Mekyla Prince
Belleville
Summary
Motivated and compassionate MSW candidate with 3.5+ years of experience in the child welfare field. Specializing in supporting at-risk youth and families. Proven ability to collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and navigate complex systems to address individual and systemic needs. Seeking a clinical based internship to further develop therapeutic skills and advance a commitment to empowering and assisting vulnerable populations.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Foster Care Program Supervisor
Brightpoint
03.2024 - Current
- Provide reflective supervision and supervisory oversight to a team of Foster Care Specialists, Advanced Specialists and Lead Specialists.
- Supervise, oversee and provide case directory and guidance to over 60+ cases amongst foster care workers.
- Staff and implement case critical decisions, assess for safety, monitor case permanency progression and worker quality assurance/compliance.
- Facilitate regular team meetings to keep staff informed about updates, changes, or upcoming events related to the program.
- Demonstrate strong leadership skills under challenging circumstances, effectively managing team dynamics during periods of transition or high-stress environments.
- Evaluated program performance regularly, using data-driven insights to inform future decision-making processes.
- Enhance team productivity through effective delegation, task prioritization, and clear communication.
Graduate Behavioral Health Intern
One Hope United
12.2023 - 07.2024
- Efficiently managed caseloads while maintaining high quality care, prioritizing time-sensitive tasks according to clinical urgency.
- Identified potential barriers to successful treatment outcomes and developed strategies for overcoming these challenges in collaboration with clients and team members.
- Provided psychoeducation to clients and their families, increasing awareness of mental health issues and available resources for support.
- Worked closely with clinical supervisors to receive feedback and guidance on case management and treatment strategies.
Foster Care Lead Specialist
Brightpoint
09.2023 - 03.2024
- Assists with implementation of agency’s Foster Care training series for new staff.
- Provides supplemental training and leadership support to Specialists and Advanced
Specialists, as needed, including visit shadowing and availability for support and coaching
during regularly scheduled weekly office hours. - Maintains a reduced caseload of families who have a child(ren) in the care of the Illinois
Department of Children and Family Services due to an indicated investigation of abuse or
neglect. - Assumes responsibility for comprehensive and consistent engagement with families,
including needs assessment, service planning, case coordination, monitoring for child safety,
service brokerage, linkages with community resources, monitoring progress toward goals
and objectives, and making recommendations for ongoing services when necessary
Foster Care Specialist
BrightPoint
02.2021 - 09.2023
- Maintains a full caseload of families who are involved in the care of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services due to indicated abuse or neglect.
- Develops case plans with goals and objectives that are focused on addressing the needs of the youth and family.
- Prepares and completes required DCFS assessments and conducts visits to consistently assess for child well-being and safety in the foster home and/or home of biological parent.
- Actively works towards moving cases towards permanency and case closure.
- Prepares court reports, attends court hearings and provides testimony advocacy regarding placement decisions and the child and families best interest.
- Assumes responsibility for scheduling, attending and participating in Child and Family Team Meetings to assess and address strength's, case barriers and overall case functioning.
Undergraduate - School Counseling Intern
Lindbergh School District
02.2020 - 03.2020
- Assisted licensed school counselor in planning, implementing and evaluating student reports
- Attended and participated in school IEP and 504 Plan meetings to ensure academic and behavioral growth for students.
- Presented student crisis solutions under the supervision of a school counselor
- Maintained the confidentiality of student files and counseling sessions.
- Ability to present in an appropriate and professional ethical manner to students, staff and parents.
Document Management Services Clerk
Dearborn National Insurance Company
07.2019 - 12.2019
- Ability to read and interpret multiple dental claims and sort according to date and order of importance in a timely manner to meet company goals.
- Ability to use latest scanner, imaging software, high speed low/speed functions, and NEA X-Ray scanning.
- Operated mailroom functions such as using USPS post it mail machine for high document quantities, shipping priority UPS documents out and utilizing envelope stuffing machine.
Home Daycare Provider
Tiny Button's Nursery
06.2018 - 06.2019
- Managed daily activities and routines for up to 10 children in a home daycare setting.
- Planned and implemented age-appropriate activities such as arts, crafts, music, games, outdoor play and educational lessons.
- Maintained a safe environment for all children by adhering to safety regulations and procedures.
- Observed children's behavior and development, reported any concerns to parents or guardians.
- Kept detailed records of attendance, meals served, naps taken and other pertinent information related to each child's care.
- Provided nutritious snacks and meals according to established guidelines.
- Instructed children on proper hygiene habits such as hand washing and toileting practices.
- Organized nap time routines including changing diapers and clothing when necessary.
- Established positive relationships with families through regular communication regarding their child's progress.
Home Care Aide
Community Care Systems
03.2017 - 05.2019
- Maintained clean, safe and well-organized patient environment.
- Remained alert to problems or health issues of clients and competently responded.
- Scheduled and transported clients to medical appointments
- Assisted patients with handling hygiene-related tasks such as brushing teeth, bathing, grooming and toileting.
- Helped patients safely transition between sleeping surfaces and mobility assistance such as wheel-chairs by providing consistent support.
- Monitored progress and documented patient health changes to share with the healthcare team.
Education
Master's of Social Work -
Grand Canyon University
10.2025
Bachelor's of Sociology -
Harris Stowe State University
05.2020
Skills
- Organizational
- Case monitoring
- Problem solving
- Decision-making
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Reliability
- Active listening
- Teamwork
- Critical thinking
Accomplishments
- Inducted member of the National Honor Society of Leadership and Success.
Certification
- Child Welfare Employee Licensure (CWEL)
- Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol (CERAP) Certified
- Child Abuse and Neglect (CANS) Certified
- Placement Specialty Certified
Timeline
Foster Care Program Supervisor
Brightpoint
03.2024 - Current
Graduate Behavioral Health Intern
One Hope United
12.2023 - 07.2024
Foster Care Lead Specialist
Brightpoint
09.2023 - 03.2024
Foster Care Specialist
BrightPoint
02.2021 - 09.2023
Undergraduate - School Counseling Intern
Lindbergh School District
02.2020 - 03.2020
Document Management Services Clerk
Dearborn National Insurance Company
07.2019 - 12.2019
Home Daycare Provider
Tiny Button's Nursery
06.2018 - 06.2019
Home Care Aide
Community Care Systems
03.2017 - 05.2019
Master's of Social Work -
Grand Canyon University
Bachelor's of Sociology -
Harris Stowe State University
- Child Welfare Employee Licensure (CWEL)
- Child Endangerment Risk Assessment Protocol (CERAP) Certified
- Child Abuse and Neglect (CANS) Certified
- Placement Specialty Certified
Similar Profiles
Marian AndersonMarian Anderson
Birth Doula at BrightpointBirth Doula at Brightpoint
Nathan WassemNathan Wassem
Student Tutor at BrightpointStudent Tutor at Brightpoint
Janieka McCrackenJanieka McCracken
Assistant Teacher at BrightpointAssistant Teacher at Brightpoint