Melissa Peacok

melissa ​peacock Bellingham, Washington-- Solutions based, compassionate social worker with over eight years of direct client experience. Skilled at client and community engagement. Exceptional at managing competing deadlines, multiple stakeholders, mediation, conflict resolution, and crisis triage. Excellent at creative problem solving. Strong written and verbal interpersonal communication skills. RECENT WORK EXPERIENCE SOCIAL WORKER​ |​ ​April 2020 - Present Washington State Department of Social and Health Services ● Conduct assessments to evaluate education, social history, living situation, employment history, and physical and mental status ● Develop individualized case plans to provide specific action steps as a result of assessment findings ● Collaborate with community resources for basic needs and referral sources for medical, mental, and chemical dependency treatment ● Routinely communicate with clients to set goals, share progress, and ensure their needs are being adequately met ● Provide services tailored to COVID-19, including referring clients to virtual social engagements, remote learning opportunities, and alternative childcare options ● Provide crisis triage to a variety of needs, including mental health emergencies, family violence, and crime victim advocacy CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES INVESTIGATOR​ |​ ​April 2018 - March 2020 Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families ● Met all casework management directives required by law, policy, and other mandates ● Performed advanced level work in the investigation of child abuse and neglect allegations and specialized case management ● Investigated allegations, assessed complex family situations, and developed plans to protect children either in their own homes or out of home care through the intervention of the court system ● Focused on understanding and respecting the strengths of families including their heritage, cultural beliefs and values, communication and learning styles EMPLOYMENT CASE MANAGER​ |​ ​October 2016 – April 2018 Community Action of Skagit County ● Provided intensive case management to resolve employment barriers for participants in the Community Jobs program ● Conducted intake interviews to assess clients for eligibility and to ensure a detailed employment and social history in order to identify available resources and interventions ● Planned, organized, and facilitated weekly job training workshops and skills labs ● Collaborated with community organizations to secure the best case plan for individual client needs ● Supported agency in launching the Basic Food Employment and Training (BFET) program EDUCATION BACHELOR OF ARTS, HUMAN SERVICES​ | September 2011 – December 2013 Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington ASSOCIATE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES WITH HONORS​ | September 2010 – August 2011 Whatcom Community College, Bellingham, Washington