Summer Gilliland
Marion
Summary
Dynamic professional with extensive experience in direct client support, crisis intervention, and advocacy. Proven ability to leverage effective communication and empathy to build trust and provide essential guidance. Demonstrated success in implementing impactful community outreach programs while fostering a supportive environment that empowers individuals. Committed to driving positive change and enhancing the well-being of diverse populations through dedicated service and collaboration.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Foster Care Licensing Social Worker
McDowell County DSS
Marion, NC
03.2023 - Current
- Review and process documentation for relicensing of foster parents, ensuring adherence to state guidelines and fostering stability in placements.
- Manage systematic arrangement of marketing and recruiting resources to facilitate recruitment processes.
- Oversee logistics and content delivery for pre-service orientation, ensuring a comprehensive introduction for new participants.
- Facilitate detailed information shared to enhance client service effectiveness.
- Perform in-depth evaluations and prepared written reports for potential foster parents, submitting findings to state authorities for assessment.
- Monitor foster parent activities and facilitated problem-solving to ensure a stable and supportive environment for children.
- Manage the systematic organization and updating of records and charts, aligning with agency and state policy mandates.
- Achieve successful recruitment and retention of foster homes through targeted outreach and support initiatives. Delivered thorough training and evaluations for foster parents, resulting in improved service quality and compliance.
Food Service Supervisor 1
Department of Public Safety
Swannanoa, NC
12.2015 - Current
- Guided and mentored subordinate staff through training sessions to foster skill development and professional growth.
- Cultivated strong relationships with colleagues by maintaining honesty and fulfilling all work obligations.
- Coordinated development and management of departmental plan to secure adequate staffing and streamline operational processes.
- Coordinated financial material organization and resource management to align with organizational objectives.
- Investigated and implemented solutions for identified procedural challenges to improve departmental processes.
- Achieved safety improvements through proactive crisis management and strategic safety planning.
- Coordinated daily activities for a shift of 40+ offenders, receiving commendations from leadership for exceptional organizational skills and work performance.
- Showcased reliability in public service roles, enhancing agency and state representation through credible conduct.
- Applied research methodologies to assess and interpret emerging trends and developments, ensuring informed decision-making in program evaluation.
- Prepared detailed daily, weekly, and monthly reports, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
Foster Care Social Worker
McDowell County DSS
Marion, NC
03.2022 - 03.2023
- Managed complex client cases to ensure effective support and resolution of issues.
- Work may involve providing treatment in group, family or individual therapy to clients of any age and/or with any developmental, mental, medical, financial, substance abuse or family problem including abused, neglected or homeless children.
- A Foster Care worker in Child Protective Services provides direct services to children and their families in an effort to reunify children with their families after removal from the family home as a result of abuse, neglect or dependency.
- A person in this position will be responsible for evaluating a family’s progress toward the goals of their Family Services Case Plan and evaluating the risk level in the home.
- Make monthly visits to the birth family’s home to evaluate progress toward the case plan goals.
- Make monthly visits to the foster home to ensure all needs are being met.
- Make telephone contacts with collateral sources, such as GAL, doctor, School etc.
- Prepare for court reviews, including writing court reports, preparing to testify and attending all necessary court proceedings.
- Complete case plans, risk assessments, and dictation for all cases.
- Make referrals to community resources.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of family dynamics to determine appropriate foster care placements.
- Developed individualized service plans in collaboration with families and external stakeholders.
- Facilitated training sessions for foster parents on child development and behavioral management techniques.
- Monitored progress of children in care, ensuring compliance with state regulations and policies.
- Advocated for children's needs during court hearings, providing detailed case reports to support legal decisions.
- Led interdisciplinary team meetings to strategize interventions and resource allocations for at-risk families.
- Implemented best practices for trauma-informed care within the agency's foster care program.
- Mentored junior social workers, enhancing their skills in case management and conflict resolution strategies.
- Provided transportation for children and parents to and from visits and court.
- Advocated for foster children by facilitating access to community resources and services to maximize safety and well-being of child.
- Assisted families in developing problem-solving and coping skills by providing counseling and referring to appropriate community agencies.
- Collaborated with case managers and community partners to deliver effective treatment and case collaboration.
- Implemented motivational interviewing skills to assess risk factors for child abuse and neglect, substance use, and intimate partner violence.
- Interviewed clients and verified all information provided to determine eligibility for assistance.
- Achieved family goals for [Number]% of clients by providing referrals, resources, and tools for assistance.
- Boosted satisfaction among foster parents through consistent communication, fostering trust between all parties involved in the child''s welfare.
- Advocated for the best interests of children during court hearings, contributing to favorable outcomes in custody disputes.
- Conducted home, school, and community visits to assigned clients to assess client's level of care and provide guidance towards meeting treatment goals.
- Provided crisis intervention services to address immediate safety concerns and prevent further escalation of issues within the family unit.
- Conducted thorough assessments of prospective foster homes to ensure suitability for child placements, maintaining strict adherence to state regulations.
- Reduced case backlog by efficiently managing a caseload of multiple families, prioritizing tasks based on urgency and complexity.
- Evaluated program effectiveness through regular review and analysis, implementing improvements as needed to ensure continued success in meeting the needs of foster youth and their families.
- Coordinated access to medical care for children in foster homes, ensuring their physical health needs were met consistently throughout their time in care.
Correctional Sergeant
Department of Public Safety
Swannanoa, NC
01.2015 - 12.2015
- Guided and supported subordinate staff in achieving departmental objectives and maintaining high performance standards.
- Managed shift allocations and performed assessments of staff to determine fitness for operational responsibilities.
- Conducted detailed evaluations and updates of time reports, duty rosters, and leave schedules to facilitate effective workforce management.
- Engaged in active communication to build and maintain supportive relationships within the organization.
- Developed and executed comprehensive safety planning and crisis management protocols to achieve offender stabilization.
- Compiled and finalized comprehensive documentation for written investigation reports, enhancing clarity and compliance.
- Facilitated prompt corrections and adjustments while ensuring follow-up to confirm complete resolution of resident issues.
- Facilitated timely transportation for emergency room visits and medical appointments, enhancing access to healthcare services. Streamlined community service work and managed logistics for mail, courier services, and pharmacy runs, ensuring efficient offender movement.
- Monitored offender movements and performed head counts to uphold safety standards and operational integrity.
Food Service Correctional Officer
Department of Public Safety
Swannanoa, NC
10.2010 - 01.2015
- Perform first-line supervisory in food service operations.
- Orientate staff and offenders to the food service department.
- Apply intervention techniques when needed.
- Responsible for setup, cleanliness and maintenance of food service department and equipment areas.
- Loading and unloading of facility supplies.
- Document and report all incidents to ensure proper protocols were followed.
- Knowledge of policies and procedures.
- Clearly and effectively communicate duties to offenders.
- Make sure offenders are adequately fed per their nutritional needs.
Correctional Officer
Department of Public Safety
Swannanoa, NC
08.2008 - 08.2010
- Monitor offender activities.
- Maintain security and accountability.
- Observe the conduct and behavior of offenders in order to prevent disturbance.
- Maintain a professional manner at all times in order to maintain peace and compliance.
- Inspect the facility and complete safety reports.
- Build relationships with staff and offenders.
- Perform random of security checks of offenders.
Education
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences -
Banner Elk
Banner Elk, NC12.2021
Associate in Applied Science - undefined
Morganton
Morganton, NC05.2019
Diploma - undefined
McDowell High School
Marion, NC05.2001
Skills
- Microsoft Suite
- Web navigation
- Email management
- Case Documentation Systems
- Virtual Meeting Platforms
- Data Tracking & Reporting Systems
Certification
- First-Aid, National CPR Foundation, October 2025
- CPR Certification, Marion, NC July 2019
- Crisis Intervention on Team Training, Marion, NC May 2017
- Certified Nurse Assistant Training, Marion, NC 2004
Timeline
Foster Care Licensing Social Worker
McDowell County DSS
03.2023 - Current
Foster Care Social Worker
McDowell County DSS
03.2022 - 03.2023
Food Service Supervisor 1
Department of Public Safety
12.2015 - Current
Correctional Sergeant
Department of Public Safety
01.2015 - 12.2015
Food Service Correctional Officer
Department of Public Safety
10.2010 - 01.2015
Correctional Officer
Department of Public Safety
08.2008 - 08.2010
Associate in Applied Science - undefined
Morganton
Diploma - undefined
McDowell High School
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences -
Banner Elk
HIGHLIGHTS OF QUALIFICATIONS
- Communicate effectively and establish supportive relationships.
- Analyze situations and determine appropriate actions.
- Effectively plan, prioritize, organize and keep records.
- Excellent organization and management skills.
- Strongly able to work under pressure.
- Good attention to details.
- Experienced in management.
- Ability to create and maintain dynamic work environment.
- Skilled in customer service.
- Ability to follow orders of management.
- Capability to understand and perform administrative duties.