GRACIELA ROMAN
160 Inman Blvd., Winter Haven,FL
Summary
Compassionate Social Service Worker with more than (15) fifteen years of experience in family support and service. I am skilled at managing caseload with great attention to detail and knowledge of local resources. Known for providing caring and comprehensive support to families and children. Looking to work in partnership with an organization where I could utilize my skills and knowledge as Bilingual Spanish/English, Computer Literacy, and Internet, while contributing to the company goals with my experience in customer service, administration, case management, investigator, and trainer.
Personable and compassionate, with strong ability to connect with families and provide meaningful support. Possesses foundational knowledge in family dynamics and child development, coupled with skills in active listening and conflict resolution. Dedicated to fostering positive outcomes and enhancing family well-being.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Bilingual Family Support Specialist
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
05.2024 - Current
- Conduct time-sensitive and thorough home study assessments for potential placements for unaccompanied children (UC), including background interviews, home assessment, and case analysis
- Provide culturally and linguistically appropriate post placement services and compressive case management for UC
- Carry a case minimum caseload of 15 Post Release Services, and 3 Home Study for traveling
- Conduct brief interventions to help families address crises and manage conflict, as needed
- Complete individualized needs assessment with UC and sponsor, and develop case plans with particular attention to culture, language, and special circumstances
- Maintain a high standard of record-keeping according to USCRI and ORR policies and procedures
- Provide information, education, referrals, outreach, advocacy, and support to ensure that each child receives the services they require
- Assess the safety and appropriateness of the placement on an ongoing basis using child welfare principles and social work best practices through phone/video calls, interviews, and home visits
- Build a network of local pro bono legal resources and service providers to facilitate access for UC and sponsors and track individual progress
- Coordinate and maintain communication with key stakeholders
- Participate in regular training and communication sessions with supervisors and headquarters staff
- Enhanced family well-being by providing comprehensive support services and resources.
- Assisted families in navigating complex social service systems to access needed supports and benefits.
- Conducted regular home visits to assess family progress and adjust support plans as needed.
- Maintained detailed case notes documenting client interactions, interventions provided, progress made, and any barriers encountered during service delivery.
Bilingual Child Protective Investigator
Florida Department of Children and Families
07.2023 - 05.2024
- Promoted to a specialize unit in Human Trafficking, Sexual Abuse, Daycare, Death cases and Institutions
- Investigating claims of neglect and abuse by conducting interviews, inspections, and monitoring suspects
- Assisting in relocating victims to safe homes or institutions
- Collaborating with social workers, psychologists, lawyers, and law enforcement officers to develop support and intervention strategies
- Performing follow-up investigations of cases and conducting abuse risk and safety assessments
- Testifying in court and presenting all evidence and investigative documents
- Ensures effective communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing customers or companions in accordance with the ADA and/or Section 504
- Interviewed children, members of families, medical personnel and law enforcement to gain valuable information for each case.
- Conducted in-depth assessments to determine if children were safe from harm and abuse at home.
- Assessed each child's unique needs and coordinated delivery of appropriate services and resources.
- Documented all relevant information by filling out forms and completing case reports.
Bilingual Child Protective Investigator
Department of Children and Families
02.2022 - 07.2023
- Investigates child abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions
- Works closely with other agencies involved with child protective investigations such as law enforcement, state attorney, child protection team, medical personnel, schools, and other community/agency resources
- Engages families, identifies needs, and determines the necessary level of intervention, including voluntary or court-ordered services
- Assisting emergency placement for children that are unsafe at home
- Provides families with services linkages to agency and community resources based on needs assessment and provides recommendations for development of case plan to Case Manager
- Interviewed children, members of families, medical personnel and law enforcement to gain valuable information for each case.
- Conducted in-depth assessments to determine if children were safe from harm and abuse at home.
- Documented all relevant information by filling out forms and completing case reports.
- Assessed each child's unique needs and coordinated delivery of appropriate services and resources.
Bilingual Pride Trainer
University of Illinois
07.2015 - 07.2022
- Provide in-service and ongoing training to prospective foster/adoptive parents and licensed foster/adoptive parents
- Translate, edit, and review all program materials
- Develop Spanish Curriculum
- Mentored new hires, resulting in stronger staff development and increased productivity.
- Provided one-on-one mentoring to help individuals reach their full potential within the organization.
- Coached employees on best practices, providing constructive feedback to support their professional growth.
- Evaluated the effectiveness of training initiatives by tracking participant progress and gathering feedback for continuous improvement.
Bilingual NPP-CV Program
UCAN Chicago
07.2015 - 05.2022
- Organizes and facilitates the NPP-CV Program, which includes parent education groups and home coaching to DCFS involved families
- Translate, edit, and review all program materials into Spanish
- Increased community engagement in the bilingual program through targeted outreach initiatives and marketing materials in both languages.
- Evaluated external service providers that catered specifically to bilingual needs in order to find appropriate partnerships for long-term success.
- Developed strong relationships with local organizations to create collaborative opportunities for program expansion and enrichment.
- Created and developed program reports and summaries for executive management.
Bilingual Licensing Coordinator & Trainer
National Youth Advocate Program-La Jornada
09.2019 - 02.2022
- Company Overview: Transitional Foster Parent Program for unaccompanied children from the Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR) custody
- Completes training on time
- Support the development of potential foster parents in understanding the needs of the unaccompanied youth entering foster care
- Complete face-to-face meetings with each potential family within the first two weeks to answer questions and assist in the licensing process
- Assist all potential foster families in providing all required information and completing required paperwork in a timely manner
- Develop a comprehensive home study for each potential family and submit for approval
- Provide ongoing training and support to licensed foster homes
- Design and facilitate educational workshops and presentations with foster parents on the rights and needs of unaccompanied children as well as other special topics (e.g., educational rights, child trafficking, trauma-informed best practices, etc.)
- Complete annual evaluations and recertification of all licensed foster homes
- Support foster parents including providing information, education, meetings, support groups, and one on one discussions
- Transitional Foster Parent Program for unaccompanied children from the Office of Refugee and Resettlement (ORR) custody
- Assisted in the development of strategic plans for licensing programs, aligning with overall business objectives.
- Implemented training sessions for staff on licensing procedures and best practices, boosting team efficiency and knowledge levels.
- Organized presentations for prospective licensors, effectively showcasing client strengths and advantages.
Bilingual Volunteer
Agua Viva Chicago
08.2012 - 02.2022
- Worked and outreached in the community through educational workshops about services offered at Agua Viva Chicago
- Served as an advocate to ensure timely services with off-site clinics and programs
- Assisted with special events and programs.
- Maintained clean, neat, and operational facilities to serve program needs.
- Supported engaging, fun, and smooth-running events by helping with organization and planning.
- Used strong interpersonal communication skills to convey information to others.
- Communicated with staff members to stay informed about volunteer opportunities and events.
Bilingual Licensing Representative
Association House of Chicago
12.2018 - 01.2020
- Conducts routine home visits to the foster home
- Recruits foster families by presenting need for foster homes to individuals and groups
- Conducts foster home application studies in keeping with Illinois policies and procedures and licensing standards
- Translate, edit, and review all program materials into Spanish
- Submits all required paperwork for foster initial home licensing and renewals
- On a regularly scheduled and emergency basis to assist with identified issues and crisis needs
- Assists foster parents with the securing of community resources identified as needed by the team
- Streamlined licensing processes by implementing efficient tracking systems and improving communication channels.
- Conducted thorough market research to identify potential licensing opportunities, contributing to business growth.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge of industry trends affecting licensure requirements or practices through continuous professional development initiatives.
- Assisted in developing marketing materials that showcased licensed products and services, driving sales growth through increased brand awareness.
Bilingual Intact Family Case Worker
Association House of Chicago
08.2014 - 12.2018
- Conducts initial and ongoing assessments of strengths, needs, and risk factors, in accordance with the Intact Family Service Plan
- Develop and implement service plans with client families based on the Intact Family service plan
- Provide case management, mentoring, advocacy, support, and education to protect children and preserve families according to their service plans
- Completes all required documentation in accordance with DCFS Rule and Procedure and agency guidelines for completeness, accuracy, and timeliness
- Represents the agency in a positive light to active and potential clients, referral and funding sources, and the public
- Enhance professional competence through appropriate training activities and ongoing awareness of developments in the child welfare field
- Collaborated with other professionals to coordinate comprehensive care for clients.
- Implemented evidence-based interventions designed specifically for at-risk youth populations.
- Maintained strict confidentiality when handling sensitive personal information, ensuring compliance with all legal and ethical guidelines.
- Maintained accurate documentation of case activities, contributing to efficient program operations and compliance with regulations.
Bilingual Senior Abuse and Neglect Investigator and Case Manager
Sinai Community Institute
03.2017 - 09.2017
- Responsible to complete intake report for Abuse and Neglect of a disable or senior person
- Responsible to investigate Abuse and Neglect of a disable or senior person
- In accordance with each family's case plan, provides case management, mentoring, advocacy, support, and education that will ensure the safety and well-being of a disable or senior person
- Conducts initial and ongoing assessments of strengths, needs and risk factor in accordance with the Senior Abuse Program
- Documented findings and prepared detailed reports.
- Conducted thorough face-to-face interviews with employers, families, neighbors, friends, and suspects, and documented investigative findings.
Bilingual In-Person Counselor ACA
Association House of Chicago
02.2014 - 08.2014
- Coordinates educational opportunities and provides education in the community about the new Illinois Health Insurance Marketplace and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) law
- Canvassing and community organizing
- Translate, edit, and review all program materials into Spanish
- Enroll program participants into the Health Insurance Marketplace
- Event planning, logistics and marketing/communications
- Build and maintain a close relationship with community stakeholders and organizations
- Report on processes and procedures for internal and external program functions
- Assisted clients in setting realistic goals, developing action plans, and monitoring progress towards achievement.
- Maintained accurate documentation of client interactions, assessments, and progress notes for effective case management.
- Educated clients on available community resources, fostering a sense of empowerment and selfsufficiency.
- Improved client satisfaction through consistent communication, empathy, and understanding of their unique challenges.
Education
BA - Secondary Education Concentration Vocational Industrial
University of Turabo
Gurabo, Puerto Rico07.2009
Skills
- Individualized service planning
- Teamwork and cooperation
- Fluent bilingualism
- License management
- Positive attitude
- Case management expertise
- Detailed oriented
- License compliance
- Well-developed organizational
- Time management skills
- Educational speaker
Certification
- Addiction and Suicide: There’s Always Hope Certification, HMP Education
- Adult First Aid – CPR AED All ages Certification, Heartland for Children, 12/31/25
- Florida Human Trafficking Certification, Department of Children and Family, Lakeland, FL
- Child Protective Investigator – Florida Certification Board, #CWPI.0106504, 10/31/25
- Program Trainer & Certificate-Trust-Based Relational Intervention Caregiver Training (TBRI), Florida Department of Children and Families, 12/01/23
- Master’s degree Systematic Family Therapy, Ecotheos International University-Online Puerto Rico, Not completed
- Certificate: Domestic Violence Counselor, Center for Abuse Women and Children (CWAC), Association House of Chicago, 09/01/13, 10/01/13
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Bilingual Family Support Specialist
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
05.2024 - Current
Bilingual Child Protective Investigator
Florida Department of Children and Families
07.2023 - 05.2024
Bilingual Child Protective Investigator
Department of Children and Families
02.2022 - 07.2023
Bilingual Licensing Coordinator & Trainer
National Youth Advocate Program-La Jornada
09.2019 - 02.2022
Bilingual Licensing Representative
Association House of Chicago
12.2018 - 01.2020
Bilingual Senior Abuse and Neglect Investigator and Case Manager
Sinai Community Institute
03.2017 - 09.2017
Bilingual Pride Trainer
University of Illinois
07.2015 - 07.2022
Bilingual NPP-CV Program
UCAN Chicago
07.2015 - 05.2022
Bilingual Intact Family Case Worker
Association House of Chicago
08.2014 - 12.2018
Bilingual In-Person Counselor ACA
Association House of Chicago
02.2014 - 08.2014
Bilingual Volunteer
Agua Viva Chicago
08.2012 - 02.2022
- Addiction and Suicide: There’s Always Hope Certification, HMP Education
- Adult First Aid – CPR AED All ages Certification, Heartland for Children, 12/31/25
- Florida Human Trafficking Certification, Department of Children and Family, Lakeland, FL
- Child Protective Investigator – Florida Certification Board, #CWPI.0106504, 10/31/25
- Program Trainer & Certificate-Trust-Based Relational Intervention Caregiver Training (TBRI), Florida Department of Children and Families, 12/01/23
- Master’s degree Systematic Family Therapy, Ecotheos International University-Online Puerto Rico, Not completed
- Certificate: Domestic Violence Counselor, Center for Abuse Women and Children (CWAC), Association House of Chicago, 09/01/13, 10/01/13
BA - Secondary Education Concentration Vocational Industrial
University of Turabo
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