ERICA LUCERO
Los Lunas
Summary
Compassionate and dedicated Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) with more than 15+ years of experience advocating for children, adolescents, and families navigating educational, behavioral health, disability, and healthcare systems. Extensive expertise supporting students with emotional, behavioral, developmental, and physical disabilities while partnering with educators, multidisciplinary teams, and community organizations to improve student outcomes. Experienced in psychosocial assessments, crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, behavioral health, family systems, case management, educational advocacy, and connecting families with community resources. Highly knowledgeable in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504, Early Intervention (Part C), Special Education (Part B), transition planning, Positive Behavioral Supports, and family engagement strategies. Recognized for building trusting relationships with students and families, advocating for equitable access to educational services, and creating collaborative partnerships that address barriers to academic achievement, attendance, social-emotional development, and overall student success.
Overview
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Care Coordinator Supervisor
Presbyterian Health Plan
Albuquerque, NM
12.2024 - Current
- Oversaw clinical and administrative functions of a multidisciplinary team, ensuring comprehensive support for individuals facing complex medical, behavioral health, developmental, and social issues.
- Supervised, mentored, coached, and evaluated a team of care coordinators to enhance team effectiveness and support member needs.
- Provided clinical insights to support staff in navigating complex high-risk member situations, including mental health emergencies, abuse allegations, homelessness, family conflicts, and safety planning initiatives.
- Utilized clinical judgment to guide staff in high-risk member situations, ensuring appropriate interventions for mental health crises, abuse, homelessness, family conflict, and safety planning.
- Coordinated interdisciplinary meetings to develop comprehensive care strategies for individuals facing medical and behavioral challenges.
- Assessed and addressed multifaceted behavioral health family systems and psychosocial challenges through targeted consultations.
- Coordinated resources and services to empower members and families in overcoming obstacles associated with housing, food insecurity, transportation, healthcare access, behavioral health services, and disability supports.
- Led interdisciplinary collaboration with physicians, behavioral health providers, schools, community agencies, and families to coordinate comprehensive care for complex individuals.
- Performed thorough chart audits aimed at maintaining compliance with NCQA, CMS, New Mexico HCA regulations, and internal policies.
- Developed and facilitated targeted training sessions to enhance staff competencies in documentation, person-centered care, trauma-informed approaches, motivational interviewing, and adherence to regulatory standards.
- Implemented strengths-based coaching techniques to enhance employee performance and foster professional development.
- Collaborated on grievance resolution initiatives, ensuring advocacy for equitable healthcare and community service access.
- Partnered with leadership to identify and implement quality improvement strategies for program advancement.
- Provided comprehensive case management to maintain care continuity amidst staffing shortages and employee absences.
- Designed and implemented tailored care plans for varied patient demographics to enhance overall patient well-being.
- Streamlined communication processes between healthcare providers and patients, enhancing the efficiency of service delivery.
- Streamlined case management processes by integrating best practices, leading to better patient outcomes and increased satisfaction levels.
- Provided mentorship to junior staff, focusing on care coordination techniques to strengthen team performance.
- Managed staff recruitment, hiring, and training initiatives, delivering direct supervision and fostering ongoing education for employee development.
- Engaged with multidisciplinary teams to enhance patient care quality through detailed care plan development.
- Identified key areas for program enhancement and resource allocation efficiency through comprehensive analysis of patient data trends.
- Used company software and databases to maintain records of services performed and patient conditions.
- Managed patient caseloads effectively, ensuring timely follow-up and appropriate interventions.
- Conducted regular evaluations of care plan effectiveness, making necessary adjustments based on feedback from patients and providers.
- Facilitated interdisciplinary team meetings to evaluate patient progress and enhance care strategies.
- Executed meticulous documentation of patient records, adhering strictly to HIPAA guidelines for confidentiality and accuracy.
- Assessed patient needs and connected them with appropriate resources to ensure optimal health outcomes.
Licensed Master Social Worker / Clinical Therapist
Love is Healing, LLC
Albuquerque, NM
07.2024 - 12.2025
- Delivered trauma-informed psychotherapy to children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families, fostering resilience in managing emotional, behavioral, relational, and mental health challenges.
- Conducted comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments to inform tailored treatment strategies.
- Provide individual, family, and supportive counseling.
- Conduct suicide risk and safety assessments.
- Utilize CBT, DBT-informed interventions, Narrative Therapy, Attachment Theory, Somatic interventions, and Emotion-Focused Therapy.
- Assist clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, ADHD, adjustment disorders, and family conflict.
- Provide crisis intervention and stabilization services.
- Collaborate with physicians, schools, behavioral health providers, and community organizations.
- Educated families on emotional regulation, healthy communication, and coping skills, enhancing overall family dynamics and support systems.
- Maintain confidential documentation in accordance with HIPAA and ethical standards.
- Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify client needs and develop tailored intervention strategies.
Care Coordinator
Presbyterian Health Plan
03.2018 - 12.2024
- Provided intensive case management to children and adults with chronic medical conditions, developmental disabilities, behavioral health diagnoses, and complex psychosocial needs.
- Conduct comprehensive psychosocial and needs assessments.
- Identified barriers to health, independence, education, and community participation to enhance client outcomes.
- Develop individualized care plans utilizing person-centered planning.
- Collaborate with families, schools, physicians, therapists, behavioral health providers, and community organizations.
- Advocated for members, securing equitable access to essential services.
- Coordinate behavioral health treatment, medical care, educational supports, and community resources.
- Assist families in accessing Medicaid waiver programs, durable medical equipment, transportation, housing resources, food assistance, and disability services.
- Supported seamless transitions between hospitals, home, school, and community settings to promote continuity of care.
- Utilize motivational interviewing and solution-focused approaches to increase engagement.
Lead Family Liaison – Early Childhood & Family-to-Family Health Information Center
Parents Reaching Out
Albuquerque, NM
11.2011 - 03.2018
- Served as a statewide advocate supporting families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs in understanding educational rights, accessing services, and developing effective advocacy skills.
- Helped families understand their rights under IDEA Part C and Part B.
- Assisted parents in preparing for and participating in IEP meetings.
- Guided families on how Section 504 accommodations support student needs.
- Assisted families in understanding evaluations, eligibility determinations, procedural safeguards, transition planning, and dispute resolution.
- Collaborated with school districts, educators, therapists, healthcare providers, and state agencies to enhance service access for families of children with disabilities.
- Facilitated parent support groups and educational workshops to empower families with knowledge and resources.
- Designed and presented trainings throughout New Mexico on disability rights, advocacy, transition planning, behavioral supports, Medicaid services, and family engagement.
- Recruited and trained family leaders to champion systems change at local and state levels, fostering a stronger advocacy network.
- Built collaborative relationships with schools and community organizations to improve access to services.
- Managed federal grant deliverables and program reporting.
Family Liaison – Parent Training & Information Center
Parents Reaching Out
Albuquerque, NM
03.2009 - 11.2011
- Guided families through special education services in New Mexico public schools, enhancing their ability to advocate for their children's needs.
- Informed families about IDEA, Section 504, RTI, Functional Behavioral Assessments, Behavioral Intervention Plans, transition services, and dispute resolution, empowering them to navigate educational processes more effectively.
- Clarified educational evaluations and eligibility for parents, enabling informed decision-making in their children's education.
- Assisted parents in understanding educational evaluations and eligibility.
- Connected families to educational and community resources.
- Developed educational materials and training presentations.
- Participated in statewide committees promoting educational equity for students with disabilities.
Education
Master of Social Worker - Social Work
New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM05-2023
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
New Mexico Highlands University
Las Vegas, NM05-2022
Associate Integrated Studies - Integrative Studies
University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM07-2016
High School Diploma -
Belen High School
Belen, NM03-2002
Skills
- Organizational skills
- Documentation proficiency
- Case management
- Multidisciplinary team collaboration
- Quality assurance
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Conflict resolution
- Performance metrics
- Patient care assessment
- Program oversight
- Patient education
Certification
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), State of New Mexico
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
- Section 504
- Special Education Rights
- Dispute Resolution
- Circle of Security Facilitator
- SibShop Facilitator
- Partners in Policymaking Graduate
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Family Leadership Development
- Community Resource Navigation
- Behavioral Health Coordination
CLINICAL INTERNSHIPS
- Master of Social Work Clinical Internship
- Love is Healing, LLC
- Individual Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Trauma Treatment
- CBT
- DBT
- Narrative Therapy
- Somatic Therapy
- Attachment Theory
- Psychosocial Assessments
- Crisis Intervention
- Treatment Planning
- Community Resource Coordination
- Bachelor of Social Work Internship
- Pegasus Legal Services for Children
- Conducted intake assessments.
- Assisted kinship caregivers.
- Connected families to legal and community resources.
- Developed resource guides.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary child welfare professionals.
- Supported guardianship planning and advocacy.
Timeline
Care Coordinator Supervisor
Presbyterian Health Plan
12.2024 - Current
Licensed Master Social Worker / Clinical Therapist
Love is Healing, LLC
07.2024 - 12.2025
Care Coordinator
Presbyterian Health Plan
03.2018 - 12.2024
Lead Family Liaison – Early Childhood & Family-to-Family Health Information Center
Parents Reaching Out
11.2011 - 03.2018
Family Liaison – Parent Training & Information Center
Parents Reaching Out
03.2009 - 11.2011
Master of Social Worker - Social Work
New Mexico Highlands University
Bachelor of Social Work - Social Work
New Mexico Highlands University
Associate Integrated Studies - Integrative Studies
University of New Mexico
High School Diploma -
Belen High School