Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Fellowships
Timeline
Generic

Kiara Santiago

New York,USA

Overview

8
8
years of professional experience

Work History

Right To Counsel Benefits Advisor

The Bronx Defenders
05.2023 - Current
  • Provide expert guidance to onboarding lawyers, assisting with navigating public benefits for clients facing eviction.
  • Successfully secured over $383,535.90 in arrears for clients facing eviction, ensuring housing stability for vulnerable tenants.
  • Assist clients with completing and submitting applications for public assistance, SNAP, One Shot Deals, FHEPS To Stay and other benefits, ensuring timely and accurate filings.
  • Conduct thorough eligibility assessments for public benefits, coordinating with Housing Court partners to prevent evictions.
  • Advocate informally on behalf of clients by negotiating with agencies such as HRA to resolve issues and secure needed benefits.
  • Collaborate with attorneys to ensure successful advocacy outcomes, highlighting client successes through strong teamwork.
  • Serve as a resource for case referrals, providing detailed recommendations on how to submit strong or urgent referrals to maximize client outcomes.
  • Track and analyze case timelines, with a focus on improving efficiency in benefit application processes and advocacy efforts.

Senior Economic Stability Specialist

Sanctuary For Families
08.2019 - 05.2023
  • Partnered with the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender Based Violence and provide social work services to victims of Intimate Partner Violence
  • Equipped over 30 clients per week with job search skills to increase success chances
  • Kept detailed records of individual histories, scores, and documents
  • Worked with team to continuously improve career and placement opportunities for clients
  • Developed career and education plans based on individual needs
  • Connected with business and recruiters to build relationships and increase opportunities for clients
  • Worked with clients to develop personal recommendations for improvement of financial circumstances, reducing debt and increasing income
  • Helped clients identify and set short- and long-term financial and life goals and devise plans to reach those goals
  • Counseled clients one-on-one regarding current situation, desires, aptitudes, education, and employment history
  • Provided comprehensive support services encompassing career and personal goals of client
  • Made recommendations for continuous improvement related to use of new teaching tools, resources and training and improvement
  • Developed and published professional portfolio, including resumes, and cover letters
  • Provided clinical services such as psychosocial assessments, danger assessments, individual counseling, case management, safety planning and referrals
  • Monitored individual progress throughout career advisement and provided support/ resources as necessary

Senior Case Manager

Safe Horizon
08.2018 - 08.2019
  • Provide crisis intervention, criminal justice, housing advocacy and case management services to victims of crime and abuse
  • Conduct client-centered safety assessment and risk management planning
  • Provide information and referral for clients for services such as shelters, mental health treatment, public assistance, and other entitlements
  • Provide emergency practical assistance for clients including

Crime Victim Advocate

Safe Horizon
07.2017 - 08.2018
  • Address the immediate needs of a weekly average of 35-40 victims of crime
  • Develop safety plans to prevent repeat victimization
  • Distribute information to victims about their rights, navigating the criminal justice system, and managing their expectations
  • Link victims to other local service providers for additional and more specialized assistance
  • Advocate for clients to access needed services such as OVS compensation, medical care, emergency safety transfers, and public benefits
  • Develop appropriate resources to distribute to officers and community served by their precinct
  • Delivered police trainings twice a month to talk about resources available for victims
  • Coordinated with neighborhood community officers, the community affairs unit, and the domestic violence unit to conduct monthly outreach presentations to members of the community

Caseworker/ Weekend Coordinator

Carter Burden Center for the Aging
07.2016 - 07.2017
  • Conducted comprehensive assessments to identify strengths, resources, and needs
  • Referred clients to long-term assistance community agencies
  • Facilitated escort services for disabled clients
  • Coordinated with attorneys, insurance companies, providers, and family members
  • Maintained a daily work log and case notes for interactions with members
  • Prepared monthly statistics reports
  • Supervised personnel and volunteers
  • Prepared effective production schedules and ensured employee compliance to all company policies

Education

Master of Public Administration - Concentration: Urban Sustainability and Development

Baruch College: Marxe School of Public And InternationAffairs
New York, NY
01.2021

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

Brooklyn College
Brooklyn, NY
01.2016

Community Planning Fellowship Program -

Fund for City of New York
01.2022

Skills

    Languages: Fluent in Spanish

    Computer: Microsoft SharePoint, Adobe, Microsoft Office, Salesforce, Pika CMS, Data Entry, Intake

    Collaborative: Advising and leading a team, Advocacy & Collaborations Strategic interagency partnerships

    Client Client-Centered Practice: Career Counseling, Economic Self-Sufficiency Coaching Financial Counseling Intake, Risk and Safety Assessments Safety Planning, Crisis Management Mental Health CounselingHousing & Public Benefits support

Fellowships

Fund for City of New York: Community Planning Fellowship Program, 2021-2022

Timeline

Right To Counsel Benefits Advisor

The Bronx Defenders
05.2023 - Current

Senior Economic Stability Specialist

Sanctuary For Families
08.2019 - 05.2023

Senior Case Manager

Safe Horizon
08.2018 - 08.2019

Crime Victim Advocate

Safe Horizon
07.2017 - 08.2018

Caseworker/ Weekend Coordinator

Carter Burden Center for the Aging
07.2016 - 07.2017

Bachelor of Arts - Sociology

Brooklyn College

Community Planning Fellowship Program -

Fund for City of New York

Master of Public Administration - Concentration: Urban Sustainability and Development

Baruch College: Marxe School of Public And InternationAffairs

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