Evelyn Gonzalez-Ortiz
Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice
2
Languages
1
Certification
13
years of professional experience
Behavioral health and program management professional with nearly nine years of progressive leadership experience coordinating behavioral programs, leading multidisciplinary teams, implementing evidence-based interventions, and supporting crisis-informed services within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Extensive experience collaborating with executive leadership, education, security, behavioral services, medical personnel, and community stakeholders to improve organizational effectiveness, support high-risk populations, and ensure regulatory compliance. Recognized for leading facility-wide behavioral initiatives, developing staff, facilitating professional learning, analyzing operational and behavioral data, and implementing strategic programs that improve organizational performance. Skilled in program administration, behavioral intervention, crisis prevention, stakeholder engagement, policy implementation, and continuous quality improvement. Graduate-prepared with two master's degrees, a Graduate Certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis, and bilingual fluency in English and Spanish.
Work History
Behavior Specialist (Education Coordinator I)
8 Years 4 Months- Lead the implementation and continuous improvement of the facility-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework across educational programs and residential housing units, ensuring consistent behavioral expectations and practices throughout the organization.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary teams consisting of Behavioral Services, Education, Security, Programs, Medical Services, and Executive Leadership to implement evidence-based behavioral interventions and support youth with complex behavioral, emotional, and mental health needs.
- Serve as the facility's behavioral resource by providing consultation, coaching, and technical assistance to teachers, administrators, security staff, and multidisciplinary teams regarding behavior management, crisis prevention, de-escalation strategies, and trauma-informed practices.
- Conduct formal and informal classroom observations to evaluate instructional and behavioral management practices, provide individualized performance feedback, and develop data-driven recommendations that strengthen classroom effectiveness and improve student outcomes.
- Analyzed behavioral, instructional, and operational data to identify trends, monitor program fidelity, evaluate intervention effectiveness, and recommend improvements that informed organizational decision-making.
- Coordinate facility-wide behavioral initiatives by collaborating across departments, removing implementation barriers, and promoting consistency in behavioral programming throughout the secure treatment environment.
- Partner with behavioral health professionals, educators, security personnel, medical staff, and executive leadership to coordinate responses for youth experiencing behavioral crises while maintaining safety, continuity of care, and regulatory compliance.
- Monitor implementation fidelity of PBIS and behavioral programming through ongoing observations, coaching, and performance support to ensure adherence to organizational expectations and evidence-based practices.
- Led development and implementation of behavioral intervention plans that fostered positive behavior change, increased youth engagement, and improved safety within the learning environment.
Behavior Resource Instructor
7 Months- Delivered behavioral intervention services to youth with significant emotional, behavioral, and mental health needs within Virginia's juvenile justice system.
- Collaborated with teachers, counselors, behavioral staff, security personnel, and administrators to implement individualized behavior intervention plans and provide coordinated support for youth.
- Assisted in the development and implementation of evidence-based behavioral interventions designed to improve safety, increase student engagement, and promote positive behavioral outcomes.
- Collected, analyzed, and interpreted behavioral data to evaluate intervention effectiveness, monitor student progress, and support data-informed decision-making.
- Utilized trauma-informed practices and crisis de-escalation techniques to respond to behavioral incidents, ensuring safety and maintaining a structured, therapeutic learning environment.
- Supported implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) by reinforcing behavioral expectations and promoting consistency across educational settings.
- Maintained accurate behavioral documentation, ensuring compliance with agency policies and educational standards while safeguarding confidentiality.
- Built collaborative relationships with multidisciplinary teams to strengthen communication, improve behavioral outcomes, and support the facility's mission of rehabilitation and successful reintegration.
Special Education Teacher
3 Years- Developed and implemented individualized behavior intervention plans and instructional strategies that promoted student success, improved behavioral outcomes, and increased classroom engagement.
- Managed specialized instructional and behavioral programs for middle school students with emotional, behavioral, and learning disabilities in both collaborative and self-contained classroom settings.
- Utilized trauma-informed practices, crisis intervention techniques, and proactive behavior management strategies to maintain safe, structured, and supportive learning environments.
- Analyzed academic, behavioral, and assessment data to monitor student progress, identify intervention needs, and develop evidence-based instructional and behavioral recommendations.
- Collaborated with school administrators, psychologists, counselors, social workers, general education teachers, and related service providers to coordinate comprehensive support services that addressed complex behavioral and educational needs of students.
- Facilitated Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations while communicating student progress and educational recommendations effectively to families and multidisciplinary teams.
- Mentored newly hired teachers and instructional staff by sharing best practices in classroom management, behavioral intervention, special education compliance, and instructional planning.
- Ensured compliance with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Virginia Department of Education regulations, and division policies through accurate documentation and progress monitoring to support student educational outcomes.
Site Supervisor / Contracted Tutor
1 Year 3 Months- Promoted to Site Supervisor based on demonstrated leadership and performance, overseeing the daily operations and professional support of eight instructional staff serving middle school students in an at-risk educational environment.
- Supervised, coached, and mentored instructional staff by providing ongoing guidance, performance feedback, and support to ensure consistent, high-quality educational services.
- Coordinated daily tutoring operations by assigning responsibilities, monitoring program implementation, and addressing operational challenges to ensure alignment with educational objectives.
- Facilitated staff meetings and onboarding activities to communicate organizational expectations, reinforce best practices, and promote collaboration among instructional staff.
- Selected to develop and deliver an interactive Leadership Academy presentation that prepared newly hired employees through scenario-based learning, workplace expectations, and problem-solving strategies.
- Partnered with school administrators, teachers, and organizational leadership to align tutoring services with academic goals and support positive outcomes for students.
- Monitored student progress and instructional effectiveness, supporting staff in implementing individualized learning strategies that address diverse academic and behavioral needs.
- Facilitated communication with school principals, teachers, organizational leadership, and families to ensure coordinated support and successful implementation of tutoring programs.
Education
Graduate Certificate - Applied Behavior Analysis
Master of Education - Special Education
Master of Science - Human Services
Bachelor of Science - Psychology, Minor: Spanish
Skills
Behavioral Health Program Administration
Crisis Intervention
Behavioral Crisis Response
Program Leadership
Staff Supervision & Development
Trauma-Informed Care
Strategic Planning
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Stakeholder Engagement
Program Coordination
Regulatory Compliance
Performance Management
Data Analysis & Reporting
Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
Executive Communication & Facilitation
Microsoft Office Suite (Excel
Word
PowerPoint
Outlook)
Microsoft Teams
Google Workspace (Docs
Sheets
Slides
Drive)
Zoom
Behavioral Data Management
Presentation Development
Certification
- Certified Gang Specialist
- BADGE Training
- Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
- Trauma-Informed Practices
- Restorative Practices
- Handle With Care
- PREA Training
- Leadership Development & Facilitation
- Professional Development Design & Delivery
LANGUAGES
Spanish: Native/Bilingual Proficiency
English: Full Professional Proficiency
STATEWIDE LEADERSHIP & PROFESSIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS
- DJJ Race & Ethnicity Equity Workgroup | May 2018 – Present
- Collaborate with agency leadership to evaluate organizational practices and support statewide initiatives focused on equity, employee engagement, and continuous improvement.
- Analyze organizational data and participate in the development of recommendations that strengthen equitable practices and improve organizational effectiveness.
- Present findings and recommendations to executive leadership and multidisciplinary stakeholders.
- Designed and delivered a leadership development presentation focused on employee engagement, collaboration, and professional growth.
- Bon Air Gang Task Force | May 2023 – Present
- Selected by facility leadership to serve on a multidisciplinary task force focused on institutional safety, communication, and proactive intervention strategies.
- Collaborate with representatives from Security, Behavioral Services, Education, Administration, and Programs to identify emerging trends and improve coordinated responses.
- Support cross-functional communication and strategic planning that strengthens operational effectiveness and resident safety.
- Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) Survey Initiative | June 2021 – December 2021
- Selected to support the Commonwealth of Virginia's JLARC survey initiative within a secure juvenile correctional setting.
- Provided bilingual interpretation and communication support to facilitate resident participation and ensure accurate data collection.
- Assisted state researchers by promoting effective communication between residents and the Commonwealth's evaluation team.
Timeline
Behavior Specialist (Education Coordinator I)
Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice
03.2018 - CurrentRead More
Behavior Resource Instructor
Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice
08.2017 - 03.2018Read More
Special Education Teacher
Richmond Public Schools
08.2014 - 08.2017Read More
Site Supervisor / Contracted Tutor
Axiom Educators
05.2013 - 08.2014Read More
Virginia Commonwealth University
Bachelor of Science from Psychology, Minor: Spanish
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Capella University
Master of Science from Human Services
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Capella University
Master of Education from Special Education
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Capella University
Graduate Certificate from Applied Behavior Analysis
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