SAMANTHA ZARAGOZA

-Provide advocacy and support to victims of crime (primarily victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse) to make the criminal justice system more accessible by providing comprehensive advocacy and support
-To assist victims overcome physical, financial, and emotional trauma
experienced as a result of crime
-Work in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and other victim service providers
-Assist victims of crime by providing information, support, referral, and advocacy services
-Provide resources, referrals, and support during Child Forensic
Interviews/Investigations (CFIs)
-Interview and provide crisis and resource referral counseling for victims, their families, and witnesses before and during court process; assesses client’s needs for medical, psychological, legal, financial, shelter, or employment services
-Provide victims with information on shelters, temporary restraining
orders, and availability of counseling, or other social services
-Advocate for victims, ensuring that client needs are met and addressed within the community and criminal justice system
-Provide clients with an explanation of court process, potential
dispositions, education and training regarding the criminal justice system

-Transport, escort, and support victims during court appearances
-Prepare applications for victim compensation by obtaining necessary
information and documents, completing and submitting forms to the
State Victim Compensation Program
-Initiate and maintain computerized case files to document case activities
-Confer with attorneys and law enforcement on the issues affecting a
victim’s ability and willingness to cooperate with the investigation and prosecution or other pertinent issues
-Handles complicated cases, including felonies, and cases with long
proceedings, multiple victims/witnesses, and more complex legal steps

-Supported scheduling of court appearances and meetings, optimizing time management for attorneys.

-Streamlined communication between departments, improving information sharing and collaboration.

-Developed and maintained databases for case tracking, increasing accessibility to critical information.

-Collaborated with external partners to expand program reach and impact.

• Assessed client eligibility for social services programs, ensuring compliance with state regulations.
• Processed applications and renewals in a timely manner, maintaining accurate records in case management systems.
• Conducted interviews to gather necessary documentation and verify information from applicants.
• Collaborated with team members to streamline workflow processes and improve service delivery efficiency.
• Educated clients on available resources and support services, enhancing their understanding of program benefits.
• Monitored ongoing eligibility cases, identifying discrepancies and resolving issues proactively to prevent service interruptions.
• Conducted comprehensive income calculations for clients seeking public assistance, ensuring appropriate benefit levels were assigned based on financial need.
• Interviewed applicants and explained scope of different available benefits.
• Assisted clients in understanding complex program requirements through clear explanations and provision of informational resources.
• Supported colleagues during periods of high workload volume by prioritizing tasks effectively and assisting with overflow case management duties when needed.
• Demonstrated attention to detail when reviewing applications for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to guidelines.
• Maintained confidentiality at all times while handling sensitive client data related to personal finances, health concerns, and family situations.
• Enhanced client satisfaction by providing efficient and accurate eligibility assessments for various social service programs.
• Followed guidelines when reviewing applicant data to determine eligibility for economic assistance.
• Scheduled appointments with applicants to gather information and explain benefits processes.
• Monitored caseload closely to ensure timely action was taken on all pending applications according to agency guidelines.
• Maximized departmental efficiency by maintaining a well-organized workspace and filing system, ensuring easy retrieval of necessary documents at all times.
• Established rapport with clients through empathetic listening, clear communication, and professional demeanor during interviews.
• Liaised with other social service providers as necessary in order to coordinate support efforts for mutual clients in need of multiple forms of assistance simultaneously.