Shamona Thompson Ross

Social work and human-services professional with more than 20 years of experience serving diverse populations through child welfare, higher education, advocacy, case management, crisis response, and community partnerships. Skilled in child abuse and neglect investigations, safety and risk assessment, court documentation, multidisciplinary collaboration, wrap-around service coordination, American Sign Language, and written and verbal communication. Demonstrates multicultural and gender sensitivity, cultural humility, integrity, confidentiality, independent judgment, teamwork, and the ability to operate effectively with minimal supervision.

Emergency Response Social Worker Practitioner at County of Yolo, Department of Child Welfare Services (2024-06 – 2026-03)

• Conducted timely in-person investigations of child abuse and neglect referrals; interviewed children, caregivers, and collateral contacts; assessed allegation validity, severity, immediate safety, and risk using Structured Decision Making (SDM) tools.
• Developed and implemented protective plans; provided crisis counseling and family support; referred families to community-based services; monitored voluntary service plans; and responded to 24/7 after-hours and weekend emergency assessments and removals.
• Partnered with law enforcement, medical professionals, educators, mental health providers, legal personnel, and community agencies during joint investigations and coordinated interventions.
• Prepared Juvenile Court recommendations and dependency court reports; documented contacts, assessments, and decisions in CWS/CMS; participated in case conferences, Team Decision Meetings, and multidisciplinary reviews.

MSW Intern – Informal Supervision Social Worker / Black Child Legacy Social Worker at County of Sacramento, Department of Child, Family & Adult Services (2023-09 – 2024-05)

• Investigated assigned CPS referrals within state-mandated time frames; completed required face-to-face contacts, ongoing safety assessments, case documentation, safety planning, and resource referrals.
• Applied cultural humility, empathy, Safety Organized Practice, confidentiality requirements, CPS information security standards, and Division 21 Civil Rights non-discrimination regulations.
• Supervised visitation between parents and children in out-of-home care; continued to assess for return; provided transportation as needed; and attended, participated in, and facilitated Child and Family Team and multidisciplinary meetings.
• Interfaced and collaborated with agencies to reduce the disproportionate number of African American children and families entering the Child Welfare System.

MSW Intern – Permanency Social Worker at County of Sacramento, Department of Child, Family & Adult Services (2022-09 – 2023-05)

• Reconnected children in out-of-home care with their families through intensive reunification and permanency services; assessed placements through home visits and referred families for substance-use treatment, parenting, housing, medical, and counseling services.
• Prepared placement, dependency, and adoption court reports; maintained casework records and evaluative reports; managed caseload timelines; and identified kinship care, emergency placement, and alternate permanency options.
• Coordinated with attorneys, probation officers, caseworkers, mental health and health professionals, and community supports; facilitated CFT meetings; and efficiently used CWS/CMS to document contacts and services.

Career Education Clerk II / Interim Administrative Assistant / Student Personnel Assistant / Student Support Staff Clerk II at Los Rios Community College District – American River, Cosumnes River & Sacramento City Colleges (2013-09 – 2025-06)

• Served in Career Education, Workability III, CARE/EOP&S, First Year Experience, and Student Services Resource Center roles; acted as a primary liaison for students, faculty, staff, employers, agencies, and the public.
• Provided administrative support, office organization, calendar management, event coordination, educational and vocational planning, and referrals while maintaining confidentiality and discretion with sensitive information.
• Collaborated with employers and agencies to create opportunities for student development and career advancement; reviewed course materials, supported study-skill applications, and monitored attendance and progress.
• Supported diverse student populations through guidance, academic advising, tutoring and mentoring approaches, workshops, program development, learning communities, conferences, trainings, and employer partnerships.

Master of Social Work in Title IV-E – California State University, Sacramento (2024-05)

Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language / Deaf Studies – California State University, Sacramento (2021-05)

Associate in Arts in Deaf Culture & American Sign Language Studies; Social Sciences; Language Studies – American River College (2017-05)