Karissa Phelps Email & Phone Number

Greater Philadelphia Area

I am working with the Temple Legal Aid Office to expand access to kinship care for child welfare-involved families and youth in Philadelphia.

Philadelphia, Pa

Philadelphia, Pa

Conducted intakes and client interviews. Counseled clients on options for legal remedies. Analyzed claims and conducted legal research. Wrote a variety of motions, petitions, and letters for court and other parties. Prepared for and participated in two Master’s custodial hearings. Worked with clients pursuing custody orders, filing for spousal support, and defending against a Protection From Abuse order. Completed a hearing of Involuntary Termination of Parental Rights. Engaged in case management.

Greater Philadelphia Area

Interviewed and counseled clients. Researched applicable immigration law. Completed client intakes and naturalization applications. Worked extensively on a U-Visa application and petitioned the police commissioner for certification of applicable crime.

Norristown, Pa

Coordinated with detectives, Assistant District Attorneys and DA Kevin Steele to prepare a major drug trafficking trial. Prepared and presented video and photo evidence and English transcripts with Spanish audio at a four-day jury trial. Intern for the Sex Crimes Unit. Observed court proceedings throughout the criminal process. Contacted witnesses to check their willingness to testify at trial and update on court proceedings. Conducted and synthesized case law research.

Norristown, Pa

Plan and conduct regular home visits with both English and Spanish speaking families with young children ages 0–3 and/or pregnant womenProvide relevant education to at-risk families on child/fetal development, parenting and healthConnect families to needed health care and other community resourcesHelp families identify family and child goals and support family in achieving identified goalsParticipate in community meetings, trainings, and outreach eventsOrganize and lead parent meetings and socializationsKeep thorough and accurate written records; submit all information through organizational database

Montgomery County, Pa

Support and advocacy to victims of domestic violence Assistance in obtaining emergency shelter Assistance in obtaining a Protection From Abuse (PFA) order Emotional support at all court appearances Follow up services after the initial call to provide continued support Liaison between victim and police department, District Attorney's office, etc. Domestic violence education and safety planning Referrals to appropriate resources (i.e. housing, counseling, childcare issues)

Montgomery County, Pa

Provides hotline callers with crisis and supportive counseling, information and referrals, and assistance with safety planning.Screens and admits hotline callers seeking shelter for domestic violence, properly documenting relevant information.Orients new residents to communal living and shelter life; sees that paperwork to be completed and/or signed by residents is done so properly.Conducts short intakes of women in shelter, properly documenting each.Provides women in shelter with one-on-one supportive/options counseling in such areas as goal planning, domestic violence education, safety planning, etc.Assists residents in working towards their goals by providing them with information on available resources and services; for example, housing, finances, health care, etc.Takes responsibility for the security of the shelter, its contents and the well-being of the women and their children.Ensures that all daily tasks get completed- all resident chores are completed by resident or staff.

Norristown, Pa

Intern at Laurel House in DART (Domestic Abuse Response Team) ProgramSupport and advocacy to victims of domestic violenceAssistance in obtaining emergency shelterAssistance in obtaining a Protection From Abuse (PFA) orderEmotional support at all court appearancesFollow up services after the initial call to provide continued supportLiaison between victim and police department, District Attorney's office, etc.Domestic violence education and safety planningReferrals to appropriate resources (i.e. housing, counseling, childcare issues)

Greater Philadelphia Area

Intern in PathwaysPA's Transitional Living Program for parenting and non-parenting homeless teenage girlsMeet with clients to discuss updates and review housing options for after dischargeOrganize a Resource Packet for clients at dischargeMeet with supervisor on a weekly basis to discuss practice issuesHelp agency prepare for and go through audit processRegularly complete online trainings

Ocean City, Nj

Mentored and counseled eight female students in pairsMet with students 1:1 to process and discuss issues that arose while at the ProjectHelped students find and secure summer jobsEncourage and coach students in peer leadership rolesLed a small group discussion on a weekly basis

Kea-Guffin

Managed a residence hall of 28 female residentsEncouraged, supported and counseled female students in personal issues from home and at schoolFacilitated conflict resolution, both between just two students and larger groupsConnected students to appropriate resources, such as the counseling center, the Resident Director, Student Aid office, and Student Resource Center

Doctor Of Law (Jd)

Master Of Social Work - Msw

Bachelor'S Degree

Master Of Social Work - Msw