Niki M. Grajewski, LCSW
Carterville
Summary
Knowledgeable Licensed Clinical Social Worker with strong background in providing compassionate and tailored care to youth and families. Known for achieving positive outcomes through personalized care plans and effective communication. Valued positive leadership and team collaborator focusing on quality improvement and problem-solving, ensuring high-quality support and satisfaction.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
System of Care Specialist/Team Lead
University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois
11.2021 - Current
- Consult and support Medicaid funded organizations via field coaching. Assist and lead team in development of curriculum based on data, needs of organizations, Medicaid criteria, and administrative rules. Assist organizations with implementation of Medicaid rules. Facilitate training to support system of care initiatives for community mental health organizations and other training as assigned. Use clinical skills and experience to support organizations’ employees and use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to answer questions and to define any gaps in service. Collaborate with workforce development, data team, research, and family advocates to develop curriculum and training materials. Support the System of Care team through providing leadership in coaching, training, and collaboration to fulfill desired project outcomes.
Clinical Manager/Grant Director
Centerstone
Carterville, Illinois
07.2017 - 11.2021
- Direct supervision of Bachelor and Master Level counselors and support staff in the Family Services community based program. Provide clinical consultation when necessary to address families’ needs. Provide training and support in adhering to Medicaid Administrative rules for service delivery and evidence best practices. Assist in program development, evaluation, training, and daily operations. Collaboration with community schools and stakeholders in the implementation of community-based services for children and families. Grant Director for a Trauma Informed System of Care grant to establish a system of care model of service for children and families with mental health needs. Focus on creating a collaborative, community based, family-focused, and trauma informed mental health service delivery system for a four-county region.
Director of Professional Development and Training
Hope Network Behavioral Health Services - West
Grand Rapids, Michigan
06.2015 - 07.2017
- Professional support of Master level Social Workers seeking licensure through both group and individual supervision. Utilization of program data to evaluate, development, and facilitate training curriculum for clinical, support, and direct support professionals. Certification in specific training formats, including A Culture of Gentleness, The Mandt System, Trauma Informed Services, LOCUS, and Assessing and Managing Suicide Risk (AMSR). Training compliance monitoring for behavioral health employees. Professional support and collaboration with behavioral health residential and outpatient programs to ensure quality of care and overall well-being of people served. Quality and Compliance audits to ensure programs are meeting CARF, local, and State required standards of care. Participation in CARF audits to ensure program and auditor support. Involvement in the Michigan Health Association of Training workgroup and committee.
Program Director
Hope Network Behavioral Health Services
Grand Rapids, Michigan
09.2010 - 06.2015
- Program administration and development to ensure appropriate services to children and families in the residential setting. Participate in budget development for programs, including making fiscally responsible budgetary changes when needed. Responsible for hiring, training, and ongoing supervision of both clinical and direct support staff. Ensure that clinical documentation meets the standards for local and state guidelines. Collaboration with The State of Michigan Department of Human Services, local school system, funders, and providers to ensure services are delivered according to regulatory guidelines and individual treatment needs. Assist with referral process for incoming children, including assessments. Provide training regarding Trauma Informed Practice and clinical methodologies to agency employees. Engage children and families served in trauma focused individual and group therapy. Collaboration with clinical and direct care team to deliver a strength based, trauma informed, behavior change program.
Program Manager
Southern Illinois Regional Social Services
Carbondale, Illinois
09.2007 - 09.2010
- Program development aimed at developing services for young adults transitioning from State of Illinois care to a State contracted independent living program. Collaborate with State of Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to ensure standards of care for children in services. Direct individual and group supervision of program staff, including hiring, corrective action, and staff development. Cross program collaboration to secure services and ensure quality of care for youth. Conduct and manage referral and intake process for program youth. Develop staff schedules. Provide on call crisis consultation services for the larger agency crisis team. Provide Master level supervision for agency staff working toward licensure. Complete weekly and monthly reports for state and agency partners. Direct supervision of case management staff following State mandated guidelines.
Case Manager
Southern Illinois Regional Social Services
Carbondale, Illinois
09.2007 - 11.2007
- Direct case management for youth involved in transitional living program. Assessment, treatment planning, and treatment plan review processes conducted according to Department of Children and Family Services requirements. Representation and support for youth at court appearances and case reviews. Collaborate with program direct care staff to ensure quality and consistency of care for youth. Manage on-call services for employees. Assist youth with goal setting and attainment of life skills through positive reinforcement using a strengths perspective.
Site/Case Manager
Hale Kipa, Inc.
Honolulu, Hawaii
09.2006 - 08.2007
- Direct individual and group supervision for staff. Assist youth with skills of daily living, including job searching, health maintenance, and educational planning. Utilize multi-system care for youth in program to ensure continuity of care. Assist in program development aimed at increasing independent living skills and acquisition of life skills. Perform administrative tasks and complete monthly and quarterly reports. Provide clinical consultation to staff as necessary. Collaborate with family, community, school, and State providers to ensure appropriate treatment and overall success for children and families.
Child and Adolescent Therapist
Southern Illinois Regional Social Services
Carbondale, Illinois
01.2005 - 06.2006
- Conduct individual, group, and family therapy in an outpatient setting. Provide youth substance abuse counseling. Collaboration with child’s treatment team to implement integrated treatment plans for children and families. Collaborate with local foster care agencies to provide stabilization services for youth in care. Organize and facilitate presentations to community schools on alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.
Prevention Specialist
Southern Illinois Regional Social Services
Carbondale, Illinois
01.2005 - 04.2005
- Facilitate “matches” for Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. Develop presentations relating to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs to present to community school systems.
Graduate Assistant
Child and Family Research Center, University of Illinois
Urbana, Illinois
07.2003 - 12.2004
- Conduct literature searches and develop bibliographies on topics related to social work and child welfare. Assist in the development of the Foster Youth Seen and Heard (FYSH) Program. Facilitate writing groups with young adults in State care. Work collaboratively with research staff and child welfare agencies to gather information and develop reports related to child welfare.
Education
MSW - Social Work
University of Illinois
Urbana-Champaign, Illinois08.2005
BA - University Studies, Minor, Psychology
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, Illinois05.2002
Skills
- Active listening skills
- Quality improvement
- Therapeutic techniques
- Assertiveness
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Multitasking and organization
- Strong ethics
- Team collaboration
- Verbal and written communication
- Behavioral support
- Care coordination
Accomplishments
• How Does Stress Management and Self-Care Fit within Wraparound? The Parallel Process in Action, The Training Institutes, National Harbor, Maryland, 2025
- Wraparound: Taylor's Version, Ignite Talk, The Training Institutes, National Harbor, Maryland, 2025
- National Wraparound Practitioner Certification, The National Center for Innovation and Excellence, 2021
- Managing and Adapting Practice: MAP Instructor, 2022
Certification
- Competency Based Wraparound Practitioner
- The Mandt System
- A Culture of Gentleness
- LOCUS
- Trauma Informed Care
- IM + CANS Trainer
- MAP Instructor
- Licensed Clinical social Worker – State of Illinois (2017 – Present)
- Licensed Michigan Social Worker – State of Michigan (2010 – 2017)
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker – State of Illinois (2007 – 2010)
- Licensed Child Welfare Specialist – State of Illinois
Professional References
- Alicia Nale, Quality Process Analyst, Centerstone, 630 842 8804
- Jean Alstat, Former Vice President of Clinical Services, Centerstone, 618 521 1566
- Sheldon Schwitek, Center for Positive Living Supports, In the Company of Others, Sheldon@incompanyofothers.com, 269 330 2305
Timeline
System of Care Specialist/Team Lead
University of Illinois
11.2021 - Current
Clinical Manager/Grant Director
Centerstone
07.2017 - 11.2021
Director of Professional Development and Training
Hope Network Behavioral Health Services - West
06.2015 - 07.2017
Program Director
Hope Network Behavioral Health Services
09.2010 - 06.2015
Program Manager
Southern Illinois Regional Social Services
09.2007 - 09.2010
Case Manager
Southern Illinois Regional Social Services
09.2007 - 11.2007
Site/Case Manager
Hale Kipa, Inc.
09.2006 - 08.2007
Child and Adolescent Therapist
Southern Illinois Regional Social Services
01.2005 - 06.2006
Prevention Specialist
Southern Illinois Regional Social Services
01.2005 - 04.2005
Graduate Assistant
Child and Family Research Center, University of Illinois
07.2003 - 12.2004
BA - University Studies, Minor, Psychology
Southern Illinois University
MSW - Social Work
University of Illinois