Patricia Mendoza
Brownsville,TX
Summary
As my resume indicates, I have a vast experience working in the social services field. I am a dedicated and adaptable professional with a proactive attitude and the ability to learn quickly. Strong work ethic and effective communication skills. I am currently cleared to provide Know Your Rights presentations and legal screenings to pre-verbal, tender-age and teens. I have participated in different projects and trainings for pre-verbal and tender-age services. I have trained colleagues for Tender Age Know Your Rights Presentations and for Tender Age Legal Screenings. I am eager to continue to contribute to the Shelter Services Department team and support organizational goals as a Senior UC Specialist.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
UC Legal Services Specialist
American Bar Association - ProBAR
Harlingen, Texas
08.2021 - Current
- Provide in-person and remote child-friendly and age-appropriate legal orientation to detained children in a non-traditional classroom climate where the presenter is to be positive, organized ,outgoing, confident, and compassionate in informing children regarding immigration removal proceedings and access to representation. Additionally, responsible for conducting in-person and remote age-appropriate legal screening to assist with referral to pro bono counsel within 10 days of arrival and obtain consent from unaccompanied children for required referrals.
- Conduct trauma-informed, child-friendly, and age and language appropriate individual legal screening at detention facility for unaccompanied children within 10 days of arrival.
- Conduct telephonic legal screenings with relatives/ care takers for children too young to receive regular Know Your Rights and screenings. In addition to follow-up interviews needed to complete relief-eligibility determination or as required.
- Conduct in-person and virtual post-release legal services for children released from ORR facilities.
- Prepare children aging out for transfer to ICE Custody by delivering "age-out talks" to unaccompanied children nearing their 18th birthday.
- Provide pregnant and parenting information and resources by delivering "pregnant and parenting talks" to unaccompanied children.
- Participate in regular and interdepartmental training regarding provision of child-friendly service delivery, including services tailored to special needs populations, pregnant/ parenting, pre-verbal, tender-age, non-Spanish speaking, and LGBTQIA+youth.
- Share relevant unaccompanied children migration or detention trends and challenges in services delivery, including via mandatory attendance of ProBAR monthly round tables.
- Participate and engage in informational panels to showcase our services and enhance collaboration opportunities.
- Participate in additional projects initiated by the organization to provide support to diverse client populations, including adults, children, families and other community members, such as the Access to Work Clinic.
- Stay appraised of the current legal framework relevant to orientation and interviewing related to child respondents in immigration removal proceedings, including Texas mandatory reporting statue and current events affecting child migration from Central America and any other region commonly affecting detention facilities in South Texas.
- Prioritize compliance with mandatory state reporting requirements for child abuse and neglect.
- Performs other related duties as required.
ECI-Case Manager
Region One Education Service Center
Edinburg, TX
05.2005 - 08.2020
- Serviced families and children to obtain the services and assistance they need through Region One Early Intervention Program for the entire length of the time that child is being served.
- Provided developmental screening across developmental domains and made recommendations for further developmental assessment as needed.
- Informed the family of the procedures for evaluations and assessments; the development, review, and evaluation of the Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP); the delivery of services, the availability of advocacy services, and the family's rights and responsibilities under due process during these procedures.
- Assisted family and reimbursement staff in making payment arrangements for services.
- Provided services in client's homes, family day care homes, day care centers, other community agency offices, schools, hospitals, and out-patient clinics.
- Participated as member of an interdisciplinary team to develop IFSP Plan; assisted the family in determining family priorities, resources, and concerns; identified available community resources, facilitated consensus among team members regarding type, frequency and intensity of services necessary to meet IFSP outcomes.
- Implemented strategies and activities in individual or small group sessions to address family outcomes listed in the IFSP.
- Provided service coordination across agency lines in center, home, and community-based settings for children with a wide variety of developmental disabilities.
- Facilitated the developmental and implementation of transition plans for children exiting the Early Intervention Program.
- Conducted parent and/ or other caregiver training.
- Maintained regular contact with physicians and specialists providing therapy prescriptions.
- Prepared evaluation, home programs, progress reports, and maintained client records in electronic record.
- Made referrals and assured utilization of other community services.
- Attended and lead in-service training sessions.
- Participated in staff meetings, interagency and activities as assigned.
- Developed and delivered presentations to community groups as assigned.
Substitute Teacher
Brownville Independent School Districit
Brownsville, TX
08.2004 - 05.2005
- Maintained student attendance and assignment records to prevent lapses during teacher absences.
- Implemented lesson plans assigned by classroom teacher to educate students about key concepts.
- Enforced classroom routines to keep students on schedule and operating at consistent level.
- Stayed up to date with current regional curriculums to maintain readiness for long- and short-term substitute jobs.
- Engaged students in discussions to promote interest and drive learning.
- Engaged students and boosted understanding of material using focused instructional strategies and hands-on activities.
- Provided notes and reports on school day activities to primary teacher.
ECI-Case Manager
Parent and Child Education Services
San Antonio, TX
04.2003 - 07.2004
- Served parent to obtain the services and assistance they need through the local Early Intervention system of services for the entire length of time that a child is being served.
- Provided developmental screening across developmental domains and made
recommendations for further developmental assessment as needed. - Informed the family of the procedures for evaluations and assessments; the development, review and evaluation of the Individual Family Service Plan (IFSP); the delivery of services, the availability of advocacy services and the family's rights and responsibilities under due process during these procedures.
- Assisted family and reimbursement staff in making payment arrangements for services.
- Provided services in clients' homes, family day cares, day care centers, other community agency offices, schools, hospitals and out-patient clinics.
- Participated as member of an interdisciplinary team to develop IFSP Plan; assisted the family in determining family priorities resources and concerns; identified available community resources, facilitated consensus among team members regarding type, frequency and intensity of services necessary to meet IFSP outcomes.
- Implemented strategies and activities in individual or small group sessions to address family outcomes listed in IFSP.
- Provided service coordination across agency lines in center, home and community based settings for children with wide variety of developmental disabilities.
- Facilitated the development and implementation of transition plans for children exiting the Early Intervention Program.
- Conducted parent and/ or other caregiver training.
- Maintained regular contact with physicians and specialists providing therapy prescriptions.
- Prepared evaluation, home programs, progress reports and maintained client records in electronic record.
- Made referrals and assured utilization of other community services.
- Attended and lead in-service training sessions.
- Participated in staff meetings, interagency meetings and activities assigned.
- Developed and delivered presentations to community groups as assigned.
Teacher's Aide Volunteer
Castaneda Elementary School - BISD
Brownsville, TX
01.2002 - 05.2002
- Prepared, duplicated and collated teaching materials to help students better understand learning concepts.
- Monitored students in class, hallways and cafeteria to supervise, enforce rules and support lead teacher.
- Established positive relationships with students, parents, fellow teachers and school administrators.
- Supervised students and maintained security throughout school buildings and on the field trips.
- Promoted student learning by providing individualized and small group support to reinforce classroom topics.
- Prepared bulletin boards, classroom materials and individual student portfolios to support teacher plans.
- Collaborated with other staff members to plan and schedule lessons promoting learning and student engagement.
- Delivered exemplary instructor support by assisting with curriculum development, administering tests and grading papers.
- Assisted teachers with lesson preparation and curriculum implementation.
- Kept students safe inside and outside classrooms by proactively monitoring behaviors and tracking student movements, safety hazards and visitors.
- Collaborated with teacher to devise and implement developmentally appropriate lessons aligning with school's philosophy and mission.
Child Protective Services Specialist
Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
Brownsville, TX
08.2000 - 08.2001
- Conducted home visits, completed inspections and interviewed family members and witnesses.
- Supervised visits between children and parents at various sites by setting up
age-appropriate activities and maintaining safety of all participants. - Updated documents and maintained permanent records.
- Addressed legal issues, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.
- Maintained legal documents for court proceedings and submitted testimony.
Developed and implemented family improvement plans. - Answered and investigated reports of abuse or neglect.
- Reviewed and analyzed violent crime reports to identify crime trends.
- Attended hearings with victims to provide emotional support.
- Assisted victims with filling out and submitting protective orders.
- Coordinated between various entities to manage cases.
- Interviewed family members to assess situations, capabilities and problems.
Identified appropriate community resources and provided referrals for services. - Explained available housing, domestic violence, employment, education and substance abuse treatment resources.
- Conferred with clients to discuss options and goals for various services.
- Coordinated all activities involving birth parents in conjunction with in-home support counselors.
- Maintained records of victim contacts for use in emergency or crisis situations.
- Entered client data in centralized database and maintained up-to-date case records for all clients.
- Met with clients to determine necessary services and make treatment recommendations.
- Advocated for victims during difficult situations by handling various tasks, including filing police reports and providing information of resources in the community.
- Built trust and rapport with victims of violent crimes by remaining calm and compassionate in variety of situations.
- Referred family members to outside support options to assist with coping during times of increased stress.
- Managed parent support groups addressing topics such as positive discipline and parenting styles.
- Worked with community resources to engage youth in pro-social activities and help families access services.
- Informed victims about legal processes and timelines.
Administrative Technician
City Of Brownsville - Human Resources Department
Brownsville, TX
01.1996 - 07.1997
- Delivered exceptional customer service through direct communication with clients and team members.
- Assisted production and distribution of memos, newsletters, email updates and other forms of communication.
- Handled all incoming calls and directed callers to appropriate department or employee.
- Maintained personnel records, including applications, performance reports, payroll records and medical files.
- Set up and maintained physical and electronic filing systems to maintain organizational efficiency.
- Screened and verified visitors for identification credentials and purpose of visit to maintain security of personnel and office environment.
- Supported office operations, managed client correspondence, tracked records and handled internal communications.
- Sorted incoming mail and disseminated all correspondence to applicable departments.
Created agendas, meeting notes and other documents to enhance collaborative process.
Administrative Technician
City of Brownsville Public Library
Brownsville, TX
11.1994 - 01.1996
- Developed and continuously improved digital filing and document management protocols.
Delivered exceptional customer service through direct communication with clients and team members. - Responded to client and vendor inquiries via email and telephone, providing updated and accurate information.
- Handled all incoming calls and directed callers to appropriate department or employee.
- Responded to requests for immediate office support, such as data searches, office memo drafts or reference retrievals.
- Set up and maintained physical and electronic filing systems to maintain organizational efficiency.
- Served as central point of contact for all outside vendors needing to gain access to building.
- Worked professionally to handle all client, vendor and public guest requirements.
Categorized and maintained books and novels in numerical and alphabetical order.
Deputy Court Clerk
City of Brownsville Municipal Court
Brownsville, TX
06.1988 - 07.1994
- Answered face-to-face and telephone requests for information about warrants, citations and other court documents or procedures.
- Tracked exhibits admitted during court hearings and updated documentation.
Received and submitted payments for fees and fines, accurately tracking amounts, issuing receipts and updating computer systems. - Wrote error-free and professional correspondence on behalf of court system.
Updated and maintained court calendar, responded to inquiries about court procedures and resolved scheduling conflicts with attorneys. - Liaised with general public to process document requests and provide customer service by phone or email and in person, keeping records of payments and documents provided.
- Tracked cases and managed electronic and physical records, creating new files, case entering filings, hearings, trials, electronic and physical records, trials and judgment and closing cases when complete.
- Prepared and issued summons, complaints, warrants and other documents necessary for daily courtroom operations.
- Fulfilled document requests by citizens, parties to cases, judges and attorneys in timely manner, keeping records of all documents provided.
- Assembled paperwork and relevant files and briefs for use by judge at hearings and trials, using discretion to indicate key information to indicate key information relevant to judgment and prosecution decisions.
- Acted as court cashier, processing billing and payments for fines, bonds, bail and other court fees, also recording details of payment and reporting missed deadlines or delinquency.
- Supported daily courtroom operations, including document preparation, filing of referral forms and court notices, check-in and check-out and bailiff duties.
- Advised supervisors, judges and other office members on records, case status and other developments, alerting of approaching deadlines and procedural requirements.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology And Psychology
University of Texas At Brownsville
Brownsville, TX05-2000
Associate of Arts - Social Work
University of Texas At Brownsville
Brownsville, TX 05-2000
Skills
- Child Advocacy
- Legal Orientation
- Interpersonal, Oral and Written Communication Skills
- Spanish Fluency
- Organizational Skills
- Active Listening
- Proficiency with Windows and Microsoft Applications
- Remote Communication
- Judgement and Decision Making
Certification
- Youth Mental Health First Aid USA from National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Timeline
UC Legal Services Specialist
American Bar Association - ProBAR
08.2021 - Current
ECI-Case Manager
Region One Education Service Center
05.2005 - 08.2020
Substitute Teacher
Brownville Independent School Districit
08.2004 - 05.2005
ECI-Case Manager
Parent and Child Education Services
04.2003 - 07.2004
Teacher's Aide Volunteer
Castaneda Elementary School - BISD
01.2002 - 05.2002
Child Protective Services Specialist
Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services
08.2000 - 08.2001
Administrative Technician
City Of Brownsville - Human Resources Department
01.1996 - 07.1997
Administrative Technician
City of Brownsville Public Library
11.1994 - 01.1996
Deputy Court Clerk
City of Brownsville Municipal Court
06.1988 - 07.1994
- Youth Mental Health First Aid USA from National Council for Mental Wellbeing
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology And Psychology
University of Texas At Brownsville
Associate of Arts - Social Work
University of Texas At Brownsville
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