Simone Smith
Markham,Ontario
Summary
Experienced Child and Youth Worker dedicated to serving as advocate while interacting with youth. Bringing over 15 years of experience in working with Youth and families such as at-risk or inner-city youth and mentally or behaviorally challenged children. Committed to improving children's behavior through coping skills and other therapeutic interventions. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Child and Youth Worker
Toronto District School Board
Lord Roberts Public School
02.2024 - Current
- Provided key emotional support to special needs youth.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop comprehensive treatment plans for children and adolescents.
- Implemented behavior modification strategies to address challenging behaviors exhibited by young clients.
- Enhanced youth development by implementing engaging and age-appropriate programs.
- Delivered crisis intervention services when necessary, de-escalating volatile situations while maintaining safety for all involved parties.
- Advocated for client needs within various systems, such as schools, courts, and social service agencies.
- Promoted positive behavior change in young clients by utilizing evidence-based therapeutic techniques.
- Conducted thorough assessments to identify clients'' emotional, behavioral, or developmental issues requiring intervention or support services.
- Evaluated program effectiveness regularly using participant feedback surveys along with other assessment tools leading towards continuous improvements.
- Taught life skills and coping mechanisms to residential population in one-on-one and group sessions.
- Developed strong rapport with clients and families, fostering trust and open communication during therapy sessions.
- Worked with educational team to develop Individual Education Plans (IEPs) for students.
Child and Youth Worker Temp/Term
York Region District School Board
10.2018 - Current
- Facilitate and support interventions/ strategies as set out in the I.E.P and as established by the teacher
- Provide direct support such as behavior management, and counseling to support the students to function in a school setting, either individually or within groups
- Attend to the social emotional needs of students with Board approved CPI Nonviolent Crisis Intervention
- Provide support to the teacher and resource staff in the planning, development and implementation of students' Individual Education Plans (I.E.P), (I.A.P.), safety plansand the preparation of materials and monitoring of programs
- Supervise and assist individuals or groups of students during classroom activities, recess, lunch, field trips/excursions, bus and/or taxi arrivals and departures, work placements and other arrangements as required
- Support with ongoing assessment of students' programs, writing daily reports and records and acts as a resource person for parent/guardian/staff
- Worked with and supported individuals who identify within the following groups; First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples; African, Black and Black Caribbean peoples (in alignment with Anti-Black Racism Strategy); members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, color, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin; persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities; persons who identify as women; and persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions.
Child and Youth Worker
Front Line Workforce Inc./ Blue Hills Child And Family Services
York Region
09.2015 - 09.2018
- Supported Youths with Autism and dual diagnosis
- Monitored scheduled medications and maintained accurate MAR documentation
- Efficiently Tracked behaviors and adequately documented incident reports
- Liaison with other healthcare professionals such as the Behavioral Therapist, Counselors and Physiotherapists
- Supported and implemented agreements/plans to achieve personal outcomes
- Transported, organized and assisted with recreational activities, social activities, exercises and other social and educational engagements
- Provided care to Individuals in their school group home and within the community
- Established respectful relationships with individuals and respect their rights and promotes their dignity and well being as well as protecting their privacy
- Assisted with prescribed medications
- Evaluated and prepared recommendations for changes to help improve individual care
- Maintained confidentiality of Individual's files, prepared reports and information as required.
- Delivered crisis intervention services when necessary, de-escalating volatile situations while maintaining safety for all involved parties.
- Organized group activities to promote social skills development among youth participants in a fun yet structured environment.
- Advocated for client needs within various systems, such as schools, courts, and social service agencies.
- Promoted positive behavior change in young clients by utilizing evidence-based therapeutic techniques.
- Facilitated group and individual support sessions for reintegration into home settings with biological or foster families.
- Designed tailored interventions for individual clients based on their specific needs, strengths, and challenges.
Program Facilitator
Toronto Community Housing
02.2012 - 05.2018
- Assess each applicant for program eligibility through verifying and validating client's information as required
- Refer participants and their families to community resources within housing and social services
- Manage administrative caseload of 30 participants and delivered clerical duties for site, Resolve conflict and counsel youth and families as needed
- Support staff facilitate daily activities, including but not limited to; welcome and registration, homework support, snack time, sport and physical activity session, arts and team building sessions, choice time, daily assessments.
Summer Program Coordinator
JAYS Care Foundation, Rogers Centre
05.2017 - 08.2017
- Supervised and trained staff to ensure their professional development
- Assessed 72 youth per week for program eligibility through verifying and validating client's information as required
- Developed service plans and implemented for each participants' group
- Resolved conflict and counseled youth and families as needed
- Coached and mentored staff as they lead groups from one activity to the next in an orderly manner
- Kept accurate records, incident reports; report immediately to camp director
- Supported staff and campers during program facilitation while maintaining a positive rapport
- Liaise with parents daily to ensure quality program delivery
- Supervised campers during the recreational and special outings.
Youth Mentoring Coach
COSTI Employment and Community Services
Vaughan, Ontario
09.2008 - 10.2010
- Presented and implemented solutions to clients within emergency situations by making the appropriate referrals in a timely manner
- Case management of up to 200 client files at one time, provided one on one employment counseling
- Listened, mediated and negotiated client's dispute or misunderstandings
- Tracked client activities/outcomes and collected monthly stats to ensure founders targets were met
- Advocated and liaison with community partners and various service providers on behalf of clients to ensure equal employment opportunity, health care and housing.
Education
CPI Trained -
York Region District School Board
60 Wellington Street W. Aurora ON05.2023
Business Management Diploma - Business Management
Oxford College
670 Progress Ave, Scarborough ON. 01.2021
Trained -
UMAB
01.2018
FIRST AID and CPR
01.2017
Mental Health Training Certification -
Ornge Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute
01.2016
Child and Youth Worker Program-Advanced Diploma -
George Brown College
01.2007
Skills
- Child and Youth Worker Diploma; George Brown College
- Over 15 years of experience in supporting/assisting persons with autism, diagnosed with ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, or any other condition that would be considered neurodivergent
- Mental Health Support
- Special Education
- Student assessment and stress management within a classroom setting
- Specialize in developing and facilitating a wide range of social skills topics in a classroom setting and individually
- A proven ability to deal with physically aggressive and emotionally demanding Individuals
- Personal support Supervising and strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Ability to work well in a team setting and independently
- Proficient computer skills, Microsoft, Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint
- Provided a diverse range of support and experience while working in schools, youth facilities, shelters and rehab rehabilitation centers
- Licensed G Ontario driver with own vehicle
- Current and updated FIRST AID/CPR level C, UMAB
- Experience in performing within a multidisciplinary team
Personal Information
Title: Child and Youth Worker
Languages
French
Elementary
Spanish
Limited Working
Certification
- LPC - Licensed Professional Counselor
Timeline
Child and Youth Worker
Toronto District School Board
02.2024 - Current
Child and Youth Worker Temp/Term
York Region District School Board
10.2018 - Current
Summer Program Coordinator
JAYS Care Foundation, Rogers Centre
05.2017 - 08.2017
Child and Youth Worker
Front Line Workforce Inc./ Blue Hills Child And Family Services
09.2015 - 09.2018
Program Facilitator
Toronto Community Housing
02.2012 - 05.2018
Youth Mentoring Coach
COSTI Employment and Community Services
09.2008 - 10.2010
CPI Trained -
York Region District School Board
Business Management Diploma - Business Management
Oxford College
Trained -
UMAB
FIRST AID and CPR
Mental Health Training Certification -
Ornge Crisis and Trauma Resource Institute
Child and Youth Worker Program-Advanced Diploma -
George Brown College