Twyla Dean
96 Springwaters Place, Valley,NS
Summary
Dedicated and empathetic Social Worker with extensive experience working with children, youth, and their families. Skilled in managing complex caseloads, supporting team members, navigating systems, and connecting clients with community resources. Demonstrated success collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement goals and coordinate services to improve outcomes beneficial for students and their families. Critical understanding of the importance of social determinants of health and the impact on outcomes for mental health and well-being. Develops budgets and effectively allocates funding. Values, respects, and works very well with multidisciplinary team members, and the diverse, dynamic role each member plays.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
SCHOOLSPLUS FACILITATOR
Chignecto-Central Regional Centre For Education
08.2023 - Current
- Supervises and supports SchoolsPlus team consisting of CYCP's, SPCOW's, and a Parent Navigator in 8 schools grades Primary to 9
- Collaborates with clients and multidisciplinary teams to develop a comprehensive service plan and provide integrated service delivery for children, youth, and their families, resulting in improved coordination of services, client engagement, and achievement of goals
- Demonstrates cultural competence and ethical decision making
- Manages difficult and complex caseloads in collaboration with mental health and addictions, justice, child welfare, and community agencies
- Develops budgets and supervises funding to ensure efficient allocation of resources
- Monitors and maintains accurate case records while maintaining confidentiality
SCHOOLSPLUS COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKER
Chignecto Central Regional Center For Education
09.2021 - 08.2023
- Collaborated with SchoolsPlus Facilitator and multi-disciplinary teams to determine and implement appropriate proactive interventions for vulnerable children and youth who have been impacted by trauma and/or behavior, social, and emotional challenges
- Coordinated resources and services for students and their families while advocating for their needs and addressing barriers to supports and services
- Co-facilitated peer-led grief groups with Hospice and Truro Middle School
- Critically assessed and supported social determinants of health by acquiring and allocating necessities such as food, gift cards, transportation, and clothing to families in need
SCHOOLSPLUS CHILD AND YOUTH CARE PRACTITIONER
Chignecto Central Regional Centre For Education
09.2018 - 09.2021
- Built trusting relationships with students and their families in two schools (P-7) and provided proactive strategies to support social, emotional, and behavioral needs using evidence based curriculum in individual, group, and whole classroom settings
- Demonstrated extensive knowledge and experience implementing mental health and well-being programs using non-judgmental, trauma informed approach to support youth with anxiety, grief, self-regulation, and anger
- Acted as liaison between home, school, and community by connecting with families to address barriers to community resources and services
- Recipient of 2021 Child and Youth Care of the Year award, NSCYCWA
RESPITE PROVIDER
Children's Aid Society and Family Services
01.2014 - 12.2018
- Provided short and long-term respite for foster families with children ages 3-17 years old on weekly basis
- Provided care and used trauma informed approach to support children and youth with challenging emotional, behavioral, and/or medical needs
- Ability to critically assess situations and developmental needs of children and youth
Program Supervisor
Bright Skies Day Camp For Kids With Special Needs
01.2011 - 12.2013
- Reported to Board of Directors
- Responsible for daily supervision of employees, volunteers, and participants including scheduling, medications and complex health concerns, and safety
- Responsible for budgeting and maintained accurate health records while respecting confidentiality
Education
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK -
University of Calgary
Calgary, AB11.2023
Skills
- Difficult and Complex Case Management
- Client Advocacy
- Cultural Competence and Ethical Decision Making
- Empathy and Compassion
- Maintains Client Confidentiality
- Strong Relationships with Teams and Community Partners
- Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
- Multidisciplinary Teamwork and Collaboration
- Supportive Interpersonal, Oral and Written Communication
- Effectively Manages Budgets and Allocates Funding
- Organized and Time Management
- Proactive Group Programming and Facilitation
Certifications and Trainings
- CTRI Suicide Intervention Skills Training - February 2024 and August 2022
- Trafficking and Exploitation Services System (TESS) Training, Halifax, NS, - January 2024 and August 2020
- SchoolsPlus Facilitators Leadership Skills, 2023-2024
- SchoolsPlus Powerschool and Tinet FAQ Sessions, 2024
- Creating Cultures of Trauma Informed Care and Well-Being - June 2023
- Mental Health First Aid - June 2023
- Options to Anger Training Certificate, Department of Justice - April 2022
- Grief Facilitator Training for Peer-Led Groups with Serena Lewis, Northern Health Zone - 2019
Timeline
SCHOOLSPLUS FACILITATOR
Chignecto-Central Regional Centre For Education
08.2023 - Current
SCHOOLSPLUS COMMUNITY OUTREACH WORKER
Chignecto Central Regional Center For Education
09.2021 - 08.2023
SCHOOLSPLUS CHILD AND YOUTH CARE PRACTITIONER
Chignecto Central Regional Centre For Education
09.2018 - 09.2021
RESPITE PROVIDER
Children's Aid Society and Family Services
01.2014 - 12.2018
Program Supervisor
Bright Skies Day Camp For Kids With Special Needs
01.2011 - 12.2013
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK -
University of Calgary
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