Merielen Santiago Velez
Harrisonburg,USA
Summary
Bilingual advocate with a strong background in victim-centered case management and community partnerships. Dedicated to uplifting vulnerable populations through empathetic advocacy and crisis intervention. Seeking to leverage skills in communication and collaboration to contribute effectively to a mission-driven organization.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
Bilingual Advocate
First Step
Harrisonburg, VA
03.2024 - 05.2025
- Worked closely with other community organizations to move toward creating a community supportive of the needs of vulnerable populations.
- Empathetically and professionally provided victim-led case management and advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence.
- Answered hotline calls and provided crisis intervention services, such as safety planning, risk assessments, and referrals to other agencies.
- Completed 20 training hours every year in additional fields that relate to domestic violence (mental health, substance abuse, LGBTQ+, sexual violence, legal services, immigration assistance, etc.).
- Provided referrals and completed applications for Department of Social Services assistance programs, such as SNAP, WIC, and TANF.
- During this time, I also served on the Healthy Community Health Centers Board of Directors as a Patient Representative.
In Person Assister
Healthy Community Health Centers
Harrisonburg, VA
01.2015 - 06.2022
- Trained by CMS to be a Certified Application Counselor to help consumers navigate through the health insurance marketplace.
- Built partnerships with Spanish speaking organizations in the area and used those partnerships to target potential enrollees for the marketplace.
- Completed billings, actions and notes pertaining to insurance, office visits, and needs of patients.
- Assisted and educated patients applying for insurance.
- Registered and scheduled patients and authenticating insurance.
- Interviewed patients to determine program eligibility.
- Provided strategic recommendations on patient growth.
- Managed collections and developed and distributed reports.
- Evaluated and delivered financial and discount program eligibility (medical and dental).
- Developed reports for patient eligibility.
- Handled and deposited cash received daily.
Special Education Program - Multi-Disability, First Assistant Teacher
Stone Spring Elementary school Harrisonburg
Harrisonburg, Virginia
08.2010 - 06.2012
- Provided direct classroom support for students with multiple disabilities.
- Collaborated with special education teachers to implement individualized education plans (IEPs).
- Assisted with adapted instructional materials and classroom accommodations.
Assistant Teacher - Science & ESL Program
Centro San Francisco Private School
08.2004 - 06.2008
- Supported lead teacher in delivering science lessons and English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction.
- Assisted in lesson preparation, classroom activities, and grading.
Teacher – Health Education (Elementary, Middle, and High School)
Centro San Francisco Private School
08.2003 - 06.2008
- Taught Health Education across three academic levels (Elementary, Middle, and High School).
- Developed lesson plans tailored to each grade level’s curriculum.
- Fostered student engagement through interactive activities and age-appropriate discussions on health topics.
GED Program Instructor - Federal Grant Program
Centro San Francisco Private School
08.2003 - 06.2008
- Provided instruction and academic support to adult learners preparing for the GED exam.
- Adapted teaching strategies to meet diverse learning needs.
Education
Some College (No Degree) - Education
Caribbean University of Puerto Rico
Caribbean UniversitySkills
- Bilingual
- Interpersonal skills
- Multitasking
- Adaptability
- Problem solving
- Communication skills
- Active listening
- Probing questions
- Planning
- Organizing
- Prioritization
- Victim-centered advocacy
- Crisis intervention
Timeline
Bilingual Advocate
First Step
03.2024 - 05.2025
In Person Assister
Healthy Community Health Centers
01.2015 - 06.2022
Special Education Program - Multi-Disability, First Assistant Teacher
Stone Spring Elementary school Harrisonburg
08.2010 - 06.2012
Assistant Teacher - Science & ESL Program
Centro San Francisco Private School
08.2004 - 06.2008
Teacher – Health Education (Elementary, Middle, and High School)
Centro San Francisco Private School
08.2003 - 06.2008
GED Program Instructor - Federal Grant Program
Centro San Francisco Private School
08.2003 - 06.2008
Some College (No Degree) - Education
Caribbean University of Puerto Rico