Melissa Castro
San Fernando,Ca
Summary
Dedicated Child Development Specialist experienced in working with children exhibiting signs of development delays and vision services. Possessing excellent communication, multitasking and organizational abilities. Certified in Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED. Enthusiastic about creating inspiring, fun and safe environment to meet each child's needs.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Child Development Specialist
Wayfinder Family Services
10.2023 - Current
- Provide direct intervention in the child's natural environment: home, at a center-based site, or a hospital
- Coordinate your schedule to meet the family's needs, ensuring the weekly visits are met as authorized by the Regional Center or School District
- Engages in family-centered and culturally responsive practices
- Conduct a family interview using motivational interviewing
- Conduct functional vision and developmental assessments using observation, parent interviews, authentic assessment strategies, and formal assessment tools
- Evaluate the child and family needs and implement or assign developmentally appropriate intervention strategies to meet those needs
- Provides social/emotional crisis support to families as appropriate
- Actively collaborates with community-based providers of related services, including medical and educational providers, to help identify children with vision loss and developmental delays
- Assists and supports family in transitioning to the public school system or appropriate school setting (Birth to 3 children)
- Completes and maintains client case files and client case database
- Provides monthly accounting of client contract hours and maintains ongoing communication with Regional Center and LEA Case Managers for timely submission of documentation for contract renewal
- Drives an average 1000-3,500 miles/month.
Receptionist
Toyota Dealership
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Manage the receptionist area and greet visitors
- Respond to telephone calls and in-person requests for information
- Made copies, sent faxes, and handle all incoming and outgoing correspondence
- Inventory management of stocked cars and sold
- Monitor multiple databases to keep track of all company inventory
- Provide information about establishments, such as the location of departments or offices, employees within the organization, or service provided.
Canvasser
G7 Strategies, Monica Rodriguez City Council
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Developed professional presentations and educated the public on current political campaigns, issues, and events
- Worked closely with other canvassers, participated in weekly team meetings with supervisors, and conducted monthly reports
- Recruited, trained, and coordinated new canvassers, ensuring that all policies and procedures were fully followed
- Educating potential voters on the representatives and providing literature
- Mapped and worked with logistics to divide the district into sections for the team.
Canvasser
G7 Strategies
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Door to door outreach to voting
- Communicate to voters about candidates
- Distribution and organizing the lawn signs program.
Intern/ Office Assistant
Office of Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Assist in organizing and facilitating various community events
- Create and develop the language for certificates and letters
- Clerical duties such as answering telephone calls, data entries, and constituent case intake.
Education
California State University of Northridge
12.2023
GED -
Mission College
12.2020
High School Diploma -
Cesar Chavez Learning Academy
12.2015
Skills
- Responsible
- Understanding
- Dedicated
- Respectful
- Positive
- Team player
- Lesson Planning
- Parent-teacher collaboration
- Family Support
- Sensory Integration
- Developmental assessments
- Special Needs Support
- Report Writing
- Milestones understanding
Awards
- Perfect attendance award- 2006
- English Award- Eighth Grade Ceremony, 2010
- Honors Award- 2015
- Criminal Justice Honors Society-2021
- Honors Sociology- 2023
Volunteer Experience
- School on Wheels, 2023-04-01, Present, Conduct one-on-one tutoring sessions for children experiencing homelessness, Assisted students with homework, academic skills, and study habits in subjects including math, science, reading and writing, Built positive relationships and provided mentorship to foster self-confidence and a positive attitude towards learning, Monitored and reported on students’ academic progress, adapting tutoring strategies to meet individual needs, Utilized School on Wheels resources and educational materials to enhance the tutoring experience
- Reading to Kids, 2023-12-01, Present, Conducted regular reading sessions for children, fostering a love for books and literacy at elementary schools, Used age-appropriate children’s interest and imagination, Created a fun and interactive reading environment to encourage participation and discussion, Helped improve children’s reading skills, comprehension, and vocabulary through guided reading activities, Built positive relationships with children to create a welcoming and supportive reading experience
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Child Development Specialist
Wayfinder Family Services
10.2023 - Current
Receptionist
Toyota Dealership
01.2019 - 01.2022
Canvasser
G7 Strategies, Monica Rodriguez City Council
01.2016 - 01.2017
Canvasser
G7 Strategies
01.2013 - 01.2014
Intern/ Office Assistant
Office of Assemblymember Raul Bocanegra
01.2013 - 01.2014
California State University of Northridge
GED -
Mission College
High School Diploma -
Cesar Chavez Learning Academy
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