WHITNEY RICHEY
370 Central Park West, Apt #414, NY, NY 10025
wlr2101@columbia.edu / (646) 763-2005
EDUCATION
Columbia University School of Social Work, New York, NY
Master of Social Work, expected May 2008
Concentration: Advanced Generalist Practice & Programming
Family, Youth and Children Services
Bates College, Lewiston, ME School for International Training
Bachelor of Arts, May 2005 Samoa, South Pacific, Fall 2003
Major: Sociology Coursework: Samoan Language, Politics,
Minor: Education History, Art and Culture in the Pacific Islands
CHILD WELFARE AND ADVOCACY EXPERIENCE
Center for Family Representation, Staff Social Worker, New York, NY, September 2008-present
Provide case management to parents who are involved in Article 10 abuse and neglect cases in Manhattan
Family Court. Collaborate with attorneys and parent advocates to ensure that parents are afforded the
opportunity to reunite with their children and provide safe and stable homes for their families. Advocate for
parents at ACS conferences and work closely with service providers in order to assist parents in their reaching
their goals.
CTWOCAT: Changing the World One Child at a Time, Part-Time Program Coordinator, New York, NY,
Summer 2008-present
Assist organization in grant writing and fundraising opportunities. Offer support to Adoptment program site
New Alternatives for Children, working with program coordinator to problem solve and strengthen program
goals. Support youth involved in Adoptment reconnect and visit with incarcerated parents at local New York
State Prison facilities. Member of the CTWOCAT Program Committee.
CTWOCAT: Changing the World One Child at a Time, Social Work Intern, New York, NY, Fall 2007-
Spring 2008
Clinical responsibilities include weekly in-home therapy for older teens in foster care. Programming
responsibilities include serving as program coordinator for Adoptment, a mentoring program for older teens
in foster care, at New Alternatives for Children. Coordinate and plan bi-weekly meetings, recruit new
mentors and mentees, facilitate activities, serve as liaison between CTWOCAT and collaborating partners
New Alternatives for Children and Mentoring USA. Created a visiting program for children with incarcerated
parents in partnership with the Osborne Association. Work in partnership with Mentoring USA, New
Alternatives for Children, Harlem Dowling, and Osborne Association Staff.
Lawyers for Children, Forensic Social Work Intern, New York, NY, Summer 2007
Provided case management for children involved in PINS and abuse/neglect petitions. Worked closely with
legal staff, attended client court dates, interviewed children, conducted home visits, coordinated service, and
advocated on behalf of clients.
The Legal Aid Society, Forensic Social Work Intern, Brooklyn, NY, Fall 2006-Spring 2007
Served as a member of the Juvenile Services Unit in the Juvenile Rights Division. Provided intensive case
management of fifteen cases with children involved in abuse/neglect petitions, delinquency, and PINS.
Interviewed clients, conducted home visits, attended educational meetings, worked closely with attorneys,
ACS workers, and various agencies coordinating services to ensure the best interest of the child was served.
Lewiston District Family Court, Child Protection Intern, Lewiston, ME, Fall 2004-Spring 2005
Assisted Family Court Judges during hearings/trials. Completed clerical work and recording within the
courtroom. Compiled and analyzed quantitative and qualitative data of Child Protection cases in the
Lewiston Court System from the previous five years. Used data collected for Senior Thesis and an
Independent Study in Sociology. Served as a member of the Child Protection Task Force which focused on
creating a Family Drug Court.
Westchester County Family Court, Family Court Intern, White Plains, NY, Summer 2003
Worked with Family Court Judge. Sat in on all hearings/trials, helped with docketing and filing as well as
clerical tasks.
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
New York City Teaching Fellow, Brooklyn, NY, June 2005-June 2006
Full time Second Grade teacher at P.S. 273 in East New York, Brooklyn. Taught Reading, Writing, Math,
Social Studies, and Science to seven and eight year olds. Member of the P.S. 273 Mentoring Program.
Teaching Assistant, Lake Street and McMahon Elementary Schools, Lewiston/Auburn ME, 2001-2005
Completed six 30-70 hour field placements as part of upper level Education courses. Tutored, taught small
and large group lessons, answered students’ questions, and observed classroom practices. Extensive work
with ESL Somali students in each of the placements.
EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND INITIATIVES
Prisoner Reentry Conference Co-Founder, Columbia University, New York, NY, October 2007
Conceptualized and organized Beyond the Bars: An Interdisciplinary Call to Action to Address Prisoner
Reentry. Conference was held at Columbia University in collaboration with the Prisoner Reentry Institute of
John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Brought together seven professors from various schools on Columbia’s
campus, viewing reentry through an interdisciplinary lens, to discuss issues surrounding prisoner reentry as it
directly relates to specific fields of practice and to emerging professionals.
Undergraduate Senior Thesis, “The Best Interest of the Child: Served or Sabotaged? A Case Study of
Child Protection Proceedings in the Lewiston District Court.” Analyzed data from Child Protection case
files. Conducted interviews with judges, guardians ad litem, and foster parents. Examined in depth the social
characteristics of families involved in child protection proceedings and the actors in the system who are
serving the best interest of the child. Presented thesis in the Mt. David Summit, a campus-wide event
highlighting student academic achievement.
Undergraduate Independent Study, “Child Protection and the Law.” A self designed Sociology course
focusing specifically on the best practices concerning child protection proceedings and the effectiveness of
Family Drug Courts.
ORGANIZATIONAL INVOLVEMENT
New York City Initiative for Children with Incarcerated Parents, Member 2007-Present
National Association of Social Workers, Member 2007-Present