Andrea Ortega
Harris County Juvenile Probation Department
Houston,TX
2
Languages
15
years of professional experience
Experienced juvenile justice professional with a strong background in specialty courts, multidisciplinary case management, behavioral health collaboration, and court operations. Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex programs and services across judicial, legal, behavioral health, child welfare, educational, and community systems. Brings extensive experience working with judges, attorneys, prosecutors, mental health professionals, DFPS, law enforcement, service providers, youth, and families to develop coordinated strategies and address complex needs. Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage competing priorities, navigate high-risk situations, and maintain professionalism and sound judgment in high-demand environments. Known for collaborative leadership, effective communication, conflict resolution, and building strong partnerships that support program integrity, continuity of care, accountability, and successful outcomes.
Work History
Specialty Court Juvenile Probation Officer (GRIP)
6 Months- Coordinate comprehensive case management from intake through case closure, maintaining accurate, timely, and detailed documentation across field, school, detention, and placement settings. Monitor assessments, GPS compliance, court requirements, case planning, referrals, data entry, progress reports, and service follow-through in accordance with departmental policies and state standards.
- Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary partners, including service providers, legal representatives, supervisors, schools, detention and placement staff, families, and community agencies, to coordinate case planning, address emerging concerns, and maintain continuity of care.
- Facilitate multidisciplinary case staffings to identify and prioritize youth needs, assess risk and protective factors, develop coordinated intervention strategies, and ensure all involved parties have clear communication regarding case expectations and responsibilities.
- Demonstrate strong attention to detail when managing complex and high-risk cases, ensuring critical information, deadlines, court requirements, assessments, and service recommendations are accurately documented and communicated to appropriate stakeholders.
- Utilize sound judgment and remain calm and focused when responding to high-stress and potentially volatile situations involving youth, families, and community settings, while prioritizing safety, de-escalation, and coordinated decision-making.
- Monitor changes in youth behavior, circumstances, and risk factors and promptly communicate significant concerns to supervisors and appropriate partner agencies to support timely intervention and informed case decisions.
- Coordinate and facilitate the safe transportation, transfer, and release of youth for essential services and placement-related activities, maintaining situational awareness and adhering to established safety protocols and procedures.
- Maintain consistent communication and follow-through with youth, families, agency partners, and service providers to ensure identified needs are addressed and case plans remain responsive to changing circumstances.
Juvenile Probation Officer-YESS
9 Years 10 Months- Collaborated with multidisciplinary professionals and partner agencies, including DFPS, schools, treatment providers, law enforcement, and community-based organizations, to coordinate services and promote positive outcomes for gang-affiliated youth.
- Provided community-based supervision and case management to gang-affiliated juveniles, working collaboratively with youth, families, and service providers to support compliance with court-ordered conditions and individualized case plan goals.
- Conducted field, home, and community visits while maintaining open communication with families, agency partners, and other professionals involved in the youth’s care to identify concerns and coordinate timely interventions.
- Prepared and maintained comprehensive case documentation, incorporating information from multiple stakeholders to support informed case planning, continuity of services, and effective team communication.
- Conducted structured interviews and gang assessments to identify youth strengths, risks, needs, and service needs, collaborating with multidisciplinary partners to develop individualized intervention and case management strategies.
- Assessed probation-related concerns and collaborated with supervisors, court personnel, families, and involved agencies to determine appropriate responses, address barriers to compliance, and support accountability.
- Coordinated post-release and community-based services with partner agencies and community providers, including employment, education, counseling, and other supportive resources, to promote continuity of care and successful reintegration.
- Participated in multidisciplinary case coordination by sharing relevant information, communicating case concerns, and working collectively with partner agencies to ensure youth and families were connected to appropriate resources and supports.
Juvenile Probation Officer-SNDP
1 Year 4 Months- Provided specialized, mental health-informed supervision and case management to juveniles with behavioral health, therapeutic, and emotional needs, utilizing individualized and strengths-based approaches to support positive outcomes.
- Collaborated with mental health professionals, treatment providers, families, and multidisciplinary teams to assess youth needs, develop individualized intervention strategies, and coordinate continuity of care.
- Applied knowledge of mental health and behavioral health principles to recognize changes in youth functioning, identify emerging concerns, and facilitate appropriate interventions and referrals.
- Responded to behavioral and mental health crises using trauma-informed and de-escalation approaches, prioritizing youth safety, stabilization, and connection to appropriate supports.
- Maintained accurate case documentation and utilized the TJJD database to monitor case progress, treatment compliance, and adherence to state standards and reporting requirements.
- Worked collaboratively with youth, families, treatment providers, and court stakeholders to address barriers to successful probation completion and develop appropriate responses to noncompliance.
- Coordinated across departments and community-based providers to connect youth and families with appropriate mental health, therapeutic, educational, and supportive services.
Pretrial Officer
3 Years 3 Months- Coordinated and facilitated timely access to defendants in city and county detention facilities for interviews, assessments, and pretrial case processing, ensuring accurate and thorough information was available to support judicial decision-making.
- Conducted comprehensive defendant interviews to obtain criminal and social histories, assess risk factors and likelihood of reoffending, and synthesize relevant information for presentation to the court and other legal stakeholders.
- Communicated critical case information and release recommendations professionally and effectively to magistrates, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and other members of the legal system, demonstrating sound judgment and discretion when handling sensitive information.
- Worked directly within a high-volume, fast-paced courtroom environment, managing competing priorities and strict deadlines while maintaining accuracy, professionalism, composure, and attention to detail.
- Demonstrated strong courtroom presence and professional communication when interacting with judges, magistrates, district attorneys, defense counsel, law enforcement, defendants, and members of the public.
- Collaborated with judicial and legal professionals to facilitate the efficient processing of cases, ensuring relevant information was communicated clearly and appropriate procedures were followed throughout the pretrial process.
- Responded professionally to inquiries from defendants, attorneys, families, and members of the public, explaining pretrial processes and requirements clearly while maintaining appropriate boundaries and confidentiality.
- Prioritized and completed time-sensitive case responsibilities in high-pressure situations, exercising organization, adaptability, and sound decision-making while meeting the demands of a continuously evolving courtroom environment.
- Maintained a professional and composed demeanor during challenging interactions and high-demand court proceedings, recognizing the importance of respectful communication, impartiality, and professionalism when representing the department within the broader legal system.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Master of Science - Criminal Justice
- 4.0 GPA.
- Relevant Coursework: Specialized Populations in Criminal Justice & Foundations of Practice
Skills
Exceptional Communicator
Crisis intervention techniques
Mental health awareness
Individualized case planning
Community resource coordination
Court Reporting
Family engagement
Courtroom testimony
Motivational Interviewing
Evidence Based Practices
Accomplishments
- Collaborated with key members of the agency in the Family Engaged Case Planning initiative and development of a new case plan for Harris County Juvenile Probation Department.
- Assisted in creating the training manual for the Family Engaged Case Planning initiative.
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Specialty Court Juvenile Probation Officer (GRIP)
Harris County Juvenile Probation Department
04.2026 - CurrentRead More
Juvenile Probation Officer-YESS
Harris County Juvenile Probation Department
06.2016 - 04.2026Read More
Juvenile Probation Officer-SNDP
Harris County Juvenile Probation Department
02.2015 - 06.2016Read More
Pretrial Officer
Harris County Pretrial Services
11.2011 - 02.2015Read More
University of Houston-Downtown
Master of Science from Criminal Justice
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University of Houston-Downtown
Bachelor of Science from Criminal Justice
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