Shurise Telesford
Mabelvale
Summary
Committed Behavioral Health Care Manager with substantial background in social work and professional mental health counseling, while providing support to vulnerable populations. Proven experience in developing and implementing programs that serve diverse communities.
Skilled in team leadership, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring projects meet both community needs and organizational goals. Successfully increased community participation and support through effective outreach, collaboration, and innovative solutions to complex social issues. Skills include crisis management, care coordination, and advocacy for clients' rights and needs.
Demonstrated ability to establish trust with clients and stakeholders while effectively managing high caseloads. Notable impact on improving client well-being through personalized care plans and resource allocation.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Behavioral Case Manager
Centene - Arkansas Total Care
Little Rock
11.2019 - Current
- Function as primary discharge planner and discharge planning coordinator for Healthcare plan members of state foster care system
- Provide case management for high risk members of Healthcare plan
- Identify and implement goals to achieve empowerment and improved quality of life for behavioral and physical health
- Assess level of functioning and develop member care plan according to needs
- Communicate with departmental and administrative staff to facilitate daily operations of discharge planning and case management duties
- Collaborate with medical and behavioral providers to ensure optimal care for Healthcare plan members
- Developed trusting relationships with social services, health care providers and governmental agencies.
- Collaborated with healthcare team to improve care quality, reduce costs and gauge patient progress.
- Identified barriers to client success and developed strategies to overcome them.
- Participated in professional development opportunities to stay current with best practices in case management.
- Utilized case management software and databases for efficient information tracking.
- Provided referrals to appropriate health care providers or other community resources.
- Maintained accurate case records and documentation according to agency guidelines.
- Assessed clients' needs, developed service plans and monitored progress towards goals.
- Developed and maintained relationships with community resources and service providers.
- Conducted initial assessments to determine client eligibility for programs and services.
- Educated clients about mental health conditions, medications and self-care techniques.
Social Work Student Intern Supervisor
Arkansas Juvenile Assessment and Treatment Center
Alexander
08.2015 - 11.2019
- Supervise intern students' assigned learning opportunities (student caseload, group facilitation, document accuracy)
- Meet regularly with intern to evaluate progress
- Review work for professional quality, completeness, and adherence to established policies
- Provides guidance in resolution of work problems
- Ensures maintenance of high professional standards
- Communicate with and report to student educational institute Field Liaison
Therapist/Therapeutic Manager
Arkansas Juvenile Assessment and Treatment Center
Alexander
04.2013 - 08.2019
- Primary Mental Health Therapist for all girls' housing treatment unit
- Conduct individual, family, and group therapy sessions according to residents' treatment plans
- Complete daily therapeutic notes documenting individual, family, and group therapy sessions using DARE format
- Construct resident treatment plans
- Trainer during facility New Hire class
- Trainer topics: Common mental health disorders in high risk population, Suicide prevention, Gender specific programming, Trauma Informed Care, Motivational Interviewing
- Verbally deescalate and intervene between troubled youth while using Handle with Care Primary Restraint Technique (PRT) and Motivational Interviewing
- Receive supervision and direction from Clinical Director
- Conduct employee interviews (Experience)
- Maintained accurate records of clinical activity in accordance with HIPAA guidelines.
- Developed individualized therapeutic interventions based on diagnosis and best practices in the field of mental health counseling.
- Wrote comprehensive goals and patient treatment plans.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure continuity of care for each client.
- Responded to emergency situations and provided crisis support.
- Participated in regular case reviews with other clinicians to discuss client progress.
- Collaborated with psychiatrists and other healthcare professionals to coordinate patient care.
- Provided crisis intervention services to individuals experiencing acute mental health issues.
- Facilitated group therapy sessions for clients with similar issues or diagnoses.
- Monitored client's progress throughout the course of therapy by tracking goals set in treatment plan.
- Provided crisis intervention services when needed.
- Provided psychoeducation on topics such as stress management, anger management, parenting skills.
- Attended trainings, workshops related to current trends in the field of psychology, mental health counseling.
Social Work Intern
Arkansas Juvenile Assessment and Treatment Center
Alexander
08.2012 - 04.2013
- Conduct individual therapy sessions according to youth designated treatment plans
- Conduct group therapy sessions as required and stated in youth treatment plan
- Complete therapeutic notes documenting individual and group therapy sessions using DARP format
- Shadow, observe, and receive supervision and direction from a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Volunteer Services Group Facilitator
Our House Inc - AmeriCorps VISTA
Little Rock
06.2012 - 08.2012
- Transport youth to summer camp activities
- Interact and engage with youth during camp activities and outings
- Created an environment that is conducive to open dialogue between all members of the group
- Developed and implemented group activities to encourage team building and communication skills.
- Assisted with conflict resolution within the group by providing constructive criticism when needed.
Social Work Intern
Pulaski County Juvenile Detention Center
Little Rock
08.2011 - 05.2012
- Interview clients and develop plans and assessments according to clients' needs
- Complete Progress Notes using BIRP format at the end of client sessions
- Receive supervision and direction from a Licensed Clinical Social Worker
- Reason for Leaving: Internship complete for school year 2011-2012
Mental Health Associate (MHA)
The Bridgeway
North Little Rock
11.2009 - 12.2011
- Supervise patients and patients' daily activities
- Take patient vital signs accurately, record, and report irregularities to Charge Nurse
- "Check In" newly admitted patients by taking vital signs, checking personal items for contraband and inappropriate attire, visually searching patients, collecting urine samples, and showing patients to their rooms
- Lead wrap-up groups/sessions that discuss the patients' overall group activity in the milieu and the review of previous group topics discussed during the day
- Keep environment and patients safe by checking patients during 15 minute rounds and recording behavior and actions accordingly
- Reason for Leaving: Became a full-time graduate student at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock
- Encouraged clients to express feelings and discuss happenings in life to help develop insight into themselves or relationships.
- Provided education about common signs and symptoms associated with different types of mental illnesses.
Youth Care Worker (YCW)
Piney Ridge Center
Fayetteville
05.2008 - 07.2009
- Supervise Residents (adolescents) as they complete regular daily tasks
- Deescalate and intervene between troubled and angry Residents
- Act as a mentor and positive role model to Residents in a therapeutic environment
- Record Residents' daily progress and behavioral methods accordingly
- Reason for Leaving: Relocated after graduation from the University of Arkansas
- Monitored the physical environment to ensure safety of clients and staff.
- Supported individuals by facilitating weekly group sessions.
- Encouraged completion of daily chores and personal hygiene practices.
- Transported youth to appointments or recreational activities as needed.
- Provided crisis intervention services, including de-escalation techniques to ensure safety for all involved.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy Student (PhD) - Psychology, Teaching
Walden University
Master of Social Work - Social Work
University of Arkansas
Little Rock, ARBachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, ARSkills
- Candidate Interviewing
- Crisis Intervention
- CPR Certified
- Microsoft Excel
- Motivational Interviewing
- Management
- Communication skills
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Mental Health Therapy
- New Hire Training
- Meeting Facilitation
- Documentation
- Powerpoint
- Organizational skills
- Group Therapy
- Mental Health
- Individual Counseling
- Microsoft Office
- Case Management
- Intake Assessment
- Addiction Counseling
- Social Work
- Risk assessment
- Case documentation
- Written communication
- Customer service
- Behavioral assessment
Certification
- Social Work License, LMSW
Personal Information
Work Permit: Authorized to work in the US for any employer
Skills And Training
- TF-CBT (Trauma Focused - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) Certified, 2014
- Motivational Interviewing, 2012 & 2013
- Handle With Care, 2012 - 2016
- CPR Training, 2008 - 2018
- First Aid Training, 2012 - 2018
- Crisis Prevention/CPI Training, 2009
- Satori Alternatives to Managing Aggressive Behavior/ SAMA Training, 2009
Timeline
Behavioral Case Manager
Centene - Arkansas Total Care
11.2019 - Current
Social Work Student Intern Supervisor
Arkansas Juvenile Assessment and Treatment Center
08.2015 - 11.2019
Therapist/Therapeutic Manager
Arkansas Juvenile Assessment and Treatment Center
04.2013 - 08.2019
Social Work Intern
Arkansas Juvenile Assessment and Treatment Center
08.2012 - 04.2013
Volunteer Services Group Facilitator
Our House Inc - AmeriCorps VISTA
06.2012 - 08.2012
Social Work Intern
Pulaski County Juvenile Detention Center
08.2011 - 05.2012
Mental Health Associate (MHA)
The Bridgeway
11.2009 - 12.2011
Youth Care Worker (YCW)
Piney Ridge Center
05.2008 - 07.2009
Doctor of Philosophy Student (PhD) - Psychology, Teaching
Walden University
Master of Social Work - Social Work
University of Arkansas
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
University of Arkansas