Mary Kwasny

Experience

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  Employment & Employer Services (E&ES)

  Sept 1997 - Dec 2014

  FamilyWorks (CHA) Housing Case Manager and Senior Coach/ Career Counselor/Training Service Manager

  Case Manager/Senior Coach· Coordinated/monitored services to caseload of up to 125 low-income families/individuals living in Uptown, Humboldt Park, Wicker Park and Northwest side of Chicago· Conducted home/office visits to assess daily living needs of family members - wellness (mental/ physical), social, educational/employment, financial, childcare and housing· Educated/advocated family members for available resources including child/youth activities· Built youth relationships and helped them enter Chicago Youth Summer Job programs· Utilized critical thinking, motivational interviewing and problem-solving skills to engage family members/seniors, develop goals and address clients’ needs, concerns/complaints· Referred clients to clinical case management/crisis intervention for mental health difficulties · Presented difficult cases to multi-disciplinary team to maximize services/promote most beneficial resultsCareer Counselor· Provided case management for 100+ caseload of dislocated workers/high risk low-income clients (age 19+) of diverse backgrounds, some of which were in crisis situations· Worked on WIA Welfare to Work contract at IETC/Chicago Workforce Center on Chicago Westside· Assisted adults to deal with limitations/barriers to employment (ex. medical problems, substance abuse, domestic violence, family problems)· Recruited clients at DHS offices; evaluated/promoted clients’ development of skills, abilities and school/career plans; coordinated school admissions/government financial aid acquisition· Implemented JRT training for resume/application writing, interviewing, job retention, and internet job search· Marketed clients to Fortune 500 corporations/promoted client job retentionTraining Services Manager· Facilitated daily operations of community-based employment Resource Center (700-800 visits/month)/Computer Tutorial Lab (250-300+ program visits/month)· Taught 30-hour trainings-Job Readiness, Customer Service and Manufacturing Basics Show less

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  Northwest Senior Services (Catholic Charities)

  Jan 2015 - Sept 2021

  Senior Care Coordinator II- last position/Coordinator of Intake, Outreach & Senior Medicare Patrol

  · Conducted Comprehensive Care Intake Assessments for Senior clients/spouses 60+yrs.-arranged for clients to get services for Community Care, Home Delivered Meals and/or Chore programs.· Processed Adult Protective Service/Self Neglect calls from social workers, police, nurses, banks and family for Seniors (60+)/Disabled Adults (18-59); interviewed reporters/composed APS/SN Intake Reports.· Provided Options Counseling for Seniors/their families (assist/support in long-term care planning, housing, etc.) · Coordinate Senior Medicare Patrol (anti-fraud) Presentations and CCNW Outreach events to six townships.· Referred to community services/resources: hotlines, legal assistance, financial assistance, food, etc.) Show less

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  Triton College

  Aug 2015 - May 2016

  English Second Language Adult Instructor

  Also taught from 10/2006 to 12/2010· Taught Basic Level and Level 1 ESL classes to primarily Hispanic and Eastern European students· Utilized multiple texts and resources to design engaging and relevant lessons· Demonstrated understanding of adult learning curve for acquisition of second language

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  GiGi's Playhouse Inc.- Down Syndrome Achievement Centers

  Jan 2018 - Jan 2019

  Social Work First Year Internship at Down Syndrome Achievement Center

  • Taught adults with Down syndrome (in their 20’s and 30’s) activities of daily living and vocational skills in community classroom setting (GiGi U). • Conducted training on personal and interpersonal communication skills and fostered group development. • Prepared students for internships in Playhouse café and community organizations.• Discussed students’ challenges and successes with supervisor and students’ parents. • Evaluated and documented each student’s progress and challenges in achieving GiGi U’s SMART goals. Show less

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  Evanston Township High School (ETHS)

  Jan 2019 - Jan 2020

  Social Work Second Year Internship-School Social Work

  • Conducted Psychosocial Assessments, Substance Abuse Assessments and Social Histories.• Assessed needs (medical, relational, education and physiological) and handled case management for pregnant and post-natal care for students.• Co-led Freshmen Social Skills group and Upper-Class Coping Skills group.• Assisted/supported teens dealing with social/emotional, academic and attendance difficulties.• Consulted with supervisor, teachers, staff, parents and students.

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  Firman Community Services

  Jan 2022 - Feb 2023

  Case Manager for Better Birth Outcome Program (BBOP)

  · Managed caseload of 60 IDHS contracted, pregnant women identified as High Risk by the Prenatal High Risk Assessment (707G) for illness, homelessness, financial need, domestic violence, etc.· Conducted psycho-social assessments and care plans for Prenatal and Post Partum women and their babies.· Monitored pregnancy progress through monthly phone interviews and post partum progress updates.· Communicated client status/needs to supervisor and doctor/ medical staff.· Referred to social service agencies for support services for mental/physical health, infant needs, WIC, etc.· Entered data for mothers and infants in IDHS Cornerstone Citrix database. Show less

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  Social Work p.r.n. (Midwest Care Management Services, Inc- contract assignment)

  Oct 2023 - Nov 2023

  Care Manager for Guardianship Clients

  Developed relationships and conducted Wellness Visits with senior clients in long-term care nursing facilities.Performed follow-up psycho-social, functional and medical assessments for clients with varying levels of dementia, mental illness or physical/cognitive disabilities.Discussed clients' levels of functioning and physical/psychological needs with nursing staff/physical therapist.Documented client status and needs in CRM software, reported client assessment to permanent Care Manager and communicated client functioning level to family member. Show less