andrea bussiere

Advocated for children involved in custody hearings by exercising independent judgement, gathering information, reviewing documents, observing and interviewing children, parents, and caregivers, and participated in negotiations. Provided written and oral reports to the court regarding best interest of the child, including conclusions and recommendations. Coordinated meetings and appointments, kept detailed and accurate records.

Assisted elderly residents with daily cares and activities and transported residents to and from medical appointments. Facilitated communication between families and care providers, administered medications, and charted resident behaviors. Planned, shopped, and prepared homemade meals. Helped each resident to reach/maintain highest level of performance and independence.

Performed case management including intakes, social histories, interviews, background checks, matching clients with volunteers, and maintaining accurate and up to date records/case files. Recruited Bigs and Littles by setting up and speaking to business clubs, college faculty and students, and teachers/high school students. Attended health fairs and other events to promote agency. Coordinated and facilitated parenting education classes at local schools including Fond du Lac Head Start and Tribal College. Became an instructor for American Red Cross and taught CPR/First Aid classes to volunteers. Scheduled other trainings as assigned. Coordinated fundraisers in community to raise funds for the non-profit program. Produced a quarterly newsletter that reached 500 plus households. Assisted with grant writing, tracked data, and submitted grant report information using charts.

Supervised and monitored 30 residents who had serious and persistent mental health and/or chemical dependency diagnoses. Worked on site from Friday night to Sunday evening. Administered medication and charted resident behaviors. Reinforced house rules, organized meals, and supervised clean up crew and weekend volunteers.

Became familiar with all aspects of the Family Social Service unit, i.e, Child Protection/Alternative Response, Family-Based services, Family School Support, and Children's Mental Health. Attended staffing's, client/family meetings, home visits, and assessments. Evaluated the Carlton County Teen Pregnancy Prevention Panel Program and provided feedback to the team. Assisted with the Diversion program, attended REACH activities and Parallel Protection Process presentations.

Supervised high school students in a youth-run business and within youth center. Developed a one to one tutoring program; recruited, trained, and supervised volunteers. Established Homework Help Program within school hours. Developed program training and volunteer manual. Planned and prepared youth center activities and marketing strategies for student, parent, and volunteer involvement. Assisted with grant reports, tracking statistical data, and outreach to at-risk youth.

Supervised and trained workers in shipping and finishing department of a concrete statuary business. Monitored inventory; put in requests to production and finishing department for items needed. Assisted in finishing department as needed including airbrushing. Reviewed purchase orders daily, pulled items from shelf, prepared boxes, used foam dispensing machine to secure items, taped, labeled, and loaded boxes on truck.

Planned monthly calendar activities; theme, snacks, art, and large and small motor activities. Prep and facilitator of activities. Supervised small group activities for age 3 group. Prepared and conducted parent/teacher conferences. Carried out Director duties in her absence.

Launched licensed family child care program (infant-3rd grade) in walk out basement to street. Set up and designed space for preschool programming. Marketed to community. Planned monthly calendar activities including themes, art, snack, and small and large motor activities. Prepared meals and activities. Taught age appropriate independent skills and pre-kindergarten lessons. Attended trainings and maintained monthly budget. Supervised program aid/housekeeper.

Advocated and worked with persons of serious & persistent mental illness to reduce the need for hospitalization and improve socialization skills. Instructed independent living and pre-vocational skills, assisted with housing, and assistance benefits. Collaborated with multi-disciplinary team members to develop appropriate treatment plans. Planned and facilitated a men's group each week, supervised consumer-run Outreach Center, and chaired and participated in an Annual Mental Health Awareness Walk. Scheduled appointments, reviewed documents, maintained case files/records and filing, wrote correspondence, sent emails, entered data into extranet database.

Worked in partnership with hard to employ diverse families on welfare in Carlton County who faced a variety of hardships. The goal was to identify barriers to employment and work towards self-sufficiency. Administered assessments, coordinated referrals, established family and individual goals. Taught money management/budgeting skills. Assisted with resumes and job applications skills, and using job search engines to locate job openings. Assisted with transportation barriers such as getting a drivers license and /or approving funds/facilitating the purchase of a vehicle. Taught housekeeping and parenting as needed.

Planned and prepared themed monthly activities on a rotating schedule which included large and small group, art, and field trips for preschool children 2 1/2 -5 years old. Supervised afternoon program for 2 1/2 to age 12, including assistant teacher and program aid. Filled in for A.M Lead Teacher as needed. Daily contact with parents. Rotated planning, preparing, and leading family day programs. Directed yearly children's play. Planned one month of activities during summers for school-age program. Designed logo for marketing.

Set up a supported employment program in a rural area, modeling after an existing program at another facility and achieved CARF certification. Worked with adults diagnosed with serious & persistent mental illness to assist in employment opportunities. Met with employers in the community to develop positions specific to the needs and desires of individual consumers. Created a weekly job and employment related skills class designed to prepare for and maintain employment after hire. Provided job coaching and visits to job sites. Worked with employers to identify, modify, or eliminate barriers to employment or advancement. Placed 13 consumers in positions in first 6 months. Scheduled appointments, reviewed documents, maintained case files/records and filing, wrote correspondence, sent emails, entered data into extranet database.

May 2000 and 2001: Award of Academic Excellence and Scholarly Achievement

Activities and Societies: Student Senate- Secretary

1999: High Honors Certificate of Academic Achievement 1999: Outstanding Service to the College 1999: Outstanding Achievement in Community Service 1997-1998: Hard work and dedication to the Human Services Club Certificate of Appreciation 1997-1998: Human Services Club "Volunteer of the Year " Award Activities and Societies: Human Service Club Member, Phi Theta Kappa, Student Support PROP Program

2004-2005 Recipient of a Block Grant for Academic Excellence in the Master of Social Work program."]