Background

I have 28 years of experience working in various social services positions (including management). Throughout my career in social services, I have gained valuable skills working with diverse communities and populations. I pride myself on having extensive experience working with youth (male and females) as a counselor, coach and mentor. For the past 8 years, I have worked with the County of Los Angeles in the Department of Social Services. As a twenty year resident of Santa Clarita, I look forward to working within the city that I love.

Job experience

• January 2015 - present
  Eligibility Worker II
  County of Los Angeles: Department of Public Social Services
  

  Northridge, CA

  Makes initial and continual eligibility determinations of public assistance and grants for an assigned number of public assistance applicants and participants.
  Exercise knowledge of the laws, regulations and procedures governing the administration of public assistance grants and programs and of interviewing and record keeping techniques.
  Search and gather records of various incomes or eligibility related information from multiple sources including computer databases, and apply the rules and regulations pertaining to eligibility for various categories of aid programs, makes mathematical computations, evaluate financial data, and interact effectively with the public in the process of public assistance program evaluation.
  Office Ergonomic Coordinator: Assess co-workers’ workstations to insure a safe and efficient work place environment.
  

• July 2013 - January 2015
  GAIN Services Worker (Social Work/Case Management)
  L.A. GAIN Program (Dept. Public Social Services) Santa Clarita, CA
  

  Santa Clarita, CA, USA

  Maintain caseload of up to 200 families (assessing needs of parents in Welfare to Work Program)
  Intake and maintenance of assigning and/or coordinating participants to activities, i.e. job services, community service, vocational training, mental health/domestic violence/substance abuse services.
  

• January 2012 - March 2013
  Residential Counselor
  Penny Lane
  

  North Hills, CA

  Counsel clients concerning daily living situations and future planning
  Document entries into logs concerning client behavior and progress; transport to school and appointments.
  
  

• June 2011 - December 2011
  Senior Counselor (Shift Supervisor)
  Phoenix House Academy
  

  Lake View Terrace, CA

  Oversee the daily operation of a 35 bed residential facility for youth on Probation (drug/alcohol).
  Supervise/train counselors and rehabilitation specialists to effectively meet the needs of clients.
  Manage the caseloads of 15-18 yr. old males to help meet their goals to reunify with families.
  

• April 2011 - June 2011
  In Home Outreach Counselor (Case Manager) (Temporary Position)
  Assistance League of Southern California
  

  Pasadena, CA, USA

  Set up services for families of domestic violence, child and substance abuse in the homes.
  

• February 2007 - January 2011
  Consumer Service Coordinator
  North Los Angeles County Regional Center
  

  Valencia, CA

  Managed the caseloads of up to 97 consumers/families
  Observed and assessed the need of services for children with developmental disabilities (ages 3-15 yrs.)
  Supported, advocated and facilitated for family needs in Santa Clarita and LAUSD school districts.
  Followed up and maintained appropriate services for consumers/families via report writing.
  
  

• May 2005 - January 2007
  Group Home Manager
  Five Acres Boys & Girls Aid Society
  

  Pasadena, CA, USA

  Oversaw daily operation of a six bed group home for foster youth/at risk students (males: 13-18 yrs. of age)
  Hired and trained residential treatment counselors to advocate for teens in foster care.
  Counseled and encouraged first generation; low income and historically underrepresented students to seek higher educational opportunities and independent living skills.
  

• February 2002 - April 2005
  Living Unit Supervisor
  Hathaway Children & Family Services (Sycamores)
  

  Sylmar, CA

  Interview New hires, supervised, trained assistant supervisors and youth counselors
  Assisted in the maintenance of existing programs and activities, and provided oversight to assigned modules of the programs.
  Assisted Clinicians with group consultations for residential foster care youth.
  Managed caseloads for after school activities including behavioral modification groups
  Created and coordinated after school/weekend activities that taught clients patience, teamwork, discipline and self awareness
  

Education

• California State University at Northridge
  Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology
  

  1990 - 1996

  Emphasis in Criminology