December 1, 2010

I am inquiring about an employment opportunity as advertised on www.NonProfitGig

s.com. I am diligently seeking a position where I can most effectively utilize
my therapeutic skills and social services expertise.
I received my Master of Arts Degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentratio
n in Marriage and Family Therapy at Argosy University in 2009. Prior to my tran
sfer to Argosy, I attended California State University, San Bernardino with a gr
aduate major in Rehabilitation Counseling. I received my Bachelor of Arts Degre
e in Sociology at University of California, Riverside in 2004. The following ar
e graduate courses that are applicable to the position to which you are recruit
ing: Maladaptive Behaviors/ Psychopathology, Appraisal and Assessment, Couples
and Family Counseling, Substance Abuse Counseling, Domestic Violence and Spouse
Abuse, Group Counseling, Career and Lifestyle Development, Social and Cultural
Diversity, Professional and Ethical Issues, Counseling Skills, Theories of Couns
eling Families and Individuals, Human Growth and Development, Clinical Psychopha
rmacology, and Research and Program Evaluation. Official transcripts are availa
ble.
My social work experience entails working with various populations with case man
agement and therapeutic needs. I have worked in social services for close to te
n years. My most recent experience entails working directly with the geriatric p
opulation. As a Case Manager at Inland Regional Center, I work primarily with i
ndividuals with developmental disabilities, psychiatric disabilities, individual
s with a history of substance abuse, and individuals with multiple medical condi
tions with specific healthcare needs. I am sincerely passionate about working
in social services. My goal is to provide person centered services and to enabl
e the individual to live a happy and healthy life by: 1) educating and empower i
ndividuals seeking help and those who assist them, 2) advocate and act as a liai
son, 3) assist in creating and maintaining a support system (both natural and pa
id), and collaborate with community agencies to help individuals achieve their g
oals.
My experience, apart from working with the populations previously mentioned, inc
lude working with children and adolescents in foster care and those with develop
mental disabilities. I have worked with individuals of various cultural backgro
unds, socio-economic status, and lifestyles. It is because of my diverse experi
ence in social services that I am particularly interested in an opportunity with
your agency. In addition to my work experience, I have made it a priority to b
e a proactive member in the community including hosting a seminar as well as con
ducting presentations in both school and work settings.
Respectfully,
Chanel Serano, M.A.

________________________________________
Graduate with M.A. in Counseling Psychology with concentration in Marriage Fami
ly Therapy, possessing counseling, social work, and case management experience.
________________________________________
EDUCATION:
09/2006-01/2009 Master of Arts, Counseling Psychology concentration in M
FT Argosy University, San Bernardino, California.
09/2005-6/2006 Master of Arts, Rehabilitation Counseling
California State University, San Bernardino, California.
09/1999-08/2004 Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
University of California, Riverside, California.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
May 2005 to Present Consumer Services Coordinator, CSC
INLAND REGIONAL CENTER, San Bernardino, CA
Maintain contact with 65-70 consumers, their families, Board and Care facilities
, skilled nursing facilities and support staff as required. Update quarterly and
annual consumer reports. Evaluate consumer progress and provide advocacy servic
es to consumers. Seek out and effectively utilize generic resources on behalf o
f consumers, perform family crisis intervention and maintain appropriate documen
tation. Perform CSC level facility audits to ensure consumer safety and assess
the level of care being provided. Investigate and complete special incidents w
ithin the caseload in a timely manner, coordinate consumer assessments including
medical, psychological/developmental, educational and vocational. Provide info
rmation and referral resources, complete placement and liaison activities as req
uired, and perform other additional duties as assigned by the Program Manager.
May 2009 to September 2010 Part time Social Worker
CHILDNET FOSTER FAMILY NETWORK, San Bernardino, CA
Provide social services to foster children, foster parents, and the natural fami
ly. Advocate for foster children. Provide supervision of foster family. Monit
or adherence to licensing regulations for foster home. Participation in the fos
ter childs academic program, individual treatment plans, and development/ coordi
nation of medical and psychological services for the placed child. Prepare requ
ired reports and submit all required reports to state licensing and placing agen
cy. Participate in assessment team meetings in order to discuss individual case
s, develop treatment goals and plan for eventual family reunification.
August 2008 to December 2008 MFT Trainee
ORCHID COURT, INC, San Bernardino, CA
Duties were to provide individual psychotherapy, group therapy, and crisis inter
vention for a 40 bed board and care facility for individuals with psychiatric di
sabilities. Psychiatric disabilities included Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, P
TST, Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Depression and individuals with various pe
rsonality disorders and history of drug and alcohol abuse.
January 2008-May 2008 MFT Trainee
HUMANISTIC COUNSELING CENTER, Moreno Valley, CA
My duties and responsibilities were to provide counseling services to foster chi
ldren and families in the foster care program. Provided support for certified h
omes and children in placement, communicated effectively and promptly with Count
y Social Workers as applicable, maintained caseload of five cases, including wel
l detailed and most current documentation, initial assessments, and completed qu
arterlies in a timely fashion.
February 2004- June 2005 Student Assistant
LANTERMAN DEVELOPMENTAL CENTER, Pomona, CA
Assisted adults with developmental disabilities in developing skills to ensure a
cademic achievement as well as promoted socialization skills. Enhanced the quali
ty of life for individuals with developmental disabilities and with co-occurring
disorders. Worked closely with families, educators, and mental health profess
ionals. Acted as liaison and advocate. Educated participants, families, and comm
unity agencies about this growing population and how to best assist them.
October 2004- May 2005 Social Worker
CAMELOT ADHC, Hemet, CA
Assisted adults with developmental, psychiatric, and medical disabilities. Assi
sted individuals with history of substance abuse, with matters pertaining to leg
al affairs, financial concerns, family dynamics, and living arrangements. Conduc
ted assessments, psycho socials, daily individual and group counseling, and eval
uated presence of abuse including but not limited to fiduciary abuse, sexual abu
se, physical abuse and neglect.
July 2001- April 2002 Socialization Coach
EASTER SEALS, San Bernardino, CA
Assisted and instructed children with autism in developing skills to ensure soci
al and academic achievement. Recorded individual progress and activity notes to
evaluate students advancement.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING:
Attended various training sessions and conferences covering topics including: m
ulticultural competency, mental health, domestic violence, ethics, community res
ources, mental health concerns of foster care youth, case management process, ri
sk management, counseling techniques, autism, epilepsy, mental retardation, unde
rstanding of developmental disabilities, rights of individuals with developmenta
l disabilities, HIPPA, CPR & First Aid (Certified), time management, advocacy, r
ehabilitation services and resources, assisted technology, Alzheimers disease, O
steoporosis, and nutrition for seniors.
Technical Skills: Proficiency in Microsoft Word; Power point; Access; Excel; Wo
rd Perfect; email; CC-mail; and Internet.