Vanessa Smith
Aurora
Summary
Behavioral health and human services professional with 10+ years in client intake, crisis intervention, and risk assessment across child welfare, treatment court, and community settings. Skilled at triaging high-volume caseloads, verifying eligibility across multiple electronic platforms, and coordinating care with hospital social workers, mental health providers, courts, and community partners. 4+ years fully remote. Trained in Mental Health First Aid and suicide prevention.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Tenant Advocate, Team Lead
Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP)
Denver, CO
02.2022 - Current
- Conduct high-volume intake interviews and screening assessments for individuals in housing crisis, identifying behavioral health, financial, and safety needs and determining program eligibility under same-day deadlines.
- Provide crisis-informed support and de-escalation, connecting clients with mental health services, behavioral health resources, and community providers; coordinate with landlords, attorneys, courts, and government agencies.
- Verify and reconcile client information across multiple electronic systems and databases, ensuring accuracy and compliance with funder and program requirements.
- Lead team operations: train and mentor new staff, facilitate team meetings, disseminate updated policies, and contribute to service-delivery improvements.
- Remote/Hybrid
Senior Social Caseworker III
Family Treatment Drug Court — Dept. of Human Services
Colorado Springs, CO
04.2021 - 02.2022
- Conduct ongoing behavioral health and risk assessments, monitoring treatment compliance and progress; applied crisis intervention with clients facing acute substance use and family stressors.
- Coordinated care with behavioral health providers, therapists, and legal, housing, and employment partners; prepared court reports under tight hearing deadlines.
- Managed high-volume phone communications and scheduled appointments across multiple providers, maintaining precise documentation in electronic case systems.
Senior Social Worker II — Child Welfare
Department of Human Services
Grand Junction, CO
10.2018 - 02.2021
- Conducted comprehensive safety, risk, mental health, and family-functioning assessments; built safety, treatment, and service plans based on clinical findings.
- Served on Red Team to triage and assess incoming referrals, applying clinical judgment to determine level of response.
- Collaborated with mental health professionals, healthcare providers, schools, law enforcement, attorneys, and community providers; trained new staff and supported policy implementation.
- Earlier: Student Advisor, Colorado Mesa University Advising Center — Grand Junction, CO (2013–2018). Intake, advising, and resource navigation in a high-volume student services environment.
Education
B.A. - Sociology, Minor in Social Work
Colorado Mesa University
01.2018
A.S. - Social Science
Colorado Mesa University
01.2016
Skills
- Behavioral Health Screening & Clinical Assessment
- Crisis Intervention & De-Escalation
- Risk Assessment & Safety Planning
- Client Intake & Eligibility Verification
- Phone-Based Triage & Remote Service Delivery
- EMR & Multi-Platform Documentation
- Care Coordination & Community Referrals
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Court Reporting
- High-Volume Caseload Management
Certification
- Certifications: Mental Health First Aid
- Suicide Prevention Assistance Training
- KIPS (Keys to Interactive Parenting Scale)
Timeline
Tenant Advocate, Team Lead
Community Economic Defense Project (CEDP)
02.2022 - Current
Senior Social Caseworker III
Family Treatment Drug Court — Dept. of Human Services
04.2021 - 02.2022
Senior Social Worker II — Child Welfare
Department of Human Services
10.2018 - 02.2021
A.S. - Social Science
Colorado Mesa University
B.A. - Sociology, Minor in Social Work
Colorado Mesa University