Aliyah Anderson
Chicago
Summary
Dedicated justice professional with over 7 years of experience in corrections, juvenile justice, and social services, actively pursuing a career in probation. Expertise includes supervision, case management, conflict resolution, and assessments, complemented by a proven track record of guiding justice-involved individuals toward accountability and rehabilitation. Experience as a Corrections Leisure Activities Specialist and Juvenile Justice Specialist involves planning and supervising structured programs, enforcing compliance, de-escalating crises, and collaborating with community providers. Committed to balancing enforcement with support to promote positive behavioral change while ensuring safety in both facility and community settings. Holds a B.S. in Social Work and is dedicated to advancing the mission of the Adult Probation Department.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Corrections Leisure Activities Specialist (Bargaining Unit RC062)
Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
08.2024 - Current
- Assists in planning, development and implementation of cultural arts activities; disseminates bulletins pertaining to leisure activities to all institutional staff.
- Participate in planning and coordinating leisure activities, providing for resident, including safety and security both in the facility and on out-of-facility activities; professional knowledge is applied in tailoring activities to meet the needs and capabilities of individuals in the activities.
- Coordinates resident organizations and resident entertainment activities and outside entertainment coming into the correctional center; assists in obtaining volunteer services from communities and colleges.
- Provides instruction in skills and techniques, and supervision for corrections residents engaged in leisure activities (e.g., demonstrating how to use a pottery wheel, or how to referee a basketball game); officiates at intramural sports competitions and gym activities, and coordinates with visiting teams during scheduled sporting events.
- Monitors activities in the recreation center - table tennis, pool, weightlifting, games and puzzles - maintaining interest and safeguarding equipment.
- Assists in purchasing supplies and equipment associated with recreation activities from sports or arts and crafts supply catalogs, recommending or advising purchases.
- May record frequency and quality of resident participation in activities; submits written reports to the supervisor identifying any unusual or special incidents occurring in the Leisure Time Unit.
Juvenile Justice Specialist (Bargaining Unit RC006)
Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
01.2020 - 08.2024
- Assist in the supervision of the daily activities of youth including meal times, sleeping, recreation and work; discusses behavior of youth with supervisor; in accordance with agency rules and standards implements disciplinary measures and prepares behavior reports.
- Interacts with youth; facilitates group sessions to develop rapport with youth; reinforces appropriate communication and social skills to solve problems and conflict resolutions.
- Operates vehicles to transport youth; supervises movement to and from destinations inside and/or outside the facility grounds.
Senior Program Coordinator (Excellence Academy)
Children's Home and Aid
01.2019 - 01.2020
- Deliver training's, facilitate meetings and supervise young adults as a Senior Program Coordinator
- Implement financial and life skill classes to inner city youth on a variety of platforms.
- Complete initial assessment and service plan for clients and transition clients out of the program into age appropriate services.
- Streamline the process of creating a standard program handbook for the organization and organize training based on the handbook.
- Catalog successes of participants and follow up on the success of all participants.
- Delegate tasks to staff and volunteers during daily activities and organize events such as field trips, community events and fundraisers.
- Develop and schedule program activities in accordance with program needs.
- Implement effective ways to enhance the quality of services provided, gathering feedback from services rendered.
Residential Counselor (Rice Child and Family)
Children's Home and Aid
09.2017 - 01.2019
- Provide a consistent therapeutic environment for emotionally and behaviorally challenged children.
- Create, develop, and monitor individualized programming, conduct assessments, and ensure proper documentation of client progression.
- Reduce problem behaviors by teaching socially appropriate replacement behaviors.
- Teach academics, self-help skills, language and communication, fine and gross motor development, as well as social skills.
- Plan and implement the daily routine utilizing the innovative Rice Treatment Model.
Education
Bachelors - Social Work
Illinois State University
05.2017
Skills
Strong relationship-building abilities
Strong verbal and written communication
Conflict Resolution
Understanding of mental health issues
Restorative justice practices
Community resource coordination
Supervision of offenders
Case management
Documentation
Crisis intervention techniques
Fundamental firearm instruction
Effective team collaboration
Timeline
Corrections Leisure Activities Specialist (Bargaining Unit RC062)
Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
08.2024 - Current
Juvenile Justice Specialist (Bargaining Unit RC006)
Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
01.2020 - 08.2024
Senior Program Coordinator (Excellence Academy)
Children's Home and Aid
01.2019 - 01.2020
Residential Counselor (Rice Child and Family)
Children's Home and Aid
09.2017 - 01.2019
Bachelors - Social Work
Illinois State University
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