Kayla Lutes
Amherst
Summary
Foster care professional with strong background in managing and supporting child welfare programs. Proven ability to lead teams effectively and adapt to evolving needs to ensure well-being of children and families. Skilled in case management, team collaboration, and implementing best practices to achieve positive outcomes. Known for reliability, empathy, and results-driven approach in challenging environments.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Therapeutic Foster Care Supervisor
Intercept Health
03.2021 - Current
- Share responsibility for establishing and implementing policies and procedures for Intercept in all aspects of the program
- Ensure all policies are carried out on a daily basis, including all requirements stipulated by licensure agencies and funding entities
- Provide ongoing support to ITFC staff in reaching a high level of compliance with written policies and procedures, including maintaining client records and financial data
- Provide regular program evaluations and make program adjustments that satisfy the indications in those evaluations, as well as bringing ITFC into compliance with any recommendations generated by licensing or funding entity audits
- Responsible for staff supervision, which includes regular individual supervision and group supervision as needed
- Program Supervisor will ensure supervision occurs
- Provide supervision directly or through others of all child placing activities
- Facilitate hiring additional staff as program needs dictate to maintain the standards of work performance
- Responsible for Teaching Parent recruitment, pre-service and ongoing training, and development
- This responsibility can be shared at the Program Supervisor's discretion
- Responsible for monitoring the program's budget with the business office of Intercept will help design the program's budget, set service fees, and ensure that the children are served have their financial needs met
- Responsible for monitoring the development of initial, comprehensive and quarterly treatment plans
- This includes reviewing historical records, attending planning sessions, and providing clinical supervision as needed
- The Program Supervisor will provide ongoing support for a treatment approach that is positive and proactive
- In addition, the Program Supervisor will monitor and provide guidance to ensure that the treatment approach throughout ITFC is cohesive and consistent with the program's philosophy and policy
- Responsible for the implementation of ITFC's on-call service, including sharing on-call duties
- Responsible for establishing positive working relationships with other community agencies that refer and support the children and families served by ITFC
- This may include serving on community boards or councils, informing other organizations of services provided by ITFC, finding areas of collaboration and mutual support, and in general working towards strengthening the interagency process in the service area
Family Service Specialist
Nelson County DSS
09.2019 - 03.2021
- Maintained confidential records and documentation in Oasis database.
- Demonstrated commitment to professional growth by attending relevant trainings, workshops, and conferences; continuously updating skills and knowledge within the family services field.
- Offered family crisis intervention to manage conflict and identify peaceful resolutions.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations by maintaining accurate documentation and timely reporting for all cases managed.
- Facilitated successful reunification between children and their birth parents through consistent support and evidence-based interventions.
- Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
- Developed and implemented programs to support children's mental health and well-being.
- Enhanced case management through regular monitoring, reviewing, and updating of individualized service plans.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Attended and participated staff meetings and training seminars.
- Built solid and trusting rapport with children and families, fostering trust and communication to meet case needs.
- Expedited permanency planning for children in foster care through diligent case management and effective collaboration with legal stakeholders.
- Increased family stability by providing crisis intervention and connecting them to appropriate community supports.
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
- Safeguarded children''s welfare through thorough risk assessments and timely interventions in high-risk cases.
- Improved family well-being by conducting comprehensive assessments and developing tailored service plans.
- Established strong partnerships with community organizations; working together to address systemic issues affecting families in the region.
Family Service Specialist
Amherst County DSS
08.2018 - 09.2019
- Maintained confidential records and documentation in [Type] database.
- Demonstrated commitment to professional growth by attending relevant trainings, workshops, and conferences; continuously updating skills and knowledge within the family services field.
- Ensured compliance with state regulations by maintaining accurate documentation and timely reporting for all cases managed.
- Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
- Enhanced case management through regular monitoring, reviewing, and updating of individualized service plans.
- Documented data and completed accurate updates to case records.
- Attended and participated staff meetings and training seminars.
- Expedited permanency planning for children in foster care through diligent case management and effective collaboration with legal stakeholders.
- Increased family stability by providing crisis intervention and connecting them to appropriate community supports.
- Maximized client engagement through proactive outreach efforts, including home visits, phone calls, and written correspondence.
- Contributed to program development, implementing new initiatives to better meet the evolving needs of families served.
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
- Identified and reported signs and symptoms of violence, abuse and neglect for immediate intervention and remediation.
- Promoted community resources to families, assisting them in accessing necessary services for their specific needs.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address complex family situations and deliver comprehensive care.
- Safeguarded children''s welfare through thorough risk assessments and timely interventions in high-risk cases.
- Improved family well-being by conducting comprehensive assessments and developing tailored service plans.
- Fostered positive connections between youth and caregivers by coordinating mentorship programs focused on relationship-building activities.
- Established strong partnerships with community organizations; working together to address systemic issues affecting families in the region.
- Facilitated successful reunification between children and their birth parents through consistent support and evidence-based interventions.
- Offered family crisis intervention to manage conflict and identify peaceful resolutions.
- Developed and implemented programs to support children's mental health and well-being.
- Intervened in crisis situations and counseled children experiencing emergencies and disruptive incidents.
Student Intern
Amherst County DSS
05.2018 - 08.2018
- Built professional relationships with colleagues at all levels within the organization, strengthening interpersonal communication skills during the internship experience.
- Sorted and organized files, spreadsheets, and reports.
- Reported back to instructor to receive day-to-day tasks and responsibilities.
- Communicated effectively with faculty and staff and accepted critiques and suggestions for areas of improvement.
- Gained exposure to various aspects of the industry through active participation in company events, workshops, and training sessions during the internship period.
- Enhanced internship experience by actively participating in team meetings and contributing valuable ideas.
- Developed time-management skills through balancing multiple assignments while consistently meeting deadlines during the internship period.
- Demonstrated adaptability by learning new software programs and tools quickly, enhancing overall efficiency within the intern role.
Parent Representative
Amherst County CSA
01.2017 - 08.2018
- Served as a liaison between families experiencing difficulties with the child welfare and educational setting, providing support throughout resolution processes.
Student Intern
Amherst County DSS
01.2017 - 03.2017
- As an intern I learned the role of CPS investigators, helped file paperwork, learned to dictate, and learned state policy
Education
Master's in M.A. - Human Services Counseling cognate in crisis response and trauma
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA10.2019
Bachelor's - Social Work
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA11.2018
Associate - General Studies
Central Virginia Community College
Lynchburg, VA05.2012
Skills
- Family engagement
- Child welfare expertise
- Multidisciplinary collaboration
- Court proceedings navigation
- Verbal communication
- Mental health support
- Therapeutic intervention
- Behavioral assessment
- Family reunification
- Needs assessment
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Time management
- Problem-solving abilities
Personal Information
Work Permit: Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Assessments
- Project timeline management, Proficient, 10/01/20, Prioritizing and allocating time to effectively achieve project deliverables
- Case management & social work, Proficient, 09/01/21, Determining client needs, providing support resources, and collaborating with clients and multidisciplinary teams
Certification
CANS certified
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Therapeutic Foster Care Supervisor
Intercept Health
03.2021 - Current
Family Service Specialist
Nelson County DSS
09.2019 - 03.2021
Family Service Specialist
Amherst County DSS
08.2018 - 09.2019
Student Intern
Amherst County DSS
05.2018 - 08.2018
Parent Representative
Amherst County CSA
01.2017 - 08.2018
Student Intern
Amherst County DSS
01.2017 - 03.2017
Bachelor's - Social Work
Liberty University
Associate - General Studies
Central Virginia Community College
Master's in M.A. - Human Services Counseling cognate in crisis response and trauma
Liberty University
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