Gina Lacayo
The Bronx
Summary
Ambitious assistant supervisor eager to take on increasing responsibility to enhance business operations. Offering several years of experience in industry and willingness to take on any function with resourceful and adaptable approach.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Supervisor of Migration Services
Catholic Charities Community Services Archdiocese of New York
New York
12.2022 - 06.2025
- Oversaw migration operations across four ORR-funded shelters with a combined capacity of 572 children, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery to unaccompanied migrant children in downstate New York.
- Supervised a team of Migration Counselors delivering over 1,000 yearly Know Your Rights (KYR) presentations and conducting legal screenings, resulting in timely legal referrals and improved understanding of rights among unaccompanied minors.
- Managed key program deliverables by analyzing census, intakes and arrival trends, coordinating over 200 shelter visits, and ensuring compliance with ACACIA policy, leading to improved program efficiency and service continuity.
- Provide legal services under attorney supervision, including screenings and casework for asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), U and T visas, deferred action, and adjustment of status.
- Trained and mentored new staff and law student interns, enhancing team capacity and ensuring consistent delivery of KYR sessions, legal research, and trauma-informed casework.
- Led internal and external training and presentations on immigration law, increasing awareness and legal competency across partner organizations and service providers.
- Lead staff recruitment, interviews, performance management, and make recommendations on hiring, promotions, and disciplinary actions.
- Advocated with DHS for timely release of aging-out minors, securing transitional legal and social service plans for vulnerable youth.
- Maintain accurate case files and data in the LawLogix case management system and compile reports for funders and stakeholders.
- Develop and implement process improvements to enhance service delivery and team efficiency.
- Collaborate with legal teams, social workers, and community organizations to ensure holistic client support.
- Conduct staff training on immigration updates, trauma-informed care, case management strategies, and cultural sensitivity.
- Collaborated with Flores Counsel in Angelica S. v. HHS, a landmark federal case that successfully challenged ORR policies prolonging the detention of unaccompanied minors; contributed to legal strategy and case documentation that led to class certification and a court ruling blocking unlawful release restrictions under the current administration.
Sr. Social Caseworker (Spanish Speaking)
Westchester County
White Plains
05.2022 - 12.2022
- Delivered strength-based casework and solution-focused interventions to support families in crisis and promote long-term stability and child well-being.
- Facilitated collaborative negotiation and family group decision-making conferences, empowering families to develop safe, achievable plans.
- Investigated allegations of child neglect and abuse reported to the State Central Registry, conducting thorough interviews and home assessments.
- Conducted risk and safety assessments to determine the immediate and long-term well-being of children, making informed decisions on protective interventions.
- Maintained accurate, detailed case records, child abuse statistics, and documentation to support internal reviews and legal proceedings.
- Coordinated with schools, legal representatives, medical providers, and law enforcement to ensure comprehensive, multidisciplinary support for children and families.
- Managed complex and high-risk cases, identifying patterns of maltreatment and implementing appropriate casework services and referrals.
- Performed home studies and family assessments, evaluating socio-economic conditions, parenting capacity, and environmental factors affecting child safety.
- Leveraged community-based resources and interagency partnerships to address needs beyond the department’s scope, including housing, substance use, and mental health.
- Provided casework counseling, advocacy, and education to empower parents and guardians in developing safe, nurturing home environments.
- Documented all case activity, client progress, and collateral contact in CONNECTIONS and other case management systems with high accuracy.
- Applied knowledge of FASP, Orders of Protection, PINS petitions, and Family Court Law (Articles 6 & 10) to ensure legally sound decision-making.
- Proficient in CONNECTIONS, WMS, and other DSS data systems to monitor compliance and inform case planning.
Case Manager
Cayuga Centers
New York
12.2016 - 05.2022
- Use evidence-based practices including motivational interviewing and trauma-informed care to create and complete intake assessments, safety plans, and provide post release services recommendations after discharge.
- Assist sponsors and Unaccompanied Alien Minor in accessing benefits and services by providing information and education about community resources in their reunifying state.
- Complete documentation and reports on a weekly basis in the Portal and STRIDE database.
- Analyze, organize, plan, schedule and coordinate care with other parties involved.
- Attend court hearings to provide support to youths and their families and provide necessary information regarding services.
- Complete all written documentation in a timely manner as required by policy or as assigned by supervisor, such as progress notes, staffing rosters, transfers and release requests.
- Coordinate referrals and complete the screening and assessment on all minors on a caseload of max 14 minors weekly.
Lead Skills Trainer
Cayuga Centers
Bronx
10.2015 - 12.2016
- Created and implemented innovative and engaging 90-day recyclable life skills lesson plan curriculum, including Acculturation, Critical thing, Teamwork, Respect for self and others, age appropriate for 3- to 7-year-olds.
- Logged, stored and managed confidential skills and recreation logs in the Portal.
- Conducted home visits to Foster Parents within the UAC program, made observations and documented recommendations once a month that will both address concerns and ensure overall safety in the household.
- Drafted, edited, and reviewed the Anti-bullying Policy, Outdoor Recreations during Cold Weather Policy and Imminent Threats Policy departmental policies and procedures to accurately reflect the current practices.
- Supervised effective working of production personnel and prepared schedules and ensure compliance to all company policies as Point of Contact for Director of Skills Department.
- Qualified, screened and interviewed job applicants as part of the Interview Screening Coordinators team.
Education
Master of Public administration -
The Benard M. Baruch College
New York, NY05.2024
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science - Concentration in Politics, Rights and Development
New York University
New York, NY05.2015
Skills
- Staff management
- Operations management
- Data collection and analysis
- Bilingual in English and Spanish
- Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Team player
- Legal research
- Case management
- Data analysis
- Training and mentoring
- Safety and compliance
- Records management
- Team building
- Attention to detail
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Assistant Supervisor of Migration Services
Catholic Charities Community Services Archdiocese of New York
12.2022 - 06.2025
Sr. Social Caseworker (Spanish Speaking)
Westchester County
05.2022 - 12.2022
Case Manager
Cayuga Centers
12.2016 - 05.2022
Lead Skills Trainer
Cayuga Centers
10.2015 - 12.2016
Master of Public administration -
The Benard M. Baruch College
Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science - Concentration in Politics, Rights and Development
New York University
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