Julia Avina-Cruz, LCSW

• Collaborates with interdisciplinary team to deliver individual counseling, case management, advocacy and discharge planning.
• Facilitates family conferences to enhance participants wellbeing.
• Coordinates the completion of advance life planning documents.
• Is informed about community resources such as housing, legal aid and mental health support.
• Conducts psychosocial assessments to identify barriers impacting patient care and discharge planning.
• Completes accurate and timely documentation in medical chart (EPIC).
• Provided supervision to GSWEC master's level intern, as the assigned field instructor.

• Assessed mental health needs to determine nature and extent of clients' emotional, behavioral or mental health issues.
• Provides individual therapy via telehealth to an average of 5 clients per week.
• Facilitated group sessions using evidence-based techniques to reinforce coping and communication skills.
• Documented utilizing DMH clinical documentation on Exym, a HIPAA compliant electronic records system
• Facilitated group sessions using evidence-based techniques to reinforce coping and communication skills.

• Provided individual counseling for students in need of emotional, social, or behavioral support.
• Monitored at-risk students and followed up on attendance, behavior, and welfare concerns.
• Supported student crisis interventions and coordinated referrals with counselors, administrators, and community agencies.
• Documented all services with HIPAA compliant electronic records using the Welligent Inc. system.
• Assisted with IEP and 504 meetings by gathering observations and presenting student support needs.

• Conducted comprehensive assessments of inmates' mental health, family background, substance use, and social support to develop informed and individualized case plans.
• Conducted thorough assessments of inmates' mental health, family background, substance use, and social support to inform case plans.
• Managed caseload of approximately 70 clients, linking them to essential post-release resources including Medi-Cal/General Relief, scheduling medical appointments, securing housing, and facilitating referrals for mental health and substance use treatment.
• Created post-release treatment plans incorporating referrals to mental health, medical, and substance use services to support clients in achieving their treatment goals.

• Provided mental health services to adults with chronic mental illness, by facilitating weekly rehabilitative groups focused on community reintegration.
• Conducted thorough assessments to identify client needs, prioritizing interventions and services accordingly.
• Responsible for the completion of DMH paperwork in a timely and accurate manner while managing a caseload of 19 clients.
• Collaborated with agencies such as APS, ACCESS, PMRT and the justice system as needed to ensure client’s safety and appropriate services are met.
• Responsible for the completion of Department of Mental Health (DMH) paperwork in a timely and accurate manner while managing a caseload of approximately 19 clients.
• Participated in weekly multidisciplinary team conferences to discuss and evaluate the client’s progress.

Emphasis on Adulthood and Aging