Spotlight on CFCS: Chelsey Underwood

There are countless stories that live within our walls at CFCS, but not all of them come from the children and families we work with. Our employees – the social workers, case managers, interns, admins and directors who make our agency run smoothly – are the reason for our success as an organization. They also happen to be interesting people with quite a few good stories of their own!    

In our “Spotlight on CFCS” series, we highlight the rich experiences and perspectives our staff bring to the office through one-on-one interviews. Today we’re highlighting Chelsey Underwood, a Case Manager in our Developmental Disabilities Program!    

When did you start at CFCS?  

March of last year, right when everybody was leaving the office.  

What was it like coming onboard remotely, during the pandemic? 

It was definitely different! I never imagined doing something like this for a job. I have a great team. Our DDP Director Brenda Beaton, Family Support Center Coordinator Sheila Krausert and Senior Case Manager Heather Hall were really welcoming to me and trained me well, offering me their personal numbers to reach out to them. It was a learning process but I never felt alone because I had such a great team supporting me. 

I have not yet met any of my clients in person, but receiving pictures and getting updates on how they’re doing helps me feel more connected. Even though we haven’t been able to meet in person, I still feel very involved in my families’ lives. I look forward to doing so when we get the chance! 

Tell us about your background! 

I went to school in Florida, where I got my BA in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology. I got my degree out of Bethune-Cookman University, an HBCU. After I graduated, I started working as a case manager at a nonprofit in Massachusetts that works with adults with disabilities. I was a case manager there too, connecting clients to jobs, to their community, and to places where they could be outside, out of their homes, not isolated. 

How did you become interested in becoming a DDP case manager? 

After being at that nonprofit, I kind of wanted more for myself, and that’s when I came across this position at CFCS. I like that I get to work with individuals with developmental disabilities and also their families. 

I feel that sometimes, people don’t see the real individuals behind the disabilities, so I appreciate being able to make connections with clients with developmental disabilities. When I came across CFCS and read about what the agency stands for, in all departments and especially in the Developmental Disabilities Program, I was interested in working here because I share the same beliefs. 

I believe in equality and equity. Everyone should have the same resources, and no one is less than anyone else. With my background, being mixed [race], I’ve seen many different sides of people, and I know that there’s more to people than what we see. 

I feel that sometimes, people don’t see the real individuals behind the disabilities.

What does your job entail? 

When I get to work, I check my emails and on my families. I make sure they are receiving the resources they need and connect them to community activities. I’m sort of the middle man by connecting families to what they need. I’ll order household items for them, stuff like that. I sometimes help families with basic things that you might not think people need assistance with. 

What’s your favorite part of your job (so far)? 

My team! Definitely my team. And the clients themselves. I have great support. Just knowing we’re all in this together, and if one can’t do it someone else will. Team work makes the dream work at DDP. 

What’s one thing you’re looking forward to? 

Just actually being in the building and being a part of CFCS. I look forward to being in person and doing events with the company. Missing out on an in-person Gala kind of stinks, but we can get back to that. 

Anything you’d like to add? 

I really care about helping people become more open-minded. There can be judgement when people hear the word "disability" and I want people to stop and think instead of making assumptions. Everybody deserves a chance, regardless of what they have or what they look like.