Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Committee Work
Timeline
Generic

Melissa Andres

668 Parkside Drive, Coaldale,Alberta

Summary

Seasoned Social Worker with a passion for relationship based, person-centered practice. An empathetic and transparent advocate for children, youth, and families with a desire to align daily practice with client goals to ensure best outcomes are achieved. Skilled to work within high-paced environments with autonomy and sound decision making. With a broad range of experiences, brings a broad and wholistic lens of practice inherent with Social Work fundamentals. Seeking to expand this skill set in a new environment to further challenge and continuously improve current practice.

Overview

15
15
years of professional experience

Work History

Casework Supervisor

Government Of Alberta - Children's Services
07.2017 - Current
  • Employed as a Casework Supervisor, leading a team of six (6) in the rural offices of Fort Macleod & Blairmore
  • Enhanced working knowledge of the Child, Youth & Family Enhancement Act, Children’s First Act and Bill C-92: An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth, and families
  • Guiding and mentoring employees utilizing a Trauma-Informed lens, a keen focus and interest for Indigenous children, youth and families, attachment theory, grief loss and an emphasis on self-care
  • Ensuring casework practice meets legislative guidelines and is in alignment with policy through ongoing case consultations with staff, file reviews and group supervision for wholistic learning and feedback
  • Working in a rural, stand-alone office, duties also include basic office management, working knowledge of Occupational Health & Safety and Working Alone policies
  • There is also emphasis on developing and ensuring ongoing community partnerships.

Generalist

Government Of Alberta - Children's Services
09.2010 - 07.2017
  • As a Generalist in a rural office, primary duties and responsibilities of this role meant carrying a blend of cases that exist within the continuum of involvement
  • This includes, but is not limited to, receiving, and assessing initial reports of concern (intake/screening), completing investigations, and carrying ongoing (open) files with various legal authorities
  • Within this role a high degree of organization is required along with the ability to assess and triage matters based on level of need/severity
  • Ability to work independently in high-paced environments/situations with firm legislative timeframes and policy guidelines
  • As an experienced member of the team, provided ongoing mentorship to fellow colleagues and leadership when in an Acting Supervisor role.

Education

Master of Social Work - Clinical Social Work Practice

University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
06-2025

Graduate Certificate - Advanced Social Work Practice

University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
05.2022

Graduate Certificate - Trauma-Informed Practice

University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
05.2021

Bachelor of Social Work -

University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta
06.2009

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

University of Lethbridge
Lethbridge, Alberta
06.2007

Skills

  • Well-versed in the Signs of Safety Model
  • Ample experience identifying and understanding manifestations of trauma
  • Working knowledge and familiarity with mental health & addictions
  • Working knowledge of several therapeutic modalities (CBT, SFT, IFS, DBT, etc)
  • University of Calgary, Social Work program practicum facilitator
  • Leading & Developing Social Work practice with others

Accomplishments

  • Registered/Active member with Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW).
  • CPR-C First Aid Training (Expired November 2024).
  • Suicide Attention Training Certificate (December 2023).
  • Indigenous Harm Reduction & Nalaxone Training Workshop (November 2022).
  • Harm Reduction Principles and Practice training (May 2021 & July 2025).

Committee Work

Southern Alberta Mental Health Promotions Committee - 2022 to Present

  • Committee member representing the Government of Alberta, Children’s Services. Working together to promote Mental Health Awareness through educational opportunities. Strategizing new topics to present on each year relating to current community needs/trends and developing a one-day conference with other committee members.


Occupational Health & Safety Committee - 2021 to Present

  • Attending and assistance with Chairing the committee with upper Management.
  • Responsible for addressing concerns relating to worker safety and well-being while engaging in resolution discussions to mitigate the issue. Ensuring, both as a committee member and supervisor, compliance with OH&S legislation and standards.


Alberta Union for Public Employees (AUPE) Chapter Chair - 2021 to 2023.

  • Elected Chairperson for Chapter 006 which includes roughly 300 employees in various positions (FSCD, OPD, PDD, Alberta Works, AISH).
  • Call membership or council meetings with a task focused agenda. Provide approvals for expenditures, event costs, etc.
  • Advocacy for employee physical and mental wellness, which includes but is not limited to, Occupational Health & Safety, fair and transparent processes and treatment, stress and burn-out.

Timeline

Casework Supervisor

Government Of Alberta - Children's Services
07.2017 - Current

Generalist

Government Of Alberta - Children's Services
09.2010 - 07.2017

Master of Social Work - Clinical Social Work Practice

University of Calgary

Graduate Certificate - Advanced Social Work Practice

University of Calgary

Graduate Certificate - Trauma-Informed Practice

University of Calgary

Bachelor of Social Work -

University of Calgary

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

University of Lethbridge
Melissa Andres