experience
Student Social Worker, Luther Village on the Park Independent Living and Assisted Living Community, 01/01/18, 04/01/19, Designed and implemented the Mindfully Well group program., Provided one to one counseling for residents., Contributing member of the Wellness Committee.
Timeline
Registered Social Worker
Independent Consultant for Long Term Care Homes
12.2019 - Current
Respite Children and Youth Support Worker
Carizon Family and Community Services
09.2019 - 09.2021
Residential Support Worker
Women’s Crisis Services of Waterloo Region
09.2019 - 01.2020
Social Service Worker
Shalom Manor Long Term Care Home
02.2015 - 08.2016
Transitions Coordinator
Nightlight Youth Services for the marginally housed
01.2015 - 01.2016
Social Service Worker
The United Mennonite Long Term Care Home
04.2013 - 06.2014
Volunteer Coordinator
The United Mennonite Long Term Care Home
04.2013 - 05.2014
Casework Supervisor
Big Brothers Big Sisters St Catharines-Thorold & District
01.2011 - 04.2013
Caseworker
Big Brothers Big Sisters St Catharines, Thorold & District
08.2008 - 01.2011
Child Care Worker
Mutual Support Systems
01.2002 - 08.2008
Bachelor of Arts - Social Development Studies
Renison University College
Social Service Worker Diploma -
Niagara College Canada
Bachelor of Social Work -
Renison University College
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