Maria Lopez, LSW, SWC
Pueblo,CO
Summary
Compassionate and detail-oriented behavioral health professional with extensive experience in case management, student support services, and accessibility coordination across higher education and community settings. Expertise in conducting intake assessments, developing individualized accommodation plans, and ensuring compliance with ADA, FERPA, and institutional policies. Proficient in interdisciplinary collaboration, crisis intervention, and digital systems management, fostering a holistic approach to student well-being. Dedicated to empowering students through inclusive practices, advocacy, and trauma-informed care, driving positive outcomes in diverse educational environments.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Coordinator, Behavioral Health Program
Pueblo Community College
01.2025 - Current
- Managed aspects of PCC's Behavioral Health program, including student advising, curriculum oversight, and program development.
- Administered grant funding, creating sustainable systems for tracking revenue, expenses, and student outcomes.
- Provided-one-on-one support to students, guiding them through academic pathways and behavioral health career opportunities.
- Designed and executed marketing and recruitment initiatives, increasing program visibility and enrollment.
- Engaged with community partners, employers, and stakeholders to align curriculum with industry standards and workforce demands.
- Maintained compliance with institutional policies, fiscal guidelines, and accreditation standards to support continuous program development.
Case Manager
Colorado State University Pueblo
04.2023 - 12.2024
- Provided individualized case management and coordinated services with external agencies to support students with disabilities and complex needs.
- Documented student interactions in electronic systems, ensuring FERPA compliance and timely reporting.
- Supported students in accessing housing, legal services, and public benefits, promoting self-advocacy and resource awareness.
- Participated in interdisciplinary review and contributed to strategic service improvements.
Admissions CRM Advancement Specialist
Colorado State University Pueblo
06.2022 - 03.2023
- Managed Slate CRM systems to enhance student outreach and digital accessibility.
- Liaised between technical and end-user staff to ensure inclusive communication strategies and event coordination.
- Supported accessibility-related communications and content development.
COSI Back to Work Advisor
Colorado State University Pueblo
01.2022 - 05.2022
- Reviewed transcripts and eligibility for specialized programs, supporting students with academic and personal challenges.
- Promoted access to campus resources and facilitated smooth transitions for returning students.
Clinician I
San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group
07.2021 - 12.2021
- Provided patients with detailed information about symptoms, causes and treatment expectations.
- Established appropriate course of treatment and implemented interventions.
- Interviewed patients concerning physical complaints, discussed symptoms, asked questions and suggested treatment options.
- Determined appropriate treatments to achieve balance in body.
- Identified alternative pain control methods to avoid use of opioids and other overly-abused narcotics.
- Implemented therapeutic regiments involving medications and other interventions to mitigate symptoms and prevent reoccurrence.
- Evaluated patient histories, complaints and current symptoms.
Communications Specialist
Colorado State University Pueblo
01.2021 - 06.2021
- Developed engaging communication strategies.
- Assisted in developing job postings, social media and other external communications.
- Studied objectives, promotional policies or needs of organizations to develop public relations strategies influencing public opinion or promoting ideas.
- Provided administrative support to senior team members.
- Used Slate CRM to create eloquent, visually appealing content for admissions and enrollment communications.
- Created, wrote and revised content for Admissions programs and events.
- Promoted institutional vision through announcements and communications.
- Collaborated in finding ways to increase student engagement in campus-wide initiatives based on detailed communication analytics embedded within Slate.
Graduate Intern Domestic Violence Counselor/Therapist
YWCA
04.2020 - 12.2020
- Delivered counseling services to residents at the YWCA, emphasizing educational and conflict resolution strategies while pursuing a Master of Social Work degree under the guidance of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
- Conducted comprehensive biopsychosocial assessments to identify suitable conflict resolution and therapeutic interventions, ensuring tailored support for each individual.
- Co-facilitated psychoeducational and support groups, focusing on conflict resolution education and empowering participants with knowledge and skills to address personal challenges.
- Provided individual therapy to survivors of domestic violence, utilizing integrated treatment models to educate clients on the cycle of abuse and develop strategies to break this cycle, promoting long-term conflict resolution.
- Equipped clients with tools to recognize and understand contributing factors to abuse, fostering self-awareness and empowering them to implement strategies that prevent future conflicts.
- Collaborated with a multi-disciplinary team at the YWCA to deliver coordinated care and support, ensuring a holistic approach to education and conflict resolution.
- Actively engaged in individual and consultation groups, enhancing skills in conflict resolution and educational strategies through shared learning experiences.
Graduate Intern Counselor
Willow Tree Counseling
05.2019 - 02.2020
- Operated in a private practice setting, focusing on education and conflict resolution strategies while providing diagnostic and intervention services to clients under the supervision of a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
- Conducted comprehensive intake and psychosocial assessments to inform the development of conflict resolution and educational interventions tailored to individual client needs.
- Delivered counseling and psychoeducation, equipping clients with the knowledge and skills necessary to resolve conflicts and achieve personal goals.
- Collaboratively developed and implemented treatment plans with clients and staff clinicians, prioritizing educational and conflict resolution techniques to foster positive outcomes.
- Participated in supervision meetings, offering case feedback and insights to colleagues to enhance the overall approach to education and conflict resolution within the practice.
- Worked closely with staff to assess service and resource needs, ensuring that educational and conflict resolution resources were effectively integrated into client care.
Medical Social Worker
Frontier Home Health & Hospice
01.2019 - 05.2019
- Coordinated care and delivered counseling services with a focus on education and conflict resolution for home health patients within the community.
- Guided patients and their families in accessing and utilizing resources, emphasizing educational strategies to effectively manage and support ongoing medical conditions.
- Facilitated conflict resolution through counseling, helping families navigate challenges and enhance their understanding of care management.
- Provided referrals to additional services, ensuring comprehensive support that integrates educational and conflict resolution approaches to improve patient outcomes.
Lead Senior Case Manager
Pueblo County Department of Social Services
01.2016 - 11.2018
- Managed a diverse caseload of 57 clients, emphasizing education and conflict resolution to facilitate access to assistance, care, and counseling through Long Term Care Medicaid and Home and Community Based Services.
- Led a team of professional case managers, providing guidance on case planning, review, and permanence planning with a focus on conflict resolution and educational strategies, while assisting supervisors in workload distribution and policy adherence.
- Conducted site visits to assess the quality of care and ensure compliance with program requirements, integrating educational approaches to enhance service delivery.
- Performed interviews and assessments to identify client needs and risks, prioritizing conflict resolution techniques to support effective case management and service provision.
- Reviewed and monitored program eligibility requirements, ensuring clients received appropriate educational and conflict resolution resources.
- Supported clients through crisis intervention and counseling, employing conflict resolution strategies to overcome barriers and facilitate access to services.
- Developed and coordinated action and treatment plans, making referrals and aligning services to address both short-term and long-term client needs with an emphasis on education and conflict resolution.
- Documented action plans, client progress, and services provided, ensuring a comprehensive approach that incorporates educational and elements of conflict resolution.
- Coordinated services with collateral agencies, families, and service providers, fostering collaboration and communication to enhance client outcomes.
- Provided follow-up case management to assist clients in resolving quality of care issues, leveraging educational and conflict resolution strategies to ensure continuous improvement and client satisfaction.
Eligibility Specialist
Family Service Center
11.2014 - 01.2016
- Collected and analyzed information from applicants and recipients to assess both financial and non-financial criteria for eligibility in programs such as Colorado Works, Food Assistance, and MAGI Medicaid, focusing on educational support and discrepancies in eligibility requirements.
- Educated applicants and recipients about program requirements and benefits, assisting them in completing necessary forms, securing documents, and understanding appeal rights and procedures , thereby promoting informed decision-making and minimizing disputes.
- Collaborated with co-workers to provide support and expertise, applying conflict resolution techniques to approve or deny applications based on thorough case reviews in line with program rules and regulations.
- Conducted client interviews to gather comprehensive case information, requesting additional documentation as needed to ensure accuracy and compliance, while employing educational strategies to clarify processes and resolve potential disputes.
Program Coordinator
Pueblo Community Health Center, PCHC
03.2014 - 10.2014
- Healthcare for the Homeless and Early Intervention Services, Coordinated delivery of health and supportive services to special populations including Health Care for the Homeless, and HIV/AIDS in Pueblo County.
- Conducted community outreach to identify eligible clients.
- Assured effective day-to-day operation of homeless primary care services through teamwork with other PCHC departments serving the homeless population.
- Collaborated effectively with other homeless serving agencies.
Eligibility Specialist
Pueblo County Department of Social Services
12.2012 - 03.2014
- Gathered, assembled, and reviewed information from applicants and recipients regarding financial and non-financial criteria relevant to initial or continued eligibility for Food Assistance, Adult Financial, Long-Term Care, and Medicaid.
- Informed applicants/recipients of the relevant requirements and benefits of the program for which they may have eligibility; assisted applicants with completing forms; secured documents; notified applicants of appeal rights and procedures in response to notices generated by the computer.
- Maintained inquiry level access in multiple State and County computer systems for basic case information as necessary.
- Assisted co-workers as necessary.
- Approved/denied applicants based upon the review of case information, in accordance with program rules and regulations.
- Established and maintained case files; prepared necessary documentation to initiate, continue and modify public assistance; planned and organized caseload to ensure that necessary work is completed in accordance with regulations relating to eligibility and timeliness.
- Maintained a caseload of 800 clients encompassing multiple public assistance programs.
- Interviewed clients to obtain general case information, requesting supporting documentation from clients as necessary.
- Utilized data entry through multiple County and State computer systems requiring detailed, specific program knowledge.
- Determined the need for recovery of funds.
- Kept clients informed of changes in laws or regulations that may affect them.
Education
Master of Social Work -
Colorado State University
12.2020
Graduate Certificate - Advanced Clinical Behavioral Health
Colorado State University
05.2020
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
State University of New York At Purchase
05.2000
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Bronx Community College
05.1998
Skills
- Regulatory compliance expertise
- Client intake management
- Case Management & Student Advocacy
- Crisis Intervention & Support
- Digital accessibility management
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration
- Psychoeducational Assessment Interpretation
- Professional Development Facilitation
- Confidential documentation management
- Community Partnership & Transition Support
Certification
- Brain Synchronization Therapy
- Licensed Social Worker (LSW)
- Clinical Social Work Candidate (SWC)
- SBI (Screening and Brief Intervention) with Adults
Custom
- 16 Hour MTS (Moving Towards Serving) Training Retreat - February 2023
ESCALA Educational Services, Inc., Santa Fe, NM
Custom
Retreat Facilitator
The Center for Inclusive Excellence, CSU Pueblo - Pueblo, CO
May 2021 to August 2021
- Facilitated professional development for student affairs through group discussion and consensus building activities.
- In consultation with the Assistant Dean of Student Support and Advocacy, developed action plans which identified key issues, problems, approaches, and resources required for the direction of program services.
- Fostered collaboration among team members.
Custom
Callico Jones, DSW, LSW
Department Chair, Behavioral Health Program
Pueblo Community College
720-340-6016
callico.jones@pueblocc.edu
Victoria Obregon, PhD
Director of Intercultural Initiatives & Belonging
Colorado State University Pueblo
719-549-2402
victoria.obregon@csupueblo.edu
Louann Androes
Assistance Payments Supervisor (Retired)
Pueblo County Department of Human Services, Pueblo, CO
719-568-4778
Affiliations
- AHEAD - Association of Higher Education and Disability
Timeline
Coordinator, Behavioral Health Program
Pueblo Community College
01.2025 - Current
Case Manager
Colorado State University Pueblo
04.2023 - 12.2024
Admissions CRM Advancement Specialist
Colorado State University Pueblo
06.2022 - 03.2023
COSI Back to Work Advisor
Colorado State University Pueblo
01.2022 - 05.2022
Clinician I
San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group
07.2021 - 12.2021
Communications Specialist
Colorado State University Pueblo
01.2021 - 06.2021
Graduate Intern Domestic Violence Counselor/Therapist
YWCA
04.2020 - 12.2020
Graduate Intern Counselor
Willow Tree Counseling
05.2019 - 02.2020
Medical Social Worker
Frontier Home Health & Hospice
01.2019 - 05.2019
Lead Senior Case Manager
Pueblo County Department of Social Services
01.2016 - 11.2018
Eligibility Specialist
Family Service Center
11.2014 - 01.2016
Program Coordinator
Pueblo Community Health Center, PCHC
03.2014 - 10.2014
Eligibility Specialist
Pueblo County Department of Social Services
12.2012 - 03.2014
Master of Social Work -
Colorado State University
Graduate Certificate - Advanced Clinical Behavioral Health
Colorado State University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
State University of New York At Purchase
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts
Bronx Community College
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