Michelle M.Balon

EXPERIENCE https://michellebalon.modelingfolio.com/ 03/93-11/30/2020​ State of New Hampshire - NH Employment Program Manchester, NH Employment Counselor Specialist / Social Worker II ▪ Manage a rotating caseload of over 100 recipients of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), specializing in refugees and asylum-seekers. Assist victims of war, religious and political persecution to become independent in the United States. ▪ Assist low-income clients with integration into the community and self-sufficiency by providing life skills for employment, job readiness skills, job referrals, childcare resources, and referrals to counseling, educational, legal, and other social service programs. ▪ Collaborate with community agencies including providers of English for Speakers of Other Languages, Adult Basic Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Division of Youth and Family Services, Family Intervention, clothing closets and food pantries, homelessness and housing assistance, crisis intervention, domestic violence prevention, Emergency Assistance, and other appropriate community referrals. ▪ Implement policies and procedures of the NHEP within a tri-agency collaboration of NHES, DHHS and SNHS to provide services to diverse clients. ▪ Interview, assess and evaluate individual aptitudes, interests, abilities, work experience and education. Counsel individuals to identify and overcome barriers to employment. ▪ Develop, implement and monitor a career pathway and Employability Plan. Outline steps needed to achieve financial independence and self-sufficiency; re-evaluate plan on an on-going basis. ▪ Authorize and monitor expenditures of federal funds for training and support services. ▪ Plan and conduct orientations to inform participants of program benefits and responsibilities. ▪ Utilize multiple agency computer programs and systems to effectively implement NHEP policies and programs. ▪ Issue determinations regarding compliance that result in the loss or increase of TANF benefits. ▪ Maintain individual case records to comply with State and Federal regulations and policies, and research and write case summaries in preparation for NHEP fair hearings. ▪ Train and assist new team members to supplement formal training in NHEP. ▪ Develop and maintain positive public relations with employers, service providers and community organizations. ▪ 10/89–03/93 ​State of NH – Youth Development Center ​ Manchester, NH Youth Counselor ▪ Monitors residents to ensure a safe and secure environment free from assaults, attempted suicides and other potentially dangerous or fatal situations. ▪ Demonstrated ability to handle potentially volatile situation and physically subdues aggressive residents ▪ Records violations of the behavior management program in the appropriate sources according to facility policy and entered progress notes for entry into the case records. ▪ Operated and monitored surveillance and access control equipment in the Control Center and Operations Center of the secure facility. ▪ Assisted residents in appropriate activities if daily living, made rounds of the facility periodically as required and maintains a watch for fire, attempted escape, prohibited acts or dangerous behavior which could compromise the safety of the facility. ▪ Periodically Accompanied residents/students off-grounds to recreational or educational Activities, appointments, community agencies, private sector providers and police pick-ups. EDUCATION 1988-1991​Franklin Pierce College​ Rindge, NH Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Counseling 1988-1991​Saint Anselm’s College (consortium classes)​ Goffstown, NH 1987-1988​Anna Maria College​ Paxton, MA SKILLS Windows 7/XP/Vista, Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, New Heights, Bridges, Choices, Job Match System, Outlook, Building Reports, Outmeet, Adobe 7, Visio, AutoCAD LT, Visio, People Soft Justice of the Peace / Notary Public AWARDS 2009 Recognition of being the only NHEP Employment Counselor Specialist to have made 50% participation consecutively for 2 years straight 2007 Great Customer Service Award 2006 Certificate of Appreciation: The first person in the state of NH to reach participation rates of 50%, 60% and 70% in the State of NH 2005 Great Customer Service Award 2004 Outstanding Humanitarian Award: Presented by John A. Stephen, DHHS Commissioner and Terry R. Smith, DHHS/DFA Director I did some stuff with the Clyde Joy and the Country folks at show setting up and and some announcing and putting a wig on him on stage mostly at fairs at the band stand or arena. He did live show at his Circle 9 Ranch Clyde Joy and the County Folks for channel 9 until he sold in 89 and his Joy in the morning show on wmur until 74. I also help country music stars with waiting in them assisting them with bags Meals setting up and any other needs at the ranch. In my younger days some were Waylon Jenning Jessi Coulter Hank Williams Jr he was also friends with Sr Tex Ritter, Dusty Cal(Caltham Witham) LeeroyMoore and many many more. My nana Mazie was his Booking Agent and I assisted them both in free time until they stopped performing the year before his death in 09. I also was his care taker and took part in the Jamboree in his celebration that took place at the circle 9 ranch he built after he passed. In college I compete in body building did the 1000lb club competition pagents for college tuition while working full time at the kidding prison and attending school full time with a double major. It ended over a broken ankle on a squat rack training for a competition. I also used to bike with my bianchi 100 miles a day for fitness back in the day I am trying hard to get back in shape. I put on a lot of weight but in the last three years I have lost 220lbs and have had the lower skin removed the apron from my abdomen but not the skin from my legs so I do try to hide that untill I can afford to remove that and some loose on my arms. I want to share that I have some loose skin out the gate so wardrobe knows I need to conceal it a little. I do have more professional Photos done from Studio1 in Boston I can submit professional done. Lastly in college I did book on tape reading for extra money to be honest it has been so long I can’t remember the company but I speak and talk to people my entire life assess and evaluate so that’s a positive skill I have also done public speaking events in my field and was asked to a few comical speaking events after a project on motivational speaking someone really liked my impression of an evangelist I called reverend dicky dog. I thought I got the project wrong I got a standing ovation and two gigs books so lol. I was on stage more much younger but I have speaking and talking to people and evalating and understanding other cultures especially as I working primarily with refugees/asylee those that would have been put to death if they returned to there country. I helped then integrate learn English learn work skills get back to work. Learn the rules. I wrote programs I started out teaching the the state said my time would be better off in other ways so the programs were put out on rfp and other agency’s like mcrc and southern nh services manage them now. Nhep for the refugees is now longer active with the leadership. I was asked to retire when I put in my fmla paper for transplant.im glad now as my job was eliminated and I don’t want to work for what it has become. I do pt work as the Director for Southern Sudan Hope Foundation. One of my former client I guided to the point were she opened this foundation and school in Cairo Egypt for Souther Sudan refugee children in Egypt so they can go to school. I sponsor two children there. One I am given guardian ship and I hope someday to bring to the USA whe the war ends and policy on refugee changes and I can once being a orphan here that needs a mother all the time but al least she is in school and has someone watching her. I have a lot to offer I hope you consider me. I am driving from NH and paying for care for my elderly parents while away which is why I have a minimum it will cost me but I need the work and will do my best to listen and give you what you want. I’m very flexible. Oh and I’m also ADHD fyi yes on meds I had pesticide damage from liver transplant. Affected small area of brain which uses another part actually but adhd. Probably shared to much but being honest.