Valerie Espada
Rochester,NY
Summary
Dynamic Youth Support Specialist with proven expertise in youth counseling and team collaboration, demonstrated at Industry Residential Center. Leveraged restorative practices and mental health support to enhance youth empowerment and academic achievement, significantly contributing to program success. Skilled in crisis intervention and fostering a supportive environment, showcasing a commitment to positive outcomes and mental health awareness. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Youth Support Specialist
Industry Residential Center (Secure)
01.2023 - Current
- Design goal-oriented strategies that empowered youths to take charge of their own future plans while receiving ongoing support from our team.
- Maintain detailed notes on each Youth's progress throughout their involvement in with program.
- Address behavioral issues effectively, fostering safe and supportive environment for all participants.
- Support academic achievement by offering tutoring services or connecting participants with appropriate educational resources.
- Enhance communication skills among youth by organizing group discussions and team-building exercises.
- Continually updated professional knowledge through attending relevant training sessions and conferences in order to provide up-to-date information to participants and colleagues alike.
- Mentor and guide youths through process of developing leadership skills, fostering senses of responsibility and accountability in their actions.
- Connect youths with appropriate resources and services, addressing various aspects of their wellbeing.
- Collaborate with other team members to develop comprehensive support plans for each youth, ensuring their success in program.
- Provide crisis intervention when necessary, utilizing de-escalation techniques to maintain safety within program setting.
- Participate in regular staff meetings to discuss participant progress, share ideas, and collaborate on improvements or modifications within program structure itself.
- Applied crisis intervention methods to de-escalate potentially dangerous scenarios.
- Deliver youth transitional assistance in areas of education, life skills and career development.
- Create and facilitated recreation and education activities for youths to engage in groups in safe environment.
- Accommodate youths with academic and vocational trainings to deliver information on future career opportunities.
Sign Language Para Professional
Truman High School
02.2020 - 01.2023
- Taught daily life skills including personal hygiene and nutrition.
- Daily care of students that is hard of hearing.
- Reinforcing behavior through use of positive behavior support. Teach, model and support.
- Provided language assistance to communicate to family.
- One on one instruction with students who have behavior, emotional special needs, cognitive disabilities, autism and other special needs.
- Assist student with learning materials and instructional exercise.
- Search of personal property for any contraband to ensure student and environment safety.
- Accompany student to accommodated treatment, activities on/off school grounds.
- Prepared and trained to act upon health and safety of students care, treatment and safety.
- Demonstrated respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Worked flexible hours across night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
- Adaptable and proficient in learning new concepts quickly and efficiently.
Supervisor
Family Life Academy Charter School
09.2014 - 02.2020
- Highly motivated supervisor with experience monitoring, co-originating and controlling medium to large groups of employees to achieve organizational goals.
- Effective management of employee performance including appraisals, support, training and discipline. Development and maintenance of safe work environment to meet all health and safety standards.
- Planned and management of resources to consistently meet production, quality and cost goals.
- Oversaw daily operations of department, ensuring smooth workflow and timely completion of tasks.
- Improved Overall satisfaction with timely response to inquiries, addressing concerns, and finding effective solutions.
- Increased team productivity by implementing efficient workflows and setting clear expectations for staff members.
- Enhanced communication within team by holding regular meetings and encouraging open dialogue among all members.
- Demonstrated commitment to organization''s core values, leading by example and fostering culture of excellence.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Business Administration
Monroe College
The Bronx, NY06.2005
Skills
- Youth Counseling
- Restorative Practices
- Positive Reinforcement
- Mental Health Support
- Suicide Prevention
- Mental health awareness
- Youth Mentoring
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Reliability
- Multitasking
- Collaboration and Teamwork
- Multitasking Abilities
Languages
spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Youth Support Specialist
Industry Residential Center (Secure)
01.2023 - Current
Sign Language Para Professional
Truman High School
02.2020 - 01.2023
Supervisor
Family Life Academy Charter School
09.2014 - 02.2020
Associate of Applied Science - Business Administration
Monroe College
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