psy 492 e portfolio

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1 Undergraduate Studies EPortfolio Melissa Simmons B.A. Psychology Program, 2010

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Page 1: Psy 492  E Portfolio

1

Undergraduate Studies EPortfolio

Melissa SimmonsB.A. Psychology Program,

2010

Page 2: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Personal Statement

Growing up as a child, my father always told me, “Always be the best you can be and never experiment with drugs. If you do you will find your drug of choice and the end will be near.” I never forgot those words. I was always afraid of using drugs because I saw the impact it made on my family. I had several family members who were addicted to drugs. With the addiction came crime and pain. The pain was not only for them but for me and my family too. It was not until I was in first grade and had the D.A.R.E. people speak at my school that I truly understood what drugs were. At that point I started asking questions. I received lies. Things became worse and eventually I was left with the only choice I had, leave. I swore to myself that I would never be this way and would never put my children through a life of pain and misery. After this experience I realized that there was a different life out there for me. I moved with different family and I began to experience a normal childhood. It was then that I realized what a huge difference there is in people. Some people are nice, some are mean, some are addicted to drugs and some have multiple personalities. I was fascinated with this new concept. I always wondered why. I began to watch people when I was at the mall or a party. I noticed the different ways that people socialize and I wondered why. I decided to go to school to become an Alcohol and Drug Abuse counselor. I attended Fox Valley Technical College part time, worked full time at a group home for the mentally ill and raised my newborn son. I was a single parent and I was living with a lot of poor choices. I decided to change my life around and help people who suffer from addiction. My last semester of school, I attended an internship at Winnebago Mental Health Institute. I worked on a dual diagnosis unit. I found mental illness to be very intriguing after working at the group home. I worked my way up and became a manager of the group home and found that this work was very exhausting. After completing my internship, I realized that counseling was not the right path for me. I knew that I loved working with people and helping them, but this was not it. I graduated Fox Valley Technical College with a 3.75 GPA. I walked down the aisle with my head held high, as this was my first major accomplishment in life.

Page 3: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Personal Statement (cont.)

I received a wonderful opportunity to work at a homeless shelter. I realized that addiction and mental illness was not the only challenge that I liked. I just loved working with people. People are so different and I just like to make a difference. I became very close with the case managers at the homeless shelter and began to learn more about different ways to help people. I learned about resources in the community and challenges that can occur due to lack of resources. It was at this job that I was introduced to the criminal justice side of the spectrum. Although I had family members that dealt with crime and prison, I never realized what an impact it has on people’s lives. I went through some transition at this point in life; I was unsure of where my path would lead me. I moved to Colorado to be with family and found a job as a case manager at an outpatient facility for clients on probation and parole. I had no clue what the job entailed, but I took it. I figured I needed to experience as many populations as possible to truly determine what I wanted to do with my career. I worked at this facility for three years. Over time I met a lot of interesting people both professionally and personally. I became lead case manager and was in charge of state contracts with the Department of Corrections and Department of Criminal Justice. I worked one on one with many probation and parole officers in order to help clients succeed in their program. I admire many of the probation and parole officers that I worked with for their dedication to their clients. I decided that I loved case management because it gave me the authority to help people in need. While working I decided that my associates degree would not get me where I needed to be, so I applied at Argosy University for the bachelors in psychology program. I graduate in March of 2010 and have learned a lot from this program. I have managed to keep a 3.75 GPA while working full time and juggling buying a new home and raising my nine year old son. The struggles have only taught me that I can be the best as long as I put forth the effort. I recently received a new position as a case manager in the health care field. I love the job because it is helping people, but I feel like a part of me is lost. I feel as though my heart is in criminal justice and I miss the challenges that my previous position offered me. I am now seeking a position as a probation and/or parole officer. I feel that my passion lies in this field due to my previous experiences. All those years I was trying to figure out what population I enjoyed working with the most. What I realized is that criminal justice encompasses every population; addicts, mentally ill, homeless, juvenile, etc. I realize that people who commit crimes do it for different reasons. Every person’s story is different and I want to help them make the ending to their story a good one. I believe I can make a difference and also provide safety for the community at the same time. I realize that this job entails lots of challenges, but I am ready!With my experience and education in addiction and psychology, I know I have the skills to be accurate and successful as a probation/parole officer. I know that I can make a difference in the lives of individuals who have chosen the wrong path in life. By continuing my career in criminal justice I feel this will be, “being the best I can be.”

Page 4: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Resume (page 1)

Melissa Simmons 712 Evanston St - Aurora, CO 800011 - (720)-544-9654 (Cell) [email protected] Innovative professional with continuously profitable and rewarding experience in the Human Services, Criminal Justice, Assisted

Living, and Business industries. QualificationsStrong team motivator; excellent interpersonal skills with proven leadership and management capabilities. Member of Operations Committee. Author and develop Operations Manual for training current and new employees.Customer / Client Relations in a high-risk atmosphere; dealing with crisis and high stressed situations.Ability to perform in a fast-paced highly stressful environments; emphasis in multi-tasking, organization, and strong attention to

detail. CertificationsCPR/First aidNon Violent Crisis Intervention (NVCI)Risk ManagementCrisis Intervention ProtocolBlood Born PathogensCBRF Block I & IIEthics And BoundariesMedication Monitoring

Technical QualificationsWindows: 98, 2000, XP Microsoft: Word, PowerPoint Typing: 32 wpmAccutrax C-wise ICON Centricity 

Page 5: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Resume (Page 2)

EducationB.S. Psychology, Argosy UniversityExpected graduation March 3, 2010A.S. Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse, Fox Valley Technical College

– Class of 2005, Dean’s List

H.S. Diploma, Neenah High School– Class of 1999, GPA of 3.5, Graduated early with 28/21required credits

 Work Experience MCPN-Metro Community Provider Network August 2009-PresentAurora, CO Clinical Care CoordinatorAssist patients with their non medical needs in the community and in their home.Coordinate care with specialist and primary care doctors.Documentation in Centricity system on contact with patients.Home visits with providers to coordinate medical and non medical needs.  BI-Behavioral Interventions August 2006-August 2009Denver, CO DOC/DCJ Case managerCreated Behavior Change plans with clients. Install Electronic Home Monitors (EHM) on clients and explain monitoring process.Input client information into Accutrax system and C-Wise to maintain organization of records.Communicate with Probation and Parole officers on the clients status.Enforce rules of the facility and expectations of the clients. 

Page 6: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Resume (Page 3)

Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley June 2005-June 2006Appleton, WIHouse SupervisorAssist homeless individuals with goals, parenting, and daily life skillsMember of Operations Committee:

– Author and develop Operations Manual for training current and new employees.– Review and develop policies and procedures.– Review budget to determine needs of the shelter and community.– Member of Grievance Committee, sub-committee to Operations Committee.

Perform Intakes: Background Investigations, Service Point Entries: State of Wisconsin Database – entering all resident information obtained during intake process.

Community Relations: Constant communication and coordination with Police, State / County Probation & Parole, and County Case Workers.

Building Safety: Conduct room searches: safety hazards and various contraband - drugs, alcohol, weapons, etc. Winnebago County Mental Health October 2004-May 2005Oshkosh, WIAlcohol & Other Drug Abuse Counseling (AODA Intern)Facilitated Daily & Weekly Groups: Reflection Groups and documentation of 1:1 sessionsCo-Facilitated weekly groups:

– Relapse Prevention– Alcohol & Other Drug Abuse including 12 Step Program– Women’s Group focusing on Motherhood, Parenting, Life Consequences, Prostitution, and Self-esteem

Incident Reporting: Detailed documentation of Incidents including Confrontations and BehavioralSupervised general daily indoor/outdoor activities of patients       

Page 7: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Resume (Page 4)

Productive Living Systems June 2001-March 2005Oshkosh, WI Facility ManagerAssist mentally ill and developmentally disabled in daily life skills. Case management for 8-10 clients ranging from 24

hour supervision to independent living.Created training material on Borderline Personality DisorderReceived letter of recognition from Ozaukee County CaseworkerSupervision of 10-15 employees: New hire/terminations, disciplinary actions, training, scheduling, time cardsCrisis Specialist: 1 week every month (On Call)Community Relations: Constant communication and coordination with Police, State / County Probation & Parole,

and County Case Workers Community RelationsVolunteer – Oshkosh Rehabilitation Nursing Home – 2000

Page 8: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Professional References

ReferencesAnne LagunesOperations Manager, Emergency Shelter of the Fox Valley400 North Division StAppleton, WI 54911(920)[email protected] Ken WatsonProgram Director, MCPN11005 Ralston Rd Suite 100Arvada, CO 80004(303)[email protected] Sara HorriganDay Program Manager, Behavioral Interventions6400 Lookout RoadBoulder, CO 80031(303)[email protected]

Page 9: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Reflection

My journey at Argosy University has been one filled with many challenges and rewards. I have learned a lot about myself through this journey and exactly what I am capable of. I decided to attend Argosy because they took all my Associates degree credits and they offered the flexibility I needed as a single, working mother to attend online school . It took me exactly two years to complete the program and I found that attending online school was not only convenient but was a great way to learn on my terms. I learned how to manage my time better to achieve the workload of going to school full time as well as spend time with my family.

Over the course of the last two years , I learned that I am not the greatest person at applying theories of psychology by name. I know the theories and how to identify them, but prefer to mix them up to create my own style. I found that each theory of psychology has something I believe in and some things I do not. I think this degree has allowed me to expand my knowledge of psychology into a more personalized theory of my own. I feel I have achieved the skills that I need to have a successful career in whatever I chose to do. Who knows where the road may take me.

Page 10: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Table of Contents

Cognitive Abilities: Jury Selection

Research skills: The Effects of Addiction and Effective Treatment on the Criminal Justice System

Communication skills: Albert Fish

Knowledge of foundations of the field: The Death Penalty

Knowledge of applied psychology: The Second Chance for Freedom

Interpersonal Effectiveness: Women as a Minority in America

Page 11: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Critical Thinking

Cognitive Abilities: Jury Selection

Melissa SimmonsFebruary 12, 2010

 

Page 12: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Research Skills

Research skills: The Effects of Addiction and Effective Treatment on the Criminal Justice System

 Melissa SimmonsFebruary 18, 2010

 

Page 13: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Communication Skills

Communication skills: Albert Fish 

Melissa SimmonsJanuary 22, 2010

 

Page 14: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Knowledge of foundations of the field

Knowledge of foundations of the field:

The Death Penalty 

Melissa SimmonsJanuary 17, 2010

Page 15: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Knowledge of Applied Psychology

Knowledge of applied psychology:

The Second Chance for Freedom 

Melissa SimmonsFebruary 10, 2010

Page 16: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Interpersonal Effectiveness

Interpersonal Effectiveness: Women as a Minority in America 

Melissa SimmonsDecember 2, 2009

Page 17: Psy 492  E Portfolio

My Future in Learning

I am a firm believer that you are never to young or too old to learn. I plan on continuing my education as far as I can. I am thinking about continuing my education at Argosy University in the Masters of Forensic Psychology program. I am fascinated by forensic psychology and psychology in general. I plan on utilizing my current education by obtaining a career as a probation or parole officer. I believe with the education and experience I have obtained, I will be successful in my future career and education.

Page 18: Psy 492  E Portfolio

Contact Me

Thank you for viewing my ePortfolio.

For further information, please contact me at the e-

mail address below. [email protected]