Dorothea A. Martinez-Slama
Los Lunas,NM
Summary
Dedicated and experienced child welfare executive and operations leader with 20+ years of progressive responsibility across child protection, permanency planning, investigations, program administration, workforce development and large-scale service operations. Demonstrated ability to lead region-wide systems, translate policy into practice, strengthen casework quality, ensure regulatory compliance, implement performance improvement initiatives, build sustainable cross‑sector partnerships (including tribal governments and community providers), and respond effectively to crises to promote safety, permanency, and well‑being for children and families.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Associate Deputy Director — Permanency (Regional)
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
Albuquerque, USA
10.2024 - Current
- Company Overview: State of New Mexico
- Provide executive-level leadership and direction for regional permanency service delivery across counties within the assigned region; serve as the principal regional officer responsible for ensuring timely, equitable and evidence-informed permanency outcomes.
- Translate statewide permanency policy into operational procedures and practice expectations for county offices, supervisory teams and front-line workers; develop implementation timelines, toolkits and training supports to increase fidelity.
- Lead monthly and quarterly performance reviews using FACTS and other dashboards to monitor placement stability, time-to-permanency progress, reunification and adoption metrics, case timeliness, and mandatory reporting; identify trends and deploy corrective action plans or targeted technical assistance.
- Oversee regional program planning for placement capacity management — coordinating with licensing teams, foster/adoptive provider networks, and community partners to expand placement options and reduce reliance on emergency placements.
- Design and implement workforce development strategies including supervisory coaching curricula, new supervisor onboarding, practice refresher trainings, and retention initiatives to strengthen casework continuity and reduce turnover.
- Serve as a regional liaison to tribal leadership, county sheriffs, judicial partners, behavioral health and school systems; convene cross‑system tables to resolve placement, service availability and cross-jurisdictional challenges.
- Manage escalation and incident response for critical events (serious injuries, runaway youth, placement disruptions) including internal investigations, coordination with external agencies, family and provider communications, and lessons‑learned processes.
- Participate in budget planning discussions at the regional level, advise on resource reallocation for placement purchasing and provider contracting, and support grant-related reporting and compliance activities.
- State of New Mexico
County Office Manager — Permanency
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
Bernalillo, USA
04.2024 - 10.2024
- Company Overview: State of New Mexico
- Managed day-to-day county permanency operations, supervising supervisors and lead staff across investigation, family preservation and permanency units; ensured alignment of county priorities with statewide strategic goals.
- Implemented local operational protocols to improve case assignment practices, reduce backlogs, and ensure timely documentation and FACTS entries.
- Facilitated case conferences with multidisciplinary teams, negotiated placement and service options with providers, and coordinated with the courts on case status and permanency hearings.
- Led performance improvement efforts focused on reducing case processing delays, strengthening documentation for Title IV‑E reimbursement, and enhancing family engagement in permanency planning.
- Supported human resource activities including recruitment of specialized staff, performance management, and conflict resolution; advised executive leadership on staffing resource needs.
- State of New Mexico
Investigations Supervisor
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
Bernalillo, USA
01.2023 - 03.2024
- Company Overview: State of New Mexico
- Supervised investigative CPS teams responsible for initial safety and abuse/neglect assessments; provided clinical and operational oversight to ensure investigations met state timelines and quality standards.
- Conducted SPO-compliant performance evaluations, delivered corrective feedback and coaching, and implemented individualized development plans to address skill gaps.
- Managed operational responsibilities including scheduling, timekeeping approvals, leave and travel authorizations, and ensuring sufficient after-hours coverage and on-call rotations.
- Reviewed investigative documentation and affidavits for court readiness; coordinated with law enforcement, district attorneys, and guardians ad litem to support legal processes and protect chain of custody for evidence.
- Facilitated multidisciplinary case reviews when complex safety issues, repeated reports, or high-risk families were involved; developed safety plans and recommended service arrays.
- Functioned as officer-in-charge during management absences and led incident debriefs to identify systemic issues and training needs.
- State of New Mexico
Stipend Student — Permanency Planning Supervisor (Permanency Unit)
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
Bernalillo, USA
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Company Overview: State of New Mexico
- Served in a provisional supervisory capacity while completing MSW field requirements; provided direct supervision to permanency workers and supported case planning activities.
- Monitored caseload distribution and progress toward permanency goals, intervening to resolve barriers and support transitions toward reunification, guardianship or adoption.
- Performed quality assurance checks on FACTS-generated payments, provider invoices and documentation required for IV‑E eligibility and other funding sources; coordinated with fiscal teams to correct discrepancies.
- Contributed to unit-level process improvement projects to streamline case transfers and improve communication between investigation and permanency teams.
- State of New Mexico
Senior Permanency Planning Worker
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
Bernalillo, USA
07.2021 - 01.2022
- Company Overview: State of New Mexico
- Conducted comprehensive safety and risk assessments using SDM and other tools; developed individualized case plans based on assessed needs and strengths; coordinated in-home services, mental health referrals, substance use supports and parenting interventions.
- Managed a complex caseload requiring identification of kinship and foster care placements, concurrent planning, and coordination of visitation and reunification efforts.
- Maintained accurate Title IV‑E and SSI documentation, supported eligibility reviews, and ensured continuity of benefits and supports for children in care.
- State of New Mexico
Stipend Student — Investigations
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
Bernalillo, USA
05.2021 - 07.2021
- Company Overview: State of New Mexico
- Completed investigative fieldwork under supervision, performing safety checks, interviewing children and collateral contacts, documenting findings in FACTS, and collaborating with law enforcement and community providers.
- Assisted in constructing safety plans, making initial placement decisions where necessary, and preparing documentation for subsequent case management by permanent units.
- State of New Mexico
Senior Permanency Planning (IFIS) Worker
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
Estancia, USA
10.2020 - 07.2021
- Company Overview: State of New Mexico
- Managed intensive, in‑home caseloads for families with elevated needs; conducted reassessments, coordinated services, and monitored progress toward permanency objectives.
- Worked with providers to secure family support services, supervised visit arrangements, and ensured case documentation met quality and timeliness standards.
- State of New Mexico
Placement Worker
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
Los Lunas, USA
12.2019 - 10.2020
- Company Overview: State of New Mexico
- Conducted thorough assessments and licensing of foster and pre-adoptive homes; completed home studies, safety checks, and provider background reviews to ensure safe placements.
- Delivered RAFT and provider training sessions, supported provider retention through regular communication and problem resolution, and managed after-hours placement emergencies to minimize disruption to children.
- Monitored provider compliance with training, licensing, and documentation requirements.
- State of New Mexico
Certification Coordinator
Office of Community Health Workers
Albuquerque, USA
05.2019 - 12.2019
- Company Overview: State of New Mexico
- Administered the statewide Community Health Worker certification program including application review, eligibility verification, exam scheduling, and database maintenance.
- Improved program processes to reduce certification processing time and implemented basic QA checks to ensure integrity of records and accurate public reporting.
- Collaborated with community partners to promote CHW workforce development and support program outreach efforts.
- State of New Mexico
Administrator / Client Services Manager
Comfort Keepers
Los Lunas, USA
07.2018 - 05.2019
- Company Overview: Home care franchise
- Oversaw regional operational functions for a home care franchise including hiring, training, policy compliance, quality assurance, scheduling, client intake and caregiver supervision.
- Implemented operational best practices to improve caregiver retention, client satisfaction, and billing accuracy; coordinated with clinical leadership to ensure person-centered care plans.
- Home care franchise
Site Director
Alorica
Colorado Springs, USA
02.2017 - 12.2017
- Company Overview: Customer care operations
- Directed multi-site customer care operations including workforce planning, client management, P&L oversight, performance improvement initiatives and process redesign to increase customer satisfaction and reduce operational costs.
- Managed cross-functional teams including HR, quality assurance and training to sustain high-volume service delivery.
- Customer care operations
Senior Operations Manager
Sitel
Las Cruces, USA
04.2006 - 02.2017
- Company Overview: Contact center operation
- Led a large contact center operation supporting multiple clients and business lines; responsibility included associate recruitment and retention, performance management, quality assurance, and delivery against client SLAs.
- Designed and implemented regional process improvements and incentive programs focused on employee engagement and productivity.
- Contact center operation
Earlier Roles — Dental & Clinical Support
La Clinica de Familia Inc.
Las Cruces, NM
01.1994 - 12.2005
- Performed roles as lead and certified dental assistant, providing chairside support, radiography, patient education, clinical inventory management, and community outreach for oral health initiatives.
- Maintained regulatory compliance for clinical records and assisted in training newer staff.
Education
Master of Social Work -
New Mexico Highlands University
Silver City, NM01.2022
Master of Arts - Agriculture & Extension Education
New Mexico State University
01.2014
Bachelor of Arts - Community Health Education
New Mexico State University
01.2011
Associate of Arts - General Education
New Mexico State University
01.2007
Certificate - Dental Assisting
Pima Medical Institute
01.1993
Skills
- Child Welfare Practice & Permanency Frameworks
- Case Management Systems & Data Integrity
- Regional & County Leadership
- Investigations & Risk Assessment
- Supervision
- Coaching
- Talent Development
- Retention Strategies
- Policy Implementation
- Quality Assurance
- Regulatory Compliance
- Program Design
- Performance Measurement
- Continuous Improvement
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Tribal Relations
- Interagency Coordination
- Budget Prioritization
- Placement Capacity Planning
- Resource Allocation
- Crisis Management
- Incident Response
- Executive Escalation
- Microsoft Office
- Teams
- Enterprise collaboration tools
Certification
- Defensive Driving Certification — CYFD, State of New Mexico
- AFE Home Study Certification (Worker & Supervisor Training) — CYFD
- Ongoing professional trainings in SDM, child welfare practice models, FACTS documentation standards, supervisory coaching, and cultural humility for tribal and cross-cultural work
References
Available upon request.
Professional Affiliations And Honors
- Phi Alpha Honor Society (MSW)
- Recognized internally for leadership during high-demand incident response and for contributions to regional practice improvement initiatives.
Selected Contributions And Projects
- Led interagency placement coordination efforts to expand local placement options and reduce emergency placement usage by increasing provider engagement and targeted recruitment.
- Designed supervisor coaching modules and practice refreshers used as part of regional onboarding and continuing education for new managers.
- Coordinated post‑incident debriefs and implemented corrective action plans to address systemic gaps in placement communication and documentation flows.
- Participated in statewide policy rollouts, translating guidance into operational checklists and team-level training that improved case documentation consistency.
Timeline
Associate Deputy Director — Permanency (Regional)
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
10.2024 - Current
County Office Manager — Permanency
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
04.2024 - 10.2024
Investigations Supervisor
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
01.2023 - 03.2024
Stipend Student — Permanency Planning Supervisor (Permanency Unit)
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
01.2022 - 01.2023
Senior Permanency Planning Worker
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
07.2021 - 01.2022
Stipend Student — Investigations
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
05.2021 - 07.2021
Senior Permanency Planning (IFIS) Worker
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
10.2020 - 07.2021
Placement Worker
Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
12.2019 - 10.2020
Certification Coordinator
Office of Community Health Workers
05.2019 - 12.2019
Administrator / Client Services Manager
Comfort Keepers
07.2018 - 05.2019
Site Director
Alorica
02.2017 - 12.2017
Senior Operations Manager
Sitel
04.2006 - 02.2017
Earlier Roles — Dental & Clinical Support
La Clinica de Familia Inc.
01.1994 - 12.2005
Master of Social Work -
New Mexico Highlands University
Master of Arts - Agriculture & Extension Education
New Mexico State University
Bachelor of Arts - Community Health Education
New Mexico State University
Associate of Arts - General Education
New Mexico State University
Certificate - Dental Assisting
Pima Medical Institute
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