Cristina Lancaster
New Bern,NC
Summary
Compassionate person with 10 +years of experience in legal settings. Skilled at managing multiple cases with great attention to detail and knowledge of local resources. Known for providing caring and comprehensive support to families and children.
Demonstrates strong analytical, communication, and teamwork skills, with proven ability to quickly adapt to new environments. Eager to contribute to team success and further develop professional skills. Brings positive attitude and commitment to continuous learning and growth.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Legal Department/Collections
Jacksonville, NC
Jacksonville, NC, USA
03.2013
- Responsible for taking all accounts to court.
- Making sure that the paperwork is filled out appropriately, keeping up with court dates and attending court date.
- Responsible for calling accounts to try to get payments and remind them of payments that need to be made.
- Responsible for sending notices to customers about past due account through letters or action to file suit.
- Accept payments from customers both in person and over the phone.
- Deal with the court system in regards to court cases.
- Work closely with the sheriff’s department in regards to writ's that need to be served and schedule pickups.
- Schedule repossessions that are both voluntary and involuntary.
- Other duties as needed.
Criminal/Domestic Case Manager
Villager Law Firm
Jacksonville, NC, USA
08.2010
- Responsible for making appointment for clients that have been court appointed to the attorney or retained.
- Answered incoming calls if a traffic case, criminal case or domestic I spoke to client and tried to handle everything before giving to attorney.
- Other calls that were PI related I referred to the PI manager.
- Sent correspondence to clients in reference to court dates.
- Prepared daily court calendar for court for attorney if cases were to be continued or held open was responsible to going to court and informing DA of those things til attorney was able to get there.
- If attorney was unable to meet with clients, I was to meet with them and get information that was needed.
- Responsible to going to court and copying warrant information on criminal cases.
- Prepared separation agreements and divorce complaints and judgments; accepted payments on clients’ accounts and give them a receipt of their bill.
- Other various duties as needed to assist with the law office.
Senior Case Manager
Interfaith Refugee Ministries
New Bern, NC, USA
02.2024 - Current
- Assist client's who have enter the United States as refugee's acclimated to life in the United States.
- Assist clients with setting up housing, applying for benefits, finding employment, assist with enrolling in English Classes.
- Anything that the client may need to assist to a new life within the rules and standards of our organization.
- Managed a caseload of high-acuity clients, overseeing their comprehensive care plans and ensuring the delivery of quality services in accordance with established protocols.
- Implemented and maintained case management processes, ensuring compliance with industry regulations, organizational policies, and ethical standards.
- Developed and maintained collaborative relationships with community resources, healthcare providers, and social service agencies to enhance support and services for clients.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments of clients' needs, strengths, and barriers, facilitating the development of personalized care plans.
- Advocated for clients' rights and needs within the healthcare system, ensuring they received appropriate services and support.
- Managed crisis situations, providing immediate intervention and support to clients in emergency situations.
- Facilitated regular case conferences and team meetings to review and discuss complex cases, ensuring a coordinated and integrated approach to client care.
- Conducted regular home visits and client assessments to monitor progress, address concerns, and modify care plans as needed.
- Provided ongoing education and support to clients and their families, empowering them to actively participate in the management of their healthcare needs.
- Ensured compliance with all relevant laws and regulations, including HIPAA, in the handling of sensitive client information.
- Maintained a thorough understanding of available community resources and social services, connecting clients with appropriate support networks.
- Collaborated with legal professionals to navigate complex legal issues related to clients' cases, ensuring compliance with legal requirements and regulations.
- Managed and resolved conflicts and challenges within the case management team, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
- Maintained a caseload in accordance with organizational standards, balancing efficiency with commitment to quality and client-centered care.
Specialized Case Manager
Interfaith Refugee Ministry
New Bern, NC, USA
02.2024 - Current
- Provide direct services to refugees and other populations under the direction of the Case Management Coordinator.
- Assist with cases that have identified mental/physical health or adjustment issues.
- Assist clients with intake to determine what services may be needed and seek out appropriate services.
- Provide clients with transportation with case management, service plans and budgets.
- Provide documentation in the form of notes for each case.
- Other duties as assigned by Executive Director and Case Management Coordinator.
Family and Children’s Medicaid Worker - Income Maintenance Caseworker II
Craven County Department of Social Services
New Bern, NC, USA
12.2022 - 10.2023
- Interview clients and obtain their income to see if they are eligible for Medicaid and what Medicaid program, they would be eligible for.
- Send out appropriate paperwork to obtain household information.
- If available, contact client to obtain their household information, work details and pay and try to obtain a voice signature on the NCFAST2000.
- If needed send a DHB5097 to Client to see if they can meet a deductible in order to obtain Medicaid.
- Prepare Budget and template for each client.
- Answer phone calls from clients in reference to their Medicaid as it results in their recertifications, changes in coverage or general questions with their Medicaid.
- Contact other departments in the agency when a change has been in coverage so they can update their records.
- Update phone numbers and addresses as needed.
- Other duties as assigned.
Child Support Establishment Agent II
Lenoir County Department of Social Services
Kinston, NC, USA
08.2016 - 12.2022
- Interview clients and build the case for those who are requesting child support services.
- Prepare complaints and summons to be reviewed by the child support attorney for court.
- Interview noncustodial parents, locate non-custodial parents, establish paternity orders when paternity has not been established.
- Prepare child support worksheets based on nc child support guidelines.
- Prepare orders from court to be signed by the Judge after they have been heard in court.
- Enter cases into a system called northwoods which allows items to be scanned by cases.
- Work monthly reports, answer phone calls and assist clients and non-custodial parents.
- Other duties as needed.
Child Support Establishment Agent II
Wayne County Department of Social Services
Goldsboro, NC, USA
03.2013 - 08.2016
- Conduct Interviews with clients and non-custodial parents and explain child support services.
- Locate noncustodial parents, establish paternity and support orders.
- Prepare cases for legal action and complete referral to County Attorney.
- Answer phone calls and see clients regarding status of cases.
- Complete three-year reviews on eligible cases.
- Complete monthly reports.
- Other duties as assigned.
- Schedule Group Client Interview Appointments and do Presentation for the appointment.
- Build cases in Northwoods program Compass and scan all documents to be able to eventually go paperless.
Legal Assistant
Janet Reed Law Firm
Jacksonville, NC, USA
03.2010 - 08.2010
- Responsible for making appointments for attorney.
- Prepared daily court calendar for court each day if needed go to court to talk to da to have cases continued or held open.
- Sent letters to clients in reference to their court dates.
- Responsible for obtaining copies of warrants on criminal cases.
- Login in outgoing and incoming mail; Answered phones and handled accordingly.
- Other duties as need to assist with the office.
Deputy Clerk
Onslow County Clerk of Court
Jacksonville, NC, USA
09.2002 - 11.2008
- Worked in criminal division.
- Job included various aspects in criminal division such as working in two different court rooms.
- One courtroom was traffic and driving issues and the other courtroom was misdemeanor cases; entered new cases in system; entered new court dates from courtroom in system and file the cases away.
- Typed commitments to be sent to the local jail and department of correction; responsible for issuing limited license to the general public and attorneys.
- Issued subpoenas to appropriate people that da asked for.
- Assist the public with questions both in person and on the phone in regard to questions and procedures about criminal court.
- Responsible for taking add on cases to the courtroom; entered disposition of cases in computer.
- Prepared calendar for felony first appearances and interviewing the defendants for court appointed attorney both in jail and those bonded out.
- Entered entries of appearance in computer and filed in case; entered information of first appearances in computer.
- Prepared dwi cases for computer and assisted with vehicle seizure paperwork; other duties as needed in the criminal division.
Deputy Clerk
Jones County Clerk of Court
Trenton, NC, USA
05.2000 - 09.2002
- Handled small claims, miscellaneous filing and registrations.
- Answered phone and transferred to appropriate division; open and distributed mail for entire office.
- Responsible for all cash receipting in the office; other duties as needed for the office.
Deputy Clerk
Lenoir County Clerk of Court
Kinston, NC, USA
10.1997 - 05.2000
- Responsible for cash receipting of child support cases and criminal cases.
- Responsible for running criminal record checks; assisted attorneys and the public with issuing limited license.
- Other duties as needed.
Deputy Clerk
Wake County Clerk of Court
Raleigh, NC, USA
06.1996 - 06.1997
- Worked in child support division; ran daily reports for division which included the running of checks.
- Entered orders in computer for both 4-d cases and clerk of court cases; assisted the public with filing motions.
- Answered phones and assisted with questions; worked the 4-d courtroom as courtroom clerk.
- Responsible for pulling calendar for court cases.
- Other duties as needed.
Education
Associate of Science - Paralegal Technology
Coastal Carolina Community College
Jacksonville, NC05.1995
Skills
- Phone etiquette
- Cash handling
- Windows
- Microsoft Powerpoint
- Order Entry
- Communication skills
- Microsoft Outlook
- Training and Development
- Various Training through Child Support
- Interviewing
- Organizational skills
- Computer skills
- Order entry
- Cash register
- Paralegal experience
- Time management
Timeline
Senior Case Manager
Interfaith Refugee Ministries
02.2024 - Current
Specialized Case Manager
Interfaith Refugee Ministry
02.2024 - Current
Family and Children’s Medicaid Worker - Income Maintenance Caseworker II
Craven County Department of Social Services
12.2022 - 10.2023
Child Support Establishment Agent II
Lenoir County Department of Social Services
08.2016 - 12.2022
Legal Department/Collections
Jacksonville, NC
03.2013
Child Support Establishment Agent II
Wayne County Department of Social Services
03.2013 - 08.2016
Criminal/Domestic Case Manager
Villager Law Firm
08.2010
Legal Assistant
Janet Reed Law Firm
03.2010 - 08.2010
Deputy Clerk
Onslow County Clerk of Court
09.2002 - 11.2008
Deputy Clerk
Jones County Clerk of Court
05.2000 - 09.2002
Deputy Clerk
Lenoir County Clerk of Court
10.1997 - 05.2000
Deputy Clerk
Wake County Clerk of Court
06.1996 - 06.1997
Associate of Science - Paralegal Technology
Coastal Carolina Community College