Desiree Cortinas
San Antonio,TX
Summary
Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a background in providing various mental health services in diverse settings, including hospitals, jails, residential facilities, and private practices. Adept at conducting group and individual therapy, and providing social support to clients, skilled in crisis intervention, case management, and the development of treatment plans. Recognized for commitment to patient advocacy and collaboration with interdisciplinary teams to ensure optimal care. Dedicated to clients' rights, and promoting the coping mechanisms and skills that enable community reintegration. Strong interest in developing supervisory skills.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Complex Care Manager (Jail Based Competency Restoration Program)
Center for Health Care Service
San Antonio, TX
06.2023 - Current
- Conducts assessments, develops treatment plans for consumers, and monitors consumer progress with treatment goals. This may include reporting to the legal system and other community partners.
- Provides crisis intervention to individuals to reduce symptoms and prevent admission to a more restrictive environment.
- Provides group and individual therapeutic services to help client’s with sever psychosis and other duel diagnosis.
- Assists with developing new/temporary programs that arise in response to catalyst incidents such as community needs, natural disasters, etc.
- Coordinates intake function to Adult Behavioral Health in designated programs.
- Documents all clinical interactions and updates in electronic medical records and other required platforms in a timely manner.
- Participates in professional development duties, including special assignments/projects such as improvement work groups, agency wide committees, and community meetings.
- Provides case management support, including care coordination, direct services, discharge planning, referrals, linkage and transition to the next level of care, emergency case management assistance as needed, psychosocial rehabilitation services (individual or group), recovery planning, resource development and cross-collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.
- Participates in coordination and communication with law enforcement, hospital personnel, and other community providers on the progress of individuals receiving and collaborating services.
BIPP Facilitator
Optimal Counseling Services
San Antonio, TX
10.2021 - 06.2024
- Provide quality services consistent with the agency philosophy and agency procedures.
- Assist in orienting new participants to include registering participants and schedule evaluation and orientation appointments.
- Conduct biopsychosocial evaluations with participants.
- Provide educational groups using evidence based counseling techniques, meeting state approval.
- Provide limited individual services (therapeutic services) as needed to progress in the program.
- Maintain contact with partners/victims of participants and provide them with appropriate information and assistance needed.
- Complete and submit group activity reports, timesheets and other paperwork in accordance with agency procedures.
- Maintain accurate financial and case records for group participants.
- Prepare BIPP client partner closing letters and certificates of completions.
Family Reentry Enrichment Specialist(Program Specialist IV)
Texas Juvenile Justice Department
San Antonio, TX
02.2018 - 05.2023
- Developed and implemented the Family Enrichment Service Program; to include the framework, flowchart, policy updates, training, and purchasing of assessment tool to insure the program was implemented using best practices.
- Provided skills building training, parenting education/support, counseling and comprehensive case management to incarcerated and formerly-incarcerated juvenile offenders on parole status, and their families.
- Coordinates and provides services such as out-of-school activities, mentoring, and educational enrichment/workforce development programs.
- Participates in interagency/community committees and work groups which are involved in service provision for youth and families to enhance the continuity of care and re-entry process for youth and families.
- Teaches assigned youth and families to navigate systems (medical, behavioral health, educational, human service agencies, etc.).
- Utilizes 'Motivational Interviewing' as a strategy for engagement and intervention, and assists family members in holding youth accountable to his/her assigned condition of parole.
- Tracks and monitors assigned youth and assists in family services and long term permanency planning for these youth. Initiates and facilities meetings between agency personnel to enhance collaboration of reentry planning.
- Raise agency personnel awareness and provide training on family dynamics, and the impact the separation and incarceration has on the family unit; address these issues at the family level as needed: advocated for 'family voice' within the agency.
- Develops and coordinated training material for family support workshops/support groups.
- Lead family advocate and the family advocate program, including providing support services for families of newly committed youth.
Probation Officer III / Data and Compliance Officer
Bell County Juvenile Probation
Killeen, TX
02.2017 - 02.2018
- Responsible to be aware of any changes in laws and/or codes pertaining to juveniles and their families.
- Responsible for conducting routine audits on all department units to ensure TJJD compliance.
- Provides technical assistance pertaining to TJJD standards and department policies/standard operating procedures as needed to all areas of the department with an emphasis on the field.
- Provides analysis of department programs utilizing evidence based measures to determine program fidelity and outcomes.
- Responsible for monthly data extraction for TJJD.
- Compiles and ensures appropriate resolution on monthly Field Error Reports (PIP).
- Compiles and distributes the Judge’s Report and BCJDS Report monthly.
- Assists the Compliance/Data Coordinator in department related research projects.
Social Work Intern
Texas Juvenile Justice Department
Austin, TX
10.2016 - 03.2017
- Provide Therapeutic Services for Behavioral and Psychological Needs (Individual, Group, and Family Counseling).
- Participated in Multi-Disciplinary Team Meetings.
- Conducting Psychological/Mental Health Evaluations.
- Assisted in Conducting Suicidal Screening.
- Created Treatment Plans.
- Created Transitions Plans.
- Data Analysis to Identify Root Cause Issues leading to racial and ethnic disparities within TJJD.
- Participated in an Initiative to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Disparities by collecting data and reviewing it to make data driven decisions resulting in update training, policies and procedures state wide.
Probation Officer II / Cognitive Education Facilitator
Bell County Juvenile Probation
Killeen, TX
06.2015 - 02.2017
- Develop and conduct Cognitive Education Programs for Juveniles who are released from residential/nonresidential facility and with juveniles who are currently on intensive supervision probation. Programs may include but are not limited to: substance abuse, healthy relationships, aggression management, and positive parenting skills.
- Coordinate and create family re-integration plan for clients released from placements.
- Liaison between probation department and mental health agencies.
- Responsible for case management to include case planning and service delivery.
- Collaborate with outside agencies for referral of clients with psychiatric needs.
- Participate in treatment team meetings and staffing as required.
- Responsible for the creation and development of programs to address gaps in services for clients.
- Conducted department wide training to staff to build awareness on cognitive education programs, to educate staff on how to provide Positive behavioral interventions and supports on different level of supervision, and to inform staff on how to provide trauma informed care.
- Assists Supervisor to identify and train additional cognitive education specialists within the department to provide prevention and intervention programming.
- Developed and conducted monthly reviews and assessments for juveniles.
Social Work Intern
Metroplex Behavioral Health Clinic
Killeen, TX
03.2015 - 09.2015
- Provide Therapeutic Services for Behavioral and Psychological Needs (Individual, group, and family counseling).
- Participated in Case Staffing with Clinical Staff.
- Conducted Psychosocial Evaluations.
- Created Treatment Plans.
- Created Discharge Summaries.
- Organized Out Patient Services to ensure Continuity of Care.
Education
Masters - Social Work
Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX03.2017
Bachelor of Science - Psychology and Sociology
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Belton, TX12.2006
Associates - Arts
Hill College
Hillsboro, TX05.2004
Skills
- Treatment planning and crisis intervention
- Case management
- Electronic medical records management
- Behavioral health coordination
- Program development
- Biopsychosocial assessments
- Community outreach
- Motivational interviewing
- Effective communication
- Conflict resolution
- Team leadership
- Cultural competence
- Family needs assessments
- Interagency collaboration
- Fiscal assessments
- Data analysis
- Treatment assessments
References
Available Upon request
Timeline
Complex Care Manager (Jail Based Competency Restoration Program)
Center for Health Care Service
06.2023 - Current
BIPP Facilitator
Optimal Counseling Services
10.2021 - 06.2024
Family Reentry Enrichment Specialist(Program Specialist IV)
Texas Juvenile Justice Department
02.2018 - 05.2023
Probation Officer III / Data and Compliance Officer
Bell County Juvenile Probation
02.2017 - 02.2018
Social Work Intern
Texas Juvenile Justice Department
10.2016 - 03.2017
Probation Officer II / Cognitive Education Facilitator
Bell County Juvenile Probation
06.2015 - 02.2017
Social Work Intern
Metroplex Behavioral Health Clinic
03.2015 - 09.2015
Masters - Social Work
Our Lady of the Lake University
Bachelor of Science - Psychology and Sociology
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
Associates - Arts
Hill College