Ira F.

About Ira

I am registered in the State of California Home Care Aid Registry (#7516022156). Currently, I work for 3 organizations as a caregiver. My experience as a caregiver extends to working for Lighthouse Independent Living Services as an Independent Living Services Instructor, United Cerebral Palsy as an In-Home Trainer and Heartfelt Home Care Services working with elders. My experience as a caregiver began 18 years ago as I learned a great deal about the importance of being a caregiver as I started my caregiving responsibilities for my wife. I have a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Healthy Aging and during my studies, I volunteered to work at People's Self-Help Housing working with elders helping them with counseling, transportation and other needs. I have an interesting and funny story regarding how I saved a client from paying a $260 bill. My degree is allowing me to be a Registered Marriage and Family Therapy Intern (IMF 79643). I feel it is not only important to help the client, it is important to help the family as a whole if there is difficulty. I look forward to providing counseling support to other members of the family as needed. In addition, I have a second Master of Arts degree in Education, specializing in Counseling and Guidance. I became a School Counselor and currently maintain a school counseling credential. Before working towards becoming a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist Intern (IMF 79643), I worked with at-risk students some of whom had situations where they had lost a parent due to illness which had affected their school performance. I look forward to helping elders so they can be healthy and have the opportunity to be as self sufficient as possible.

Caregiving Services & Expertise

Experience & Education

Courtesy Clerk

Dec 2013 - Sep 2015

Ralph's Grocery Company

Providing customer service, bagging groceries, taking groceries to car with customer. Up to six times a shift swept 22 aisle floor, cleaned restrooms, and brought in approximately 100 grocery carts into the cart corrals next to both entrances. In addition, performed taking "go backs" back to the store shelves. Prior to the end of shift, cleaned 6 registers and placed shopping bags and the end of each register and inside station.

Dec 2013 - Sep 2015

Independent Living Services Instructor

May 2015 - Feb 2015

Lighthouse Independent Living Services

Teaching developmentally disabled clients many aspects of independent living such as house keeping, menu preparation, menu planning, grocery shopping, handling money, grocery shopping, baking, budgeting, balancing checkbook, housekeeping, job searching, cleaning and folding clothes, using public transportation, walking to work and home and watching traffic crossing streets.

May 2015 - Feb 2015

In-Home Trainer

Jul 2015 - Feb 2015

United Cerebral Palsy

Worked with a client with Prader-Willi Syndrome, an eating disorder that causes the person to continually eat which could make their stomach explode. In addition, he was developmentally disabled. ,He never left my eye sight because he could get into garbage, eat dog food or break into someone's house and get into their refrigerator and pantry. At home, his refrigerator, freezer and pantry were all locked. He and I went on hikes, walked dogs, watched television, went on errands, the beach, visit friends and do other things to keep his mind busy. Other aspects of my job were monitoring his caloric intake, kept him to a meal schedule, getting his food for him from the pantry and/or the refrigerator and/or the freezer. He is now in a group home with 2 other clients with the same syndrome.

Jul 2015 - Feb 2015

Store Associate

Jul 2009 - Dec 2013

Office Max (Now closed.)

Provided customer service, performed cashier duties, sold printers, shredders and furniture along with replacement plans, paper and ink. Unloaded freight and placed on shelves in the appropriate place. Lastly,s cleaned registers, placed shopping bags at each register, cleaned customer service area, put away "go-backs" in the appropriate place and straightened store shelves at the end of shift.

Jul 2009 - Dec 2013

Antioch University, Santa Barbara

Jan 2011 - Jan 2013

Jan 2011 - Jan 2013

School Counselor

Aug 2007 - Jun 2008

Santa Cruz City Schools

Performed personal, academic and career counseling Performed personal, academic and career counseling and crisis counseling with at-risk students. Set up and facilitated Student Success Team meetings with parents, child, teachers, administrator and school psychologist as needed. Taught a career exploration class and a class in study skills. Met with parents to discuss their child's grades, behavior, and attendance.

Aug 2007 - Jun 2008

At-Risk School Counselor

Jan 2007 - Jun 2007

Templeton Unified School District

In this temporary position, identified 125 at-risk students from web site test scores and other documentation. Met with all students to discuss, personal, academic and careers as well as crisis counseling. Met with teachers, parent and child to discuss interventions to help the child be successful in school.

Jan 2007 - Jun 2007

At-Risk School Counselor

Jan 2007 - Jun 2007

Templeton Unified School District

Identified 125 at-risk students through computer applications. Met with all 125 students, teachers and parents to discuss interventions for their child. Provided personal, academic and career counseling as well as crisis counseling with students.

Jan 2007 - Jun 2007

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Jan 1999 - Jan 2004

Jan 1999 - Jan 2004

Graphic Arts Instructor

Mar 1989 - Oct 2003

California Youth Authority

As the Graphic Arts Instructor taught the wards all aspects of the printing trade. Supervised wards printing items for the teachers, school, institution, agency and non-profit work from the community. Tracked attendance and student progress, prepared quarterly grade reports, taught job readiness and life skills. As Lead Education Advisor provided personal, academic and career counseling. As Lead Education Advisor, reviewed student files for grades and behavior. Performed both individual and group counseling. Created a class on career exploration for new wards entering the Orientation living unit. Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo Career Services donated many resources to create a career resource center in my classroom. I used EUREKA career interest software and administered the COPS and Self-Directed Search career assessments. I reviewed the results with the wards in terms of the importance of doing well in high school and continue their education at a trade school, community college or 4-year college.

Mar 1989 - Oct 2003

Career Services Peer Advisor

Sep 2000 - Mar 2002

Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Career Services

Worked assisting students with their college and career plans, reviewed student resumes and made recommendations, attended student organizations to discuss the services that Career Services provided, met with Department Chairs to discuss internship opportunities available in each department. Used information each department provided in the Career Resource Center, Updated periodicals, career listings from employers, and alumni binders. Gave tours of the Career Resource Center. Answered questions from students and directed them to the resources the Career Resource Center provided.

Sep 2000 - Mar 2002

University of California, Los Angeles

Jan 1989 - Jan 1990

Jan 1989 - Jan 1990

Sacramento City College, Sacramento

Jan 1976 - Jan 1977

Jan 1976 - Jan 1977

University of La Verne, La Verne

Jan 1973 - Jan 1975

Jan 1973 - Jan 1975

More Caregivers You Might Like

Lisa C.

$20.00/hour · Atascadero, CA

I'm a very sweet and Professional caregiver . I have compassion, and it shows. I have found my "why" 17 years ago. To me caregiving is not a job it's helping the ones that need us the most ! I enjoy learning about my clients life . I enjoy cooking cleaning making a difference ! I'm most proud of being awarded caregiver of the year in 2012. I'm Also on the home health registry threw the state of California.

View Profile

Christian A.

$27.00/hour · Atascadero, CA

Experienced Caregiver who takes pride in my work. I have CNA education and experience: Cancer Care, Stroke Recovery, Memory Care, End of Life. I treasure every single client as if they're family. I am dependable, organized, motivated and trustworthy. I'm a mother, former military spouse and a student of life.

View Profile

Find the Right Caregiver at CareLinx