Caring and skilled social worker with comprehensive knowledge of social justice issues and systems affecting marginalized communities. Passionate about developing and facilitating programs to support communities in need. Hardworking Advocate working diligently on behalf of individuals with a resourceful, respectful and energetic approach that lends to building strategic partnerships, advocate for clients and advance change for communities in need.
Work History
ICWA Advocate
Yurok Tribe
Advocated and Case Manager for over 50 Yurok children under State care in court.
Advocated for the Yurok child in all aspects of the child welfare system.
Collaborated with many community entities including District Attorney and attorneys.
Assisted in writing Policy and Procedure for Social Services Department for the Yurok tribe as well as co-writing MOU's with various county and state agencies.
Case Worker TANF
California Tribal TANF Partnership
Assisted families in need with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits
Assisted in holding workshops for participants
Advocating for parents and/or children.
Conducted thorough assessments of client strengths and needs in order to provide tailored recommendations for individualized plans.
Referred clients to appropriate team members, community agencies and organizations to meet treatment needs.
Partnered with local organizations to expand access to social and community services.
Provided culturally competent services to diverse populations while maintaining sensitivity to cultural norms and values.
Interviewed clients, families, or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
Completed detailed charts to summarize interactions with patients and booked follow-up sessions.
Increased access to resources by connecting clients to appropriate financial, housing, medical, and educational services.
Foster Care Specialist
Native American Youth Association (NAYA)
Case managed approx 50 native foster care youth via the Casey Foundation.
Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions with an emphasis on culture.
Data collection for Oregon's Department of Health and Human Services, Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Department.
Attended Individual Education Plan(s) (IEP'S) hearings and meetings to advocate for native youth.
Provided ongoing education to foster families regarding relevant child development topics, empowering them to better support their children''s growth and emotional wellbeing while also allowing the child's culture to grow.
Maintained detailed case histories, metrics and reports to meet Casey Family Foundation and Oregon's DHHS ICWA standards.
Advocated for foster children by facilitating access to community and cultural resources and services to maximize safety and well-being of child.
Assisted in the recruitment and retention of quality foster parents by promoting agency services within the community and conducting targeted outreach efforts in the native community.
Provided ongoing support and guidance to foster parents, resulting in increased stability within placements as well as increased pride in culture and cultural practice.
Facilitated groups to address specific needs such as grief and loss as well as cultural awareness in effort to not only gather data for DHHS, but to assist family in reintroducing cultural experiences if absent and or encouraging and participating with clients and families in cultural events.
Attend and chaperone youth cultural and educational camps and functions.
Service Coordinator
Redwood Coast Regional Center
Developed comprehensive service plans tailored to individual client needs, resulting in high levels of satisfaction.
Streamlined service coordination processes for improved team productivity and response times.
Cultivated positive relationships with vendors to deliver timely and cost-effective supply of services and materials.
Educated staff on organizational mission and goals to help employees achieve success.
Developed and maintained database of service providers and vendors for easy and quick access to list of qualified providers for different jobs.
Maintained database systems to track and analyze operational data.
Assessed customer needs and developed solutions to meet needs.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to optimize service operations and improve client experiences.
Wrote legally binding Individual Personal Plans (IPP's) per client (approx 70 client case load), outlining services and responsible parties and payees for a period of approx 3 years.
Maintained Regional Center's, Person Centered Plan that expresses Regional Centers duty to provide person centered personal services to all clients.
Hotel Manager
Redwood Hotel Casino/Holiday Inn Express Hotel
Booked large groups for weddings, seminars, conferences, and other events, providing best available room rates.
Established a positive work culture that promoted teamwork, collaboration, and employee morale.
Ensured compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations related to hotel operations and licensing requirements.
Maintained well-regarded concierge services to provide guests with assistance and convenient information about local attractions.
Performed Opening Hotel procedures and employee trainings.
Implemented successful strategies to increase customer satisfaction.
Managed all aspects of hotel function (from Housekeeping to the laundry department, the breakfast bar, and the gift shop) thus ensuring guest satisfaction in all areas.
Coordinated with waitstaff to regularly clean buffet areas and refill hot and cold items quickly.
Organized staff training sessions on topics such as effective communication skills, conflict resolution techniques, time management tips.
Regularly analyzed guest feedback data to identify and address areas where improvements could be made, resulting in consistently high customer satisfaction ratings.
Provided exceptional service and assistance to guests upon check-in.
Solicited and reviewed guest feedback and promptly resolved complaints.
Managed hotel operations for seamless functioning, ensuring high levels of efficiency and guest satisfaction.
Planned and executed marketing activities to improve property brand and increase revenue.
Youth Advocate
Yurok Tribe
Planned, promoted and managed parent and cultural workshops on assisting children in attaining academic and personal success.
Played a vital role in supporting young Yurok youth though consistent encouragement, attendance in cultural activities, guidance, and advocacy on their behalf.
Facilitated groups to address specific needs such as grief and loss, anger management and social skills that includes indigenous culture .
Contributed directly towards reducing youth recidivism rates by providing ongoing support during the transition back into society.
Worked closely with probation department and Juvenile Hall where cultural classes were brought in. This could include an activity such as beading necklaces (while being taught how and significance) or teaching healing meditation practices to facilitate youth mental health healing.
Planned and chaperoned many outings and activities for all youth at risk from the Yurok Tribe including lengthy trips to San Diego and San Francisco for various cultural events.
Facilitated and participated with youth in mental health healing activities such as "Peers Offering Wisdom, Education and Respect (POWER) which is a very powerful course that lends to great healing while teaching youth about their culture as well as themselves AND their peers while they offer respect and support.
Assisted families in navigating the social services system, including applying for benefits, accessing resources and connecting with other family support services.
Assisted in identifying and reducing barriers to youth engagement and development.
Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions where Yurok culture is a consideration and a contribution.
Facilitated group sessions addressing topics such as culture, conflict resolution, self-esteem building, and decision making.
Maintained accurate case records and documentation in compliance with organizational standards and confidentiality guidelines.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Native American Studies / Social Services Emphasis
Humboldt State University
Arcata, CA
06.2017
Associate of Arts - General Education
Mt Hood Community College
Gresham, OR
2000
Skills
Client Representation and Advisement
Organization and Administration
Legal and Social Services Case Management
Travel Planning and Logistics
Collaboration and Teamwork
Legal Compliance
Client Representation
Document filing
Events Planning
Risk Mitigation
Community Advocacy
Conflict Resolution
Team Collaboration
Exceptional telephone etiquette
Mediation
MS Office
Support Services
Staff Supervision
Legal writing
Establishing Effective Relationships
Non-Profit Operations
Mentorship
Court Proceedings
Database Maintenance
Knowledge of Federal and State Laws
Building Trust and Relationships
Policy Knowledge
Courtroom Procedures
Resource Management
Policy Development
Active Listening
Friendly, Positive Attitude
Interpersonal Skills
Customer Relations
Team Management
Quality Assurance
Good Telephone Etiquette
Supervision and leadership
Timeline
ICWA Advocate
Yurok Tribe
Case Worker TANF
California Tribal TANF Partnership
Foster Care Specialist
Native American Youth Association (NAYA)
Service Coordinator
Redwood Coast Regional Center
Hotel Manager
Redwood Hotel Casino/Holiday Inn Express Hotel
Youth Advocate
Yurok Tribe
Bachelor of Arts - Native American Studies / Social Services Emphasis
