1. C R Y S T A L J . F I N N , L M S W
29361 Laurel Dr.| Farmington Hills, Michigan 48331 | 248-246-7758 | finnlmsw@aol.com
OBJECTIVE:
TO NUTURE AND INSPIRE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES BY PROVIDING GUIDANCE,
INSIGIGHT, AND RESOURCES; TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE, WHILE MAXIMIZING SELF-CONFIDENCE AND
INDEPENDENCE.
PERSONAL STATEMENT:
I BEGAN MY CAREER IN SOCIAL WORK 15 YEARS AGO. I WANTED TO ENHANCE THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND ASSIST
IN NURTURING THEIR GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT TOWARDS BECOMING PRODUCTIVE AND WELL-ADJUSTED
ADULTS. HAVING BEEN AFFORDED THIS OPPORTUNITY IN A VARIETY OF SETTINGS, I CONTINUE TO SEEK
CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO BE OF MAXIMUM SERVICE TO INDIVIDUALS IN NEED. MY DESIRE TO SERVE
OTHERS KEEPS ME SEEKING POSITIONS IN WHICH I CAN CONTINUE TO CHALLENGE MYSELF AND SHARE MY
KNOWLEDGE, COMPASSION AND SPIRIT OF HOPE TO STUDENTS IN NEED. I AM EAGER TO TAKE THESE EXPERIENCES
TO A NEW LEVEL IN AN EFFORT TO CONTINUE TO REACHING A WIDER SPECTRUM OF INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES.
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Plymouth Educational Center, Detroit, MI October 2010 to Present
I have been the lead social worker for the past five years of a K-12 charter school in the city of Detroit. This
position has entailed assessing the social/emotional needs of special education and general education students.
Using comprehensive psychosocial assessments I devise evidenced-based treatment plans to meet the specific
needs of each individual child These needs have ranged from social skills training for Autistic children to
individual and/or group therapy. I work with children struggling with self-esteem issues, gender identity,
depression, ADHD, self-mutilation, anger management and grief and loss; to name a few.
I have facilitated parent trainings to enhance their understanding of a variety of mental health issues. I also
share best practice methods of supporting students with special needs; as well as provide resources and support
to families in crisis through community referrals and direct consultation. As the case manager for all students
with social/emotional difficulties, I consult with staff and administrators through Multidisciplinary Team
Meeting. I further consult with administration on school-wide initiatives to reduce bullying and increase
responsibility and cooperation among students. This position requires a great deal of flexibility and
organization to meet the ever-changing demands of students, parents and administrators on a daily basis.
I have functioned as the special education coordinator during the interim period as my school sought a
permanent special education coordinator. I am also functioning as the 504 coordinator during this current year.
As the homeless coordinator for the district I also worked directly with numerous outside agencies to provide
information and community resources to families in need of temporary or permanent housing, financial
assistance or other quality of life needs.
Progressus Therapies, Tampa, FL, Birmingham Public Schools, Birmingham, MI Feb, 2010 to June 2010
While working as a long-term contractual employee for Progressus Therapies (a Florida based company) I was
assigned a position with the Birmingham, Mi public schools. This position required that I devised individual
educational support plans to enhance social/emotional functioning of special needs students. I was responsible
for diagnostic assessments, writing and implementation of goals and objectives, parent and teacher
collaboration, as well as consultation with outside agencies. I was able to provide individual and group therapy
to address behaviors that were counterproductive to building relationships and achieving academic and social
success.

2. Through whole classroom initiatives, I was able to address friendship skills, impulse control and bullying
prevention. I further worked with elementary age children with autism, in two self-contained classrooms. This
assignment afforded me the opportunity to utilize a multi-sensory approach to enhancing social/emotional
functioning.
M. J. Management – Summit Academy Schools, Romulus, MI Aug, 1999 to June 2009
During my ten years of employment with Summit Academy I work with K-12 student. This position entailed
assessing the social/emotional needs of special and general education students. It further required devising and
implementing individual treatment plans, to meet the specific educational need of each individual student.
These needs ranged from social skills training, at a classroom level, to individual and small group work with
children experiencing more cognitive and emotional needs. I conducted individual and group counseling
sessions for students suffering from depression, grief and loss, poor self-concept, and substance abuse. I further
addressed issues of self-mutilation, and anger management. I facilitated parent and staff educational trainings
to enhance their understanding of mental health issues, and provided information and resources to support
families in crisis.
I regularly consulted with administrators and staff to assess student progress and adjust behavioral plans as
needed. In an effort to increase responsibility and cooperation among student, I incorporated bully prevention
programs into school wide character building activities. As a member of the child study team, I provided
teacher guidance on how to accommodate students in their general education classrooms; always mindful of
state and federal guidelines. The position was fast paced and often crisis oriented. It required a tremendous
amount of flexibility, the ability to prioritize, effective communication, and strong organizational skills.
EE D U C A T I O ND U C A T I O N
Wayne State University May 1997
Masters of Social Work
Eastern Michigan University April 1996
Bachelors of Social Work
• Certificate of Achievement for Academic Excellence; April 1995
• Certificate of Achievement for Academic Excellence; March 1996
• Mary Richmond Award for Dedication to Social Work Practice; January 1995
Oakland County Community College June 1994
Associates in Applied Science; Social Work
MEMBERSHIPS
• National Association of Social Workers
• Michigan Association of School Social Workers
• Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society
PP R O F E S S I O N A LR O F E S S I O N A L RR E F E R E N C E SE F E R E N C E S
• Carol Fleming, Special Education Coordinator, Plymouth Ed. Center (313) 595-9298
Tyrone Kimbough, Special Education Teacher, Plymouth Education Center (734) 239-3998
• Erin Avery, Principal, Summit Academy High School (734) 955-1730
• Katie Gindin, Psychologist, Summit Academy Schools (734) 789-1428
• Melody Basta, Special Education Teacher, Toledo Public Schools (419) 282-0248
• Sherlyn Houk, Speech & Language Pathologist Summit, Academy Schools (734) 789-1428