LUZ SANTANA
Fairfield
Summary
Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong work ethic, adaptability, and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Vocational Counselor
Friendship House
Hackensack
07.2024 - 08.2025
- Developed individualized vocational plans for diverse client populations.
- Conducted assessments to identify clients' skills and interests.
- Facilitated job readiness workshops and training sessions.
- Provided ongoing support and counseling during employment transitions.
- Maintained accurate client records and documentation in case management systems.
- Advocated for clients' needs within community resources and programs.
- Participated in team meetings to review client progress and strategies.
- Facilitated referrals to community resources including housing assistance, mental health services, and substance abuse programs.
- Assessed client's vocational skills, interests, and aptitudes to determine their career goals.
- Monitored client's compliance with program requirements such as attendance at classes or meetings.
- Conducted group workshops to discuss topics related to employment, career development, and job searching.
- Provided guidance on job search techniques such as resume writing and interviewing skills.
- Maintained accurate records of all counseling sessions and client progress towards goals.
- Assisted individuals making career-related decisions by conducting assessments to measure skills, abilities and interests.
- Monitored, evaluated and recorded training activities or program effectiveness.
- Used role-playing, lectures, and simulations to present information in variety of instructional techniques and formats.
Immigration Case Specialist
BI Incorporated
Newark
10.2021 - 02.2024
- Develop and maintain accurate individual service plans and complete cases records
- Conducting intake interviews and orientation sessions.
- Installing electronic monitoring equipment.
- Assisting participants with acquiring travel documents.
- Knowledge of local community/social services resources. Access the needs and connect participants with appropriate resources within the community.
- Knowledge of Immigration laws, detention, government laws regulations and procedures.
- Managed case documentation to ensure compliance with legal standards.
- Coordinated communication between clients and service providers for case updates.
- Reviewed case files for accuracy and completeness before submission.
- Provided support in crisis situations, guiding clients through available resources.
- Reviewed and processed case files for accuracy and completeness.
- Conducted intakes of new cases to ensure compliance with regulations.
- Collaborated with service providers to coordinate resources and referrals as needed.
- Advised clients on available resources within the community that could benefit them.
- Investigated alternative solutions for difficult cases while maintaining confidentiality.
- Maintained detailed records of all case activities using appropriate software systems.
- Facilitated communication between the client and other involved agencies or organizations.
- Participated in professional development opportunities related to case management practices.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Jewish Vocational Services
Montclair
07.2019 - 10.2021
- Assessed client needs to develop personalized rehabilitation plans.
- Provided counseling and support during vocational training sessions.
- Collaborated with community organizations for job placements and resources.
- Facilitated workshops on resume writing and interview skills.
- Monitored client progress and adjusted plans as needed.
- Maintained accurate client records and documentation for compliance.
- Assisted clients with enhancing skills in areas such as job searching, interviewing and business and personal etiquette.
- Connected individuals with relevant community resources and coordinated referrals.
- Managed load of multiple cases on consistent basis.
- Helped individuals address disabilities and put together career plans.
- Developed Individual Plans for Employment with each client to identify short-term objectives that lead to long-term employment goals.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings with other professionals from different fields in order to coordinate care plans.
- Actively participated in professional development activities such as seminars or webinars related to vocational rehabilitation best practices.
- Maintained accurate records of client progress including case notes, assessments, IPEs, service plans.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Northwest Essex Community Healthcare-Network
Montclair
09.2018 - 07.2019
- Assessed client needs to develop personalized rehabilitation plans.
- Provided counseling and support during vocational training sessions.
- Facilitated workshops on resume writing and interview skills.
- Maintained accurate client records and documentation for compliance.
- Assisted clients with enhancing skills in areas such as job searching, interviewing and business and personal etiquette.
- Managed load of multiple cases on consistent basis.
- Performed assessments to determine individual limitations and strengths.
- Helped individuals address disabilities and put together career plans.
- Developed Individual Plans for Employment with each client to identify short-term objectives that lead to long-term employment goals.
- Facilitated weekly group meetings with clients to provide support and promote career development activities.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings with other professionals from different fields in order to coordinate care plans.
- Counseled family members of disabled individuals on ways they can better support their loved one's career aspirations.
Instructional Paraprofessional
ECLC OF NJ
Ho-Ho-Kus
12.2017 - 08.2018
- Worked directly with students with guidance from the teacher. Provided coaching and modeling to facilitate the active involvement of students in their educational setting.
- Assist with lesson plans.
- Conduct vocational and social skills group sessions.
- Provided vocational support and on-the-job coaching at community locations.
- Supported teachers in implementing individualized education plans for students.
- Assisted in classroom management and maintained a positive learning environment.
- Collaborated with staff to adapt instructional materials for diverse learners.
- Monitored student progress and provided feedback to educators regularly.
- Facilitated small group activities to enhance student engagement and participation.
- Organized classroom resources and maintained an orderly learning space.
- Participated in training sessions to improve instructional techniques and strategies.
- Provided classroom support throughout planned instruction and individual lessons.
- Conducted one-on-one tutoring sessions with struggling learners.
- Offered students personalized educational, behavioral, and emotional support.
- Maintained focused, inclusive, and supportive learning environments.
- Kept students safe in classroom and outside environments.
- Supervised recess activities to ensure safety of all students.
- Assisted teachers in implementing behavior management strategies for students with challenging behaviors.
- Instructed students in basic skills such as reading comprehension, writing techniques, mathematics computation.
- Encouraged positive behavior management strategies in the classroom setting.
- Facilitated small group instruction for students with special needs.
- Monitored student behavior in the classroom and on field trips.
- Provided feedback on student work using appropriate verbal praise or constructive criticism.
- Created a positive learning environment by providing support and encouragement to students.
- Utilized technology resources effectively to enhance instruction.
- Assisted teachers in preparing lesson plans and instructional materials.
- Organized instructional materials for classroom use.
- Monitored students in class, hallways, and cafeteria to enforce school rules.
- Tutored and assisted children individually and in small groups to help master assignments and reinforce learning concepts.
- Distributed classroom materials, pencils, paper, and art materials.
- Participated in professional development workshops to stay current with educational trends and methodologies.
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Hudson Community Enterprises
Jersey City
09.2015 - 04.2017
- Assessed client needs to develop personalized rehabilitation plans.
- Provided counseling and support during vocational training sessions.
- Facilitated workshops on resume writing and interview skills.
- Monitored client progress and adjusted plans as needed.
- Maintained accurate client records and documentation for compliance.
- Assisted clients with enhancing skills in areas such as job searching, interviewing and business and personal etiquette.
- Connected individuals with relevant community resources and coordinated referrals.
- Managed load of multiple cases on consistent basis.
- Performed assessments to determine individual limitations and strengths.
- Helped individuals address disabilities and put together career plans.
- Developed Individual Plans for Employment with each client to identify short-term objectives that lead to long-term employment goals.
- Facilitated weekly group meetings with clients to provide support and promote career development activities.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings with other professionals from different fields in order to coordinate care plans.
- Actively participated in professional development activities such as seminars or webinars related to vocational rehabilitation best practices.
- Maintained accurate records of client progress including case notes, assessments, IPEs, service plans.
- Counseled family members of disabled individuals on ways they can better support their loved one's career aspirations.
- Delivered presentations on various topics related to vocational rehabilitation at conferences or workshops.
- Documented and filed patient health reports and charts.
Case Manager
Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation
Jersey City
05.2010 - 09.2015
- Monitor and maintain the safety and security of the clients and the facility.
- Develop treatment plans and ensure progress toward program/Consumer's goals.
- Conduct and/or monitor educational groups as assigned.
- Facilitated communication between clients and community resources.
- Monitored client progress and adjusted services as needed.
- Organized workshops to educate clients on available support services.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to address client needs.
- Documented case notes and maintained accurate client records.
- Advocated for clients in accessing housing and healthcare services.
- Provided crisis intervention and emotional support to clients in need.
- Provided case management services including intake, assessment, crisis intervention, advocacy, referral and monitoring of families.
- Monitored client progress through regular follow-up contacts.
- Maintained accurate case records and documentation according to agency guidelines.
- Assessed clients' needs, developed service plans and monitored progress towards goals.
- Counseled clients on available resources within the community that could help meet their needs.
- Developed trusting relationships with social services, health care providers and governmental agencies.
- Developed individualized care plans with input from clients and their families.
- Compiled reports on cases and submitted them to supervisors as required.
- Conducted home visits to assess the safety of living environments for clients.
- Maintained logs and electronic client records following department and agency policies for effective monitoring.
- Coordinated transportation services for clients who lacked access to reliable transportation.
- Educated clients about mental health conditions, medications and self-care techniques.
- Supported family members by providing information on local support groups.
- Organized group activities to provide socialization opportunities for clients.
- Conducted initial assessments to determine client eligibility for programs and services.
- Identified barriers to client success and developed strategies to overcome them.
- Managed caseloads effectively, ensuring timely documentation and reporting.
Family Worker
Family Connections
Orange
04.2009 - 05.2010
- Assist direct care of individuals/families in setting goals, learning skills, and accessing the resources they need to build a stronger, healthier and self-sufficient family unit.
- Develop family success plan along with program participants.
- Provide advocacy services to families in need.
- Screen and properly assess family needs.
- Develop and provide housing related services.
- Assist families with child welfare paperwork (food stamps, health insurance, etc).
- Conduct educational groups (Job readiness, psychosocial groups).
- Connects families to area resources.
- Facilitates monthly workshops to educate and support families.
- Maintains case files.
- Coordinated family support services to enhance community engagement and wellbeing.
- Facilitated workshops and events to promote family resilience and resource access.
- Assisted clients in navigating social services and available resources effectively.
- Developed individualized service plans based on client assessments and needs.
- Collaborated with local agencies to strengthen support networks for families.
- Advocated for families' rights and needs within the community framework.
- Maintained accurate case records and documentation in compliance with regulations.
- Encouraged clients to engage in healthy behaviors that promote overall wellbeing.
- Maintained accurate records of all client interactions and progress towards goals.
- Facilitated group meetings with parents and guardians to discuss child development topics.
- Educated clients on available community resources such as housing, food banks, counseling.
- Participated in interdisciplinary team meetings with other professionals providing services.
- Provided referrals for mental health services when appropriate or necessary.
- Collaborated with other agencies to coordinate services for families in need of assistance.
- Assessed the strengths, needs and resources of families in order to develop individualized service plans.
- Cultivated positive relationships with families through active listening and supportive feedback.
- Provided support, advocacy and guidance to families in crisis situations.
- Organized recreational activities for children and their parents and caregivers in a safe environment.
- Counseled individuals and families on how to cope with difficult life circumstances such as divorce or death.
- Created educational materials on various topics such as budgeting, nutrition, stress management.
- Maintained confidentiality through stringent handling of charts and data.
- Interviewed clients individually and in groups to assess situations, capabilities and problems.
- Worked with community resources to engage youth in pro-social activities and help families access services.
Education
Bachelor's - Behavioral Science
Mercy College
Dobbs Ferry, NYSkills
- Crisis Intervention
- Intake Experience
- Strong background conducting psychosocial and vocational groups
- Classroom management
- Experience working with students
- Care plans
- Mental health counseling
- Strong communication, organizational, and advocacy skills
- Workforce Development
- Customer service
- Computer skills
- Leadership
- Immigration law
- Bilingual-Spanish
Certification
- CPR Certification
- First Aid Certification
- AED Certification
- Driver's License
Timeline
Vocational Counselor
Friendship House
07.2024 - 08.2025
Immigration Case Specialist
BI Incorporated
10.2021 - 02.2024
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Jewish Vocational Services
07.2019 - 10.2021
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Northwest Essex Community Healthcare-Network
09.2018 - 07.2019
Instructional Paraprofessional
ECLC OF NJ
12.2017 - 08.2018
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Hudson Community Enterprises
09.2015 - 04.2017
Case Manager
Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation
05.2010 - 09.2015
Family Worker
Family Connections
04.2009 - 05.2010
Bachelor's - Behavioral Science
Mercy College