JoAnn Guthrie-Kelly
Raleigh,NC
Summary
Dedicated and compassionate Child Welfare and Adoption Professional with extensive experience in adoption services, foster care, and permanency planning. Expertise includes conducting thorough family assessments, licensing, home studies, pre-adoptive assessments, and child-specific recruitment. Proven ability to foster collaboration with DSS, DHHS, courts, community agencies, and families to promote children's safety and well-being while ensuring timely adoption finalization. Committed to advocating for children's rights and facilitating positive outcomes through comprehensive support and strategic partnerships.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Adoption Coordinator / Case Manager
Lutheran Services Carolinas
Raleigh
06.2022 - Current
- Performed detailed home studies and pre-adoptive evaluations to facilitate informed adoption decisions.
- Complete foster parent licensing, updates, and re-licensing requirements.
- Partnered with county DSS agencies, DHHS attorneys, and stakeholders to enhance service delivery.
- Developed and implemented recruitment plans tailored to children's needs while managing family matching efforts.
- Facilitated thorough reviews and evaluations of foster care placements to support effective case management and service delivery.
- Performed comprehensive assessments during monthly home visits, providing timely crisis intervention and support.
- Conducted thorough assessments and prepared detailed reports, recommendations, and court documentation to ensure compliance with legal standards.
- Attend court proceedings related to foster care and adoption cases.
- Coordinated necessary documentation and communication to assist families in completing adoption finalization.
- Maintain accurate case records and compliance documentation.
Curriculum Coordinator & Program Coordinator
Children's Lighthouse of Apex
Apex
03.2021 - 06.2022
- Coordinated and evaluated administrative functions of curriculum and professional development programs to ensure alignment with institutional goals.
- Coordinated and executed program schedules, effectively aligning resources with project timelines to achieve operational goals.
- Provided guidance and resources to educators in the application of effective intervention strategies.
- Implemented compliance measures to uphold state regulatory standards.
- Designed and implemented training sessions to enhance employee integration and performance.
Lead Virtual Kindergarten Teacher
Children's Lighthouse of West Cary
Cary
02.2021 - 03.2022
- Delivered virtual instruction to kindergarten students.
- Developed and implemented STEAM-based lesson plans.
- Maintained student records and monitored progress.
- Communicated regularly with families.
- Created an inclusive learning environment.
Education
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Early Childhood Education
Liberty University
Lynchburg, VA08.2024
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Human Services
Meredith College
Raleigh, NC05.2018
Skills
- Adoption services management
- Foster care support management
- Home Studies & Family Assessments
- Foster Home Licensing & Re-Licensing
- Child-Specific Recruitment
- Adoption Finalization & Court Documentation
- Family Matching & Placement Services
- Crisis Intervention & Support
- Child Welfare Documentation
- Collaboration with DSS & DHHS
- Trauma-Informed Practice
- Child Advocacy
- Case Management
Certification
- BSAC
- CPR/First Aid Certified
- North Carolina Early Childhood Credential
Timeline
Adoption Coordinator / Case Manager
Lutheran Services Carolinas
06.2022 - Current
Curriculum Coordinator & Program Coordinator
Children's Lighthouse of Apex
03.2021 - 06.2022
Lead Virtual Kindergarten Teacher
Children's Lighthouse of West Cary
02.2021 - 03.2022
Master of Education (M.Ed.) - Early Childhood Education
Liberty University
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Human Services
Meredith College