Neena Thomas
Atlanta
Summary
Compassionate and dedicated Behavioral and Mental Illness Specialist with a proven track record in supporting families facing emotional, psychological, social, and developmental challenges. Expertise includes supervising, training, and coaching case managers, foster parents, and other stakeholders to achieve equitable, person-centered goals. Proficient in developing personalized intervention plans that enhance family dynamics while collaborating with diverse institutions to ensure comprehensive care and support. Committed to fostering resilience and promoting mental well-being within the community through effective communication and exceptional time management skills.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Behavioral and Mental Illness Specialist
Participant Direct
08.2021 - 08.2025
- Completed a thorough psychosocial assessment of the individual in efforts to identify any mental health disorders, behavioral challenges, and/or intellectual developmental disabilities.
- Developed and executed a person-centered Individual Service Plan (ISP) which incorporates: consistent occupational regimens, involvement in consistent psychotherapy assessment, regular primary care physicians/medical team valuations.
- Provided cognitive behavioral sessions to address daily behavioral instability, mental illness inconsistencies, and social anxiety.
- Promoted medication management, community peer activities, healthy eating habits, and hygiene management.
- ISP is adjusted accordingly based on the changing needs of the individual.
Community Program Supervisor (Foster Care)
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
02.2021 - 06.2021
- Completed psychosocial assessment of the individual in efforts to identify any mental health disorders, behavioral challenges, and/or intellectual developmental disabilities to determine appropriate services and placement satisfying Department of family and Children Services (DFCS) and Office of Provider Management (OPM) regarding Room, Board, and Watchful Oversight (RBWO).
- Delivered case management services to children, their parents, and foster parents in efforts to address service needs, e.g., education, nutrition, visitations, medical, court hearing, etc.
- Prepared reports to ensure compliance of various involved agencies, e.g., Residential Childcare Licensing (RCCL), Child Caring Institutions (CCIs), Outdoor Child Caring Programs (OCCPs), etc.
- Ensured staff were compliantly trained and effectively practicing within regulation.
- Conducted required performance reviews, weekly supervision of reports, e.g., ISPs, Shines narratives, discharge summaries, incident reports, etc., and also made periodic contact with foster families to address quality of service.
- Attended agency, regional, family team meetings (FTM) Permanency Hearing (PH), and clinical staff meetings as well as engaged in other proactive team planning in efforts to achieve organizational goals.
Foster Care - Case Manager
Children’s Village/Harlem Dowling
09.2018 - 06.2019
- Completed a detailed psychosocial assessment of the individual and/or family dynamic to identify any mental health disorders, behavioral challenges, and/or intellectual developmental disabilities.
- Created person-centered ISP tailored with intervention and prevention services.
- Engaged biological parents and child(ren) through weekly home visits, schools visits, and counseling sessions to monitor progress towards permanency.
- Supervised a team of case planners and ensured they were effectively and ethically trained to adhere to state, federal, and local practices within the child welfare system.
- Prepared documentation for Permanency hearings, foster home re-evaluation, and participated in all aspect of the well-being of the all involved.
Case Planner
HeartShare ST. Vincent’s Services - Foster Care (contract)
03.2018 - 08.2018
Community Relations Representative
Lincoln Technical Institute (contract)
08.2017 - 12.2017
Shift Supervisor
Camba Homeless Family Shelter
01.2016 - 05.2017
- Department of Homeless Services
Community Relations Director
Lincoln Technical Institute
03.2007 - 11.2013
Education
MS - Psychology w/concentration in Child Developmental Psych
SNHU
Bachelor of Science - Business
Southern New Hampshire University
Skills
- Effective communicator
- Empathetic
- Treatment planning
- Crisis Intervention
- Knowledge of mental health conditions
- Critical thinking
- Team work
- Cultural Competency and Adaptability
Timeline
Behavioral and Mental Illness Specialist
Participant Direct
08.2021 - 08.2025
Community Program Supervisor (Foster Care)
Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health
02.2021 - 06.2021
Foster Care - Case Manager
Children’s Village/Harlem Dowling
09.2018 - 06.2019
Case Planner
HeartShare ST. Vincent’s Services - Foster Care (contract)
03.2018 - 08.2018
Community Relations Representative
Lincoln Technical Institute (contract)
08.2017 - 12.2017
Shift Supervisor
Camba Homeless Family Shelter
01.2016 - 05.2017
Community Relations Director
Lincoln Technical Institute
03.2007 - 11.2013
Bachelor of Science - Business
Southern New Hampshire University
MS - Psychology w/concentration in Child Developmental Psych
SNHU
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