Jessica Vega-Lopez
Watsonville,CA
Summary
Professional with strong foundation in social work principles, prepared for impactful contributions in support roles. Skilled in client advocacy, needs assessment, and resource coordination. Proven ability to collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, adapt to evolving situations, and drive positive outcomes. Recognized for communication skills, empathy, and unwavering commitment to client well-being.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
Work History
Self Determination Specialist
San Andreas Regional Center
Watsonville, CA
02.2025 - Current
- Assist individuals with in the enrollment of the Self Determination Program
- Collaborate with the individual, support team, Independent Facilitator and Financial Management Agency
- Hold meetings, assess services and assist in the implementation of the Self Determination Budget and Spending Plan
Early Start Intern
San Andreas Regional Center
Salinas
08.2025 - Current
- Providing serves for early intervention
- Reviewing assessments and evaluations with parents/caregivers (Ex. The Individual Family Service Plan)
- Collaborate with vendors on the status of services
- Hold Quarterly, 6 month and Annual Reviews.
- Connect families with community resources
- Assisted in coordinating client services and support programs for individuals with developmental disabilities.
- Shadowed experienced staff to learn best practices in service delivery and client interaction.
Service Coordinator- Adult Unit
San Andreas Regional Center
Watsonville, CA
11.2023 - 01.2025
- Served as a primary point of contact for clients, addressing inquiries, providing updates, and ensuring overall satisfaction with services rendered.
- Managed a high volume of client requests, ensuring timely and effective service delivery.
- Maintained accurate records of all service activities, facilitating smooth communication between clients and technicians.
- Resolved client complaints and issues to drive satisfaction.
- Conducted progress report (IPP, AR, QM) meetings and documentation in a timely manner.
- Worked on reissuing/implementing purchases of services in a timely manner.
- Liaison to homes and completed all liaison responsibilities in a timely manner.
- Met management deadlines and completed any additional work as needed.
Housing Coordinator
Housing Choices Coalition
06.2021 - Current
- Work directly with individuals with developmental disabilities and of diverse backgrounds
- Coordinated with local agencies to improve income for clients by helping them apply to Social Security Income, Cal Fresh, In Home Supportive Services and more.
- Assisted families with rental, security deposit and utility assistance applications
- Created housing plans for over 50 clients to promote timely transition to permanent affordable housing and appropriate usage of housing subsidies.
- Reviewed documentation and input data into computer system to keep information updated client's files and on completed applications, re-certifications, tenant move-ins/move-outs, interviews and more.
- Assisted families with reasonable accommodations, recertification and assisted property interviews.
- Prevented Evictions
- Worked with local agencies and non-profits to provide additional and support for families
- Offered translation services from Spanish to English during interviews/ property viewings.
- Attended weekend conferences such as Kids Connect Transition to Adulthood Conference to spread information about Housing Choices and services offered
Student Assistant
California State University Monterey Bay
12.2019 - 05.2021
- Kept physical files and digitized records organized for easy updating and retrieval by authorized members.
- Reported back to Supervisor to receive day-to-day tasks and responsibilities.
- Took detailed meeting minutes.
- Assisted meetings with the CSUMB Police Chief, Housing Director and other important university leaders
- Communicated effectively with supervisor and openly accepted critiques and suggestions for areas of improvement.
- Worked with sensitive and confidential information.
- Communicated effectively with Supervisor and accepted critiques and suggestions for areas of improvement.
Residential Advisor
CSUMB Student Housing & Residential Life
08.2018 - 07.2020
- Mentored and supervised groups of 65 residents.
- Fostered productive and supportive environment for academic and social success.
- Guided students to integrate into both academic and social communities on campus.
- Performed several administrative duties, including room transfers, incident reports and maintenance requests.
- Created and implemented social, educational and recreational programs for residents.
- Mediated and provided professional conflict resolution in timely fashion.
- Led by example through mature behavior consistent with university regulations and rules.
- Attended, participated and contributed to monthly staff meetings addressing resident needs.
- Established consistent relationships with students to maintain professional boundaries.
- Completed required training
- Worked with confidential and sensitive information
- Conducted apartment inspections to identify safety issues and needed repairs.
UROC Researcher
UROC
05.2019 - 08.2019
- Immerse in transnational research experience in shared expertise with colleagues at University Texas, El Paso and La Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez
- Conduct independent, humanities and social science based research in conjunction with aspects of border living
- Experience cultural excursions that are related to policies that are being placed on asylum seekers
- Focus on policies that are placed on asylum seekers
- Gathered and organized information for research purposes.
- Performed research into study topics to increase knowledge and to provide valuable contributions.
Education
Masters Degree - Social Work
California State University Monterey Bay
Marina, CA05-2027
Bachelor of Arts - Human Communication, Chicano Studies and Pre-law
California State University Monterey Bay
Monterey, CA05-2021
High School Diploma -
Watsonville High School
Watsonville, CA06-2017
Skills
- Fluent in Spanish and English
- Multicultural and multigenerational work experience
- Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, MS Word & PowerPoint)
- Google programs (Sheet, Forms, Website, Docs)
- Knowledge of social media networks
- Scheduling and calendar management
- Experience working with individuals of diverse backgrounds
- Meeting minutes
- Team Bonding
- Clear oral/written communication
- Excellent multi-tasking ability
- Conflict management
- Document Organization
- Case Management
- Tenant Rights
- Active Listening
- Advocacy
Additional Information
Discovery Church (01/2019- 01/31/2023)
- Volunteer during events with families
- Assisted the elderly to sit, carry items and more
- Assisted during fundraisers for event funding
- Assisted with social media and display of song lyrics for the elderly
- Share community resources for families
Marina Youth Center ( 01/2018- 05/2018)
- Tutored students with elementary school homework
- Supervised about 70 students afterschool
- Assisted with group activities
- Assisted with programs and events
Porter Youth Center (08/2019 - 12/2019)
- Assisted with group activities that focused on character and leadership development
- Supervised about 40 military-family children
- Focused on Education, Support, and Career Exploration
- Assisted children with elementary school homework
- Assisted with programs and events
Timeline
Early Start Intern
San Andreas Regional Center
08.2025 - Current
Self Determination Specialist
San Andreas Regional Center
02.2025 - Current
Service Coordinator- Adult Unit
San Andreas Regional Center
11.2023 - 01.2025
Housing Coordinator
Housing Choices Coalition
06.2021 - Current
Student Assistant
California State University Monterey Bay
12.2019 - 05.2021
UROC Researcher
UROC
05.2019 - 08.2019
Residential Advisor
CSUMB Student Housing & Residential Life
08.2018 - 07.2020
Masters Degree - Social Work
California State University Monterey Bay
Bachelor of Arts - Human Communication, Chicano Studies and Pre-law
California State University Monterey Bay
High School Diploma -
Watsonville High School
Awards
- 2016 Tri-County Vision Scholarship Recipient
- 2017-2018 California Strawberry Scholarship Recipient
- 2020 Florence C. & Alwin Krause Scholarship