Zara L. Handsford **** Hillyer Avenue Macon, Ga. *1204

(T) 770-***-**** (E) ad2u1a@r.postjobfree.com

Objective: To obtain a challenging position applying creative critical thinking skills and lean management skills with an organization that will utilize my management, field and office research experience, investigative background to benefit mutual growth and success.

Core Skills:

Able to participate in multidisciplinary team approach.

Able to work independently and as a member of a team.

Excellent organizational skills

Excellent writing, oral, and critical thinking skills

Proficient computer skills

Excellent relationship building skills

Deductive reasoning skills

Social perceptiveness

Comfortable with diverse populations

Education:

06/1996 Georgia College & State University - Milledgeville, GA.

Psychology

B.S.

05/2006 Fort Valley State University - Fort Valley, GA.

Mental Health

M.S.

Experience:

8/5/2016- 6/22/23 DECAL: Bright from the Start Atlanta, GA

Special Investigations Unit Manager

Provided supervision, leadership, and guidance to twelve childcare consultants in the Department’s policy and procedures throughout the state of Georgia for all 159 counties; Coach, mentor, and develop staff, including hiring of staff, overseeing new employee onboarding, and provide development planning and opportunities. Delegate responsibilities and expect accountability and regular feedback of employees; Fostered a spirit of teamwork and unity among the unit members that allow for disagreements over ideas, conflict resolution, and appreciation of diversity as well as cohesiveness, supportiveness and working effectively together to enable employee and Department success; Lead employees using a performance management and development process that provides an overall framework to encourage employee contribution to include goal setting, feedback and performance development planning; Provided effective performance feedback through employee recognition, rewards and disciplinary action, with the assistance of human resources when necessary; Maintained employee work schedules including assignments, job rotation, training, leave (sick and annual) and cover absenteeism; Maintained transparent communication; Appropriately communicate organization information through department meetings, one-on-one staffing, appropriate emails and regular interpersonal communication; Acted as agency representative during court hearings; Conducted reviews on investigations that have been conducted by other child care consultants when providers submit a letter of refutation; coordinated, planned and attended staffing to determine adverse action determinations on child care facilities and family child care learning centers when a child has been injured at a center and when there was a rule violation; Collected statistical data to determine current trends; Conducted skills visits to access a consultant’s skill level while in the field; and served as Subject Matter Expert for the enhancement of the Department’s in-house computer system. Developed and drafted COVID-19 policy and procedure for consultants for health and safety.

04/2013-06/2021- Community Health Care- Morrow, GA

Student Therapist (ST)

Provided one-on one therapy to clients identified through assessment that needed intense home therapy. Drafted and entered assessment using B.I.R.P to the computer database. Assisted in finding needed resources for the family. Attended bi- weekly meetings with therapist to discuss any concerns or questions that related to client and to discuss progress. Developed individual treatment plans for clients. Completed Psychosocial on clients assigned to caseload. Attended mandatory training for CPR/ First Aid, Conflict resolution and other topics as needed and scheduled. Assisted with discharge of patients when they were admitted to hospital. Contributed to the ongoing assessment and treatment planning process through participation in daily reports, case reviews, and treatment teams.

08/16/2014-08/5/2016 DECAL: Bright from the Start Atlanta, GA

Complaint Unit Coordinator

Provided support to other childcare consultant in the Department’s policy and procedures,

acted as agency representative during court hearings; Conducted reviews on investigations that have been conducted by other child care consultants; Attended staffings to determine adverse action determinations on child care facilities and family child care learning centers when a child was injured; Drafted performance management reports; Reviewed and approved travel reimbursements, Drafted refutation letters for provider; Collected statistical date to determine current trends; Conducted skills visits to access a consultant’s skill level while in the field; Sat on hiring panel; Monitored the complaint intake box and determined appropriate rule violations and severity codes; and conducted training for new hires.

10/15/2012- 8/16/2014 DECAL: Bright from the Start Atlanta, GA

Child Care Consultant

elt

Conducted complaint/incident investigations on licensed child care providers; provided support to licensed child care facilities and family child care learning centers homes through monitoring and technical assistance; Assisted parents with information about licensed child care providers; Completed regulatory visits with licensed providers to ensure adherence to departments rules and regulations; Monitored the complaint intake box and determined appropriate rule violations and severity codes; and advocated for available resources for families receiving serve through the Department by linking them to community resources

05/01/2006- 10/15/2012 Bibb County Department of Family and Children Services Macon, GA.

Social Services Supervisor

Managed a Child Protective Services investigative unit; Engaged employees with agencies mission and goals achieved 95% rate of response time being met on all cases assigned to unit for investigation; Reviewed 100% of case records that were Substantiated or Unsubstantiated; Conducted case staffing or conferences on a weekly basis; Ensured case decisions, recommendations or directives were documented; Reviewed all court petitions and records for accuracy and for all IV-E language requirement; Approved home evaluations for placement of children in foster care; Granted authorization for agency to seek court approved removal of children that have been alleged to be abused or neglected; Supervised and planned work assignment of staff; and developed WIGs to target significant performance related gaps for the purpose of improvement.

03/2000 – 05/2006 Bibb County Department of Family and Children Services Macon, GA

Social Services Case Manager Investigator

Conducted investigations on families were there is alleged child abuse or neglect; Attended all court and clinic staffing about families; Filed all court petitions to ensure safety of children; Attended all court hearing; Completed all necessary paperwork within a 30-day timeframe; Conducted home visits; Worked collaboratively law enforcement and attorneys to ensure safety and well- being of children; Advocated for available resources for families receiving serve through the Department by linking them to community resources; and documented all contact made with collaterals.

References Available Upon Request

Contact this candidate