Category: ADVOCATE

         ORGANIZER AND CAPACITY BUILDING STRATEGIST             Experience      Organizer and Capacity Building Strategist   01/2011       Company Name   City  ,   State       Civil Rights and Disability Advocate Advocate for people with disabilities with school, regional centers and agencies Conduct case review of client issues, research state and agency violations Develop strategy and provide technical assistance for clients to obtain positive outcome Attend IPP, IEP, and mediations with clients as advocate Keep case file, summary, and all necessary documents for referral to attorney if necessary Convened NCLR member organizations to develop statewide action strategies.  Developed advocacy materials and organize actions and campaigns Provided training and technical assistance, coordination organizations advance policy.          Special Education Advocate   01/2009   to   01/2011     Company Name   City  ,   State       Researched client issues and manage legal correspondence.  Completed outreach and training on disability and special education rights.  Wrote media releases for organization events and training.  Strategized positive outcomes with attorneys and staff.          Community Organizer/Founder   01/2000   to   01/2011     Company Name   City  ,   State       Wrote grant proposals, business plans, and press releases Presented strategic plan and goals to a variety of audiences Organized constituents around special education, environmental and health issues Collaborated with 85+ local community leaders and organizations Designed and taught advocacy skills training program to over 300 parents annually Secured over 100k in funding for parent advocacy training programs.          Community Organizer   01/2008   to   01/2009     Company Name   City  ,   State       Trained constituents on civil rights and education issues pertaining to Latino children.  Promoted self-determination of families and communities.  Collaborated with community leaders and organizations around education policy issues.  Strategized with attorneys and staff on organizing campaign.          Legal Advocate   01/2006   to   01/2008     Company Name   City  ,   State       Trained constituents on disability and special education rights.  Managed caseload of clients with disability-related issues.  Strategized positive outcomes with attorneys and staff.  Maintained working knowledge of current disability laws and legislation.          Family Advocate   01/2004   to   01/2006     Company Name   City  ,   State       Developed and presented workshops for professionals on needs of high-needs families Worked with homeless families to obtain housing Facilitated cooperative working relationships with other agencies Served as internal consultant to team on special education and disability laws Facilitated cooperative working relationships with other agencies Provided technical assistance to families on policies and procedures.          Education      JD  :   Organizational Communication Nonprofit Management   2007       St. Edward's University People's College of Law   City  ,   State       Organizational Communication Nonprofit Management        Interests    Board Member, Advocacy 4 Kids, Virginia Beach, VA (2015-current) Board Member, COPAA (Council of Attorneys, Parents,& Advocates) (2009-current) Co-Founder, Ichi Villa Autism Alliance/Northeast Los Angeles Autism Parents (2012-current) Founder, Latina Mami Los Angeles, Special Education Legal Clinics (2011-current) Member, Community Now, (2008-2010) Radio Show Host, "Mamis of Color" radio show, 91.7 FM (2001-2009) Board Member, Texans for Midwifery (2001-2002) Graduate, Partners in Policymaking (2005) Election Committee Chair and Board Member, KOOP Radio (2005-2006) Special Education Citizen's Advisory Committee & Bilingual Committee (2005-2008) Committee Member, March of Dimes Program Services (1999-2004)       Publications    NCLR Latino Leadership Institute training Understanding Your Child's Special Education Rights" Disability Civil Rights Throughout The Ages" Disability and Domestic Violence Survivors" The Emotional Aspects of Working With Parents of Children with High-Needs" The Needs of Diverse Families" Organizing around Issues Affecting Your Community" National Workshops Presented: Special Education Representation from a Social Justice and Civil Rights Perspective" COPAA 2015 Conference, San Diego, CA. Xicana Mamihood & Activism: Responses to Violence in Our Families and Communities", Incite! Radical Feminists of Color, Color of Violence 4 Conference, Chicago, IL.       Additional Information      AWARDS/HONORS 2010: Latina Mami collective featured in article by Dr. Cristina Herrera in The 21st Century Motherhood Movement, published by Demeter Press 2005: Recognized in Latina Magazine as "Inspiring Latina" 2005: Named one of Austin's "10 Women We Love" by Austin Monthly Magazine 2004: Ernst and Young Social Entrepreneur of the Year Finalist 2002: "Mamis of Color" radio show named KOOP Social Justice Program of the Year OTHER COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Board Member, Advocacy 4 Kids, Virginia Beach, VA (2015-current) Board Member, COPAA (Council of Attorneys, Parents,& Advocates) (2009-current) Co-Founder, Ichi Villa Autism Alliance/Northeast Los Angeles Autism Parents (2012-current) Founder, Latina Mami Los Angeles, Special Education Legal Clinics (2011-current) Member, Community Now, (2008-2010) Radio Show Host, "Mamis of Color" radio show, 91.7 FM (2001-2009) Board Member, Texans for Midwifery (2001-2002) Graduate, Partners in Policymaking (2005) Election Committee Chair and Board Member, KOOP Radio (2005-2006) Special Education Citizen's Advisory Committee & Bilingual Committee (2005-2008) Committee Member, March of Dimes Program Services (1999-2004)         Skills    agency, attorney, business plans, consultant, client, clients, detail oriented, grant proposals, legal, materials, organizing, policies, press releases, problem solving skills, research, strategy, strategic, technical assistance, training programs, workshops