Mala Sharma

Dedicated and compassionate Family Support Worker with extensive experience in caregiver support, youth services, and mental health. Proven expertise in trauma-informed, equity-focused approaches to strengthen family well-being and support youth ages 12-25. Skilled in case management, group facilitation, crisis intervention, and building collaborative relationships with diverse communities.

Committed to holistic, person-centered care grounded in social determinants of health and social justice principles.

Developmental Services Worker / Family Support Specialist at Vita Community Living (2025-01 – 2026-02)

• Provide trauma-informed support to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families, implementing holistic, person-centered approaches to enhance well-being and independence
• Develop and implement individualized support plans (ISPs) in collaboration with clients, caregivers, and interdisciplinary teams to achieve personalized goals aligned with social determinants of health
• Deliver case management support including needs assessment, goal setting, progress monitoring, and crisis intervention while coordinating with families and healthcare professionals
• Facilitate caregiver education and ongoing support, empowering families with knowledge, resources, and strategies to support their loved ones effectively
• Maintain timely and accurate case documentation and participate in team meetings, professional development, and quality improvement initiatives

Personal Support Worker / Care Coordinator at Meighen Manor (2023-12 – 2025-11)

• Provide compassionate, person-centered support with activities of daily living while building trusting relationships with clients and their families
• Collaborate with caregivers and family members to ensure coordinated, integrated care delivery and maintain open communication about client needs and progress
• Respond to emergencies and provide crisis intervention, promptly informing supervisors and family members to ensure client safety and well-being
• Maintain accurate documentation of all care procedures, observations, and client interactions in accordance with professional standards
• Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and equity-focused practice while supporting clients from diverse backgrounds, including those with cognitive impairments

Youth & Family Support Practicum (Developmental Services Worker) at SAAAC Autism Centre (2024-05 – 2024-08)

• Provided trauma-informed support to youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder, implementing evidence-based programs including Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Social Skills Training
• Engaged caregivers and families through education, consultation, and ongoing support to strengthen family capacity and promote positive outcomes for youth
• Planned, delivered, and facilitated group programming and activities including sensory play, communication games, and art activities to promote skill development and peer support
• Built meaningful rapport with youth and families, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and ability to engage diverse individuals impacted by developmental and mental health challenges
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary team members to ensure integrated service delivery and participated in program evaluation and quality improvement initiatives

Registered Nurse / Patient & Family Support Specialist at National Kidney Centre (2017-04 – 2023-03)

• Provided compassionate, holistic care to patients and families facing chronic kidney disease, focusing on symptom management, quality of life enhancement, and psychosocial support
• Delivered caregiver education and ongoing support, offering empathetic counseling to patients and families navigating complex medical decisions, end-of-life care, and treatment preferences
• Developed and implemented comprehensive discharge planning and case management, facilitating connections to community resources and support systems for patients and families
• Collaborated with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to ensure integrated, patient-centered service delivery and coordinated care transitions
• Demonstrated crisis intervention skills by responding promptly to critical health changes and providing emotional support during medical emergencies

Diploma in Developmental Service Worker in Developmental Services – Fanshawe College (2023-05 – 2024-12)

Diploma in Nursing (PCL Nursing) in Nursing – Western Hospital Pvt. Ltd. Nursing Campus (2012 – 2015)