Claims Representative
Resume:
MICHELE L. BROOKS
Indianapolis, IN 46205
Cell: 317-***-****
E-mail address: *********************@*******.***
CAREER OBJECTIVE
Accomplished professional seeks a claims-related position that will maximize my excellent oral and written communication, training/teaching, customer service, organizational, investigative, research, project management, and legal skills.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE
Butler University, Indianapolis, IN
Major: Communications (English, Journalism, Speech, and Radio/TV) and Business; Minor: Political Science
GPA: 3.3/4.0 Graduated with Honors
TEACHING CERTIFICATION IN SOCIAL STUDIES, MIDDLE SCHOOL/HIGH SCHOOL
Indiana Wesleyan University, Indianapolis, IN 12/2005 graduate, 3.8 GPA
-Licensed in Government, Sociology, and Economics & Highly Qualified Status in Language Arts
SPECIAL EDUCATION CERTIFICATION (EH/BD, LD, MIMH), Butler University, 2008 graduate, 3.8 GPA
PARALEGAL CERTIFICATION, 2000 graduate, Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis (I.U.P.U.I.)
LOMA (insurance trade association) courses: Meeting Customer Needs with Insurance and Annuities;
Insurance Company Operations; Regulatory Environment for Life Insurance, 2019
Certified Child and Family Team Meeting Facilitator, 2020
CAREER SUMMARY
STATE OF INDIANA, Disability Determination Bureau, Indianapolis, IN 2021- PR
DISABILITY CLAIMS ADJUDICATOR, DISABILITY DETERMINATION BUREAU
Make medical decisions of eligibility for Social Security Disability Insurance and SSI claims
Review initial and reconsideration (appeals) claims to determine the evidence needed to document medical and
non-medical facts of record; developed strong knowledge of medical terminology
Analyze medical records to determine need for consultative examinations as well as vocational assessments; possess
the ability to read voluminous medical documents within a short timeframe
Research Social Security program regulations and policies to assess severity ratings, draft residual functional
capacity assessments and Psychological Review Technique forms based on claimants’ severity ratings
Work closely with staff physicians and psychologists on interpreting medical/psychological exam results and
assessing credibility of claimants’ symptoms to determine if additional information or testing is needed
Interview claimants over the phone regarding work history when vocational assessments are required
Confer with medical staff and writes the final determinations of eligibility; submit determinations electronically
STATE OF INDIANA, Dept. of Child Services, Indianapolis, IN 2019 -2021
LICENSING SPECIALIST, FOSTER CARE
Met with prospective foster parents to provide information about licensure and coordinate trainings
Conducted home visits for initial licensure, annual review, and relicensure to ensure compliance with licensing
Wrote detailed home studies evaluating the foster home’s physical environment, strengths and needs, family history,
structure, parenting styles, and type of children best suited for placement
Conduct background checks on all foster parents for licensure
Served as liaison between DCS and all foster parents
Foster Care Division Employee of the Month, August 2020
MICHELE L. BROOKS’ RESUME CONTINUED
DELAWARE LIFE INSURANCE, Indianapolis, IN 2018 to 2019
CUSTOMER SERVICE COORDINATOR, Annuities
Answered inbound client and agent calls regarding annuities, investments, living benefit and death benefit riders,
product information, tax implications, fees, procedures, and financial industry regulations while adhering to high
call quality and efficiency standards. Utilized various computer applications and online resources to retrieve
information while responding to customer inquiries
Maintained detailed electronic records by accurately documenting all actions taken
Investigated and resolved customers’ issues while exceeding measurable department standards
STATE OF INDIANA, Indianapolis, IN 2013 to 2018
PROGRAM DIRECTOR (GRANT MANAGER), IN. CRIMINAL JUSTICE INSTITUTE (ICJI), 2016 - 2018
Responsible for the management and administration of approximately 50 federal and state grants awarded to
statewide non-profit agencies and governmental entities to assist domestic violence and sexual assault victims
Provided oversight of program and fiscal reporting by subgrantees, including reviewing and approving clients’
reports for contract adherence and fiscal inaccuracies. Prepared and compiled reports for federal reporting
Provided customer service and technical assistance daily to clients with grant-related issues as well as training on
requirements and reporting. Trained clients in-person, via e-mail, and telephone on grant software and reporting
Prepared documentation relating to the grant award/contract processes, and other required government reporting
Completed site visits annually to monitor subgrantees and write post visit compliance monitoring reports; determined
remedial steps for improvement based on outcomes, and provided any necessary remediation to clients
CASE MANAGER, DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SERVICES, ASSESSMENT (INVESTIGATION DIVISION), 2013 – 2015
Investigated suspected incidents of child abuse and/or neglect, made determinations regarding whether evidence was
enough to substantiate, and developed recommendations to upper management and Juvenile Court for disposition
Assessed level of risk to the child for additional injury or harm, including whether the child was in imminent danger,
and removed the child from the family as the situation warranted; placed the child in a protected environment
Performed needs assessments to determine treatment options for children reported as abused/neglected or
referred by law enforcement, other social service agencies, or schools as a child-in-need of services
Testified in Juvenile Court concerning the needs of the children and families, the families’ ability to remedy the
abusive/neglectful situation, or concerning alleged criminal activities of a parent or other alleged perpetrator
Provided on-call emergency investigation periodically to investigate allegations of child abuse/neglect 24/7
Wrote in-depth reports for each assessment in order to close every investigation within a 30-day deadline
FCM of the month in Assessment division, June & July 2014
KELLER & KELLER, Indianapolis, IN, 2012-2013
DISABILITY CLAIMS PARALEGAL
Managed large caseload of more than 200 clients applying for Social Security SSDI and SSI; performed all legal,
administrative, and customer service responsibilities related to the disability claims process
Filed electronic and paper appeals and hearing requests; wrote summaries of clients’ medical histories for the attorneys
Drafted a variety of legal documents and correspondence to the SSA and clients
LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP SCHOOLS, Indianapolis, IN, 2007 – 2011
SOCIAL STUDIES/LANGUAGE ARTS TEACHER/SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER grades 7 -12
Diploma Plus Academy (Lawrence Township’s alternative middle/high school for at-risk and special needs students)
School closed due to funding issues
Taught Economics, Government, Sociology and Psychology, English 10 – 12, and Speech to at-risk and emotionally
handicapped/learning disabled (EH/LD) students. Also, developed and taught a career/college counseling course.
Managed all lesson planning and student assessment. Supervised classroom Instructional Assistants (IA’s)
Wrote individualized educational plans (IEP’s) for special education students in compliance with Federal
and State special education laws; collaborated with families to resolve academic and behavioral problems
Created and implemented daily and unit lesson plans, administered testing, tracked, and analyzed class performance
Earned above average evaluations every year
Coordinated and conducted case conferences with parents, teachers, and special education service providers
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES/ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Published author, Indiana Historical Society website – Wrote various history-related lesson plans as a resource for teachers
Pi Beta Phi Alumni Advisory Council (AAC) Advisor, Butler University chapter, 2003- 2007
National History Day Judge 2008 – 2019. Volunteer judge for annual Indiana competition for middle and high school students
AmeriCorps member – Served two terms as a volunteer in service to America, summers 2007 & 2004. Volunteered full-time as a social services counselor at a local homeless shelter and as a GED instructor for a work release facility for felons
Former political volunteer – Vice Ward Chairperson and Precinct Committeeperson, Marion County
Gleaners Food Bank Volunteer, 2018 – 2020. Assisted food bank clients one Saturday each month.
References provided upon request.
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