ROSA ZERMENO
Pleasant Hill,CA
Summary
A social change catalyst, community architect, and capacity builder, I am committed to co-creating spaces of equity and inclusion and bridging the gaps for marginalized identities. As a strategist rooted in collectivism, my “why” is informed through community activism and transferred and reflected in collective and policy spaces.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Social Worker - Therapist
TODCO Group
02.2025 - Current
- Delivered social work services, case management, and support services programs for Spanish-speaking residents across four senior buildings
- Provided individual and family counseling, crisis intervention, and conflict resolution
- Completed comprehensive intakes and assessments with tenants at move-in
- Served as liaison/advocate for tenants with Property Management and off-site service providers
- Organized and facilitated community-building activities, including but not limited to: Food Pantry, cultural celebrations, large and small group social events, holiday celebrations, therapeutic groups, skill-building workshops, and informational workshops
- Developed and maintained strong relationships with community resources for successful referrals.
Interim Emergency Services Program Manager
HomeFirst
03.2024 - 08.2024
- Oversaw HomeFirst's case management and support services at two different HomeFirst shelter locations
- Expanded case management programs to support the houseless population at San Joseʼs HomeFirst shelter location
- Developed structure and rapport with seven seasoned staff to revamp supportive services provided via Veteransʼ housing programs
Clinic Volunteer
Columbia Human Rights Initiative Asylum Clinic (CHRIA)
11.2022 - 05.2023
- Documented physical, gynecological, and psychological trauma of asylum seekers in evaluations led by licensed practitioners
- Produced legal affidavits for clients utilizing client narratives and clinical diagnoses
- Provided individualized case management services to clients as needed for up to one year after an evaluation
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
09.2022 - 05.2023
- Assisted eCUIMC faculty and 150+ students through Canvas coursework and corresponded with students on the Canvas platform
- Led discussion sections with small groups of students focused on specific parts of the interprofessional coursework.
- Co-created 10+ discussion boards/weekly discussion written assignments
Research Assistant
Action Lab for Social Justice
07.2022 - 05.2023
- Generated qualitative research for BIPOC communities being gentrified in Harlem
- Supported in preparing materials for reports, presentations, and submissions for social media campaigns through the Environmental Justice Initiative.
- Co-created and supported the Re-imagining Safety and Care Initiative in a large gender-affirming clothing swap
Professional Development Coordinator
Columbia School of Social Work
05.2022 - 05.2023
- Hired 30+ Facilitators for Professional Development & Self-Awareness (PDSA) Orientation
- Conducted orientation sessions and organized on-the-job training for new hires
- Alternated training methods to diversify instruction, strengthen learning opportunities, and enhance the program
- Co-developed training manuals, multimedia visual aids, and other educational materials for the PDSA department
MSW Pediatric Psychiatry Intern
New York Presbyterian Columbia Medical Center
06.2022 - 02.2023
- Clinically trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), and Trauma-Focused Play Therapy
- Co-facilitated two DBT-clinical groups in English and Spanish
- Didactic trained in Safety Assessments, Crisis Management, Suicide and Risk Assessments, Telehealth, and Levels of Care
- Psychoeducation for patients and families about counseling and treatment options
- Conducted evaluations to detect the presence of mental health or substance abuse disorders
MSW Art Therapy Student Intern
Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education
09.2021 - 05.2022
- Assessed emotional needs and classroom interactions of 30+ students to determine appropriate interventions. wrote progress clinical notes, completed tracking and documentation for the Casita Maria staff, and maintained Behavioral Incident Reports
- Prepared student intervention plans based on assessment findings and incorporated Casita Maria program staff feedback to optimize approaches
- Led four student art therapy groups through Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Interventions
- Connected Casita Maria students and families with available and relevant resources, such as food banks and transportation services
Program Supervisor
Brilliant Corners
07.2018 - 08.2021
- Oversaw team of five Housing Coordinators and Senior Housing Coordinator under the Enriched Residential Care (ERC) Program; provided direct supervision on a bi-weekly basis
- Launched and led the Department of Mental Health (DMH) expansion program within ERC of 300 clients; managed communications, expectations, and guidelines with DMH partners
Senior Housing Coordinator
Brilliant Corners
11.2017 - 05.2018
- Supported 100+ transitions from Los Angeles County hospitals to permanent supportive housing via wellness checks, along with providing support to facilities on clients' needs, and educating facility administrators and staff on the population served
- Spearheaded over seven new hire Housing Coordinator onboarding sessions with the Senior Housing Coordinator cohort; Developed a New Housing Coordinator Training Binder
- Became lead mediating liaison for five to seven facilities. Became proficient in licensed board and care establishments via California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, California, of Public Health, California Department of Social Services, and Community Care Licensing policy and guidelines
Housing Coordinator
Brilliant Corners
09.2016 - 10.2017
- Coordinated 200+ move-ins between clients, property managers/landlords, and clients' Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS) for a variety of subprograms and populations
- Supported transitions from temporary placement to permanent supportive housing via wellness and unit habitability checks, along with following up on tenant maintenance requests; Mediated between tenants and property management/landlords
- Enforced Housing Rights of People with Disabilities under Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The Fair Housing Act
- Reviewed and processed rental subsidy documentation, tracked housing retention, annual income rectifications, and client housing data
Financial Literacy Specialist
Americorps VISTA
08.2015 - 08.2016
- Assessed literacy needs of transitional shelters in Orange County by reviewing intake data and implemented a permanent/ongoing workshop series
- Employed a variety of assessment tools and strategies for first-time homebuyer workshops, financial literacy classes, and special partner community events, measured 400+ participant responses
Education
Master of Science - Social Work
N/A
New York, NY05.2023
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science and Government
N/A
Long Beach, CA05.2015
Skills
- Client and Healing-Centered Approach
- Community Architect
- Transformational Leadership
- Strategist rooted in Collectivism
- Mediation and Advocacy
- Project & Research Management
- Process Improvement
- Crisis intervention techniques
- Strategic planner
Websites
Certification
- Mental Health First Aid, Los Angeles, CA, 10/17
- Motivational Interviewing, New York, NY, 11/21
- Trauma-Informed Family Engagement, New York, NY, 02/22
- Naloxone/Narcan Administration, New York & San Jose, 02/22 - 04/24
- Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED, San Jose, CA, 04/24
- Nonviolent Crisis Intervention/CPI, San Jose, CA, 04/24
Languages
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Interests
- Reiki healer/practitioner
- Avid half-marathon runner
- Keen on holistic healing and spiritual practices
Timeline
Social Worker - Therapist
TODCO Group
02.2025 - Current
Interim Emergency Services Program Manager
HomeFirst
03.2024 - 08.2024
Clinic Volunteer
Columbia Human Rights Initiative Asylum Clinic (CHRIA)
11.2022 - 05.2023
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Columbia University Irving Medical Center
09.2022 - 05.2023
Research Assistant
Action Lab for Social Justice
07.2022 - 05.2023
MSW Pediatric Psychiatry Intern
New York Presbyterian Columbia Medical Center
06.2022 - 02.2023
Professional Development Coordinator
Columbia School of Social Work
05.2022 - 05.2023
MSW Art Therapy Student Intern
Casita Maria Center for Arts & Education
09.2021 - 05.2022
Program Supervisor
Brilliant Corners
07.2018 - 08.2021
Senior Housing Coordinator
Brilliant Corners
11.2017 - 05.2018
Housing Coordinator
Brilliant Corners
09.2016 - 10.2017
Financial Literacy Specialist
Americorps VISTA
08.2015 - 08.2016
Master of Science - Social Work
N/A
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science and Government
N/A
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