LINDA J. JONES

*** ******* ***** **** ******, Cedar Park Texas, 76i13· 708-***-****

ad0c0w@r.postjobfree.com

To secure a new opportunity to leverage my 25 years as a Social Service Worker experience to impact the agency's mission positively while establishing meaningful relationships with clients and providing therapeutic services in the community,

EXPERIENCE

2021 – PRESENT

FOSTER PARENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN SERVICES

•Responds 24/7/365 by phone to caregivers with needs and, when conditions cannot be resolved by phone, go to where caregivers are, including but not limited to foster homes, ERs, police stations, etc., to provide support and guidance to caregivers.

•Contacts caregivers with placements at least once monthly to ascertain stability and address any needs affecting children's and foster parents' safety, permanency, and well-being. Weekly in-person contact with EFC homes and quarterly contact with homes without placements.

•Responds to child protection and placement workers, supervisors, area administrators, and other field operations staff to communicate the strengths of specific foster homes to assist in securing appropriate placements.

•Assists caregivers in understanding all aspects of the child welfare system and teaching them how to advocate for themselves and the children in their care, including acquiring needed resources.

•Provides ongoing coaching, support, and development for caregivers, including recommendations on appropriate foster parent training, how to become affiliated with foster parent groups, and guidance on navigating the foster care system.

•Ensures that caregivers have the needed resources to take placement of children. (EFC, BMN, etc.)

•Coach caregivers in the process of shared parenting to support reunification.

•Prevents shelter placements by identifying less restrictive placement options.

•Collaborates with various agencies to offer caregivers ongoing training, support, and resources.

•Provides caregivers training through organized support group meetings containing a training component and offered at least quarterly.

•Participates in child and family team meetings, CIPP meetings, and local, regional, and statewide foster care advisory council meetings, attending court, attending school meetings, or other meetings to provide support or advocacy for caregivers and the children in their care.

•Hosts DCFS events that bring attention to fostering needs and function as a support for families in the licensing process.

1996 – 2018

LICENSED FOSTER PARENT

NATIONAL YOUTH ADVOCATE PROGRAM

•Comprehensive trained and skilled to provide a safe and healthy environment to clients ensuring their well-being

•Certified with required training, First Aid/CPR certification, and medical clearances

•Promoted the mission of the agency to transition clients into independent living.

•Conducted assessments and developed care plans for clients

•Collaborated with community resources to provide support for clients

•Maintained accurate and up-to-date client records

•Background checked and fingerprinted

2010 – 2012

CALL CENTER REPRESENTATIVE

THE WARRANTY GROUP

•Provided exceptional customer service for all inbound customer calls regarding submitting various warranty claims reviewing contracts, reviewing supporting documents, contacting appropriate contractors, completing proper supporting documentation, service document requests, and referring to the right support department.

•Resolved customer complaints or escalated to the appropriate management level to ensure customer retention.

•Communicated and provided effective and efficient supporting documentation to all investigative departments to resolve discrepancies.

Ensured follow-up and resolution to all customers and prospective clients and customers.

2009 – 2011

TELEMARKETER

AMERICA GROUP INC.,

•Provided exceptional customer service for all inbound customer calls regarding regulatory policies with order taking.

•Help Desk Support

•Inbound appointment scheduling

2003 – 2005

BANKING CENTER MANAGER

BRIDGEVIEW BANK

•Managed customer service concerns with support to all customer relationships, requested activities ensuring customer retention, and developed creative means to customize customer financial service.

•Investigated and resolved routine and complex complaints, sensitive issues, errors, and misunderstandings.

•Maintained accurate rates for mortgages and variable accounts.

•Analyzed and prepared weekly and monthly reports.

•Responsible for opening several types of new accounts.

•Prepared applications for credit grading.

•Established commercial pipelines for new prospects and existing customers

•Staffed and conducted monthly cold calling to prospective clients.

•Coordinated and established a referral networking system with our existing customers, which increased and developed new avenues for our commercial lending department.

2002 – 2003

BANKING CENTER MANAGER

CHASE

•Managed day-to-day customer service concerns with support to all customer relationships, requested activities ensuring customer retention, and developed creative means to customize financial service for customers.

•Investigated and resolved routine and complex complaints, sensitive issues, errors, and misunderstandings.

•Maintained accurate rates for mortgages and variable accounts.

•Analyzed and prepared weekly and monthly reports.

•Responsible for opening several types of new accounts.

•Prepared applications for credit grading.

•Established commercial pipelines for new prospects and existing customers

•Recruited, staffed, and conducted monthly cold calling to prospective clients.

EDUCATION

Olive-Harvey College, Business Administration

Prairie State College, Dialysis Technician

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