Laura Mena
FL
Summary
Doctor of Education with experience supporting youth and families through trauma-informed counseling, crisis intervention, and student advocacy. Skilled in providing emotional support, navigating mandated reporting procedures, and connecting students with academic, mental health, and community resources. Experienced collaborating with educators, families, and multidisciplinary teams to promote student safety, well-being, and success.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Bilingual Program Counselor
Alachua County Victim Services & Rape Crisis Cente
Gainesville, FL
06.2021 - Current
- Provide crisis counseling and emotional support to individuals of all ages, including youth and families, addressing trauma, safety concerns, and emotional well-being.
- Conduct risk assessments and safety planning, supporting clients in navigating complex personal and family situations.
- Serve as a mandated reporter, ensuring compliance with legal reporting requirements and coordinating with child protective services and law enforcement when necessary.
- Collaborate with schools, social service agencies, and community partners to connect youth and families with appropriate support resources.
- Facilitate trauma-informed communication with students, families, and professionals to ensure culturally responsive and accessible services.
- Provide guidance and referrals for mental health services, academic support, and community resources to promote client stability and well-being.
- Design and deliver training for staff and volunteers on trauma-informed care, communication strategies, and crisis response.
- Maintain confidential case documentation and service records in accordance with legal and ethical standards.
- Advocate for language accessibility and culturally responsive services for Spanish-speaking families and community members.
Student Success Coordinator
Tutoring Learning Services
, FL
05.2025 - 08.2025
- Acted as primary liaison among families, students, and tutors, facilitating communication and addressing parent inquiries to enhance learning experiences.
- Monitored student progress and conducted regular check-ins with tutors to boost instructional effectiveness and foster student engagement.
- Collaborated with tutors to review student learning plans and align support strategies with academic goals.
- Coordinated student–tutor matching by assessing academic needs, learning goals, and scheduling compatibility.
- Guided parents on program structure, progress timelines, and educational outcomes to align expectations with student success.
- Supported program operations through scheduling coordination, communication tracking, and student support follow-up.
- Contributed to a student-centered learning environment focused on retention, accountability, and academic success.
Bilingual Operations Supervisor
Crisis Text Line
, FL
04.2025 - 05.2025
- Supervised 10-13 staff members per shift, ensuring operational efficiency in high-volume, fast-paced environment
- Provided real-time guidance, quality assurance, and escalation support for complex situations
- Resolved customer service issues promptly, improving overall customer satisfaction through effective problem-solving.
- Provided structured feedback and performance support, enhancing team development through effective debriefing
Educator
St. Patrick's Interparish School
Gainesville, FL
08.2020 - 05.2021
- Delivered individualized academic and behavioral support to enhance learning outcomes for students with diverse needs
- Collaborated with teachers and specialists to implement instructional strategies aligned with student goals
- Partnered with educators to create curriculum standards and objectives that align with student learning goals
- Employed technology to enrich instructional methods and engage students in the classroom
- Maintained detailed progress documentation and supported communication between families and school staff
Disability Advocate & Proctor
University Of Florda
Gainesville, FL
01.2018 - 02.2020
- Coordinated and supervised testing accommodations for over 200 students per semester, ensuring compliance with institutional and ADA guidelines
- Collaborated with faculty and staff to implement approved accommodations, enhancing accessibility for students
- Managed confidential records and ensured secure handling of academic materials, maintaining compliance with privacy regulations
- Guided students in navigating campus resources and support services, facilitating their academic success
Criminal Justice Intern
Miami-Dade Animal Services
Miami, FL
08.2018 - 12.2018
- Facilitated intake procedures and monitored field operations and court proceedings to gain insight into case management
- Coordinated case materials and supported legal staff, enhancing organizational efficiency for case processing.
- Prepared documentation and case files for investigations of animal welfare concerns, ensuring thoroughness for legal proceedings
Education
Doctor of Education - Applied Learning Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
Miami, FL02.2025
Master of Education - Specialty in Special Needs Education
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Gainesville, FL05.2023
Bachelors - African American Studies, Sociology, Innovation
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Gainesville, FL12.2020
Skills
- Partnership development
- Community engagement
- Cross-cultural communication
- Staff training
- Training facilitation
- Case documentation
- Academic support coordination
- Team leadership
- Outreach strategies
- Bilingual intervention
- Trauma-informed care
- Counseling & emotional support
- Crisis intervention
- Mandated reporting & child protection protocols
- Trauma-informed care
- Student advocacy
- Family and parent communication
- Community resource referral
- Conflict resolution
- Cultural competency & bilingual services
- Collaboration with educators and multidisciplinary teams
- Student case management & documentation
- Social-emotional learning support
- Behavioral intervention strategies
- Training facilitation & staff development
Certification
- Advocacy Core Training Certification, 2021
- VOCA - Florida Crime Prevention Training, 2022
- HIPAA Compliance, 2022
- FEMA, 2022
- CPR Certified, 2022
- Train the Trainer: Trauma-Informed Investigations, 2024
- Bureau of Victim's Compensation Relocation Training, 2025
Languages
- English, Fluent
- Spanish, Fluent
- French, Basics
Languages
English
Native/ Bilingual
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
French
Elementary
Timeline
Student Success Coordinator
Tutoring Learning Services
05.2025 - 08.2025
Bilingual Operations Supervisor
Crisis Text Line
04.2025 - 05.2025
Bilingual Program Counselor
Alachua County Victim Services & Rape Crisis Cente
06.2021 - Current
Educator
St. Patrick's Interparish School
08.2020 - 05.2021
Criminal Justice Intern
Miami-Dade Animal Services
08.2018 - 12.2018
Disability Advocate & Proctor
University Of Florda
01.2018 - 02.2020
Doctor of Education - Applied Learning Sciences
UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
Master of Education - Specialty in Special Needs Education
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Bachelors - African American Studies, Sociology, Innovation
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA