Mercedes M. Griffin
Austin
Summary
Dedicated Juvenile Probation Officer with experience supporting court-involved youth and adolescents in mental health treatment settings. Experienced in risk assessment, case planning and case management, and compliance monitoring. Skilled in crisis intervention, behavioral support and de-escalation techniques. Committed to trauma-informed, collaborative practices that promote rehabilitation and positive youth outcomes.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Juvenile Probation Officer II
Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
11.2022 - Current
- Case management and supervision of court-involved youth
- Assess risk and needs to develop individualized case plans
- Prepare detailed reports, case notes, and court documentation
- Monitor compliance with court orders, probation terms, and treatment plans
- Conduct home visits, school contacts, and field supervision
- Testify in court and communicate case progress to judicial officers
- Collaborate with families, schools, law enforcement, and community agencies
- Counsel, mentor, and support youth to promote positive behavior changes/modification
- Intervene in crises and apply de-escalation techniques effectively
- Apply trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and evidence-based practices
Mental Health Associate
San Marcos Treatment Center
04.2021 - Current
- Implement daily program schedule in a therapeutic environment; to include recreational activities, group therapies and school activities.
- Utilize Nurtured Heart Approach for positive behavior enhancement.
- Provide direct support to patients in therapeutic settings, fostering a safe and nurturing environment.
- Assisted in implementing individualized treatment plans, enhancing patient engagement and progress.
- Monitored patient behavior and reported changes to clinical staff, ensuring timely interventions.
- Utilize nonviolent crisis prevention intervention techniques and appropriate interventions to ensure safety.
- Complete clinical and administrative documentation on patients.
- Train new staff on protocols and best practices, promoting consistency in patient care approaches.
Special Education - Behavioral Interventionist
NYOS Charter School
10.2021 - 10.2022
- Assist with the Special Education Behavioral Skills program
- Assist in providing differentiated instruction in support of students' IEP (Individualized Education Plan) goals and objectives in multiple subject areas.
- Collaborated with teachers to integrate behavioral strategies into classroom routines.
- Provide crisis management for dysregulated students using Satori Alternatives to Managing Aggression (SAMA) and implementing physical contaminants if needed.
- Attend department meetings to prepare/modify activities aligned to students' needs.
- Assist in maintaining accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations
- Relay students' progress as it relates to their IEP to Special Education supervisor
- Communicate regularly and effectively with students, parents, and staff.
- Support with administration of standardized tests as required.
Child Care Investigator Specialist
Department Of Family And Protective Services
02.2020 - 01.2021
- Investigated complaints of abuse and neglect in licensed and registered and unregulated facilities.
- Investigated complaints of standards violations in licensed and registered child-care facilities.
- Investigated complaints of illegal child-care.
- Identified violations of law and policies concerning child-care regulations
- Conducted interviews with victims, alleged perpetrators and collateral child, caregivers and parents
- Document findings of investigations and notified child-care providers of findings and of any corrective or adverse actions being taken.
- Educated parents and daycare staff about minimum standards for daycare and child-care facilities.
- Made critical decisions about the regulatory status of child-care operations
- Recorded and compiled reports on investigation findings which include: transcriptions of recorded interviews, medical and law enforcement contacts, employee and student records from operations.
Therapeutic Child Care Specialist
Helping Hand Home for Children
07.2019 - 05.2020
- Monitored and cared for abused and neglected youth, ages 6-13, using the Trust-Based Relationship Intervention model (TBRI)/ Trauma Informed Care
- Taught and modeled social, problem solving, academic, recreational, and self-help skills to youth
- Provide empathic listening and peer support to individual children
- De-escalated aggressive behaviours using crisis intervention techniques and Satori Alternative to Managing Aggression(SAMA) when needed
- Monitored and participated in children's recreational activities and outings
- Administered psychotropic medicines and over-the-counter medicines when needed
- Wrote detailed reports based on observed client behaviours and any incidents requiring crisis intervention
Youth Tracker
Southwest Key Programs
06.2019 - 09.2019
- Used personal vehicle to locate juvenile clients to verify location for court mandated curfew checks
- Documented and completed reports on client's curfew status
- Documented and reported any incident(s) that is deemed to negatively influence youth's curfew status
After School Counselor
Xplor Preschool & School Age Care
06.2018 - 06.2019
- Observed, monitored, and participated in children's recreational activities and outings, such as games and field trips.
- Assisted in preparing food and serving meals and refreshments to children.
- Helped children with homework and school work
- Escorted children to and from school, and on outings
- Administered basic first aid when needed work
- Communicated with children's parents or guardians about daily activities, behaviors, and related issues.
Youth Care Worker
The SAFE Alliance
11.2018 - 04.2019
- Monitored and cared for a diverse demographic of youth ages 6-17 who were in need of emergency shelter in the children protection system using Trust-Based Relationship Intervention (TBRI)/ Trauma Informed Care
- Provided empathic listening and peer support to individual clients
- Responded to and de-escalated behavioural and/or medical crisis situations, using Satori Alternatives to Managing Aggression (SAMA) for behaviour de-escalation
- Monitored, and participated in children's recreational activities and outings, as well as outside appointments, such as court appointments and medical trips.
- Administered psychotropic medicines and over-the-counter medicines when needed
- Wrote detailed reports based on observed client behaviours and any involved activities
Lead Bartender/Manager
Opa! Coffee & Wine Bar
01.2015 - 11.2017
- Attempted to limit problems and liability related to customers' excessive drinking
- Prepared and served hot or cold beverages, including alcoholic beverages and mixed cocktails
- Supervised and evaluated staff and work procedures to ensure quality standards and service
- Scheduled staff hours and assigned duties as needed.
- Hired and trained new staff
- Monitored employee and patron activities to ensure liquor regulations were obeyed.
- Resolved customer complaints regarding services.
- Attempted to limit problems and liability related to customers' excessive drinking
- Prepared and served hot or cold beverages, including alcoholic beverages and mixed cocktails
- Estimated liquor, wine, and food consumption to anticipate amounts to be purchased for the following week's inventory.
- Compiled and balanced cash and credit card receipts at the end of the day or shift.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Texas State University
San Marcos, TX08.2018
Skills
- Critical thinking and excellent problem-solving skills
- Excellent with interpersonal awareness and interpersonal/communication skills
- An understanding of physiological, emotional, cognitive and social determinants of behavior
- Mental health awareness
- Individualized service planning
- Multicultural sensitivity
- De-escalation techniques
- Crisis Intervention
Accomplishments
- Awarded “Employee of the Month” (October, 2025 TCJPD)
Certification
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention certified (CPI)
- Handle With Care certified
- First Aid certified
- CPR certified
Languages
American Sign Language
Elementary
Timeline
Juvenile Probation Officer II
Travis County Juvenile Probation Department
11.2022 - Current
Special Education - Behavioral Interventionist
NYOS Charter School
10.2021 - 10.2022
Mental Health Associate
San Marcos Treatment Center
04.2021 - Current
Child Care Investigator Specialist
Department Of Family And Protective Services
02.2020 - 01.2021
Therapeutic Child Care Specialist
Helping Hand Home for Children
07.2019 - 05.2020
Youth Tracker
Southwest Key Programs
06.2019 - 09.2019
Youth Care Worker
The SAFE Alliance
11.2018 - 04.2019
After School Counselor
Xplor Preschool & School Age Care
06.2018 - 06.2019
Lead Bartender/Manager
Opa! Coffee & Wine Bar
01.2015 - 11.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Texas State University