Marla Canales
Edinburg,TX
Summary
Highly-motivated employee with desire to take on new challenges. Strong worth ethic, adaptability and exceptional interpersonal skills. Adept at working effectively unsupervised and quickly mastering new skills.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Lead Unification Manager
08.2022 - Current
- Provide oversight and execution of daily operations to ensure work is completed on schedule, within budget, and to specified quality standards to a maximum of 10 assigned Unification Specialists (US)
- Review all case summaries submitted by the US to ensure they are in alignment with policy and procedures for a safe and efficient reunification
- Regularly reviews and updates the company case management tracking system (VESTA) and government case management tracking system (UC Portal)
- Promote productivity and ensure staff meet their performance standards and metrics/goals
- Hold daily sessions with the US team to check on caseload progress, discuss any policy changes from the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), and answer questions
- Promote a positive environment with an emphasis on building high morale; offer words of encouragement to assigned US team and make them feel valued and appreciated; promote collaboration
- Ensure US staff is always following proper procedures and ORR policy
- Report any issues with their assigned US staff to the Senior Lead Unification Manager
- Frequently and consistently interact with each assigned US staff member throughout the shift to see if they need help, have any questions, are stuck on a case, etc
- Identifies performance/behavioral issues and/or violations of the company's and client's policies and ensures small corrections are made and more complex issues are raised to the Senior Lead Unification Manager to be addressed and/or corrected
- Verifies time, attendance, and time records for final approval by the Senior Lead Unification Manager
- Verifies expense reports for final approval by the Senior Lead Unification Manager
- Ensure employees enter the appropriate project code in the company's and government's timekeeping systems
- Identifies work surges and coordinates with the Senior Lead Unification Manager in the event overtime or additional personnel is needed
- When not assigned to a project as a Lead Unification Manager, an employee may be assigned to a project in a Unification Specialist position.
Assistant Lead Unification Manager Projects
The Providencia Group
Ashburn, VA
01.2022 - Current
- Provided assistance to multiple licensed shelters such as Juan Pirtle Center, CC Houston, Upbring, and SWK Quetzal.
- Played a key role in the successful completion of data clean up DCUP project, quality control, and CBP for advanced CAT 1 cases.
- Successfully provided sponsorship services for Level 1 cases at SWK Sunzal, CC Forth Worth Shelter/TFC/ Endeavors Eagle Lake, and CC Houston.
- Monitored progress of projects and prepared reports for the Senior Lead and RPC on a weekly basis.
- Assisted with training of new team members on departmental procedures and processes.
- Coordinated activities between departments to ensure smooth workflow.
- Created process documentation to assist in streamlining operations within the department.
- Conducted regular audits of existing systems and processes to identify areas for improvement.
- Spearheaded the development and implementation of a new audit tracker system within my department. Additionally, designed and implemented a comprehensive master data tracker for the region, enabling efficient monitoring of employee performance and error tracking."
Reunification Specialist- Virtual Case Manager- II
TPG-PROVIDENCIA GROUP- EMERGENCY INFLUX SHELTER, Permanent Shelter-Unification specialist II
07.2021 - 08.2022
- Conduct initial intake assessment of UC upon shelter arrival to include identifying potential sponsorship
- Complete UC, Risk and Sponsor Assessments in accordance with the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) policies and procedures
- Identify and vet potential sponsor for reunification of UC(s) and alternate/backups in case the initial sponsor is no longer available or able to care for the child
- Help sponsor understand, fill out, and sign required ORR forms and gather documentation for the Family Reunification Packet (FRP); if sponsor cannot read or write, assist in filling out the required forms in the packet on their behalf for them
- Keep the sponsor informed regarding the child's case progress
- Discuss the post-release services that are available in the sponsor's community for the child
- Regularly update UC portal and TPG case management tracking system (Vesta) with all UC case file required information, in accordance with ORR and TPG policies and procedures
- Meet regularly with the UC to discuss progress, ask questions, and make sure they feel they are receiving proper care during their stay at the shelter
- Provide weekly status updates on progress and/or challenges
- Assisted in overseas projects as a case manager during world crisis events
- Familiar with national translator services to communicate with refugees to follow ORR proceedings in reunifying UCs in safe placement.
Reunification specialist Case Manager
CHICANOS POR LA CAUSA-EMERGENCY SHELTER CONTRACTOR
04.2021 - 07.2021
- Coordinate with United States Border Patrol agent placement of the Unaccompanied Children (UC's)
- Interview UC to determine eligibility for program enrollment based on established guidelines and requirements, conduct needs assessment, obtain pertinent information, and establish program goals for UC
- Provide case management services and support to foster care parents and families and UAC in accordance to licensing standards, contract agreements, agency and CARF standards, and funding requirements
- Provide direct care services to the UC; interact with UC in the foster care home and outside activities
- Complete Preliminary Service Plan (PSP) within 72 hours of UC placement
- Complete and verify family reunification packets are accurate and current
- Complete Changes of Address, Changes of Venue form
- Obtain child's signature
- Send original to Executive Office of Immigration Review (EOIR) and forward copy to DHS (Department of Homeland Security).
YOUTH AND FAMILY CASE MANAGER
TEXAS TROPICAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
10.2019 - 04.2021
- Conducted skill training therapy sessions with clients
- Completed daily reports containing services provided
- Coordinated services with behavioral hospitals for placement
- Discussed status of client safety with management team
- Provided treatment plan for client based on their unique needs
- Educated caregivers on diagnosis and medication management
- Implemented interventions based on client needs
- Followed up with client medical appointments
- Conducted crisis screenings as needed
- Provided safety plans according to client's needs
- Assisted in accessing emotional, behavioral, social, educational, medical, and other appropriate services using the uniform assessment (UA) tool
- Assessed client's needs and authorized services to meet the identified needs
- Coordinated development of a person-centered plan with measurable outcomes
- Coordinated and monitored service delivery
- Provided crisis prevention and case management services when needed.
ASSISTANT BANQUET COORDINATOR AND SALES MANAGER
THE TOWER OF THE AMERICAS
05.2019 - 10.2019
- Conducted site visits with clients
- Built contracts for events
- Networked with Chamber of Commerce functions
- Oversaw social function events to their completion successfully
- Managed financial reports monthly
- A part of social, marketing, and CSM conference calls
- Delegated job duties to the staff as part of team leadership
- Coordinated banquets for clients to their satisfaction
- Managed waitstaff and assistant managers with new event activities and menu modifications.
RESTAURANT/MANAGER SUPERVISOR -MAITRE D
BOB'S STEAK AND CHOP HOUSE
11.2018 - 04.2019
- Ran floor chart with managers
- Assisted banquet coordinator with sales and marketing
- Organized daily job functions to execute satisfactory customer service
- Made, adjusted, and canceled customer reservations
- Greeted customers and guided them to their tables
- Answered customer questions regarding drinks, food, and specials
- Resolved customer complaints or disputes
- Managed waitstaff to ensure efficient and excellent service throughout a given seating
- Assisted chef with menu audits, additions, and modifications
- Adaptive towards change to meet new circumstances with solutions
- Ability to communicate tactfully while delivering unwelcome news to customers.
THERAPIST INTERN
DOCTORS RENAISSANCE BEHAVIORAL HOSPITAL
01.2018 - 05.2018
- Conducted psychosocial assessments and individual therapy evaluations
- Educated mental health to different age populations in group therapy activities
- Trained in the hospice department providing information on Palliative services
- Attended management team meetings for patient care treatment plans
- Coordinated services for terminal patient placement
- Acquired coding skills in Excel for patient satisfaction surveys.
Education
MASTER'S DEGREE - Social Work
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
08.2018
BACHELOR'S DEGREE - Social Work
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
05.2017
Skills
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Documentation Review
- Crisis Management
- Decision-making capabilities
- Task Delegation
- Staff Development
- Meeting facilitation
- Project Planning
- Idea Development and Brainstorming
- Self Motivation
- Process Analysis
- Reliability
- Interpersonal Communication
- Interpersonal Skills
- Quantitative skills
- Adaptability
- Experience in leadership
- Task Prioritization
- Analytical Thinking
- Time management abilities
- Data Analysis
- Team building
- Multitasking
- Team Collaboration
Character
Dedicated and compassionate individual with a strong commitment to serving others. Demonstrated passion for addressing issues in neglected, abused, or misunderstood areas of life. Proven ability to provide support and compassion where it is needed most. Skilled in inspiring motivation and fostering leadership in diverse settings.
Languages
Spanish
Professional
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Assistant Lead Unification Manager
08.2022 - Current
Assistant Lead Unification Manager Projects
The Providencia Group
01.2022 - Current
Reunification Specialist- Virtual Case Manager- II
TPG-PROVIDENCIA GROUP- EMERGENCY INFLUX SHELTER, Permanent Shelter-Unification specialist II
07.2021 - 08.2022
Reunification specialist Case Manager
CHICANOS POR LA CAUSA-EMERGENCY SHELTER CONTRACTOR
04.2021 - 07.2021
YOUTH AND FAMILY CASE MANAGER
TEXAS TROPICAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
10.2019 - 04.2021
ASSISTANT BANQUET COORDINATOR AND SALES MANAGER
THE TOWER OF THE AMERICAS
05.2019 - 10.2019
RESTAURANT/MANAGER SUPERVISOR -MAITRE D
BOB'S STEAK AND CHOP HOUSE
11.2018 - 04.2019
THERAPIST INTERN
DOCTORS RENAISSANCE BEHAVIORAL HOSPITAL
01.2018 - 05.2018
MASTER'S DEGREE - Social Work
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
BACHELOR'S DEGREE - Social Work
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
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