Case Manager

Posted on: 2006-01-11

WORK EXPERIENCE: Regional Municipality Of Niagara 2001-Present Community Services Department Case Manager • Determine client eligibility for social assistance, based on Ontario and municipal guidelines, departmental policies, legal precedents and individual circumstances • Provide crisis intervention and prevention for affected families and individuals, and advocate for clients with external community partners or organizations • Communicate decisions to stakeholders, including rationale for findings and clear strategies to prevent and/or resolve disputes that may occur • Assist clients in achieving goals for self sufficiency, and develop individualized case plans and participation agreements consistent with skill levels and the local labour market. • Address restrictions/barriers, training and rehabilitative needs for labour market re-entry • Compile, interpret and analyze statistical information to meet departmental objectives • Interview relevant individuals and organizations related to alleged cases of fraud Campaign Coordinator – United Way • Organize campaign blitz to reach approximately 3000 employees in over 80 work locations to attain goal of $100,000.00 through employee payroll deductions of donations to United Way. • Research and visit United Way funded agencies to gain understanding of community needs and allocations process • Research past participation rates and design a plan of action to increase employee participation and awareness of community needs • Prepare and present information to achieve campaign goals to various staff through meetings and planned presentations • Prepare news bulletins to educate and advise of campaign progress and distribute across Corporation • Participate in community forum with various agencies to determine greatest needs of services • Prepare, demonstrate and implement a business plan which overarches Council’s commitment and passion of “Building Community. Building Lives” • Maintain database throughout campaign, recording all donations through payroll deduction • Immediate results demonstrated a $15,000.00 increase in donations Discretionary Benefits Worker • Determine eligibility for discretionary items requested by Ontario Disability Support Program clients, and non-social assistance recipients experiencing hardship • Record, collect and ensure that all required documentation is on file for tracking and records management purposes, including claims verification • Authorize issuance of monies relating to client claims and requests • Determine eligibility of payments for indigent funerals on behalf of deceased residents of the municipality • Freeze any assets, and recover monies that may be available from any income sources and assets belonging to or owing to the estate of the deceased • Issue payment to vendors, ensuring that payments are within the approved municipal rates and that all avenues of recovery of monies have been exhausted Community Services Worker • Interview applicants to collect and verify information for eligibility of social assistance • Complete required legal documentation, and commission client statements • Complete legal assignments to recover funds owed to the Department • Explain documents to clients, coordinate notarization and filing Current Professional Development • Representative for the Community Services Department on the Public Information Communications Committee; duties include writing, proof reading, and managing information published in the regional newsletter • Representative on the United Way Action Group Committee; duties include creating and following business plan for any fundraising and awareness events for the United Way within the Regional Municipality of Niagara • Corporate Mentorship Program; a 9 month program in which I work 3 hours monthly alongside my mentor; Business Partner Strategic Communications – Office of Corporate Strategy. * Prior to employment with the Regional Municipality of Niagara I held positions as an Early Childhood Educator, Personal Support Worker, Family Home Visitor, office administrator, and food and beverage server. EDUCATION: Bachelor of Arts, Brock University 10.5 of 15 credits Completed Early Childhood Education Diploma, Niagara College Graduated 2000 Personal Support Worker Certification, Adult Learning Centre Graduated 1998 Ontario Secondary School Diploma Graduated 1998 ADDITIONAL TRAINING AND WORKSHOPS: Ontario Municipal Social Services Association, 2005 Psychotherapy Techniques, 2004 Sensitivity and Diversity Training, 2003 Time Management, 2003 Effective Organizational Skills Training, 2003 Conflict Resolution Training, 2004 PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION & AWARDS: Leadership in United Way Campaign 2005 Team Player Departmental Recognition Award 2005 Wellness Champion Award, for encouraging healthy practices in the workplace 2004