Michelle Figueroa

• Completed administrative tasks to fulfill rolling admissions for domestic and international families with chronically ill children being seen at area hospitals
• Coordinated a family's stay at the House by running background checks, completing intake calls, and communicating with hospital social workers
• Upon family's arrival, completed check-ins and orientation to House procedures and rules
• Optimized service delivery through the continuous evaluation of program effectiveness and implementation of necessary adjustments.
• Developed trust-based relationships with families through active listening skills, non-judgmental attitudes, and genuine concern for their wellbeing.
• Enhanced cultural competence within the organization by participating in diversity training and incorporating diverse perspectives into program planning and service delivery.
• Regular use of phone and video translation services with international families or families learning English as an additional language
• Led team of 3 coordinators, updating them on best practice and new procedures, both virtually and in-person
• Participated in fundraising events each year to spread awareness and raise financial support for the House.

• Researched, created, and implemented an 8-week Family and Consumer Science curriculum for middle school students.
• Taught a total of 100, 6th-8th grade students throughout school calendar year
• Course included unit instruction on First Aid/CPR, Cooking, Public Speaking, Sewing Skills, Laundry, Entrepreneurship/Job Readiness Skills, Financial Literacy, and Child Development & Care.

• Served as administrator of food service program in school of 600+ students
• Recruited, trained and supervised teams of volunteers to organize, disseminate, and comply with food safety standards.
• Maintain ordering database, tracked food safety temperatures, meal counts, and parent-teacher communication regarding food orders and allergies.
• Promoted positive work environment by fostering open communication among team members and resolving conflicts effectively.
• Set and enforced performance and service standards to keep consistent, high-quality environment.
• Upheld school policies consistently across all areas of operation while remaining flexible enough to address unique situations as they arose within workplace setting.
• Cultivated inclusive atmosphere that fostered collaboration between diverse team members within kitchen space.
• Enhanced safety protocols for both staff and volunteers by adhering to strict food handling guidelines, ensuring proper storage of meals, and maintaining equipment.
• Developed strong relationships with vendors.

• Served as master trainer for medical and social service professionals, as well as pre-adoptive families
• Developed and executed strategic outreach plan throughout state of Delaware
• Served as co-chair of Delaware's Interagency Council on Adoption
• Networked with professionals in health systems throughout Delaware
• Worked with all members of adoption triad: counseled birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees
• Facilitated information sessions for potential adoptive parents
• Completed multiple interviews and compiled legal home study documents for adoptive parents/families
• Supported birth and adoptive parents/families as needed throughout adoption process, including negotiating and honoring openness in adoption
• Represented Open Arms by participating in professional statewide maternal and infant health coalitions
• Coordinated audit and upkeep of state license
• Assisted in maintaining files for personnel
• Other tasks as assigned.

• Ministered to women through written (In Her Heart… magazine) and spoken word
• Edited quarterly magazine that published women's testimonies, giving God glory for their transformation
• Along with other leadership team members, planned and facilitated one-day and weekend conferences for up to 100 women on various spiritual/Bible themes at various locations
• Faithfully completed speaking and writing training through attending Proverbs 31 “She Speaks” Conferences.

• Collaborated in annual calendar-year, program planning for 100 registered members
• Coordinated and led monthly team building activities to bond leadership teams and discussion groups
• Developed collaborative environment through open communication and regular team meetings, enhancing overall group performance.
• Connected with 9 women inside and outside of formal MOPS monthly meeting time by coordinating intercessory prayer and intentional gatherings
• Facilitated discussion around focus topic at monthly in-person meetings, encouraging mothers to share life with one another, exemplifying authenticity and compassion
• Delivered 20-minute talks on why mothers are “Better Together” for Delaware area MOPS groups
• Attended MOPS International Conference.
• Trained new registration volunteers by relaying information on ministry procedures and databases.

• Served as Infant Adoption Awareness Training Program tri-state trainer
• Coordinated infant adoption training, including securing sites, recruiting healthcare professionals to attend, and training ½ day, full day, and 2-day Understanding Infant Adoption curriculum
• Facilitated pre-adoptive information sessions, in-home family interviews, completion of legal home study process, supervision of adoptive placements, and court finalizations
• Educated adoptive parents on issues of attachment, grief and loss, and lifelong impact of adoption on all members of triad
• Established long-term relationships with clients, resulting in increased repeat business.
• Provided options counseling to birth parents, assisted in carrying out legal process of adoption plan, provided grief counseling post-placement, mediated open relationship with adoptive parents
• Provided birth parent counseling as needed with Hispanic clients under supervision
• Played instrumental role in educating and networking with large donor of Open Arms program
• Researched, developed and wrote all administrative and best practice policies to obtain and maintain Delaware state business license
• Represented Open Arms at statewide and regional adoption and healthcare conferences
• Other tasks as assigned

• Conducted professional adoption training for certified and licensed social workers
• Facilitated infant and older child adoption seminars for adopting adults
• Managed caseload of 25 families throughout adoption process
• Wrote adoption home study and post-placement reports
• Provided options counseling to birth parents, assisted in carrying out legal process of adoption plan, provided grief counseling post-placement, mediated open relationship with adoptive parents
• Represented agency at statewide and regional adoption conferences
• Assisted Director with design of agency marketing tools
• Recruited and trained healthcare professionals on current infant adoption process and law through Spaulding Infant Adoption Awareness Training Program grant (DHHS)
• Designed adoption lectures and presented to faith-based congregations.
• Maintained accurate documentation on all cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements.
• Provided crisis intervention support for families experiencing emergencies, using appropriate techniques to de-escalate situations safely.
• Assisted adoptive parents in navigating ICPC process and legal services.
• Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to birth and adoptive families.
• Developed and implemented comprehensive case management plans to address family needs and goals.
• Participated in regular professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within field of case management.

• Managed up to 25 cases of families in various stages of special needs adoptions, for both domestic infant and older child placements
• Facilitated 20-hour parent training classes for adopting adults, presenting developmental issues as relate to attachment/bonding, trauma and loss
• Advocated for children and families in schools, state and federal agencies, and judicial system
• Conducted formal and informal family counseling sessions
• Facilitated support group for children ages 6 through 12 in foster care system
• Recruited new adoptive families
• Served on interagency committee for post-finalization services
• Presented sessions at regional conferences on adoption.
• Maintained accurate documentation on all cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements.
• Advocated for client rights when interacting with external agencies or institutions, ensuring fair treatment at all times.
• Participated in regular professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within field of case management.

• Conducted weekly individual and group counseling sessions with male adolescents, referred for displaying inappropriate, negative behaviors
• Formulated individual treatment plans, through which clients progressed by attending 1:1 sessions, insight-oriented groups, and completing social/emotional homework assignments
• Facilitated family therapy sessions as needed.

• Completed over 320 hours on adolescent in-patient unit; 160 of which were direct client service hours
• Facilitated community meetings and psycho-educational groups
• Facilitated insight-oriented groups with adolescents and recreational therapy groups with both adults and adolescent patients
• Counseled both in-patient and day-treatment adolescents in 1:1 sessions as needed
• Conducted psychosocial assessments with adolescent patients as needed
• Assured that patients followed individualized treatment plans and added new treatment goals to plans as necessary
• Gained structural family therapy experience
• Supervised and redirected patients
• Completed physical restraint and verbal de-escalation techniques training and infectious disease training
• Participated in 2 hours of supervision weekly

• Assisted Executive Director with recruitment of over 20 community partner organizations and interview and hiring process of 25 new Allies
• Organized special programs for up to 200 guests
• Served as Delaware's Alumni Representative by creating working database of former Allies, organizing 1999 Annual Reunion Celebration, and working to strengthen relations between Delaware's office and 9 other sites, nationwide.

• Acquired public relations skills through handling constituents' concerns with appropriate level of empathy and action.
• Researched and acquired materials for constituents and staff.
• Maintained correspondence in Capitol Correspondence national database.
• Supported daily operations with efficient task management, contributing to overall office productivity and organization.
• Established strong working relationships with coworkers through excellent communication skills which led to improved teamwork capabilities.
• Maintained professional front desk, handled incoming calls and delivered exceptional service to every guest.
• Gained networking and computer skills.
• Handled incoming phone calls professionally, directing callers to appropriate parties or addressing their inquiries directly when possible.
• Prepared professional correspondence on behalf of supervisors, maintaining clear communication with external stakeholders.
• Participated in special projects as assigned by supervisors, demonstrating adaptability and versatility in diverse tasks.

Provided 1,700 hours of service in the Public Interest

• Service work included the following: Full-time employment in local non-profit, St
• Paul Elementary School, Resource Room
• Weekly training in areas of community leadership, networking, project management, and self-awareness
• Design, implementation, and evaluation of issue-based project in areas of teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections prevention.

• Instructed all subjects in resource room/special education classroom, grades 6-7, in small groups
• Assisted supervisor with all subjects, grades 3-5
• Created and facilitated Social Behavior Studies course for grade 7
• Collaborated on Individual Progress Reports, assigning grades, and parent-teacher conferences
• Organized and served on various school committees
• Coached varsity softball team of 15 girls, grade 6-8, and was responsible for transporting, supervising and mentoring these youth.
• Demonstrated eagerness to learn by asking questions and seeking clarification when necessary.