Jennifer Edwards
Social Worker
Hiawatha,ON
Summary
With 19 years of experience as an empathetic and resilient indigenous social worker, I have developed a high level of skill in working with First Nations communities, vulnerable and marginalized populations, and individuals facing mental health and/or addiction issues. My genuine and accommodating nature is rooted in my own lived experience and strong connection to culture and community. Throughout my career, I have gained extensive experience providing mental, emotional, and spiritual support to clients in need. I excel in managing crisis situations and thrive in challenging scenarios that require "outside the box" thinking. As a personable and resourceful individual, I have a knack for fostering positive group dynamics and facilitating effective communication. With a solid foundation in counseling techniques and conflict resolution, coupled with strong organizational and time-management skills, I am committed to driving collaborative success and empowering participants to achieve their goals.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
4
4
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Certification
Work History
Creative Wellness Facilitator
Self-Employed
08.2024 - Current
- Developed a creative wellness program that provides art and other creative outlets as a strategy for healing and growth
- Provide art-based interactive activities that align with nourishing our creative self and exploring life challenges
- Delivered high-quality creative wellness workshops or classes to 15+ participants, ensuring a thorough understanding of the subject matter was developed
- Built rapport with diverse groups of participants by demonstrating empathy, active listening skills, and cultural competence during facilitated sessions
- Provided constructive feedback to participants during debriefing sessions, fostering personal growth and skill development
- Create and produce all graphic design needs for marketing as well as build and manage my own website
Clinical Case Manager
Safer Supply Program
04.2022 - 08.2024
- Support 50+ individuals who use drugs on the emerging safer supply program, including triaging; managing waitlists; completing intakes, follow-ups, forms, and referrals; and providing individual and group support through drop-in and planned programming
- Provide psychosocial counseling using a trauma informed lens to maximize SSP clients’ functioning and independence
- Use a variety of counseling techniques (Motivational Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, etc.) to provide crisis, short-term, and ongoing care to clients
- Provide crisis intervention and risk assessments.
- Provide or facilitate case management services for clients of the program, whenever necessary
- Streamlined healthcare delivery by efficiently managing caseloads, prioritizing tasks, and maintaining accurate documentation.
- Understand traditional substance use interventions, including opioid agonist therapy
- Understand how to incorporate harm reduction practices in a clinical setting
- Provide culturally appropriate support to clients who identify as Indigenous, First Nations, Metis or Inuit. Ensure there are no barriers to accessing traditional medicines
- Advocate for clients with colleagues, agencies, and institutions to ensure they are receiving appropriate community, health, social, and recreational supports and services
- Work with a focus on social and structural determinants of health
Mental Health Counselor
Neskantaga First Nation
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Provided culturally appropriate counseling to members of a remote First Nation in Northern Ontario only accessible by plane or winter road
- Conducted Risk assessments to identify families most at risk and Suicide Risk assessment and prevention
- Provided support for over fifteen children, twenty-four youth and 10 elders that were experiencing significant mental health challenges, alcohol and substance misuse as well as intergenerational trauma
- Implemented client-centered, trauma-informed care with individuals both in community and those living off Reserve (via videoconference)
- First Responder to any crisis in community, working directly with First Nations Police to ensure cohesion and needs of community are being met
- Developed a filing system for case notes and assessments as there was none in place upon arrival
- Database was also created to ensure Ministry was getting accurate information and numbers
- Created recreational and educational programming that community could engage in and create positive relationships
- Participated in activities community held (Moose and Partridge Hunting, hauling clean drinking water from creek, art and craft activities, etc.)
Indigenous Wellness Coordinator
Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Provided holistic support for women fleeing domestic violence, Children's Aid Society involvement, substance use and/or sex trafficking, homelessness and legal issues
- Short Term Crisis counseling and support to a case load of thirteen individuals
- Co-Chair 'Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women' campaign
- Facilitated outreach to women living on the streets, provided meals and clean medical supplies for those with medical needs and/or intravenous drug users
- Crisis Management i.e.: emergency housing, child welfare issues, police involvement
- Planned and delivered culturally appropriate programming, life skills building and healthy coping strategies
- Documented information relevant to service users including case notes, interventions utilized, legal documents, CAS contact etc
Family Services Worker
Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Primary case manager for 12+ families facing child protection investigations
- Conducted Safety Assessments and created Plans of Care
- Worked directly with First Nation Designate and ensured all protocols were followed
- Brought selected cases to Family Court in order to protect children
- Developed and maintained effective and therapeutic casework relationships with families with objective of reducing risk of harm to children
- Performed both internal and external record checks i.e.: Fast Track, Child Abuse Registry
- Prepared legal documentation, ensuring accuracy and completion prior to Court
- Prepared for, attended and provided testimony in Family Court or Criminal Court
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records
- Collaborated with community partners and advocates to make resources available to families in need
Case Manager
Canadian Mental Health Association
01.2014 - 01.2019
- Primary Case manager for individuals living with mental health and addictions challenges
- Educated clients on available programs, benefits, and services, empowering them to make informed decisions about their care needs.
- Maintained accurate documentation on all cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.
- Client-centered practice with focus on building meaningful relationships and sustaining valued and positive relationships
- Assisted with outreach and engagement services to engage clients and maintain working relationships
- Participated in psychiatric consultation, supervision, program meetings and in-service trainings
Education
Bachelors of Social Work - Indigenous Social Work
First Nations Technical Institute/Ryerson University
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory, ON 09.2003 - 06.2006
Diploma - Social Work
Sir Sandford Fleming College
Peterborough, ON 09.2000 - 05.2002
Skills
- Proficient in Mediating Conflicts
- Advocacy
- Establishing Relationships
- Counseling Individuals
- Crisis Intervention
Effective Facilitation Strategies
Strategic planning
Project Coordination
Workshop coordination
Business development
Community outreach
Intrinsic Motivation
Certification
Art Therapy Facilitator Certificate
Timeline
Creative Wellness Facilitator
Self-Employed
08.2024 - Current
Art Therapy Facilitator Certificate
03-2024
Clinical Case Manager
Safer Supply Program
04.2022 - 08.2024
Mental Health Counselor
Neskantaga First Nation
01.2021 - 01.2022
Indigenous Wellness Coordinator
Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre
01.2019 - 01.2021
Family Services Worker
Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services
01.2014 - 01.2019
Case Manager
Canadian Mental Health Association
01.2014 - 01.2019
Bachelors of Social Work - Indigenous Social Work
First Nations Technical Institute/Ryerson University
09.2003 - 06.2006
Diploma - Social Work
Sir Sandford Fleming College
09.2000 - 05.2002
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