JENNIFER MacDonald
Child Protection Supervisor
Greater Sudbury,Canada
Summary
Dedicated advocate for empowering service users through compassionate education, guidance, and support, with a strong commitment to challenging societal structures that hinder equitable access to services. Passionate about fostering an inclusive environment that promotes understanding and collaboration among diverse communities while driving positive change through exceptional interpersonal skills and a deep understanding of social justice issues. Experienced child welfare professional with a proven track record in supervising cases and leading dedicated teams, adept at developing and implementing child protection plans that prioritize safety and well-being. Recognized for adaptability and reliability in dynamic environments, with key skills in crisis management, case assessment, and team leadership.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Child Welfare Supervisor
Children's Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin
07.2016 - Current
- Supervised cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with child welfare policies, protocols, and Ministry Standards.
- Supervised family engagement and in-home support staff members.
- Supervised afterhours emergency services on rotation.
- Provided mentorship and coaching to staff, fostering professional development within the agency.
- Managed complex cases requiring intensive intervention strategies while maintaining a focus on safety and permanency planning for children involved.
- Provided guidance and supervision to staff members in the conduct of safety, risk, and needs assessments for children and families served.
- Improved child welfare outcomes by implementing evidence-based practices and providing ongoing staff training.
- Enhanced team collaboration through regular communication, case consultations, and sharing of resources.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices and new developments in the field of child welfare.
- Facilitated cross-agency collaboration to ensure comprehensive support for children and families involved in multiple systems.
- Increased family engagement by establishing community partnerships and organizing events to promote awareness of available services.
- Provided leadership, guidance and support to staff members.
- Monitored program performance and outcomes for successful delivery of services.
- Partnered with local organizations to expand access to social and community services.
- Developed and implemented training programs for staff.
- Oversaw complaint resolution processes, ensuring a timely and effective response to client concerns.
- Enhanced volunteer engagement by developing and implementing comprehensive training programs.
- Established strong relationships with community partners to enhance collaboration and expand program reach.
- Streamlined onboarding processes for new volunteers, reducing time-to-impact considerably while maintaining quality standards consistently.
- Collaborated with community members to develop and implement service initiatives.
- Recruited and trained new volunteers on volunteer program goals and objectives.
- Developed relationships with post-secondary institutions to facilitate placement and job opportunities for students.
- Collaborated with academic staff to integrate real-world experiences into the curriculum effectively.
- Evaluated student performance during placements, providing constructive feedback to aid further development.
- Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
- Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Demonstrated commitment to the organization''s core values, leading by example and fostering a culture of excellence.
- Conducted performance evaluations for staff members, identifying areas of improvement and guiding professional development plans.
- Coordinated crisis intervention services for individuals in acute distress.
- Developed comprehensive case plans addressing mental health and social service needs.
- Advocated for client rights, promoting access to necessary resources and services.
- Utilized evidence-based practices such as motivational interviewing techniques to facilitate positive change in clients'' lives.
- Provided emotional support during crisis situations, promoting recovery and resilience.
- Conduct interviews for job and student applicants.
CHILD PROTECTION WORKER
Children's Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin
06.2015 - 07.2016
- Additional Child protection work between the years 1997-2001, 2007-2011
- Various roles, including afterhours emergency duty investigation and ongoing services.
- Blended service model, including investigations, and ongoing service work.
- Implementation of trauma-informed practices.
- Strong knowledge of theory, inclusive of change, family systems, attachment, solution-focused, and systems theory.
- Case management pertaining to issues of child neglect and abuse, intimate and gender based violence, substance use disorders, mental health, parent-teen conflict, and complex needs.
- Adherence to Ministry Standards, Part X legislation, and confidentiality.
- Use of Motivational and Forensic Interviewing.
- Strength-based, trauma-informed, evidence-based, and violence-informed approaches.
- Victim-centered services provide a holistic approach.
- Application and advocacy, or prevention strategies, to disrupt cycles of violence.
- Conducted thorough assessments of child welfare concerns to ensure safety and well-being.
- Developed and implemented individualized service plans tailored to each child's needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to coordinate resources and support services.
- Maintained detailed documentation of all case activities, ensuring accuracy and compliance with agency policies and procedures.
- Maintained confidentiality at all times, adhering to strict ethical guidelines governing the handling of sensitive client information.
- Increased positive outcomes for children by establishing strong working relationships with families, schools, and community resources.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on industry trends and best practices in child protection work.
- Managed caseloads efficiently, prioritizing cases based on urgency and risk level.
- Established rapport with clients quickly, fostering trust and creating a supportive environment conducive to open dialogue about sensitive issues affecting their lives.
- Developed individualized service plans that addressed specific needs identified during assessments, resulting in better-targeted interventions for each child's situation.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive support for children and families in need.
- Enhanced family functioning through the development and implementation of tailored case plans.
- Collaborated with schools, law enforcement and other community resources to gather information.
- Investigated home conditions to protect children from harmful environmental areas.
- Investigated alleged abuse, neglect, and abandonment of children to determine abusive or unsafe conditions.
- Conducted ongoing evaluations of case progress, adjusting intervention strategies as needed to ensure optimal outcomes for children and their families.
- Collected information through observation and interviews with children, parents, relatives and neighbors.
- Conducted crisis assessments to identify immediate needs and develop intervention strategies.
- Developed and maintained case documentation in compliance with organizational standards.
- Attended hearings and depositions in family court.
- Provided ongoing support to clients following a crisis event, facilitating recovery and stabilization.
- Implemented de-escalation techniques to manage high-stress situations effectively.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Provided emotional support and guidance to clients during critical moments of distress.
- Developed and implemented strategies to reduce and prevent family conflict.
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
- Connected clients with appropriate resources such as housing assistance, financial aid, or mental health services based on individual needs assessment results.
- Implemented research-based interventions and strategies to support positive behavior and social-emotional development.
- Facilitated family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
- Used skills such as active listening and collaborative problem-solving daily to connect with patients and address concerns.
- Integrated play-based learning strategies to enhance cognitive and social skills in children.
- Supported children with special needs, creating customized learning strategies to accommodate various abilities.
- Participated in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices in childhood development.
- Ages and Stages of Development, ASQ and ACES
- Supported emotional growth by teaching empathy, conflict resolution techniques, and effective communication strategies.
Education
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) - Social Work
Laurentian University
Sudbury, ON05.2015
Social Service Worker Diploma - Social Services
Confederation College
Thunder Bay, ON01.1993
Skills
- Collaborative leadership
- Employee training
- Advanced clinical expertise
- Effective time management
- Detail-oriented approach
- Critical thinking abilities
- Consistent reliability
- Adaptability to change
- Volunteer program oversight
- Inclusive practice methods
Accomplishments
- Obtained train the trainer status in Equity through Ontario Association of Children's Aid Societies (OACAS)
- Obtained train the trainer status through the Canadian Training Institute in Conflict Resolution and Diffusing Crisis.
- ASIST Training (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills)
- Agency wide training in Equity program delivery.
- Trained Rainbow Backpacks internally - a SOGIE model.
- Sat at the Provincial table for OACAS regarding 2SlGBTQ+ initiatives for 6 years.
- Completed a volunteer management course through Conestoga College.
- Reinvigorated the internal volunteer management program.
- Oversaw 11 volunteer drivers and a dispatch coordinator.
- Supervised a team of 13 staff members at one time.
- Committee member both internally and municipally, not limited to anti-oppressive practices (AOP) and program advisory at Cambrian College for the Child and Youth Program.
- Agency Complaints lead working in conjunction with the Parent Advisory Panel.
- Organization of car seat installation clinics internally.
Languages
English
Full Professional
Certification
- Ministry Trained Child Protection Worker and Supervisor
- Registered Social worker - The Ontario College of Social Workers
- Diffusing Anger course Facilitator
- LGBTQS2+ Rainbow Backpack course Facilitator
- Equity & Equity Cafe- Train the Trainer (OACAS)
- Triple P - Positive parenting, Level 3 accreditation
Timeline
Child Welfare Supervisor
Children's Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin
07.2016 - Current
CHILD PROTECTION WORKER
Children's Aid Society of the Districts of Sudbury and Manitoulin
06.2015 - 07.2016
Social Service Worker Diploma - Social Services
Confederation College
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) - Social Work
Laurentian University