Valeria Diaz Sanchez
Spring Valley,CA
Summary
Social work professional with experience in clinical mental health, case management, substance use screening, and reentry planning across correctional and community-based settings. Experienced in supporting justice-involved individuals, probation-mandated clients, and families involved in foster care with a focus on mental health, recovery, and client advocacy.
Overview
3
3
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Work Intern
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility
San Diego, CA
08.2025 - 05.2026
- Provided clinical mental health services across varied acuity levels, utilizing crisis intervention, de-escalation, risk assessment, and safety management.
- Conducted pre-release assessments and developed individualized reentry plans addressing mental health, substance use, and social service needs.
- Conducted welfare checks and 1:1 clinical contacts to assess mental health, cognitive functioning, presentation, and immediate treatment needs.
- Facilitated psychoeducational and therapeutic groups on pre-release planning, substance use, anxiety, mood management, and coping skills, enhancing participant coping strategies through CBT and evidence-informed interventions.
- Administered Mini - Mental State Exam (MMSE) as clinically indicated.
- Maintained timely, accurate documentation of all encounters, assessments, interventions, and groups.
Social Work Intern
Behavioral Health Probation Advocacy Unit
San Diego, CA
08.2024 - 05.2025
- Conducted substance use screenings for probation - mandated clients, assessing substance use patterns, treatment needs, and stages of change.
- Assessed level-of-care needs and coordinated referrals to substance use treatment programs and community-based services, enhancing client access to resources.
- Provided case management and recovery support through client check-ins and treatment monitoring, identifying barriers to recovery and facilitating continued support.
- Collaborated with community partners to coordinate a behavioral health, substance use, employment, and reentry resource fair for justice-involved clients.
Visitation Monitor / Visit Coach
New Alternatives Inc.
San Diego, California
10.2023 - Current
- Supervise and document parent-child visits in foster care, ensuring safe and supportive interactions.
- Provide individual parent coaching to support skills and behaviors necessary for family reunification.
- Educate parents on positive parenting, communication, child development, and relationship-building skills.
- Use redirection and conflict-management techniques to promote children’s safety and emotional well-being.
- Safely transport children to and from supervised visits.
Education
Master of Social Work
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA05-2026
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA05-2023
Skills
Case Management Substance Use Screening Reentry Planning Group Facilitation Crisis Intervention Risk Assessment De-Escalation Client Advocacy Safety Planning Conflict management
Registered
- Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
Timeline
Social Work Intern
Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility
08.2025 - 05.2026
Social Work Intern
Behavioral Health Probation Advocacy Unit
08.2024 - 05.2025
Visitation Monitor / Visit Coach
New Alternatives Inc.
10.2023 - Current
Master of Social Work
San Diego State University
Bachelor of Criminal Justice
San Diego State University