Julissa Dyan Garza
Summary
Earnest individual with experience in human services field providing support and guidance to individuals in need. Strong understanding of effectively working with people from diverse backgrounds. Passionate about helping others access needed services.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Residential Care Investigator
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
04.2019 - Current
- Conducting child abuse and neglect investigations of children placed in facilities licensed or certified by Residential Child Care Licensing
- Investigate the facilities compliance with applicable Texas Law, especially Minimum Standards
- Documenting findings of investigations regarding abuse/neglect and compliance with Minimum Standards
- Accountable for promoting sound residential childcare and child placing principles in accordance with Texas licensing law, minimum standards, and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services policies and procedures
- Interacting routinely with administrative and professional staff of private and public facilities, child placing agencies licensed and certified by Residential Child Care Licensing, other state agencies, Law Enforcement entities, Child Care Licensing Legal staff and the general public
- Promote and demonstrate appropriate respect for cultural diversity among all related contacts
- Investigations along side of local law enforcement
- Investigations along side of HHS Office of Inspector General Special Agents
- Residential Care Investigations new hire Mentor- February 2022-July 2022
- Conducted thorough face-to-face interviews with employers, families, neighbors, friends, and suspects, and documented investigative findings.
- Paramount Achievement Award received in 2021
Adoption Counselor
Adoption Choices of Texas
05.2017 - 06.2019
- Providing necessary and appropriate services from Agency to birth parent clients; Ensure that intakes, services, paperwork, and other requirements are executed in accordance to Agency timelines
- Establish and provide counseling and support services to birthparent clients, and adoptive parent clients once matched
- Post placement counseling after Birth Parents have relinquished
- Marketing in Community, hospitals, and events
- Translator for the Adoption Agency for all Spanish Callers and Inquires
- Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet strict standards.
- Facilitated family meetings to ensure communication and collaboration between family members.
Case Manager III of Secure Institution
Texas Juvenile Justice Department
08.2016 - 12.2016
- Dorm-based residential treatment to youth committed to TJJD and assigned to a stated operated high-security juvenile correctional facility
- Provide supplemental specialized treatment for alcohol and other drugs
- Case manager services related to the general treatment and the AOD specialized treatment
- Work involves completing case file reviews, case planning, AOD education/curriculum delivery, individual and group counseling, encouraging family involvement, performing discharge planning, and working with services providers to ensure coordination of service delivery and enhance the continuity of care for the youth transitioning from the agency's AOD program
- Perform high complex case management work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.
- Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address client needs and goals.
- Monitored clients' progress and tracked client services to provide crisis interventions.
Child Protective Services Specialist III
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
02.2010 - 09.2013
- Evaluating and recommending appropriate actions necessary to resolve family emotional and/or physical stress situations, which cause child abuse or neglect
- Engaging families to identify their own strengths and needs to achieve safety for their children while preserving the family
- Building community relationships with law enforcement agents, therapists, court personnel, and representatives from various agencies and organizations
- Provided time limited in home services to meet the specific needs of families by identifying insufficient protective capacities, developing treatment plans, and using appropriate and necessary resources to minimize risk and provide for safety of the child; and maintaining contact with parents and children to achieve treatment goals
- Mentoring new hires
- Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
Substitute Teacher
Rio Grande City Independent School District
05.2006 - 04.2009
- Attended to high school students in the criminal justice program as directed by prepared lesson plans
- Maintained focus and attention in a controlled learning environment
- Monitored standardized testing administered to grade levels 9th-12th
- Followed classroom plans left by class teacher to continue student education and reinforce core concepts.
- Upheld classroom routines to support student environments and maintain consistent schedules.
Intern-Deputy
Starr County Sheriff Department
09.2007 - 04.2008
- Conducted ride-along to gain insight of field work
- Assisted in the daily routines of deputy officers' work schedules
- Attended public affairs community events and gained collateral contacts
- Enhanced communication, networking, team-building and work ethic
- Collaborated with senior management on new initiatives to build confidence.
Volunteer
Edinburg Police Department
03.2005 - 04.2005
- Reviewed and updated juvenile records of delinquent years
- Worked on organizing and arranging mug shots according to crime level
- Documented multiple juvenile repeated runaways
- Communicated with staff members to stay informed about volunteer opportunities and events.
- Represented organization positively and professionally while providing community with much-needed services.
Education
Master of Science - Sociology
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, TX12.2009
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Edinburg, TX05.2008
Skills
- Microsoft Office (Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Outlook)
- Spanish Fluency
- Communication Skills
- Problem Solving
- Personal Management Skills
- Critical Thinking
- Strong Work Values
- Self-Confidence
- Learning Skills
- Strong Work Ethics
- Client and Family Interviews
- Case Management
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Behavioral Management Planning
Qualification Summary
Master level with extensive knowledge and experience of human behavior and performance in social groups. Applied education in the Criminal Justice System and correctional procedures. Broad exposure and direct experience with local and federal law enforcement agencies. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Committed to the welfare and concern of people's lives.
Training
Motivational Interviewing Basic Training- 2016 Group Facilitation Basic Training- 2016 Gang Awareness- 2016 Suicide Prevention- 2016
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Residential Care Investigator
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
04.2019 - Current
Adoption Counselor
Adoption Choices of Texas
05.2017 - 06.2019
Case Manager III of Secure Institution
Texas Juvenile Justice Department
08.2016 - 12.2016
Child Protective Services Specialist III
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
02.2010 - 09.2013
Intern-Deputy
Starr County Sheriff Department
09.2007 - 04.2008
Substitute Teacher
Rio Grande City Independent School District
05.2006 - 04.2009
Volunteer
Edinburg Police Department
03.2005 - 04.2005
Master of Science - Sociology
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
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