Tracylee O'Hara

Windermere has an Emerging Leaders Program

This program is a process where an employee is recommended and nominated by an employee in Management. It is an application process that i was successful in.

• Emerging Leaders is developed for future leaders by implementing mentoring programs and providing personalized career guidance.
• Emerging leaders are high achievers who show leadership potential.
• Applicants have a growth mindset
• Are a team player
• Wield latent influence
• Exhibit high potential

Initially my role in Integrated Family services was to provide an outreach service for families, children & young people with complex needs focusing on child safety stability & development.

· I provided effective support to consumers utilizing the Family Services aims, the Coaching Framework and the Service Practice Guidelines to assist with building parenting capacity.

· I demonstrated a flexible and creative work practice while undertaking ongoing analysis of the child’s safety and wellbeing in the care of their family, including an analysis of family functioning, capacity of parent and to make and maintain change

· I worked respectfully with families with reference to social, political, familial, and cultural restraints that impact on their parenting and family life.

· I demonstrated flexibly and collaborated with Child Protection and other agencies while providing a needs and risk assessment and developing and implementing an integrated service response.

· Undertook administrative and data collection responsibilities & participated in meetings relating to the management and development of the program.

My current role of Engagement Practitioner encompasses the coordination of all aspects of receiving referral, entry, engagement, and allocation of cases from The Orange Door and internal Windermere services to practitioners for commencement of outreach.

· I undertake risk and needs assessments, deliver short term case management, and provide an active holding function to children and families who are referred to the Family Services Program

· I work closely with the orange door, local schools, and child protection to enhance parenting capacity, family functioning and promote child safety stability and development.

· While on the priority waitlists I engage the consumer and implement the practitioner coaching framework to establish meaningful projects.

· I attend allocations meetings with Team leaders and assist in decision making of allocations of families to practitioners with prioritising needs of families and suitability of practitioners.

· I am the First point of call for families referred into IFS (from TOD and internally)

· I complete initial assessment call, followed by holding calls until allocation to an IFS practitioner.

· Delivery of early stages of Practitioner Coaching Framework, and rapidly identify potential projects.

· Conduct outreach sessions where identified or appropriate to support rapid engagement, concerns, or issues with engagement and joint CBCP or CP outreach visits with consumers.

· I have the ability to assess and respond to concerns for child safety and family violence.

· I develop collaborative relationships with other agencies providing client services.

My Role in Initial Assessment and Planning was to provide housing information and assistance to individuals, couples and families experiencing, or who are at risk of, homelessness's. I provided information, advice, advocacy and referral in response to the housing needs of people accessing the service.

• I have a well-developed understanding and ability to provide intensive support to people with complex needs
• Extensive knowledge of housing and homelessness
• Demonstrated experience, understanding and commitment to the social and political context of homelessness.
• Familiarity with private rental market and the Residential Tenancies Act
• Excellent customer service skills with a high level of confidence in dealing with people of various backgrounds
• High level of written, verbal and interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders
• Confidence and energy to handle difficult situations and customers.
• Crisis intervention
• Provide and manage financial assistance to obtain or keep accommodation.

My Role as Intake and Assessment worker was to coordinate all aspects of intake for the varying programs offered at ERMHA.

• I provided clear, concise and accurate information on ERMHA programs and the centralised intake process, including program eligibility and capacity
• Assessment and recommendation of referrals for relevant programs based upon eligibility
• Identify potential risks in relation to the behaviour of the client (suicide attempts, multiple presentations to ED., drug or alcohol issues, erratic anti-social behaviour or physical health) and coordinate the further development and implementation of risk management strategies or crisis plans as required
• Worked closely with our referral partners to inform of referral process, advise capacity and develop reciprocal referral opportunities
• Actively participated in activities associated with reflecting on the work of the program, building practice knowledge and contributing to continuous quality improvement
• Responded in a timely manner to Supportlink referral system
• Follow instruction regarding changes to the Mental Health Sector in relation to reforms and organisation change.

My first position at Wayss was to case manager clients on the Drug Treatment Order and work in a multidisciplinary team to assist in rehabilitation of drug court participants.

• Participate in case planning meetings Chair meeting/delegation of tasks/ action planning
• Make recommendations to the Drug Court Team consisting of Community Corrections, Legal Aid, Clinical Advisor from corrections, Police, AOD counsellors and Officers of the court including the Magistrate of Drug Court
• Be Accountable to the Drug Court Team
• Work within a dynamic team environment
• Attend network meetings and develop community supports
• Attend and assist in development of program planning days Implementing strategies to effectively communicate with the diverse court Work within a Case Management framework Complete Office Of Housing applications Address issues contributing to homelessness Continuous development of personal and professional skil
• Assessment, referral and support to Drug Court participants
• Empower clients to make appropriate decisions Develop case plans Advocate for staff and service users
• Work towards stable long term housing Work positively within a team to achieve team goals
• Develop group work for Drug court participants ( Money Minded and Careers) Work with the Drug Court Legislation and other industry specific legislation
• Attend and contribute to committee meetings for Occupational health and safety
• Working collaboratively with professionals
• Working with clients who are at risk of, or homeless
• Work with people who have complex needs and challenging behaviour Work with people in reintegrating them into the community Implement strategies to address offending behaviour/reduce risk of re offending Maintain client records and databases including paper files and CMS
• As a senior member of the team I have trained new staff and assisted to develop program guidelines as a tool to assist the process of induction
• I have also successfully developed proposals for client celebrations including Christmas celebrations.

• Linking residents with unmet needs to relevant support; Improving SRS staff capacity to meet the needs of their residents; and Increasing service sector knowledge and collaboration in relation to SRS’s
• Client work – assertive outreach, assessment, short-term case management and case work, referral and linkages, advocacy
• To develop an Individual Program Plan (IPP) and actively support clients to attain the outcomes stated
• SRS proprietors and staff – education, information provision, training, debriefing, negotiation Service Sector – establish and maintain networks, collaboration, information provision
• To ensure compliance with all Ermha policy and procedures and legislative requirements as they relate to record keeping and data collection
• To establish and maintain a network of professional relationships through respect, integrity, and consistency that will enhance outcomes for clients, careers and families
• To ensure that all services are delivered in accordance with relevant legislation and Ermha's operational policies and procedures

• Provide support to people who have come in contact with the criminal justice system
• Support clients who are subject to court orders Support people with intellectual disability, acquired brain injury, mental health diagnosis, drug/alcohol addictions
• Assist clients to correspond with State Trustees, attend VCAT hearings
• Support with decision making, problem solving and conflict resolution
• Attend case plan meetings
• Liaise with Case Managers, Corrections, Psychologists, Police, Supported Residential staff and other key stakeholders
• Assist clients to find/keep accommodation Assist clients with employment options
• Adhere to occupational health and safety standards Write Support Plans & Behaviour Management Plans, Exit letters
• Assist in the program development of policies and procedures