Luisa Madera
Mount Vernon
Summary
Dedicated bilingual social worker with 21 years of experience supporting the School-Based Committee on Special Education in the New York City Department of Education. Experienced in developing more than 2,000 comprehensive social histories, including observations, Functional Behavioral Assessments, Behavior Intervention Plans, and diagnostic documentation for students from preschool to high school, with expertise serving District 75 populations. Proven ability to advocate for families and connect them to community resources and support agencies. Proficient in administering standardized assessments, including Vineland-3, GARS-3, CARS-2, ASRS, and BASC-3, to inform individualized education plans and intervention strategies.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
SCHOOL ASSESSMENT TEAM BILINGUAL SOCIAL WORKER
Public School 106
Bronx, NY
09.2022 - Current
- Provide culturally responsive support to Bengali families through the use of professional interpreters. Confirm that families have a comprehensive understanding of due process rights and informed consent prior to their participation in special education evaluations.
- Facilitate family access to essential community resources by collaborating with agencies including the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities, local hospitals, and specialized service providers to address the holistic needs of students.
- Participate in Response to Intervention (RTI) meetings to plan students supports with special education liaisons and school administrators.
- Provide immediate crisis intervention to educators by using de-escalation techniques to address student emotional distress during classroom incidents. Promote safety and restorative practices.
- Implement proactive planning to initiate Kindergarten IEP Process (KIP) cases to comply with citywide deadlines. Ensure timely completion through collaboration with colleagues.
SCHOOL ASSESSMENT TEAM BILINGUAL SOCIAL WORKER
Public School 96
Bronx, NY
09.2014 - Current
- Ensure due process compliance by reviewing parental rights and legal protections, and maintain compliance with IDEA and state regulations.
- Clearly explain the special education service continuum to families before obtaining informed consent for assessments, highlighting available options and their implications to support informed decisions.
- Conduct comprehensive social histories that document student development, medical history, socio-emotional and behavioral patterns, and academic background to support IEP development.
- Develop data-driven Functional Behavioral Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) using quantitative observation and analysis to systematically address student behavioral challenges.
- Conduct classroom observations to gather contextual data on student interactions within the learning environment, identifying specific academic and behavioral support needs for individualized planning.
- Administer and interpret standardized assessments, such as the Vineland-3, GARS-3, CARS-2, ASRS, and BASC-3, to inform evidence-based individualized education plans addressing cognitive, social, and functional skills.
- Foster collaborative partnerships with educators, administrators, families, and community agencies to coordinate supports and resources across educational and clinical settings.
Education
Master of Social Work -
Fordham University
New York, NY05-2008
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
The City College of New York
New York, NY06-2001
Skills
- Bilingual Spanish and English
- Proficient with Autism Spectrum Rating Scale
- Efficient with Gilliam Autism Rating Scale, Third Edition
- Skilled with Childhood Autism Rating Scale, Second Edition
- Experienced with Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, Third Edition
- Proficient in administering the Behavior Assessment System for Children, 3rd Edition
Affiliations
National Association of Social Workers
Certification
- LMSW - Licensed Master Social Worker
- New York State Department of Education Permanent School Social Worker Certification
- Permanent Bilingual Extension Certificate
LANGUAGES
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Interests
- Exploring various forms of art, such as piano playing, photography, and Dutch pour painting, to nurture creativity and personal growth
- Fond of the Spanish theater
Timeline
SCHOOL ASSESSMENT TEAM BILINGUAL SOCIAL WORKER
Public School 106
09.2022 - Current
SCHOOL ASSESSMENT TEAM BILINGUAL SOCIAL WORKER
Public School 96
09.2014 - Current
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
The City College of New York
Master of Social Work -
Fordham University