Samantha Gallegos
Albuquerque,NM
Summary
Dedicated professional known for building strong relationships, effectively stabilizing high-stress situations, and coordinating services that promote safety, permanency, and well-being for children, youth, and families. Committed to continuous learning, professional growth, and providing compassionate, strengths-based support through dedicated service to others.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Foster Care Plus Coordinator
Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) - Foster Care Plus (FC+)
Albuquerque, NM
06.2025 - Current
- Successfully completed Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) New Employee Training.
- Earned the National Safety Council (NSC) Defensive Driving Certification.
- Certified to facilitate Pressley Ridge's Treatment Foster Parent Pre-Service Training and currently progressing toward Master Trainer certification (anticipated completion: 2027).
- Contributed to the development of program infrastructure and documentation, including the Foster Care Plus Referral Form, Sign-In Sheet, Closure Letter, Contact List, and Transition Form.
- Advocated for children and families by collaborating with community behavioral health providers, agencies, and local partners to communicate program goals and secure timely, intensive services to meet client needs.
- Built and strengthened collaborative relationships across multidisciplinary teams, bringing together stakeholders from various departments and agencies to improve communication, coordinate services, and support positive outcomes for children and families.
- Effectively interacted and collaborated with professionals at all levels of seniority, including direct service staff, supervisors, managers, agency leadership, and community partners.
- Maintain a caseload of 15+ children with special needs and complex behavioral challenges, providing ongoing support, coordination, and case management services.
- Completed certification in the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment.
- Facilitate Treatment Team Meetings, promoting collaboration among families, service providers, and support systems to achieve treatment goals.
- Conduct ongoing assessments of resource foster parent needs and provide guidance, support, and resource coordination.
- Demonstrate working knowledge of Permanency and Licensing team functions to support case planning, permanency efforts, and positive outcomes for children in care.
- Consistently demonstrate flexibility, dedication, and a willingness to work beyond scheduled hours to promote the safety, stability, and well-being of children and families served.
Intern
Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) - Investigations
Albuquerque, NM
01.2025 - 07.2025
- Participated in home visits and fields assessments, gaining hands-on experience in evaluating living conditions, identifying risks and recognizing family strengths.
- Applied trauma-informed practices when engaging with children, parents, and caregivers to maintain dignity and minimize retraumatization during sensitive interactions.
- Maintained strict confidentiality and accurate documentation in alignment with CYFD policies, legal requirements and state guidelines.
- Participated in transcribing family centered meetings and in staffing the meeting with senior investigators beforehand.
Child Care Worker
The Sandhill Center
Los Lunas, NM
05.2024 - 05.2025
- Provided direct therapeutic support to adolescents in resident care using the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT) and strategies from Dr. Mona Delahooke’s Beyond Behaviors training focusing on regulation, relationship-building, and trauma informed interventions.
- Responded to behavior and emotional crises with a calm, supportive approach, applying neuroscience-based techniques to de-escalate situations and maintaining a safe, structured environment.
- Coordinated daily routines and therapeutic activities to promote consistency, emotional regulation, and healthy attachment, ensuring youth experience normalcy, stability and sense of belonging despite challenging circumstances.
- Facilitated and participated in structured group activities that supported socio-emotional development, individualized treatment goals, and positive peer relationships.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams - including the child’s assigned therapist, the equine therapist, the residential manager, teachers, and the on-call nurse for medication management.
- Uphold program policies respectfully while modeling empathy, consistency and professionalism, balancing safety with individualized, strengths-based approach.
- Ensured compliance with all required regulatory bodies by accurately maintaining and updating documentation.
- Conducted behavioral observations and contributed to assessments to track youth progress, identify needs and inform ongoing treatment plans.
- Trained to administer prescribed medications to youth in accordance with the organizational policies and state regulations. Ensured accurate documentation, dosage verification, and timely delivery of medications.
- Demonstrated exceptional dedication by continuing to visit youth even after leaving the program, maintaining healthy supportive connections that promote trust and continuity of care.
Resident advocate
The Barrett Foundation
Albuquerque, NM
08.2022 - 09.2024
- Entrusted with the independent supervision and operation of the shelter, serving as the sole staff member on duty while ensuring the safety and well-being of residents, children, staff, and facility operations.
- Demonstrated strong leadership, accountability, and crisis management skills by making critical decisions independently and coordinating emergency responses when necessary.
- De-escalated high stress situations ensuring the safety of residents, children and staff while maintaining a calm, trauma informed approach.
- Managed crises and stabilized volatile situations providing emotional support and connecting residents with appropriate behavioral health services or community resources.
- Provided intensive support and advocacy for women and families experiencing homelessness.
- Performed case management/coordination duties by assisting residents with them in accessing community resources and provided guidance on following a multidisciplinary team requirement.
- De-escalated high stress situations ensuring the safety of residents, children and staff while maintaining a calm, trauma informed approach.
- Managed crises and stabilized volatile situations providing emotional support and connecting residents with appropriate behavioral health services or community resources.
- Maintained thorough documentation of all interactions with clients in compliance with the program's policies with attention to detail.
- Led weekly resident meetings to review updates, community news, and policies.
- Went above and beyond to engage residents by bringing personal art supplies and creating therapeutic, hands-on activities for residents.
Cashier/Stock/Loss prevention
Dd's Discounts
Albuquerque, NM
09.2020 - 08.2022
- Managed multiple responsibilities in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy.
- Provided exceptional customer service by assisting customers with purchases, answering questions, and resolving concerns in a professional and courteous manner.
- Processed cash, credit, and electronic transactions accurately while maintaining accountability for register balances and company policies.
- Monitored customer activity and assessed potential risks to prevent theft and maintain a safe structured environment.
- Assisted with inventory management, stock replenishment, merchandising, and store organization.
- Demonstrated reliability and flexibility by supporting various store functions
- Monitored sales floor conditions and proactively addressed safety concerns, hazards, and customer service issues.
Youth Intern
Explora
Albuquerque, NM
01.2017 - 03.2020
- Supervised assigned exhibit and program areas, ensuring visitor safety, positive engagement, and adherence to museum policies and procedures.
- Maintained cleanliness, organization, and presentation standards throughout exhibit spaces, classrooms, and program areas to create a safe and welcoming environment for visitors.
- Monitored inventory levels and ensured educational materials, program supplies, and exhibit resources were properly stocked and readily available for daily operations.
- Utilized interpersonal skills while engaging customers and clients of diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, ages, and cultures.
- Facilitated school groups and engaged with children and youth of diverse ages. This includes children with special education and behavioral needs.
- Communicated effectively with coworkers to ensure a smooth, timely and organized schedule.
- Participated in program development activities and was able to assist in STEM classrooms with children with a variety of needs, including a camp specific curriculum that was designed specifically for children on the autism spectrum.
Volunteer
Albuquerque Bio Park
Albuquerque, NM
05.2014 - 08.2019
- Designed and implemented individualized enrichment plans to meet the unique behavior and emotional needs of a variety of animals.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams of zookeepers, volunteers, and educators to coordinate animal care plans and ensure consistent program implementation.
- Maintained strict adherence to policies, safety protocols, and program procedures.
Education
Master's degree - Social work with a clinical concentration
Highlands University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM05-2026
BS (Cum Laude) - Family and child studies, Minor in business management
The University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM05-2023
Diploma -
Rio Grande High School
Albuquerque, NMSkills
- Leadership
- Patience
- Integrity
- Humility
- Collaboration
- Professional Communication
- Independent Decision-Making
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Client Advocacy
- Strengths-Based Practice
Timeline
Foster Care Plus Coordinator
Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) - Foster Care Plus (FC+)
06.2025 - Current
Intern
Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) - Investigations
01.2025 - 07.2025
Child Care Worker
The Sandhill Center
05.2024 - 05.2025
Resident advocate
The Barrett Foundation
08.2022 - 09.2024
Cashier/Stock/Loss prevention
Dd's Discounts
09.2020 - 08.2022
Youth Intern
Explora
01.2017 - 03.2020
Volunteer
Albuquerque Bio Park
05.2014 - 08.2019
Master's degree - Social work with a clinical concentration
Highlands University of New Mexico
BS (Cum Laude) - Family and child studies, Minor in business management
The University of New Mexico
Diploma -
Rio Grande High School