Zaida Cosme
New York,NY
Summary
Experienced Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LMSW) with 15 years in the NYC Department of Education and early childhood intervention. Specializes in trauma-informed care, Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and advocacy for Students in Temporary Housing (STH). Skilled in clinical intervention, crisis de-escalation, and collaboration with city agencies. Bilingual in Spanish, effectively connecting families, schools, and community resources.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Bridging the Gap School Social Worker
NYC Department of Education
10.2019 - Current
- Advocacy & Compliance: Championed rights of Students in Temporary Housing (STH) and Foster Care under McKinney-Vento and ESSA guidelines; implemented best practices for holistic family support, enhancing student stability.
- Trauma-Informed Care: Provide specialized clinical support and service referrals, utilizing a deep understanding of trauma’s impact on academic and social development.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Managed relationships across school districts, shelters, ACS, and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to streamline student services, improving access to resources for vulnerable populations.
- Data Systems Management: Utilized STARS, SESIS, Insight, and New Visions Portal to monitor attendance and academic trends, guiding targeted social-emotional (SEL) interventions that support student well-being.
Applied Behavior Interventionist
Kids First Early Intervention
12.2024 - 10.2026
- Implemented Naturalistic Teaching (NET) for toddlers (ages 1–3), embedding individualized learning goals into play-based activities to enhance skill generalization.
- Communication Training: Utilize Functional Communication Training (FCT) to equip pre-verbal students with signs, PECS, and augmentative devices, successfully reducing frustration-based behaviors.
- Skill Acquisition: Conduct Task Analysis to break down complex developmental milestones into achievable steps, focusing on joint attention, motor imitation, and early self-care routines.
- Behavior Management: Identify functions of challenging behaviors and apply Differential Reinforcement strategies to encourage safe, prosocial replacement behaviors.
- Facilitated hands-on training for parents to ensure consistent application of ABA strategies during daily routines, promoting continuous developmental progress for the child.
Parent Coordinator
P.S. 111
08.2003 - 09.2019
- Served as primary liaison between families and school administration, coordinating workshops, PTA meetings, and parent-teacher conferences to enhance family engagement.
- Coordinated transportation logistics and bus routing through Office of Pupil Transportation (OPT) vendor applications, ensuring timely and efficient service for students.
- Coordinated parent engagement activities to strengthen school-community relationships.
- Facilitated workshops to educate parents on student academic resources and support.
- Organized volunteer opportunities for parents to contribute to school events.
Social Work Intern
NYC Department of Education
09.2018 - 05.2019
- Clinical Practice: Delivered individual and group therapy using CBT, play therapy, and motivational interviewing to address anxiety, trauma, and peer relations.
- De-escalated behavioral crises using certified techniques, facilitating safe return to classroom for at-risk scholars.
- Launched 'Community Closet' and 'Afterschool Healthy Snacks' initiatives, providing essential resources for families in transition.
Education
Master of Social Work (MSW) - Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups
The Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work
01-2019
Bachelor of Science - Human Services
Boricua College
01-2007
Skills
- Crisis Intervention
- Behavioral Assessment
- Trauma-Informed Care
- Social Services Coordination
- Student Support Programs
- Community Outreach
- Motivational Interviewing
- ABA
- Play Therapy
- FCT
- Task Analysis
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- ATS
Certification
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), New York
- Certified Spanish Language Interpreter, NYC (Limited-English Proficient Communities)
- SIPI Instructor Certified, Lehman College
- ASD Training Certificate, NYU Steinhardt
- Youth Mental Health First Aid USA Certification
- Mandated Reporter Training, NYS (Child Abuse and Maltreatment)
Technical Skills
STARS, SESI, ATS, ILOG, RATH Reports, New Visions Portal, Insight, CBT, ABA, Play Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, FCT, Task Analysis
Professional Memberships
National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
Languages
Spanish
Professional
Timeline
Applied Behavior Interventionist
Kids First Early Intervention
12.2024 - 10.2026
Bridging the Gap School Social Worker
NYC Department of Education
10.2019 - Current
Social Work Intern
NYC Department of Education
09.2018 - 05.2019
Parent Coordinator
P.S. 111
08.2003 - 09.2019
Master of Social Work (MSW) - Clinical Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups
The Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work
Bachelor of Science - Human Services
Boricua College