Jennifer Fryman, LCSW

Department of Children and Family Services

State Central Register Call Center Supervisor- September 2024-Present

 As State Central Register Call Center Supervisor, directs the operations of the State Central Register Call Center for an assigned shift.
• Plans, supervises, reviews, and coordinates the activities of professional child welfare staff engaged in the receipt, evaluation, and documentation of reports of child abuse and neglect
• Provides necessary technical direction and guidance
• Explains Department policies, procedures, and state statutes to subordinate staff, field staff, community officials, and the general public
• Monitors and enforces compliance with the provisions of all applicable state or federal laws and Department rules and procedures
• Prepares and signs performance evaluations
• Determines and recommends staffing needs

• Assigns and reviews work
• Provides guidance and training to assigned staff
• Counsels staff regarding work performance
• Reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs
• Establishes annual goals and objectives
• Approves/disapproves time off requests
• Adjusts first level grievances
• Effectively recommends and imposes discipline, up to and including discharge

Establishes and implements an SCR-based program of staff development and training for subordinate staff
• Monitors to ensure staff attend Department-sponsored training sessions
• Conducts an annual assessment of training needs of subordinate staff, both on an individual and collective basis
• Evaluates group and individual effectiveness, independently acting to improve both
• Devises and implements methods and procedures for appropriate production control
• Arranges and conducts orientation and training programs for staff development

 Evaluates and approves reports of calls received
• Reviews reports for accuracy and completeness of information and compliance with Department policy
• Monitors calls to evaluate worker performance and assess training needs

Foster Care Licensing Representative – Child Welfare Advanced Specialist                                          July 2022- September 2024

• Manage cases by completing assessments to ensure families are in compliance with DCFS licensing standards and are prepared to care for children.
• Coordination with other units and staff including the Office of Professional Development, caseworkers, investigators, recruiters, court personnel and foster parent support specialists.
• Monitor licensed foster or adoptive homes to ensure licensing standards are upheld.
• Maintain and develop department relationships with foster parents, including assistance in planning for placements, obtaining appropriate resources to assist foster parents with the demands of fostering, and provide referrals for trainings.
• Conduct investigations relative to complaints about licensed foster/adoptive homes in accordance with the Child Care Act of Illinois. Assist families in developing corrective action plans; provides recommendations for licensing enforcement when appropriate.
• Maintain reports, statistics, records, and documentation of activities on a monthly basis or as needed. Maintain client records in accordance with federal and state statutes.

Attends and provides input into supervisory and administrative staff meetings to discuss and recommend policy and procedural changes
• Conducts unit meetings to discuss changes in procedures and policies, training issues, and Call Floor problems

Department of Children and Family Services                                                                                 January 2017-July 2022 

Child Protection Advanced Specialist                             

• Received and investigated reports of child abuse and neglect, within mandated time frames as outlined by DCFS policy and procedures.

• Conducted integrated and in-depth substance abuse, domestic violence, risk, and mental health assessments to determine immediate and ongoing safety of children and initiate appropriate levels of protection.
• Conducted home evaluations, obtained statements from alleged perpetrators, collateral contacts, and all members of the household including adults and children.
• Evaluated the preponderance of evidence gathered through the course of investigation to make a final and appropriate determination of abuse and neglect, based off DCFS procedures, in consultation with supervisor and area administrator. 
• Maintained ongoing communication to community professionals to obtain information for the purpose of making a determination of abuse or neglect and appropriate protection needs. 
• Timely completion of evaluations for community service needs and appropriate referrals based on identified needs, specialized, and geared towards the success of each family. 
• Conducted service assessments, prepared thorough investigative reports; selected, summarized, and presented case material for transfer to permanency caseworker or community agencies. 
• Determined the need for, and coordination of, placement of children in substitute care facilities. 
• Maintained professional relations and communication with community professionals such as law enforcement, states attorneys, physicians, mental health workers, Cook County Juvenile Court personnel, school personnel, and department employees. 
• Provided crisis and emergency interventions. 
• Attended and participated in forensic interviews, death reviews, appeal hearings Dupuy conferences, witness testimony, and multidisciplinary team meetings. 
• Completed four years of specialized investigations primarily working with serious harms cases including cases involving head injuries, internal injuries, burns, wounds, torture, sexual exploitation, sexual molestation, sexual penetration, failure to thrive, malnutrition, human trafficking, and death. 
• Intermittently supervised child protection workers in collaboration with the Area Administrator to uphold and maintain the safety of the children brought forth to the attention of the department. 
• Trained new employees and supervisors, in the field via observation, and hands on instruction of interview protocols, and department procedures, with detailed attention to obtaining the most accurate information for the evaluation of the safety of children based on the child’s age, and developmental abilities. 
• Completed ongoing quarterly presentations for the training of new protective services social work team members at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. Presented the mandated reporter training presentation for Loyola Academy with over 200 community professional in attendance. 

North Shore Senior Center                                                                                                          June 2014- January 2017

Adult Protection Specialist                                                                                                         January 2015-January 2017

• Provided assessment and intervention services to abused and/or neglected adults with disabilities and aging adults in the community.
• Conducted thorough assessments and investigations according to the Illinois Department on Aging procedures and all applicable regulations.
• Interviewed alleged victims, alleged perpetrators, and relevant others and worked towards risk reduction. In the event that risk management services could not prevent or stop ongoing abuse/neglect emergency interventions and supportive counseling were implemented in a timely manner.
• Provided an advanced level of case management services to individuals who have been abused, neglected, or financially exploited via community referrals, ongoing and frequent supervision of the individual at risk of abuse or neglect, and coordination of higher levels of care to ensure the ongoing safety of disabled and aging adult.
• Conducted unannounced home visits for each reported case of abuse in accordance with mandated response times. Evaluated client’s abilities to function in activities of daily living to determine how to support, encourage, and foster the client as they continued to age safely in the home environment, with respect, dignity, and assistance with daily needs. 
• Developed and monitored individualized case plans based on the needs of the aging or disabled adult, in coordination with supportive family or community members.
• Interviewed and provide supportive counseling to a diverse client base.
• Collaborated with a team of professionals, including physicians, social workers, law enforcement, attorneys, guardian ad litmus, Ombudsman, and other community members to resolve abusive situations.
• Attended and lead monthly Multidisciplinary Team (M–Team) meetings. Conducted presentations on the Adult Protective Services Act to community members and organizations including schools, hospitals, local senior buildings, law enforcement, etc.
• Complete statistical data and required paperwork in a timely manner.
• Complete all required documents and reports; solve problems related to billing and coordination of vendors as needed.
• Prepared requests for emergency orders of protections. Assisted disabled and aging adults to court and provided testimony and support in obtaining these orders in a timely and often emergent manner.
• Trained new employees on departmental protocols including the Illinois Adult Protective Services Act, proper interview techniques, and preparation of required documentation.

Case Manager

• Met face to face with clients and family members in the office, in their home or other sites in the community to conduct Comprehensive Care Coordination (CCC) assessments and gather required documents to identify client needs.
• Completed Medicaid applications; Spousal Impoverishment applications and performed related case management duties.
• Developed care plans based on individualized identified needs, provided client with list of community resources, and coordinated provision of these services. 
• Monitored services and client’s wellbeing to determine if a new provider is needed or Redetermination of Need should be conducted. 
• Completed all required documents and reports; solve problems related to billing and coordination of vendors as needed.
• Provides clients and family members with emotional support when indicated.
• Referrals to community agencies as appropriate.  Refers to Adult Protective Services (APS) agency when an abusive situation is present.
• Coordinated programs, such as LIHEAP, Money Management, Title III programs, Senior Advocacy, and support groups.
• Completed statistical data and required paperwork in a timely manner.
• Conducted monthly telephonic monitoring and quarterly home-visits, for clients deemed of higher vulnerability.
• Supervised new staff in the field and provided on-site training in accordance with the Illinois Department on Aging policy for CCC assessments and services. 

Certifications:

• CWEL Certified
• CPIS Certified

Gateway Foundation Alcohol & Drug Treatment                                                                          August 2013- May 2014

Intake Intern

• Conducted clinical drug and alcohol assessments.
• Worked with youth, adult, and dual-diagnosis populations.
• Screen potential clients and provide case management.
• Assessing clients expressed needs and develop treatment plans.
• Complete intensive outpatient transitional treatment planning.
• Incorporate treatment modalities including Motivational Interviewing, Strengths Perspective, Psychosocial Therapy, Task Centered Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy.
• Advocate for clients seeking coverage for treatment by performing precertification.
• Case management for an average of ten clients per week; with over three hundred clients biopsychosocial completed.
• Timely clinical documentation, correspondence with parole, probation, and DCFS caseworkers.

Northern Illinois Council on Alcohol and Substance Abuse                                                          July 2012-April 2013

Intern

• Conduct individualized counseling.
• Deliver substance abuse education and counseling using evidence- based treatments: Matrix, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Strengths Based, and Solution Focused interventions. 
• Timely clinical documentation, correspondence with parole, probation, and DCFS caseworkers
• Instruct, implement, and encourage new skill application to clients struggling with substance abuse.
• Clinical assessments, intakes, treatment planning, evaluations, follow-ups/reviews, discharge planning

Extracurricular Activities

Elderly Caregiver                                                                                                                                   December 2012-May 2013

Caregiver                                                                                                  

• Aid client with daily tasks. 
• Provide client with transportation. 
• Provide client with professional and respectful interactions. 

Odyssey Hospice                                                                                                                     February 2012- January 2013

Patient Care Volunteer

• Monitor patient’s comfort/ level of pain.
• Interact with patient on a weekly basis. 
• Partake in activities patient expressed interest in.

Skills

• Crisis Prevention and Intervention Certified 
• CPR Certified 
• Proficient in conversational Romanian
• Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 
• Excellent conversational and people skills