Erika Thompson

Experience

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  Jumpstart

  Jan 2006 - Jan 2007

  Volunteer Coordinator

  Recruited and trained volunteers to serve preschool children in local low-income neighborhoods within a program focused on language and literacy development and key social skills. • Recruited over 70 volunteers and program donors• Secured the Carter Partnership Award for success with the School Readiness for All Initiative• Communicated with teachers, principals and parents in order to fulfill students’ needs• Trained volunteers and corps members to practice various teaching methods for at-risk youth Show less

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  ROCKHARBOR Church

  Jan 2009 - Jan 2012

  Childcare Provider

  Provided quality care in the Early Childhood department while parents attended support groups.• Co-created the Kids Outlet curriculum for preschool children ages 3-5 – prepared and taught the weekly program including Bible lessons, music lessons, introduction to healthy nutrition and developmentally appropriate activities• Wrote and performed theater skits and scheduled guest speakers for Kids Outlet• Nurture and care for infants and conduct developmental screenings in the nursery• Communicate with parents to guarantee each family’s needs were met Show less

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  FRISTERS

  Jan 2010 - Jan 2015

  LifeCoach Program Coordinator

  Leadership role in support and education program for teenage mothers and their children. Program Management• Internship Supervisor • Manager of LifeCoach program implementation • Facilitator of LifeCoach program, Santa Ana 2013-2014 Client Care• Case management for high-risk teenage mothers• Crisis intervention and stabilization• Guided teen moms through goals setting process• Provided resources and made community referrals • Oversaw client intake and evaluation process for teen moms and their children• Co-developed and led the teen leadership development initiative “Big Sisters” and subsequentAlumni ProgramDevelopment• Administrative focus on organizational capacity and the creation of a strong internal structure • Spearheaded replication efforts and the creation of “The Fristers Formula” for success, organizing program information to enable the use of a franchise model, resulting in the launch of 4 additional locations • Created, organized, and led the first annual Chick Chat Conference • Launched and developed new program services • Created and developed new curriculum content for parenting and life skills classes • Created a multimedia resource libraryAdministration• Oversaw data management and created client database for longitudinal analysis of program outcomes• Managed external communications and community representation, handled incoming referrals, oversaw outreach and recruitment of both clients and service providers• Facilitated fundraising success, leading to steady growth and generating a 310% income increase over a 5-year period• Assisted with the grant application process - research, program analysis and statistical data production, writing LOI’s and proposal narratives Show less

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  Mercy House Living Centers

  Nov 2015 - May 2016

  Lead Case Manager - Family Redirection Program

  Provide immediate emergency shelter, wraparound services, and comprehensive case management for homeless families with children. Empower families to obtain stable, permanent housing.• Led and supervised the case management team towards effective client care with the implementation of comprehensive case management and wraparound services for homeless families• Provided individualized family support and intensive case management for homeless familiesin crisis• Performed asset-needs assessments and facilitated goal-setting with incoming client families• Ensured resource linkage to appropriate supportive services • Directed inter-agency collaborative solutions to aid clients in attaining long-term stability Show less

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  Olive Crest

  May 2016 - Jun 2018

  Advocate - Kinship Support Services Program

  Support the development of family-structure permanency by stabilizing and maintaining the placement of kinship children in the homes of relative caregivers. Recognized with the 2017 Emerald Award for exemplary commitment to strengthening children and families.Legal Advocacy• Provided assistance with filing court forms for dependency cases, adoption proceedings, probate guardianships, family law matters, and restraining orders• Oversaw each stage of the process for caregivers seeking probate guardianships from client intake through to completion of case; 100% success rate of probate guardianship petitions • Conducted family finding research in order to fulfill due diligence requirements and serving notice • Gathered and prepared evidence in complex and unique cases, including ICWA proceedings• Organized and maintained client records and privileged information in accordance with privacy regulations• Assisted caregivers with permanency planning and understanding their legal rights and responsibilities • Facilitated mediation for caregivers facing conflicts with child’s biological parents and extended relatives• Coached caregivers in informal arrangements to appropriately utilize caregiver’s affidavit and authorization lettersClient Care & Program Development • Delivered intensive case management and therapeutic TBRI in-home coaching; Stabilized youth in acute crisis • Implemented new systems and forms for best practices in case management, restructured intakes and assessments• Created and taught curriculum for parenting classes, life skills workshops for youth, and support group sessions• Coached clients through challenging family dynamics during placement transitions• Coordinated family focused events, holiday celebrations, and respite care opportunities Show less

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  Mercy House Living Centers

  Nov 2016 - May 2017

  Intake Coordinator - Family Redirection Program

  Served as the first point of contact for homeless families in crisis entering the shelter. Engaged each family member and created a warm and welcoming environment during a time of fear and distress. Protected client dignity through compassionate listening and meeting immediate physical needs.• Conducted client intake and assessment process for new families, oriented the family to the shelter program• Ensured thorough and accurate data collection with use of appropriate HMIS, CFCOC, and VI-SPDAT forms• Coordinated with community agencies, law enforcement, and social services to ensure safe entry for new families• Supported the logistics team in daily shelter operations Show less

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  Mercy House Living Centers

  Jul 2018 - Dec 2020

  Housing Navigator | Logistics Coordinator

  Ensure success within various local emergency shelters while preserving the dignity of homeless individuals and families.• Provide case management services to homeless families in crisis • Assist clients in identifying stable housing within the confines of rigid time constraints and limited resources • Execute essential daily operations and attend to the needs of a diverse client population

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  Envista Holdings Corporation

  Dec 2020 - now

  Legal Clerk