Curriculum Vitae
Joy Leftow, LCSW
phone: 212-569-4048
JLeftow@nyc.rr.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
School Social Worker, NYC Board of Education
District 4: Pre-K Social Worker, January 2004 – July 2007
Provide onsite support and guidance for the Pre-K population and staff
Conduct parent/guardian interviews for Pre-K registration and review files
Work with parents directly to provide ongoing support and offer resources
Lead Parent Workshops geared towards improving parenting skills
Observe children and write classroom anecdotes regularly
Supervise and coordinate projects with each school's family assistants
Document ongoing case histories and parent & child contacts for follow up
Beacon Program, Child Development Program at P.S. 8
Saturdays, Sept. 2006 - April 2007
Provide literacy training for 3 to 5 year olds and their parents
Provide a nurturing environment to encourage 7 & 8 year olds to learn writing skills
District 7 CPSE, (Committee on Pre-K Special Ed.) Sept. 2003 - Jan. 2004
Interview family and significant others to write initial and updates for social history
Reviewed Cases with CPSE administrator and generally assisted with outreach to parents, explained due rights process and CPSE procedures
Helped complete and organize required CPSE paperwork, generated computer list of aging out children, arranged CPSE conferences for parents, acted as liaison to early childhood agencies on behalf of parents to set up services for children, directed incoming phone calls and provided office assistance
Manhattan Clinical Service Division, February 1990 – June 2003
Provide mandated counseling as indicated on the child’s IEP, Progress Reports and complete all other mandated paperwork associated with services in a timely fashion
Help students at risk of dropping out to remain in school and achieve academic and vocational goals
Provide counseling to students with special educational needs who have learning and/or emotional disabilities
Act as nurturing role model to give high school students hope and to encourage them to seek greater future independence
Refer students to combination GED/Job training programs
Teach students appropriate social skills for various life functions
Perform crisis intervention
Use creative writing and other artistic means to enable students to express themselves
Lead group classes focused on learning and adapting life training skills
School for Pregnant and Parenting Teens, 1986 - 1990
Provided counseling to students, interacted and helped them get services for their babies, including applying for the LYFE Program or outside daycare, and worked with their families, boyfriends, and other involved individuals, making home visits as needed or as clients desire
Perform advocacy and liaison work with many agencies, including HRA, Medicaid, ACS, ACD, WIC, INS, hospitals, clinics, etc.
Compiled and maintained a comprehensive directory of resources to make timely appropriate referrals
Did onsite screening for Public Assistance and Medicaid
Carried out interventions in court actions and other agency actions
Accompanied students to other agencies to advocate for them and model behavior to teach children how to apply for various types services
Psychotherapist, Washington Square Institute for Mental Health, 1985 - 1990
Provided psychoanalytic psychotherapy
Received training, supervision and completed entire course work
Home of the Sages of Israel, (SNF) 1985 - 1986
Interviewed residents and families and wrote case histories
Helped residents and families learn eligibility guidelines for various services to which they may be entitled and taught them how to advocate for themselves
Promoted a social climate to stimulate and involve the aged residents and their families
Spence Chapin Intensive Services to Families and Children, 1984 - 1985
Maintained Uniform Case Records mandated by NYS
Manned a referral line for one morning weekly
Conducted home visits
Beth Israel Methadone Maintenance Program, 1983-1984
Provided counseling to multi-substance abusers and significant others
Worked on an interdisciplinary team responsible for maintaining adult drug abusers in a functional state
Led therapy group for female patients focused on life skills training
Skills Acquired:
Excellent writing, organizational and clerical skills
Speak conversational Spanish
Capability in researching grant programs
Familiar with various government and private social service programs
Effective public relations skills
Write and design attractive brochures, graduation and other type invitations, flyers, etc.
Computer literate, proficient with Macs and its programs for design including iPhoto, iTunes, and familiarity with graphic layouts
Excellent photography skills
EDUCATION:
M.A., Creative Writing Program, City University Graduate Program, 2001
M.S.W., School of Social Work, Columbia University, 1985
B.A., Anthropology, Columbia University, 1983
American Academy of Dramatic Arts, 1967 1968
AWARDS:
Higher Education Opportunity Program
Clark Fellowships
Rapp Fellowship
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Licensed Clinical Social Worker with R status
Approval from NYS Department of Health to provide Early Intervention Services
Tenured and Licensed NYC Department of Education Social Worker
Incorporated: JLeftow with S Chapter & Federal ID #
Licensed Notary Public
Retired July 1st, 2007 from the NYC Department of Education after 21 years
REFERENCES AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST