Paloma Bustos
Los Angeles,CA
Summary
Survivor-advocacy and policy professional with nearly 15 years of experience in direct service supporting individuals impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, now focused on advancing survivor-centered, trauma-informed policy and systems change. Experienced in cross-system collaboration and program development to strengthen access to justice and survivor support services.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Policy Associate
Loyola Law School, Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative
07.2024 - Current
- Lead local advocacy to advance survivor-centered anti-trafficking policies.
- Coordinate efforts to prevent trafficking in the wake of natural disasters, strengthening public awareness, training, and procurement practices to protect communities and promote accountability.
- Advocate with California Office of Emergency Services (CalOES) and the California Victim Compensation Board (CalVCB) to increase access to services and compensation for survivors, including providing policy recommendations to improve access and reduce barriers.
- Work closely with survivor leaders to inform policy and research efforts, including facilitating focus groups, analyzing data and processes, and preparing reports with recommendations to improve survivor access to services.
- Support the county’s five-year child trafficking strategic plan through the Child Trafficking Leadership Team and serve on the Education and Resources Committee, providing recommendations to improve websites and outreach materials for youth.
- Raise awareness and support policy efforts to address labor trafficking of youth, including forced criminality, through public education and advocacy.
- Engage survivor consultants by centering their lived experience to shape advocacy priorities and coordinating meetings and site visits with local leaders to advance survivor-led systems change.
- Engage in restorative justice efforts that center healing, accountability, and prevention.
- Provide technical assistance to partners to strengthen trauma-informed, culturally responsive responses across systems.
- Manage and update the organization’s website to ensure accurate, accessible, and timely information for survivors, partners, and the public.
Crime Survivor Services Program Manager
Loyola Law School, Rights In Systems Enforced-RISE
06.2021 - 06.2024
- Co-launched and managed the RISE Clinic, delivering legal advocacy and comprehensive social services to survivors of violent crime throughout the criminal justice process.
- Co-taught a law seminar on victims’ rights, ensuring that students were trained in trauma-informed and culturally responsive advocacy.
- Conducted trauma-informed social service assessments to identify survivor needs and coordinate mental health care, safety planning, and access to benefits.
- Secured over $700,000 in compensation for survivors through the California Victim Compensation Board.
- Collaborated with law enforcement, prosecutors, and victim advocates to ensure survivor needs were prioritized throughout case proceedings.
- Coordinated convenings for crime survivors and stakeholders to inform policy and reform efforts within the criminal justice system.
DART Program Director
Casa De La Familia
07.2016 - 05.2021
- Oversaw our partnership with the Los Angeles Mayor’s Office to operate the DART program, which paired domestic violence counselors with Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to respond to crisis calls in five assigned divisions, and was responsible for collecting program data and reporting to grant funders.
- Interviewed, hired, and trained domestic violence counselors to pair with officers from LAPD.
- Met with project stakeholders, including Los Angeles Mayor's Office of Public Safety and LAPD, on regular basis to assess progress and make adjustments.
- Collaborated with community partners to increase access to services for survivors and families.
- Coordinated the 40-hour Domestic Violence Counselor Certification program, including training topics, presenters, and law enforcement participation.
- Conducted community workshops to expand awareness of available programs and services.
Crisis Counselor
Casa De La Familia
09.2015 - 06.2016
- Worked collaboratively with law enforcement officers as part of unit responsible for providing immediate and appropriate response to call for services to domestic violence victims.
- Counseled and helped to stabilize victim/survivors in crisis situations.
- Provided comprehensive case management services, including creating treatment plans and connecting clients and families to appropriate resources.
- Constructed referral list of agencies and community resources for survivors to provide aftercare services.
- Supported survivors, family members and witnesses through various systems including law enforcement, healthcare, and social services.
- Accompanied clients to court to clarify processes and procedures.
- Coordinated individual and group counseling to meet victim service standards.
- Facilitated group counseling sessions to help individuals deal with trauma.
- Trained law enforcement officers on signs and symptoms of domestic violence, working with victims and determining dominant aggressor.
- Informed officers and detectives about the protocols and procedures of unit responding to domestic violence calls, new domestic violence laws, and services available to victims.
- Reported statistics detailing outcome measurements including, but not limited to, the number of victims served, number of calls received, challenges, and successes.
Community Education and Advocacy Supervisor
Women's Transitional Living Center
02.2015 - 08.2015
- Collaborated with management to streamline division of responsibilities and ensure adequate service coverage.
- Managed staff schedules to meet program demands across multiple service areas.
- Attended interagency meetings and developed partnerships with community organizations to expand support for survivors and families.
- Promoted available resources and connected individuals with services to increase access to safety and support.
- Spearheaded awareness efforts through public speaking and community outreach.
- Facilitated psycho-educational support groups for domestic violence survivors.
- Established treatment plans with short- and long-term goals for participants in the transitional housing program.
Domestic Violence Specialist
Domestic Violence Intervention Collaborative
06.2012 - 01.2015
- Trained new domestic violence counselors in care standards, operational procedures, and safety protocols to ensure effective and safe service delivery.
- Collaborated with a multidisciplinary governing board of judges, service providers, and attorneys to advance program objectives and improve service coordination.
- Provided crisis support and emergency response for clients involved in Family Court and Juvenile Dependency Court.
- Prepared and led support groups for survivors of intimate partner violence.
- Co-facilitated the Conflict Accountability Program for male batterers of domestic violence.
- Performed court-ordered domestic violence assessments and provided treatment recommendations.
Mental Health Trainee
YWCA Silicon Valley
08.2012 - 02.2014
- Provided comprehensive case management services, including developing treatment plans and connecting clients and families to needed resources.
- Completed comprehensive assessments to determine appropriate courses of treatment.
- Counseled clients weekly on issues including mood disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety.
- Applied a range of therapeutic methodologies to support client progress.
- Facilitated smooth discharge by encouraging and reassuring clients throughout transitions.
- Worked with an interdisciplinary treatment team to develop and monitor treatment plans.
- Documented client progress in confidential records.
Domestic Violence Resource Specialist
Domestic Violence Intervention Collaborative
08.2011 - 05.2012
- Provided court-support to self-represented individuals and informed about legal rights and protections.
- Acted as liaison between courts, law enforcement, and survivors of domestic violence.
- Educated potential participants on available services and processes to engage in program.
- Referred families to shelters, legal resources and educational programs.
- Provided group counseling to individuals who have experienced various forms of distress because of abuse.
- Communicated with supervisor regarding issues related to case management, resourcing, service collaboration and development of new resources.
- Identified service gaps and located needed resources for individuals, including housing, work placement and other support.
Outreach Assistant
Services, Immigrant Rights, And Education Network
02.2011 - 02.2012
- Prepared and verified inclusion of required documentation for legal residency and citizenship applications.
- Filed correspondence and legal documents in correct client files and transmitted applicable documentation to government agencies.
- Scheduled outreach exhibitions to promote public awareness of immigration options and benefits.
- Delivered presentations to interested groups and answered wide-ranging questions about available offerings.
- Increased referrals by calling on target groups, organizations and professionals.
Legal Assistant
Belsuzarri & Associates
10.2006 - 08.2010
- Maintained immigration attorneys’ schedules to support timely client service delivery and efficient case management.
- Monitored immigration law developments and procedural changes to improve client service quality and case outcomes.
- Responded to client inquiries and provided information regarding available legal services.
- Analyzed client documentation to determine eligibility for immigration-related benefits.
- Met with clients to gather information, prepare documentation, and determine necessary actions.
- Compiled application packets and included relevant documentation to support successful case outcomes.
- Provided United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with updates regarding case changes or issues.
ESL Instructor
Lighthouse Community Center
07.2006 - 08.2010
- Developed and delivered lesson plans using a range of instructional strategies to support diverse learners.
- Instructed students using visuals, games, and textbooks to strengthen reading, writing, and speaking skills.
- Tutored students in social and life skills, including navigating public transportation, problem-solving, emotional regulation, and workplace communication.
- Provided one-on-one tutoring to improve classroom performance and boost overall achievement.
- Used positive reinforcement and clear feedback to support student success.
- Collaborated with bilingual teaching staff to integrate curriculum and enhance student learning.
Education
Master of Social Work - Mental Health
San Jose State University
San Jose, CA05.2013
Bachelor of Science - Human Services
California State University - Fullerton
Fullerton, CA 12.2007
Skills
- Trauma-informed, survivor-centered advocacy
- Cross-system collaboration (law enforcement, community partners)
- Program coordination and implementation
- Community outreach and stakeholder engagement
- Crisis intervention and safety planning
Professional & Practice-Based
Technical & Administrative
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access)
- Canva (content design for presentations, reports, and outreach materials)
- Data entry and documentation
- Case tracking and records management
- Bilingual: English & Spanish
Language
Leadership & Advisory Roles
- Member, Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office – Crime Victims Advisory Board
- Member, Los Angeles County Department of Public Health – Community Partnership Council (Office of Violence Prevention)
Certification
- Spanish Language Counselor, San Jose State University, 2012
- Sexual Assault Counselor, YWCA of Silicon Valley, 2014
- Domestic Violence Counselor, Women's Transitional Living Center, 2015
- 40-Hour Trauma Responsive Victim Advocate Certificate, 2023
Awards
- Dr. Marjorie Braude Award, City of Los Angeles Domestic Violence Alliance
- Cum Laude Honors, California State University, Fullerton (CSUF)
- Certificate of Appreciation: Outstanding Dedication, California State Assembly
- Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition: Women Who Make a Difference
- Certificate of Recognition: Contributions to Our Community, California State Senate
References
Aradhana Tiwari, Esq
Senior Policy Counsel
Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative
Loyola Law School
Kathleen Kim, Esq
Dean of Equity & Inclusion
kathleen.kim@lls.edu
Loyola Law School
Timeline
Policy Associate
Loyola Law School, Sunita Jain Anti-Trafficking Initiative
07.2024 - Current
Crime Survivor Services Program Manager
Loyola Law School, Rights In Systems Enforced-RISE
06.2021 - 06.2024
DART Program Director
Casa De La Familia
07.2016 - 05.2021
Crisis Counselor
Casa De La Familia
09.2015 - 06.2016
Community Education and Advocacy Supervisor
Women's Transitional Living Center
02.2015 - 08.2015
Mental Health Trainee
YWCA Silicon Valley
08.2012 - 02.2014
Domestic Violence Specialist
Domestic Violence Intervention Collaborative
06.2012 - 01.2015
Domestic Violence Resource Specialist
Domestic Violence Intervention Collaborative
08.2011 - 05.2012
Outreach Assistant
Services, Immigrant Rights, And Education Network
02.2011 - 02.2012
Legal Assistant
Belsuzarri & Associates
10.2006 - 08.2010
ESL Instructor
Lighthouse Community Center
07.2006 - 08.2010
Master of Social Work - Mental Health
San Jose State University
Bachelor of Science - Human Services
California State University - Fullerton