Michelle Ritzinger (Terrana) B.S.

CCS Service Arrays: Individual and/or Family Psychoeducation, and, Individual Skill Development and Enhancement CLTS: Training for Unpaid Caregiver/Family

Certified Parent Peer Specialist

Michelle is a mother of three and stepmother of three with mental health struggles. Her life has had it’s challenges. She has always enjoyed working with and helping people and was thrilled to complete her Bachelor degree in Human Services through Rasmussen College in 2018 to open up new opportunities. She completed her training to be a Certified Parent Peer Specialist during the Fall of 2020 and continued to look for new challenges and ways to help. She also has experience working with children on the autism spectrum in their homes in the birth to 5 program, working with elementary children in the school setting and working as a Skill Development Specialist with adults and children who struggle with addiction and mental health challenges.
"We all walk through life at a different pace and take our own paths and sometimes the path is a little rockier than we’d like and need someone to walk beside us. I look forward to working to support you and your family and walk beside you on your journey through life!"

Phone: 715-659-0951

email: michelleritzinger@rockyhillco.com

Work Experience

INDIANHEAD ENTERPRISES •EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST• NOVEMBER 2019 – NOVEMBER 2020

As an Employment Specialist I am an integral part in helping individuals with barriers discover their talents, abilities and interests as well as assisting them with transitioning into the workforce by providing career search, planning, coaching and support. I am responsible for performing interview/intakes, reviewing consumer Functional Screens and Work Incentive Benefits Analysis as well as collaborating with consumers’ team to hold review meetings, billing and assessments. Collaborating with DVR, Inclusa, Iris, AFHs and other community entities is a daily part of this position. In this position I often assist in other areas of Indianhead’s business including working with individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities in the Vocational Rehab. Area.

CHIPPEWA RIVER INDUSTRIES • CASE ASSISTANT • APRIL 2019 – NOVEMBER 2019

As a case assistant I supported the Employment Specialist and worked alongside individuals with disabilities and other barriers currently preventing them from successful community employment by developing both hard skills and soft skills through a variety of programs. I developed opportunities within the community by building and maintaining relationships with various business owners and local professionals. Other responsibilities included case management, DVR reporting and cooperation with other partners including Inclusa and IRIS.

WEAP (WISCONSIN EARLY AUTISM PROJECT) • BEHAVIORAL THERAPY TECH• AUGUST 2017 – JUNE 2018

As a Behavioral Therapy Technician, I worked with children on the autism spectrum, age birth to 5 and provided behavioral therapy and family support both in home and in daycare settings. This position was responsible for scheduling therapy and documentation of progress and hours of therapy

USIS(UNITED STATES INVESTIGATION SERVICES) • SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR • JULY 2009 – OCTOBER 2014

As a Special Investigator I was responsible for the timely and accurate completion of Federal background investigations for OPM. This included interviewing a wide variety of individuals with criminal backgrounds, in a various settings, obtaining law enforcement, educational, financial and medical records and accurately reporting details of the investigation. In this position I maintained a home office and scheduled all meetings and interviews daily. This position required a high level of integrity, organization and ability to work in an ever changing and challenging environment.