DENISE MARTELL
Alameda,CA
Summary
Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 15 years in mental health services and student support. Expertise in leading multidisciplinary teams, crisis intervention, and developing wellness initiatives that enhance student engagement and equity in K-12 and higher education settings.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
FACULTY FIELD LIAISON
San José State University
08.2020 - Current
- Serve as faculty liaison between the School of Social Work, community agencies, field instructors, and students enrolled in BASW and MSW programs.
- Facilitate field seminars, evaluate student performance, grade assignments, and provide academic advising and professional mentorship.
- Support student learning through supervision, coaching, and consultation regarding professional development and field placement experiences.
- Collaborate with field instructors to develop learning contracts, monitor student progress, and ensure quality educational experiences.
- Conduct agency visits and facilitate evaluations to assess student performance and field placement effectiveness.
- Address student, agency, and field instructor concerns while ensuring compliance with program policies and professional standards.
- Promote inclusive educational practices that support students from diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER / COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATOR
San Francisco Unified School District
08.2019 - Current
- Provide school-wide mental health leadership to support positive school climate and student well-being.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary student support systems, including Student Assistance Program (SAP) and Response to Intervention (RtI) teams.
- Collaborate with administrators, educators, families, and community partners to develop integrated student support services.
- Lead crisis response efforts and provide consultation regarding implementation of district crisis protocols.
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of home, school, and community factors affecting student success.
- Support attendance improvement initiatives through family engagement and intervention planning.
- Consult with staff regarding classroom management, behavior intervention plans, and social-emotional learning strategies.
- Serve as liaison for Foster Youth Services, Families and Youth in Transition, and LGBTQ+ student support programs.
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Mount Diablo Unified School District
08.2018 - 06.2019
- Provided comprehensive school counseling services addressing academic, social-emotional, behavioral, and attendance concerns.
- Delivered individual and group counseling interventions to support student success.
- Coordinated counseling services and community agency partnerships.
- Provided crisis intervention and mandated reporting support related to abuse, neglect, and student safety concerns.
- Assisted in implementation of PBIS, Coordinated Care Teams, and RtI processes.
- Participated in SST, IEP, and Section 504 meetings.
- Delivered professional development for school and district staff.
- Supported foster youth, newcomer students, and families experiencing housing instability.
SOCIAL WORK SPECIALIST
Mount Diablo Unified School District
08.2015 - 06.2018
- Supported district-wide implementation of PBIS and school climate initiatives.
- Provided individual and group counseling for students experiencing behavioral, emotional, and social challenges.
- Assisted families in accessing educational, health, and mental health resources.
- Promoted culturally responsive and strength-based practices across school communities.
- Collaborated with public agencies, mental health providers, probation departments, and community organizations.
- Supervised and trained social work and counseling interns.
- Participated in SST, IEP, and Section 504 meetings and maintained program documentation and outcome reports.
WELLNESS COORDINATOR
San Francisco Unified School District
10.2012 - 08.2015
- Developed and managed a comprehensive school wellness program serving diverse student populations.
- Supervised multidisciplinary wellness staff, interns, and community partners.
- Coordinated counseling, case management, crisis intervention, health education, and prevention services.
- Managed student referral systems and case management processes.
- Collaborated with school leadership to implement Student Assistance Program (SAP) and Student Success Team (SST) interventions.
- Organized professional development related to student health, mental health, and substance use prevention.
- Developed partnerships with community-based organizations to expand student services.
- Led school-wide health promotion initiatives and awareness campaigns.
- Maintained program evaluation data and supported district wellness assessment efforts.
SOCIAL WORKER II - PEDIATRICS
Parkland Health & Hospital System
06.2010 - 05.2012
- Conducted psychosocial assessments and screenings for pediatric patients and families.
- Provided crisis intervention, counseling, and care coordination services.
- Guided families in navigating community resources and support services to enhance overall well-being.
- Collaborated in discharge planning and multidisciplinary care teams to ensure comprehensive patient outcomes.
- Addressed complex cases involving abuse, neglect, domestic violence, foster care, adoption, and mental health needs.
- Led psychoeducational groups and ensured thorough clinical documentation to support effective treatment.
Education
Master of Social Work -
San José State University
San Jose, CA05-2008
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of California
Santa Barbara06-2005
Skills
- School-based mental health
- Crisis intervention
- Individual and group counseling
- Behavioral management
- Restorative practices
- IEP processes
- Program development
- Educational collaboration
- Community partnerships
- Community outreach
- Case management
- Equity initiatives
- Mentorship training
- Bilingual Spanish
- Instructional strategies
Licenses And Credentials
- Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), California Board of Behavioral Sciences, 132566
- Pupil Personnel Services Credential (PPSC) - School Social Work, 170120859
Additional Qualifications
- Bilingual in Spanish
- Certified Restorative Practices Trainer, International Institute for Restorative Practices (2019)
- Extensive experience working with culturally and linguistically diverse student populations
- Experienced trainer, mentor, and supervisor of social work and counseling interns
Timeline
FACULTY FIELD LIAISON
San José State University
08.2020 - Current
SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER / COMMUNITY SCHOOL COORDINATOR
San Francisco Unified School District
08.2019 - Current
SCHOOL COUNSELOR
Mount Diablo Unified School District
08.2018 - 06.2019
SOCIAL WORK SPECIALIST
Mount Diablo Unified School District
08.2015 - 06.2018
WELLNESS COORDINATOR
San Francisco Unified School District
10.2012 - 08.2015
SOCIAL WORKER II - PEDIATRICS
Parkland Health & Hospital System
06.2010 - 05.2012
Master of Social Work -
San José State University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
University of California