Social Worker Support Group

Erin R. Mercado, LSW, MSW, CDP, Cert. ADA Coordinator

*** **** *****, ****, ******** 312-***-**** ***************@*****.***

Education

Aurora University - Aurora, Illinois

Master of Social Work - Concentration in Gerontology Studies, Conferred May 2011

GPA 4.0 Second Semester, 3.9 Upon Conferment

Northern Michigan University - Marquette, Michigan

Bachelor of Social Work, Conferred May 2004

Minor: Human Behavior Analysis

Certifications/Specialties

Licensed Social Worker (Illinois)

oAspiring LCSW

ACTCP Exam Certification, ADA (American Disabilities Act) Coordinator

Certified Grief Trauma Informed Professional

Certified Dementia Practitioner

*Original certifications available upon request

Professional Experience & Skills

The Village of Arlington Heights, Arlington Heights, Illinois

Dates of Employment: November 2022 – December 2024

As a Social Worker and ADA Coordinator for the Village of Arlington Heights, I provided essential support to residents, especially individuals with disabilities, seniors aging in place, and their families. Through direct services, advocacy, and collaboration, I helped create a more inclusive community by ensuring individuals had access to necessary resources and support.

Impact:

Enhanced access to critical resources for individuals with disabilities and seniors, leading to improved quality of life for residents.

Strengthened community safety through collaboration with local agencies, significantly reducing fall risks and other health-related incidents.

Advocated for greater inclusion, ensuring that residents with disabilities and seniors had a voice in local policies and programs.

Key Responsibilities & Achievements:

Client Navigation & Support: Assisted individuals with disabilities and seniors aging in place by providing navigation, resources, and therapeutic support. Helped connect clients and their families to critical services such as healthcare, housing, and financial support.

Liaison & Advocacy: Functioned as a liaison for the Village’s Commission on Citizens with Disabilities, advocating for the rights and needs of people with disabilities. Participated in subcommittees focusing on transportation and housing, collaborating with the Senior Commission to address community issues.

Grief Support Group: Established and facilitated a grief support group at the Senior Center, providing a safe space for seniors to cope with loss. Delivered therapeutic support and guidance, enhancing emotional well-being during difficult transitions.

Joint Home Visits & Safety Assessments: Conducted home visits with community nurses to assess safety and reduce fall risks. Provided actionable recommendations for improving home safety and supported seniors in maintaining independence.

Community Risk Reduction & Outreach: Partnered with the Chief of the Arlington Heights Fire Department on outreach initiatives focused on community risk reduction. Engaged in educational events to raise awareness about fire safety, emergency preparedness, and injury prevention.

Resource Expansion & Program Support: Increased the number of resources available to residents, ensuring more individuals received the assistance they needed. Actively promoted and supported the usage of Arlington Heights' social services programs, leading to a significant rise in participation.

Key Metrics:

Increased the number of resources provided to individuals shown in The Village’s Quarterly Reports.

Boosted participation in Village of Arlington Heights social service programs by including Counseling Subsidy, Emergency Financial Assistance, and Park District Scholarships, helping more residents access critical services.

Reduced fall risks for seniors through targeted home safety assessments, benefiting community households.

Created and Facilitated increase attendance at the Senior Center’s grief support group, providing therapeutic support to more community members.

Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Chicago, Arlington Heights, Illinois

Caregiver Specialist/Senior Care Coordinator II, October 2020- November 2022

Provided care/case management, caregiver assessments, and individualized ‘Caregiver Care Plans at least every six months.

Assisted in increasing number of participants for Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Group and ‘Memory Café’ during time of virtual participant only.

Worked alongside the Arlington Height Senior Centers Marketing, Program Managers, and other Senior Center departments to plan this year’s Nation Senior Health & Fitness Day 'launch.’

Developed new brochures and marketing tools to help incr4ease interest in Caregiver Resource Center

Secured funding for Catholic Charities Caregiver Client to have ‘Respite Care’ or time away from their day every responsibility.

Co-facilitated and procured the providers for the following one monthly: Powerful Tools for Caregivers, Memory Café (bring a loved one with dementia to lunch), Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Program, and two Alzheimer’s Caregiver Support Groups.

Homethrive, LLC, Northbrook, Illinois

CareGuide, October 2019- August 2020

Increased client (member) percentage by collaborating with The Sales Director in nationwide company presentations.

Produced and Developed (in collaboration with colleagues) a new holistic care planning and assessment platform.

Research into national disability and older adult residential placement options, including income-based housing.

Assisted with the success of long-term care insurance approval by supporting families in the application submission process.

Created ‘FAQ’ brochures for marketing and advertising purposes ranging from ‘Caregiving with Siblings’ and ‘What are the signs and symptoms of dementia?”

Created a Virtual Home Safety Assessment protocol and training guide for colleagues.

Coordinate and assist families with long distance and local senior relocation.

Coached and counseled family caregivers and older adults directly for caregiver support, navigation of emotional, financial, housing, and personal care assistance

ComPsych Guidance Resources, Chicago, Illinois

Elder Care Specialist, October 2014- September 2019

Educate, Counsel, provides a wide array of national and international elder care services/resources over telephonic confidential consultations including topics such as but not limited to:

oMedicare & Medicaid

oSupport caregivers through emotional stress and offer a multitude of caregivers.

oSupport specific caregiver and family dynamic needs related to understanding behaviors associated with Alzheimer’s and dementia behaviors.

oGuide and plan the next steps regarding housing options or discharge planning.

oDescribe in depth the difference between what the types of home and out of service are and what the admissions processes may look like

oProvide local formal compiled research (formal word document) per individualized client requests for any service requested i.e., assisted living, home care, DME, local DHS offices, skilled nursing facilities with government ratings.

oReferral to Legal and Financial teams regarding elder law topics such as asset protecting for Medicaid.

Efficient research is for individuals and their families who may need support groups, doctors, health care facilities, and supportive living facilities across the nation.

Alden Terrace Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, McHenry, Illinois

Social Services Director, May 2011 - Oct 2012

Empowered residents to maximize rehabilitation of Medicare/Medicaid/Private Pay/Insurance regulated services.

Consulted with outside community resources to assist residents to successfully return to living independently in the community.

Ensured long term care residents receive ongoing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral evaluation, treatment, and monitoring.

West Suburban Senior Services, Bellwood, Illinois

Care Coordinator Intern, August 2010 - May 2011

Provided individual and group mental health counseling services.

Leader of large group psycho-educational and recreational activity group sessions

Enrolled eligible older adults for Community Choices for Care Program through Illinois Dept. on Aging

Friendship Village Retirement Community, Schaumburg, Illinois

Care Manager, Willows Assisted Living and Reflections Memory Support of Willows, October 2007 - July 2010

Monitored and assessed residents’ cognition, behavior, mood, and activity of daily living capability.

Developed individual service plans for one hundred assisted living residents in their apartment setting.

Facilitated appropriate service referrals with other health care resource centers.

Enabled residents to continue living independently while maintaining mandated assisted living criteria.

Collaborated with the marketing department to plan for admission of prospective residents.

Coordinated assessments and transition of move in process for new residents and discharge planning of residents.

Facilitated ongoing family counseling and individual resident counseling.

Swindon Borough Council, Swindon, United Kingdom

Community Social Worker, September 2005 - August 2007

Promoted successful aging in place with residents while visiting their homes, specifically, older adults and those with disabilities.

Collaborated on an interdisciplinary team with various professionals (i.e., doctors, nurses, home care assistants, occupational, and physical therapists) to effectively promote a safe and supportive environment for clients.

Applied local government criteria to request an appropriate level of home care assistance.

Utilized community resources, both charitable and government funded to enable and help individuals.

Contact this candidate