Alejandra Cruz
Austin,TX
Summary
Bilingual (Spanish/English) Family Resource professional with 13+ years of experience in family support and community outreach, serving families, children, and expectant mothers. Proven ability to build trust quickly with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and connects families to appropriate resources and services. Highly organized and adaptable, with strong communication skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced environments. Demonstrates the capacity to work independently with minimal supervision while contributing effectively as a collaborative team member. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suit
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Resource Specialist-Healthy Families of Travis County
TRAVIS COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Austin, TX
11.2022 - Current
- Participate in community outreach events to promote Healthy Families and actively recruit families into the program.
- Serve as the first point of contact for referred families, introducing and promoting the Healthy Families program and its services.
- Manage referrals in the database Family Wise and conduct consistent outreach for a minimum of six weeks, ensuring accurate documentation of all contact attempts.
- Complete at least ten FROG Surveys monthly, developing detailed assessment narratives and organized case files for appropriate service assignment.
- Compile and submit to the supervisor comprehensive family documentation to support timely placement with the appropriate Family Support Specialist (FSS).
- Conduct partner engagement visits with WIC, Community Care Clinic and schools to maintain collaborative relationships.
- Lead Spanish Parent Café sessions using the Be Strong Families model, facilitating small-group conversations that promote family healing, strengthen families, build community connections and engage parents as partners in program development structured.
Family Support Specialist-Healthy Families of Travis County
TRAVIS COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Austin, TX
12.2015 - 10.2022
- Promote positive parent/child interaction.
- Assist in child development, parental education and family support on home visits to families (based on Healthy Families of America home visiting program model).
- Provide parents with information on educational activities that are designed to promote the ongoing development of the child (based on Growing Great Kids Curriculum).
- Conduct child development evaluations based on Ages and Stages Questionnaires.
- Facilitate resources and referrals to other families support agencies within the community.
- Provide information and support on breastfeeding and postpartum needs.
Social Services Youth Case Manager-Neighborhood Conference Committee School Based Program
TRAVIS COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Austin, TX
11.2013 - 12.2015
- Provide case management services to youth in the NCC-SB program.
- Coordinate with school and/or school districts regarding access to school campuses and students.
- Conduct interviews with youth and their legal guardian for eligibility of program assistance.
- Conduct outreach and recruitment of volunteers.
- Develop and maintain contacts with community organizations and institutions for the purpose of providing services to youth and their families.
- Serve as a liaison between the Austin Independent School District and Travis County.
- Perform administrative duties, including, but not limited to, data evaluation, project management, contract development and data entry.
Insure Central Texas Site Manager (Seasonal Position)
FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES
10.2014 - 02.2015
- Oversee the operations of one of the health insurance enrollment centers.
- Provide superior customer service to members of the community and volunteers.
- Offer support and guidance to volunteer for accurate enrollment.
- Assist with enrolling customers.
Social Services Outreach Coordinator
CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK
Austin, TX
05.2008 - 10.2013
- Provide outreach, education, screening, and application assistance to eligible populations in CAFB’s service region (21 counties) for various government assistance programs including SNAP (food stamps), Medicaid, TANF, and Medicare Savings Program; refer clients to other services in the community.
- Participate in local community event fairs (health, food and job fairs, back to school events).
- Educate clients about benefit programs, assist with the application process, and advocate on behalf of the applicants.
- Develop new relationships with community partners to improve the success of the program.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon
Monterrey, Mexico01-1998
Skills
- Family Outreach and Engagement
- Team Leadership and Staff Support
- Community Partnership and Development
- Parent Education and Group Facilitation
- Bilingual Communication (Spanish/English)
TRANSLATION AND INTERPRETING EXPERIENCE
- Translated website content Central Texas Food Bank (former Capital Area Food Bank of Texas-CAFB)
- Created bilingual distribution materials appropriate for target populations (CAFB, El Buen Samaritano)
- Volunteer interpreter for medical appointments and various administrative needs (Volunteer Health Clinic)
- Awarded Interpreter Certificate Basic Course from Austin Area Translators and Interpreters Association
Timeline
Family Resource Specialist-Healthy Families of Travis County
TRAVIS COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
11.2022 - Current
Family Support Specialist-Healthy Families of Travis County
TRAVIS COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
12.2015 - 10.2022
Insure Central Texas Site Manager (Seasonal Position)
FOUNDATION COMMUNITIES
10.2014 - 02.2015
Social Services Youth Case Manager-Neighborhood Conference Committee School Based Program
TRAVIS COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
11.2013 - 12.2015
Social Services Outreach Coordinator
CENTRAL TEXAS FOOD BANK
05.2008 - 10.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Communications
Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon