Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments And Qualifications
Timeline
Generic

Kiana Alyssa Brown

Summary

Successfully completed diploma in the Social Service Worker (215) program which focused on making positive changes for individuals in need by implementing core values such as equality, justice, and personal choices. This program taught how to effectively incorporate use of self and self-awareness in order to achieve personal growth as well as learning theories and practices relevant to our social world. Courses include: Interviewing Skills, History and Ethics of Social Work, Sociology, Group Dynamics, Case Management and Documentation, Professional Development, Privilege and Oppression, Psychology, Crisis Intervention, Social Policy and Law, Community Change, Working with Children and Adolescences, Political Advocacy. Successfully completed degree majoring in Sociology with a minor in Political Science. Program of studies showed emphasis in theories such as Marxism, Functionalism, Deviancy, Gender/Sexuality, Sociology of at risk youth, Social theory and research, Research techniques and data analysis. Political science included; Democratization and human rights, Force and fear, crime and punishment, Religion and politics, Residential schools and Indigenous people in Canada.

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education

Work History

Seniors Program Supervisor

St Matthew’s House
12.2023 - Current
  • Supervise and train team of 5 social workers and 1 paralegal by providing leadership, guidance and reinforcement to staff who advocate for support services to seniors in community
  • Supervise and mentor college/university students from social work and paralegal programs during placement to nurture professional growth
  • Ensuring staff are maintaining accurate, objective, concise case management and documentation
  • Assigning clients to appropriate team members via intake process by identifying client's needs and using best practices to prevent homelessness due to housing concerns
  • Scheduling and facilitating weekly meetings to inform staff of program changes or updates, upcoming events and discuss clients, challenges and milestones.
  • Scheduling weekly food bank deliveries of over 100 households facing food insecurity within the community
  • Facilitating groups/events for senior programming with community members in collaboration with the municipality of Hamilton
  • Developing positive relationships with community agencies such as the Hamilton Community Legal Clinic to fight wrongful evictions and provide legal representation to seniors
  • Utilizing grant writing skills to secure program funding for seniors to tackle housing concerns such as hoarding, rental arrears, food insecurity, income support, immigration and technological barriers
  • Managing budgets for food bank and seniors team to ensure programs are running sufficiently to enhance resources for future social and community service projects
  • Completing monthly statistics on senior’s programming/food bank to the municipal government to advocate for additional awareness and funding
  • Participating in ongoing professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of social work and case management.

HOPES Navigator

St Matthew’s House
06.2021 - 12.2023
  • Supported vulnerable individuals 55+ to secure and maintain housing and prevent evictions in order to live safety and securely at home
  • Supported clients with housing concerns by strengthening and empowering individuals to overcome barriers and gain independence to age with dignity at home
  • Advocated for client rights when interacting with external agencies/organizations
  • Provided community support and case management to seniors who need assistance with housing, connecting with health care supports (PSWs, family doctor, Occupational Therapist), aiding hospital care teams with admission to long term care, supporting with transportation, taxes, securing income through Ontario Works, Ontario Disability Support Program, Pension
  • Exercised strong decision-making skills during challenging scenarios
  • Created healthy relationships between landlords and client in order to find solutions for both parties to maintain stable housing for clients and reduce risk of homelessness.
  • Attended Landlord Tenant Tribunal hearings with clients to mediate evictions with landlord to maintain housing

Case Manager

Native Women’s Centre
02.2021 - 06.2021
  • Facilitated workshops for women experiencing domestic violence by implementing life skills with weekly programming to promote self-sufficiency
  • Hired, trained, scheduled and provided orientation for program staff
  • Organized monthly work schedule for frontline staff members as well as scheduled maintenance to be complete
  • Completed in depth telephone assessments as well as in person intakes with new clients entering shelter system
  • Formed positive relationships with healthcare professionals and community agencies to address needs of clients to support their holistic recovery
  • Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services
  • Monitored staff job performance by evaluating, reviewing and communicating concerns with staff to ensure professionalism
  • Maintained accurate documentation on all client files to ensure compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements were met
  • Facilitated successful transitions out of shelter and into independent housing for women and children by developing detailed discharge plans and coordinating external community resources.

Crisis Intervention Worker

Native Women’s Centre
04.2019 - 02.2021
  • Answered crisis calls and provided crisis intervention support for clients experiencing emergencies, using appropriate techniques to de-escalate situations safely for all parties involved
  • Managed crisis situations with empathy and professionalism, ensuring client safety and continuity of care
  • Counseled women through past and current traumas with weekly women abuse education programs by using skills such as active listening, and collaborative problem-solving to build rapport and address barriers faced on a daily basis
  • Empowered women and children who have experienced domestic violence to promoted self-actualization and foster independence
  • Developed safety plans with women and children to lower risk of crisis
  • Completed up to 20 in depth telephone assessments and intakes daily
  • Supported clients with housing applications by applying extensive knowledge of housing market to unique situations
  • Collaborated with Ontario Works on a weekly basis and used knowledge of OW process to assist clients with income support to find housing
  • Conducted thorough assessments of clients' to address situation; identify issues, goals, and necessary interventions by developing and implementing comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals
  • Advocated for policy changes within the organization to further address the unique needs of each diverse client experiencing crises

Casual After School Supply Assistant

Umbrella Family and Child Centres of Hamilton
09.2018 - 04.2019
  • Demonstrated the ability to work with children displaying challenging behaviors
  • Engaged with children showcasing behavioral issues and managing behaviors with positive reinforcements as well as provided educational resources for parents on available programs, benefits, and services to empower them and their children
  • Applied problem-solving, interpersonal, communication and organizational skills to day to day activities
  • Implemented guidelines, program planning and implementation for school age children
  • Arranged before/after school activities
  • Promoted a safe environment for vulnerable populations by reporting suspected abuse or neglect
  • Communicated with parents regarding child’s progress
  • Maintained accurate records of purchase orders, invoices, and payments for programming needs
  • Maintained tidy and clean work areas to promote optimal productivity and safety standards.
  • Volunteered to assist with projects, demonstrating willingness to learn new tasks and increase skill levels.

Child Protection Worker (Summer Employee)

Catholic Children’s Aid Society
06.2018 - 08.2018
  • Responsibilities include providing support to the Child Protection Workers in the Intake, Family Services, Children’s Services and Family Resource departments
  • Facilitate access visits between children and family members to ensure healthy communication and collaboration
  • Interviewed children and families to obtain information relevant for investigation purposes
  • Drove children and/or parents to various appointments
  • Abided by and continuously practiced being committed to anti-oppression values of justice, equity, respect of the beliefs and traditions of others
  • Established rapport with children and families by fostering solid trust and effective communication to meet case needs while creating a supportive environment
  • Maintained confidentiality at all times, adhering to strict ethical guidelines when working with vulnerable individuals
  • Investigated alleged abuse, neglect, and abandonment of children situations to determine safety/care plans
  • Maintained detailed documentation of all case activities, ensuring accuracy and compliance with agency policies and procedures
  • Advocated for the best interests of children in court proceedings by ensuring all documentation and research on case are well presented to benefit positive recommendations for custody or placement decisions

Education

Social Service Worker Diploma -

Mohawk College
Hamilton, ON
09.2017 - 04.2019

Honors B.A. - Sociology, Political Science

McMaster University
Hamilton, ON
09.2013 - 04.2017

Skills

Operational leadership

Strategic planning

Document management skills

Office administration

Staff training experience

Project coordination

Scheduling proficiency

Multitasking

Relationship building

Administrative management

Staff supervision

Task prioritization

Interpersonal skills

Professionalism

Accomplishments And Qualifications

  • Successfully completed CPR and Standard First Aid Level C (expiration 03/31/25).
  • Trained in Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Pharmacology and Medication.
  • Completed WHMIS, AODA, PPE, Fire Safety, Workplace Harassment and Violence, Worker Health and Safety Awareness, Food Handlers (expiration 05/31/29) and Wellness in the Workplace training.

Timeline

Seniors Program Supervisor

St Matthew’s House
12.2023 - Current

HOPES Navigator

St Matthew’s House
06.2021 - 12.2023

Case Manager

Native Women’s Centre
02.2021 - 06.2021

Crisis Intervention Worker

Native Women’s Centre
04.2019 - 02.2021

Casual After School Supply Assistant

Umbrella Family and Child Centres of Hamilton
09.2018 - 04.2019

Child Protection Worker (Summer Employee)

Catholic Children’s Aid Society
06.2018 - 08.2018

Social Service Worker Diploma -

Mohawk College
09.2017 - 04.2019

Honors B.A. - Sociology, Political Science

McMaster University
09.2013 - 04.2017
Kiana Alyssa Brown