Denise Montford, MSW, ACSW, LCSW

photo of Denise Montford
Social Work
Program Coordinator
Teaching Faculty II
Holley A211-E
Phone
(850) 770-2227
Office Hours

Tuesday: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday: noon - 2 p.m.
Thursday: 4 - 5 p.m.

CURRICULUM VITAE

EDUCATION

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA, Columbia, SC
MS Social Work, 1989

AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Auburn, AL
BA Psychology, 1985

LICENSURES & CERTIFICATIONS
STATE OF ALABAMA: Licensed Certified Social Worker, 2006 -­ Present
STATE OF FLORIDA: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, 1994 -­ Present
THE ACADEMY OF TRAUMATOLOGY, Tallahassee, FL
Field Traumatologist, 2005 -­ 2009
UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA, Tuscaloosa, AL
Thanatology Certificate Program, 2002

CAREER PATH
OMEGA HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS, Panama City, FL 07.16 – 07.17
Field Care Manager
• Provide in-­home care management to clients who are enrolled in Humana health plan.
• Conduct assessments to identify problems, eligibility for assistance and need for services.
• Develop professional care plan in collaboration with the multidisciplinary team.
• Generate thorough/ timely documentation per organization’s guidelines.
• Model effective time management/communication skills and ability to work independently or with a team under general instructions.
• Computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and navigating the internet.

FLORIDA THERAPY SERVICES, INC., Panama City, FL 09.15 -­ Present
Licensed Contract Therapist
• Provide counseling services to clients from wide range of ethnic backgrounds.
• Conduct assessment, brief therapy, referral, and follow-­up to children, adolescents, and adults. 
• Develop diagnostic profiles/treatment plans to address clients’ therapeutic needs.
• Generate thorough/timely documentation per organization’s guidelines.  
• Model effective time management/communication skills.  
• Computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and navigating the internet.
 
ANGEL HOUSE BEREAVEMENT CENTER, Panama City, FL
Vice President/Director of Adult Services (Co-­Founder)  1.15 -­ Present
• Serve as both agency administrator and therapist.
• Provide bereavement counseling services to clients from wide range of ethnic backgrounds.
• Conduct bereavement assessment, brief therapy, referral, and follow-­up to children,  adolescents, and adults.
• Develop diagnostic profiles/treatment plans to address clients’ therapeutic needs related to loss.  
• Supervise Registered Clinical Social Worker Interns and Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns for licensure as well as student interns in both social work and counseling. 
• Computer literate with proficiency in Microsoft applications: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and navigating the internet.
 
FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY, Panama City, FL      06.07 -­ Present
Adjunct Instructor
• SOW 4360 -­ Social Work Practice II, Fall 2016/2015, Spring 2014/2013/2012/2011/2010/2009/2008, Summer 2007
• SOW 4620 -­ Diversity in Social Work, Fall 2016/2015/2014/2013/2012/2011/2010
• SOW 5535 -­ Field Education II, Spring 2017/2016, Summer 2016
• SOW 4290 – Ethical Issues in Social Work Practice, Spring 2017

COVENANT HOSPICE, Panama City, FL            07.96 -­ 01.15
Clinical Care Specialist, 09/08 -­ 01/15
Clinical Education Preceptor, 03/07 -­ 09/08

Bereavement/Social Work Program Coordinator, 07/04 -­ 03/07
• Supervised Registered Clinical Social Worker Interns for licensure as well as BSW/MS student interns.
• Utilized extensive knowledge base of Medicaid, Medicare, and state policies governing public assistance facilities.
• Evaluated/advised clinical team on psychological needs and appropriateness of services for potential clients/patients.
• Led grief support groups, workshops, and in-­services. 
• Conducted numerous community presentations concerning Hospice services and end-­of-­life care. 
• Provided in-­services to staff on various topics related to end-­of-­life care.
• Conducted orientation and training to new staff members on hospice philosophy, policies, procedures, documentation and electronic medical record (EMR, Allscripts). 
• Conducted home/office visits with social work and bereavement staff for initial competencies and annual evaluations. 
• Served as mentor and resource person for social service staff;; and advisor to leaders regarding psychosocial and bereavement issues.
• Collaborated with staff in coordination of patient care. 
• Presented ongoing education on disease processes and other health related matters to members/families. 
• Interfaced with patients’ physician(s) and other disciplines to ensure best practices in health care and best practice in social work.
• Generated thorough/timely documentation as per company’s guidelines. 
• Traveled up to 50-­75% of time in assigned territory.  
• Performed any other duties as requested by organization’s job requirements.
• Modeled effective time management, communication skills, and ability to work independently and with team under general instructions

Social Worker/Bereavement Specialist, 07/96 -­ 07/04
• Performed initial psychosocial assessments for patients admitted to Hospice care.
• Conducted bi-­weekly home visits with patients/families to assess needs and provide emotional support counseling for end-­of-­life care. Assisted with completion of advance directives/funeral planning. 
• Provided bereavement support and counseling to children, adolescents, and adults following death of loved one.
• Provided counseling services to clients/patients from wide range of ethnic backgrounds.
• Conducted individual group/family sessions;; facilitated support groups;; provided training on grief/loss issues to bereaved individuals, community professionals, and Hospice staff; and conducted initial assessment to determine risk/needs for bereaved individuals.
• Led grief support groups, workshops, and in-­services. 
• Conducted numerous community presentations concerning Hospice services.  
• Organized/coordinated annual Hospice Remembrance Celebration.
• Provided counseling/support services to terminally ill patients/families and residents/families of nursing home facilities. 

UNIVERSITY OF WEST FLORIDA AT CHIPOLA, Marianna, FL  08.04 -­ 04.06
Adjunct Instructor
• SOW4233 -­ Seminar in Social Justice, Action & Policy, Spring 2006/2005
• SOW4332 -­ Strategies for Change Community Organization & Development, Fall 2004 /2005   

APOGEE, Panama City, FL 02.95 -­ 07.96
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Provided individual/group therapy to residents in long-­term care facilities. 
• Trained facility staff on various issues related to geriatric care.
• Facilitated group therapy for geriatric residents. 
• Coordinated/led staff in-­services concerning nursing home issues.  
• Provided counseling services to clients/patients from wide range of ethnic backgrounds.  
• Interfaced with patients’ physician(s) and other disciplines to ensure best practices in health care and best practice in social work.
• Served as advocate for patients/families traveling up to 50-­75% of time in assigned territory.
• Generated thorough/timely documentation per organization’s guidelines.  
• Modeled effective time management, communication skills, and ability to work independently or with a team under general instructions. 
 
AUBURN UNIVERSITY, Auburn, AL 01.94 -­ 02.95
Project Director  
• Contract position between Auburn University and Alabama Department of Human Resources (DHR).  
• Trainer for Alabama Certification Program (ACT).
• Presented guest lectures introducing mental health area to social work students 
• Taught training sessions for interpersonal helping skills, assessment, and treatment planning/intervention with child welfare workers.  

RIVENDELL PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL, Panama City, FL 12.90 -­ 12.93
Program Therapist  
• Provided individual, group, and family therapy to children, adolescents and adults for inpatient, psychiatric hospital.
• Completed initial psychosocial assessments for individuals admitted to hospital;; and coordinated discharge plans for patients discharged from hospital.
• Conducted short-­term psychotherapy for emotionally disturbed children, adolescents, and adults in short/long-­term therapeutic program.
• Provided crisis intervention, problem solving, and brief therapy to adolescents/families.
• Conducted assessments, brief therapy, referral, and follow-­up to children, adolescents, and families.  
• Performed investigative intake interviews/diagnostic evaluations.
• Developed diagnostic profiles/treatment plans to address patients’ therapeutic needs. 
• Provided counseling services to clients/patients from wide range of ethnic backgrounds.   
• Interfaced with patients’ physician(s) and other disciplines to ensure best practices in health care and best practice in social work.
• Served as advocate for patients/families.
• Generated thorough/timely documentation per organization’s guidelines.  
• Modeled effective time management, communication skills, and ability to work independently or with a team under general instructions. 

GULF COAST HOSPITAL, Panama City, FL 03.90 -­ 12.90   
Social Worker  
• Performed initial assessments on patients referred for social work services in acute care hospital; and performed initial/on-­going assessments in members’ homes.
• Coordinated and arranged for services post discharge. 
• Made referrals to community agencies.
• Assisted in coordination of care with goal of reducing hospitalizations. 
• Interfaced with patients’ physician(s) and other disciplines to ensure best practices in health care and best practice in social work.
• Served as advocate for patients/families.
• Generated thorough/timely documentation per organization’s guidelines.  
• Modeled effective time management, communication skills, and ability to work independently or with a team under general instructions. 

SUMTER COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES, Sumter, SC 12.86 -­ 02.90
Social Service Specialist III/IV, 04/88 -­ 02/90
• Served as case manager in foster care unit managing 20 cases annually. 
• Conducted home visits to foster children, foster parents, and birth parents to ensure permanency planning goals were met for children.  
• Performed initial/on-­going assessments in homes. 
• Served as advocate for children while traveling 50-­75% of time in assigned territory.
• Generated thorough/timely documentation per organization’s guidelines.  
• Modeled effective time management, communication skills, and ability to work independently or with a team under general instructions. 

Field Placement -­ Kershaw County Mental Health Center, 1988 -­1989
• Masters level internship in community mental health center.
• Provided therapy to children/adults under supervision of MSW/therapist. 

Administrative Assistant, 09/87 -­ 04/88
• Provided administrative support to Director of agency.
• Supervised one staff member;; and maintained/distributed office supplies. 

Social Service Generalist, 12/86 -­ 09/87
• Coordinated services for children receiving Medicaid under EPSDT program.

INSTRUCTION, SUPERVISION, & PRESENTATIONS
Qualified Supervisor for Florida LCSW Interns, Florida Department of Health, 2001 -­ Present
Field Instructor for Social Work BSW/MSW Students, Florida State Universtiy1997 -­ Present
Gender Differences in Grief, AARP Grief & Loss Conference, Panama City Beach, FL, 2004
Nursing Home and ALF Training Provider for Alzheimer ’s disease and Related Disorders, 2010 -­ Present

HONORS
First Lady of the Year -­ Beta Sigma Phi, 1999
Social Work Educator of the Year – NASW Emerald Coast Unit, 2014

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
The Academy of Traumatology, 2005 -­ 2009
Academy of Certified Social Workers, 1994 -­ Present
National Association of Social Workers, 1987 -­ Present

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE
Chair, FSU Panama City Social Work Community Partners, 2011 -­ 2013

COMMUNITY
Facilitator, Adoption / Foster Parent Support Group, Life Management Center, 2012 -­ 2015