Karen King Jones
Lexington
Summary
Results-driven professional with extensive experience in early childhood education and juvenile services. Known for strong teamwork and adaptability, effectively supporting children's growth through tailored activities and collaborative approaches with parents and multidisciplinary teams.
Overview
2027
2027
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Teacher
Diocese of Lexington, Sts. Peter and Paul Early Childhood Center
Lexington, KY
02.2024 - Current
- Develop and implement age-appropriate curricula fostering cognitive and social growth in early childhood education.
- Led interactive classroom activities enhancing children's gross and fine motor skills.
- Collaborated with parents to track children's developmental progress and tailor support to individual needs.
- Mentored new employees, assisted with office tasks, and conducted tours for prospective families to enhance community engagement.
Juvenile Service Clinician
Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice
Owensboro, KY
1996 - 2026
- Developed treatment plans tailored to the needs of at-risk youth.
- Delivered individual and group counseling sessions to support juvenile rehabilitation.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care and support.
- Monitored behavioral progress, documenting changes to refine intervention strategies.
- Prepared and presented court reports and provided expert testimony.
Staff Assistant to the Commissioner
Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice
Frankfort, KY
11.2021 - 02.2024
- Coordinated scheduling and logistics for departmental meetings and events.
- Coordinated office events and meetings, fostering a positive work environment and team collaboration.
- Assisted in the preparation of reports and documentation for legislative presentations
- Established strong working relationships with coworkers through excellent communication skills which led to improved teamwork capabilities.
- Assisted in the development of a statewide recreation program for residential facilities and detention centers
Office Manager
Diocese of Lexington Sts. Peter and Paul Early Childhood Center
Lerxington, KY
01.2018 - 10.2021
- Managed daily operations of early childhood center, ensuring compliance with state regulations.
- Coordinated schedules and communications among staff, parents, and external agencies to ensure smooth operations.
- Oversaw inventory management for educational supplies and equipment procurement.
- Addressed parent inquiries or concerns via phone calls or email, enhancing customer satisfaction.
- Contributed to workplace safety by ensuring compliance with established emergency protocols and conducting regular equipment inspections.
- Covered lessons during teacher breaks and managed student activities, supporting classroom continuity.
Staff Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner
Kentucky Department Of Juvenile Justice
Frankfort, KY
2014 - 10.2016
- Facilitated training sessions for new employees on departmental procedures and protocols.
- Acted as a liaison between departments to promote effective collaboration on projects and initiatives.
- Managed extensive calendar scheduling for department leaders, ensuring timely attendance to important engagements.
- Assisted in the development of staff training materials based on the passage of new legislation.
- Engaged in special projects assigned by supervisors, showcasing adaptability and versatility in various tasks.
- Created visually appealing presentations for department meetings, effectively conveying critical information to attendees.
Classification Branch Manager
Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice
Frankfort, KY
2002 - 2016
- Oversaw daily operations, ensuring compliance with state regulations and policies.
- Reviewed case referrals for residential placement, determining placements based on facility and youth compatibility while ensuring compliance with state regulations and criteria.
- Developed and implemented staff training programs, resulting in improved team capabilities and service delivery.
- Analyzed program data to identify areas for improvement in service delivery.
- Monitored branch performance against key performance indicators, implementing corrective actions to meet or exceed objectives.
- Strengthened relationships with key clients, securing long-term partnerships.
Interstate Compact Administrator
Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice
Frankfort, KY
2000 - 2002
- Received and processed referrals from other states for juveniles on probation or parole and requesting to move to Kentucky.
- Received and processed referrals for juveniles on probation or committed in Kentucky and requesting to move to another state.
- Maintained comprehensive database of all active interstate compact cases for effective case management.
- Provided training to state workers, courts and partner agencies regarding Interstate laws and policies.
- Managed time effectively to ensure timely completion of all tasks.
- Consistently met personal responsibilities and deadlines, showcasing self-motivation.
Juvenile Services Clinician
Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice
Owensboro, KY
1996 - 2000
- Conducted assessments to identify needs and risks of juvenile clients, informing tailored interventions.
- Developed individualized treatment plans to address behavioral health issues.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to ensure comprehensive care for clients.
- Monitored client progress and refined treatment strategies to enhance therapeutic outcomes.
- Prepared and presented comprehensive court reports, offering expert testimony to support judicial decision-making.
- Provided court coverage for juvenile court.
- Conducted home visits to monitor compliance and provide family support.
Education
Master of Science - Social Work
University of Louisville
Louisville, KY08-1992
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, Kentucky05-1989
Skills
- Childcare needs
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Lesson planning
- Conflict resolution
- Classroom management
- Activity planning
- Child development
Timeline
Lead Teacher
Diocese of Lexington, Sts. Peter and Paul Early Childhood Center
02.2024 - Current
Staff Assistant to the Commissioner
Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice
11.2021 - 02.2024
Office Manager
Diocese of Lexington Sts. Peter and Paul Early Childhood Center
01.2018 - 10.2021
Juvenile Service Clinician
Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice
1996 - 2026
Staff Assistant to the Deputy Commissioner
Kentucky Department Of Juvenile Justice
2014 - 10.2016
Classification Branch Manager
Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice
2002 - 2016
Interstate Compact Administrator
Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice
2000 - 2002
Juvenile Services Clinician
Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice
1996 - 2000
Master of Science - Social Work
University of Louisville
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Western Kentucky University