Catherine VanDraska

Catherine VanDraska

School Age Assistant

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location of Catherine VanDraskaEly, Iowa, United States

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  • Timeline

  • About me

    Program Development Director at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids and East Central Iowa

  • Education

    • University of Iowa

      2018 - 2020
      Master's of Social Work Social Work
    • Iowa State University

      2013 - 2016
      Bachelor of Arts - BA Psychology with a Minor in Child, Adult, and Family Services
    • Iowa State University

      2013 - 2016
      Bachelor of Science - BS Sociology and Criminal Justice
    • Prairie High School

      2010 - 2013
  • Experience

    • All God's Children Preschool and Childcare

      Nov 2011 - Aug 2014
      School Age Assistant
    • AMES COMMUNITY PRESCHOOL CENTER

      Aug 2013 - May 2015
      School Age Assistant
    • Iowa State University

      Aug 2014 - May 2016
      Teaching Assistant for Intro to Sociology
    • YSS

      May 2016 - Jun 2018

      Supervised 20-25 direct care staff, interns, and volunteers and oversee the day to day programing of our Male and Female Residential Substance Abuse Treatment Programs.Staff and client scheduling and staff training.A member of the leadership team in charge of maintaining and improving the program. Developed weekly lesson plans to enhance communication on shift.Staff and Client scheduling.Coached staff in better supporting and leading youth to over all wellness. Creating a therapeutic environment where youth can feel safe and grow in their recovery.Guiding youth through daily programing and facilitating groups that help build healthy relationships, coping skills, independent living skills, and emotional development and maturity.Managing youth behaviors and using de-escalation techniques to ensure the youth are demonstrating appropriate and healthy behaviors.

      • Residential Operations Coordinator

        Sept 2017 - Jun 2018
      • Lead Youth Recovery Specialist

        Apr 2017 - Sept 2017
      • Youth Addictions Specialist

        May 2016 - May 2017
    • College Community Early Childhood Center

      Jul 2018 - Jan 2020
      School Age Coordinator

      Supervise 15-30 school age teachers and oversee the day to day programing of the before and after school and summer camp program.Student enrollment and family communication.Staff and student scheduling and staff training.Family support program development.

    • Area Substance Abuse Council

      Jan 2020 - Jun 2021
      Director Of Youth Services

      Oversee inpatient and outpatient services.Supervise and train the Lead Counselor, Counselors, Patient Support Staff Supervisor, and interns.Assess program referrals, intakes, and discharges.Monitor compliance with project, licensure, accreditation and grant requirements.Develop and maintain positive working relationships with community partners.

    • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central Iowa

      May 2021 - now
      Program Development Director
  • Licenses & Certifications

    • Licensed Master Social Worker

      Iowa Department of Public Health
      Jan 2020
  • Volunteer Experience

    • Practicum Supervisor

      Issued by University of Iowa School of Social Work
      University of Iowa School of Social WorkAssociated with Catherine VanDraska
    • Mentor

      Issued by Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central Iowa on Aug 2021
      Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cedar Rapids & East Central IowaAssociated with Catherine VanDraska
    • Board Member

      Issued by ImpactCR on Nov 2022
      ImpactCRAssociated with Catherine VanDraska