Danielle Otchie
Summary
Dedicated social worker invested in forming strong working relationships in order to meet program goals. An adoption competent professional committed to the mission and vision of the ACO within an anti-oppressive framework that supports all members of the adoption galaxy. Passionate about leading and supporting the team to reach program goals.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Coordinator, AdoptOntario and CAIS
Adoption Council Of Ontario
11.2020 - Current
- Assisted with team member training and development;
Supported best clinical practice through consultation and team discussion - Quality assurance for and preparation of well-written profiles and presentations for adoption events;
- Provided consultation and recommendations for the new AdoptOntario databank during its design phase;
- Collaborated with program manager on crucial projects, including a re-launch of client letters to ensure that the work was in line with the mandate from the Ministry
- Consistent brainstorming and collaboration on how to improve program and how to better support the various needs of team members
- Provided statistics and information for reports and system maintenance as requested; Identified service gaps and implemented solutions;
- Volunteered for various committees that supported the organization’s goals;
- Maintained accurate and comprehensive case notes within the requirements of the program.
- Built strong relationships with stakeholders through effective communication, leading to increased trust and collaboration;
- Implemented onboarding and training for new hires on the AdoptOntario program.
AdoptOntario Clinical Coordinator
Adoption Council of Ontario
12.2014 - 11.2020
- Created positive, productive working relationships with adoption workers, practitioners and other stakeholders across the province;
- Successfully planned and delivered ARE events within budget, including the pivot to virtual AREs during the pandemic;
- Designed the inaugural Online Adoption Events and Family Profile Events in collaboration with my team;
- Maintained unconditional positive regard for clients at various parts of their adoption journeys and met them where they are in their learning process;
- Executed recruitment tasks for caseload of children and youth needing permanency, assisting numerous CAS workers with successful matches.
Social Worker
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
01.2008 - 01.2013
- Responsible for a caseload of children in care, leading child protection investigations, court work, seeking out child-centred matches for children needing permanency, and moving children to long-term foster placements and adoption in a fast-paced, demanding environment with tight deadlines
- Supported children, families, foster families and adoptive families through difficult life events, such as foster placement breakdown, expulsion from school and the death of family members
- Responsibilities included: chairing often-conflictual meetings of diverse groups of professionals, stakeholders, and clients;
- Preparing detailed reports and assessments for various stakeholders;
- Collaborating with stakeholders in various fields, including medical professionals, mental health practitioners, educators, non-profit agencies, foster parents, parents and other community members;
- Maintaining rapport and working in a team environment with various professions and members of the public, including tactfully working with individuals who were reluctant to engage;
- Regularly managing emergencies, crises, and conflict; exercising analytical and problem-solving skills to render timely and accurate decisions; and liaising regularly with senior management.
- Interviewed clients, families, or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
Social Work Intern
Los Angeles Unified School District
08.2007 - 05.2008
- Counselled ethnically diverse clients ages 6-14
- Implemented school-wide programs and attendance incentives
- Led various groups within the school setting, including interpersonal communication skills and grief groups for students.
Director of Counselors, Leadership Team Member & Counselor
Riverwoods Christian Center
05.2003 - 08.2007
- Supervised a staff of 30 people; led meetings, planned events, offered encouragement and promoted the well-being of staff, co-led training sessions, implemented community building and accountability strategies, successfully managed conflicts in crisis situations
- Acted as a counselor, and cared for under-resourced, inner-city, racially diverse campers.
Social Work Intern
Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office
01.2006 - 01.2007
- Carried a caseload of juvenile offenders from under-resourced and ethnically diverse backgrounds
- Performed extensive psychosocial assessments and presented reports to attorneys
- Advocated for services and garnered resources as alternatives to incarceration.
Education
Master of Social Work -
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CABachelor of Arts - Rhetoric and Communication
Calvin College
Grand Rapids, MISkills
- Close collaboration with program manager to provide feedback on training programs and enhance team engagement
- Thoughtfully assisting team members with complex queries from clients
- Supporting program initiatives to support the organization’s long-term goals
- Demonstrate leadership within the department by sharing experience and providing guidance to team members
- Excellent written, oral and interpersonal communication skills
- Tactful and diplomatic; skilled in discretion and confidentiality
- Sharp analytical, critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, proven ability to manage conflicts and crises
- Highly adaptable, quickly adjusting to new methods and changing circumstances
- Experienced and discerning in recruitment and hiring
- High level of computer literacy
- Confident public speaker, strong in presentation preparation and delivery
- Project and budget management
- Strong relationship-building skills
- Consistent delivery on program objectives
- Excel in cross-team collaboration
- Adoption competent
- Committed to an anti-oppressive framework
Relevant Training
- Leadership: Leading When You Are Not in Charge, Udemy, in progress
- Promoting Wellness in Staff Teams: Conversations for Leaders, SafeGuards Training, 2024
- Rosetta Stone – French Language, March 2023 to present
- Families Rising (formerly NACAC), Annual Conference, July 2020
- Child Welfare Expo, 2023 and 2024
- Adoption Competency Training, ACO, 2017 and 2020
Timeline
Senior Coordinator, AdoptOntario and CAIS
Adoption Council Of Ontario
11.2020 - Current
AdoptOntario Clinical Coordinator
Adoption Council of Ontario
12.2014 - 11.2020
Social Worker
Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council
01.2008 - 01.2013
Social Work Intern
Los Angeles Unified School District
08.2007 - 05.2008
Social Work Intern
Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office
01.2006 - 01.2007
Director of Counselors, Leadership Team Member & Counselor
Riverwoods Christian Center
05.2003 - 08.2007
Master of Social Work -
University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts - Rhetoric and Communication
Calvin College
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