Tamika Collins

I completed my undergraduate studies at Delaware State University and my graduate studies at Montclair State University where I earned a degree in Child Advocacy and Policy. Additionally, I earned certificates in Child Advocacy and Policy and Substance Abuse Disorder. I am also a proud of member of The National Society of Leadership and Success.  

I have been working in the field of social services for 22+ years and throughout my career, I have had the pleasure of working for and with a diverse group of professionals, children, and families. Those interactions have taught me so much and they have helped me realize the importance of being culturally aware. As a supervisor working for New Jersey’s child protection agency, it is my responsibility to acknowledge, understand and embrace diversity, inclusiveness and belonging. I wanted to share a little about who I am and why I am so passionate about the work that I do.

Union County College, December 2024-Present

Adjunct Professor-Introduction to Sociology (online)

• Review and grade course material in a timely manner.
• Track attendance, performance, and other supporting course related documents.
• Uphold academic policies, procedures, academic integrity, and student conduct policy.
• Design and create an online teaching environment that encourages active participation.
• Create a syllabus that clearly defines grading policy, expectations, assignments, and schedules. 
• Prepare discussion questions, assignments, examinations, and projects that align with the course objectives.

Southern New Hampshire University, Online Learning, September 2024-Present

Adjunct Professor-Cultural Awareness and Online Learning

• Implement new learning concepts and engagement strategies in the classroom.
• Provide academic support and mentoring to students through online platforms.
• Teach the course in alignment with learning objectives outlined by the department.
• Utilize a variety of instructional tools and techniques including multimedia resources.
• Create and actively participate in online discussions, learning and connecting the classroom through online learning.

State of New Jersey, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, Newark, NJ April 2017-Present

Supervising Family Specialist II

• Manage, train, and mentor staff in delivery of family-centered services including intake, resource families, and permanency caseloads. 
• Develop cohesive teaming by supervising field visits, conducting training on policies and procedures, and ensuring regulatory compliance. 
• Engage in supervisory conferences, ongoing case reviews, and other quality improvement activities.
• Facilitate and implement strength-based family engagement, teaming, and individualized service plans.
• Supervise the delivery of social and protective services. 
• Assist intake staff with working with families to identify problems and help resolve challenges. 
• Utilize effective communication skills to deliver instruction to staff. 
• Build collaborative groups focused on accomplishing specific goals. 
• Provide ongoing training and complete performance evaluations.
• Conduct interviews for potential employees.

State of New Jersey, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, East Orange, NJ July 2016-April 2017

Family Service Specialist I-Permanency Worker

• Identified and implemented services for families based on their individual needs. 
• Conducted needs assessments to determine appropriate services for children and families. 
• Conducted monthly field visits with children and families to ensure continued safety and well-being. 
• Worked directly with children and families to help with developing and monitoring specific case plans. 
• Performed field visits and office activities involving the collection, assessing, and recording of specific facts. 
• Partnered with community-based organizations to develop strength-based strategies to help families achieve desired outcomes. 
• Assumed case management responsibilities for assigned clients including coordination of treatment, scheduling of services, and consulting with community agencies according to supervisory observation and record review.

State of New Jersey, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, East Orange, NJ December 2011-July 2016

Family Service Specialist I-Intake Worker

• Responded and investigated allegations of abuse and neglect using the Four Tier Model. 
• Conducted assessments and assessed the safety of children and families to identify services to meet the family’s needs.
• Arranged services for children and families. Monitored compliance and obtained reports from outside community partners. 
• Worked closely in conjunction with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and law enforcement regarding criminal cases involving extreme abuse and neglect of children. 
• Coordinated with internal and external partners to improve effectiveness, accessibility, cultural competence, and overall quality of services.

State of New Jersey, Division of Child Protection and Permanency, Essex County July 2013-August 2024

Essex County Special Response Unit Mentor

• Demonstrated how to make independent decisions to ensure the safety and well-being of children and families. 
• Explained and modeled ways to adhere to policies, rules and regulations governed by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency. 
• Trained and developed new and less experienced staff members on how to effectively respond to after-hour allegations of abuse and neglect. 
• Illustrated how to document reports accurately, proficiently, and effectively.

State of New Jersey, Division of Youth and Family Services, Maplewood, NJ October 2011-December 2011

Family Service Specialist II-Intake Worker

• Arranged services with community partners and monitored compliance.
• Investigated allegations of abuse and neglect and conducted child welfare assessments. 
• Provided in-home supervision to families to ensure safety, compliance, personal development, and growth. 
• Performed field and office duties that involved collecting, analyzing, and recording significant facts pertaining to families. 

State of New Jersey, Division of Youth and Family Services, Maplewood, NJ January 2009-October 2011

Family Service Specialist II-Adolescent Worker

• Effectively managed a specialized caseload of adolescent clients. 
• Performed field and office duties based on adolescents’ needs and well-being. 
• Arranged independent living, group home, residential, treatment home and foster care placements. 
• Developed and monitored appropriate case plans for adolescents which included helping to create and identify case goals and treatment needs. 
• Actively participated in monthly adolescent meetings, Family Team Meetings, emancipation conferences and family group conferences.

State of New Jersey, Division of Youth and Family Services, Essex County October 2008- August 2024

SPRU Worker (Special Response Unit)

• Independently worked and made critical decisions with minimal supervision.
• Responded to after-hours, weekends and holiday child abuse and neglect referrals. 
• Conducted assessments to ensure the immediate safety and well-being of children and families. Responsible for emergency intervention regarding after-hour allegations of abuse and neglect referrals.
• Conducted assessments and other field-related work after hours stemming from calls received from the State Central Registry. 

State of New Jersey, Division of Youth and Family Services, Maplewood, NJ April 2005-January 2009

Family Service Specialist II-Adolescent Worker

• Effectively managed a specialized caseload of adolescent clients. 
• Performed field and office duties based on the adolescents’ needs and well-being. 
• Investigated allegations of abuse and neglect and conducted child welfare assessments. 
• Arranged placement in independent living settings, group homes, residential homes, and treatment homes. 
• Developed and monitored appropriate case plans for adolescents which included helping to create and identify case goals and treatment needs. 
• Provided in-home supervision to adolescent clients to ensure safety, compliance, personal growth, and development.

State of New Jersey, Division of Child Youth and Family Services, Maplewood, NJ April 2004-April 2005

Family Service Specialist Trainee

• Investigated allegations of abuse and neglect. 
• Attended comprehensive in-service training programs. 
• Efficiently maintained and updated case records and databases. 
• Prepared a variety of reports for court and community partners. 
• Ensured safety, stability and wellbeing of children and families.

Master of Arts- May 2022, Child Advocacy and Policy, Montclair State University, Montclair, NJ

 Bachelor of Science- May 1996, Business Administration, Delaware State University, Dover, DE

CERTIFICATIONS

Child Advocacy and Policy: Montclair State University-August 2021

Annual Challenging Racism Conference: A Call to Action-DCF, Rutgers School of Social Work, Office of Continuing Education-June 2023

Substance Use Disorder Fellowship: A New Jersey Child Welfare Certification Program-December 2023