Rachel Govan
Esperanza Academy Charter High School
Philadelphia
1
Certification
14
years of professional experience
Compassionate, empathetic Social Worker dedicated to serving the unique needs of disadvantaged children, adults and families. Using experience coupled with formal education, to effectively counsel and guide clients towards greater self sufficiency. Self-reflective professional with strong clinical and leadership skills. Able to accept and appreciate differences in others; non-judgemental and impartial approach.
Work History
School Social Worker
1 Year 2 Months- Delivers individual and group counseling for students in grades 10 and 12, addressing academic, behavioral, and emotional needs.
- Coordinates crisis intervention support for students experiencing trauma, safety concerns, or acute distress.
- Collaborates with teachers, counselors, and administrators to develop intervention plans and student supports.
- Conducts psychosocial assessments to inform referrals, service plans, and school-based recommendations.
- Facilitates family engagement meetings to strengthen home-school communication and student progress.
- Implements evidence-based programs aimed at improving school climate and promoting positive behavior among students.
- Serves as the McKinney -Vento Liason, identifying and supporting students experiencing homelessness to ensure access to educational services, resources, and academic stability.
School Counselor
2 Years 9 Months- Provided support services for 60-70 students (individual and group) that meet their academic, social and emotional needs, including:
- Set goals and monitored progress of goals every quarter and writing progress updates.
- Delivered individual and group counseling to support student social, emotional, and academic needs.
- Coordinated with teachers, administrators, and families to develop effective student support plans.
- Documented counseling sessions, interventions, and progress notes in accurate student records.
- Guided crisis response efforts and supported students experiencing behavioral or emotional concerns.
- Evaluated student needs and recommended targeted interventions aligned with school support services.
- Input in IEP / 504 meetings and development.
- Provided resources and planning for conflict resolution, social skills, anxiety/depression, safety planning for suicidal ideations, etc.
Medical Social Worker
1 Year 7 Months- Provide daily home visits to patients/families and assist with any care planning for adjustments they may encounter as a result of medical care or illness.
- Care planning includes helping patients/families cope with multiple physical, social, emotional, and economic disadvantages.
- Assist with goals of care and end of life needs, which sometimes include transitions to palliative/hospice care, or Assisted Living, rehabilitation, or nursing home placement.
- Refer patients to appropriate resources which often include needs for caregiver support, food, transportation, housing, and emotional/mental health support.
- Participates in any interdisciplinary prudent care meetings to discuss and further care plan for challenging patient needs.
Housing Resource Manager
2 Years 2 Months- Supervised interns in their Senior Field Practicum.
- Overseen all aspects of the intake process for the shelter and Permanent Supportive Housing programs. Including but not limited to; the waiting list, screening process, eligibility requirements, documentation collection and program entry.
- Assess client's progress by completing a weekly Housing Stability Plan, including short and long term goals.
- Refer clients to mainstream resources such as, job-training programs, therapeutic support, Rapid Re-Housing Services, utility assistance programs, etc. to better assist the program participant.
- Provide support and follow-up where necessary in the areas of employment, education, budgeting, counseling, life skills, parenting skills, housing, income, and other areas as written into the clients' care plan.
Counselor III
1 Year 2 Months- Developed and maintained individualized treatment plans for mental health and drug and alcohol clients, and updated treatment plans when necessary.
- Referred patients to the program psychiatrist, as needed. Collaborated with Psychiatrist to co-manage patients on medication.
- Conducted individual counseling and group counseling using a variety of techniques and settings.
- Developed and maintained the case records of clients, compiled a psychosocial history of all clients.
- Delivered crisis intervention, de-escalation, and safety planning for patients experiencing acute mental health needs.
- Coordinated referrals to community resources, specialty care, and supportive services to address barriers to treatment.
- Documented counseling encounters, progress notes, and care plans accurately within electronic health records.
- Monitored patient progress, adjusted interventions, and supported discharge planning for continuity of care.
Education
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK - Clinical Social Work
Concentration: Clinical Social Work
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
Skills
Effective oral and written communication skills
Love and keen interest in people's care and well-being
Calm under pressure
Relied upon for organizational and problem-solving skills
Outcomes focused
proactive
excellent at reporting
and tremendously persistent
Crisis intervention
Emotional support
Family support
Student advocacy
Multidisciplinary team collaboration
Counseling services
Affiliations
- National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
- Http://socialworkers.org/
- August 2007- Present
Certification
- Licensed Social Worker
- School Social Worker PK12 Certification
Timeline
School Social Worker
Esperanza Academy Charter High School
08.2025 - CurrentRead More
School Counselor
Wyncote Academy
09.2022 - 06.2025Read More
Medical Social Worker
Abington Jefferson Health
11.2018 - 06.2020Read More
Housing Resource Manager
The Salvation Army
09.2016 - 11.2018Read More
Counselor III
Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc.
06.2012 - 08.2013Read More
West Chester University of Pennsylvania
BACHELOR OF SOCIAL WORK
Read More
Temple University
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK from Clinical Social Work
Read More