Policy Associate

• Sep 2023 - Present

Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) Program Specialist

• Feb 2022 - Aug 2023

Supports oversight and monitoring of McKinney-Vento and American Rescue Plan grants. Assists with overall implementation of grant management, technical assistance, data use, stakeholder coordination, training development, and division activities.Oversees data collection, use, and analysis to assess impact and drive positive outcomes across all projects and activities. Conducts quality assurance reviews and evaluations of program and department goals.Creates and supports development of various resources and tools to support sub-grantees and meet state and federal mandates.Manages TEHCY communications and outreach to regional and district McKinney-Vento Liaisons. Develops webpages, newsletters, and resources for program and grant implementation. Show less

Special Projects Coordinator

• Jul 2020 - Feb 2022

Supported programmatic implementation of legislative priorities, state and federal programs, and agency initiatives to equip school systems to promote equitable access and improve outcomes for HM&AR students (e.g., students experiencing homelessness as well as those who are military-connected, pregnant, or in foster care). Served as the State Coordinator for the Military-Connected Student program and Pregnancy Related Services programs; provided extensive support for the Foster Care and Student Success program. Oversight of the Support for Texas Students of US Military grant, the Amachi Texas grant, and supported the Texas Education for Homeless Children and Youth (TEHCY) grants.Managed and analyzed data for HM&AR division, including consolidating information from eighteen different sources to ease data access for team members. Utilize statistical software to analyze PEIMS datasets of 5.4 million students and present findings to TEA leadership and external stakeholders (e.g., COVID-19 impacts on student engagement; gaps in student identification and service provision).Provided extensive technical assistance to the Highly Mobile and At-Risk Division. Developed foster care program FAQs, manuals, one-pagers, guidance, training, legislative analysis, and technical assistance. Facilitated, promoted, and presented at 7 statewide Zoom webinars to an average of 20 Education Service Centers and 250 districts. Authored over 20+ program and division newsletters and facilitate release to over 23,000 subscribers. Built, designed, maintained, and marketed three division webpages. Show less

Operations Associate

• Oct 2019 - Jul 2020

Developed processes, routines, and systems to streamline department travel, review, and scheduling. Provided design and operational support for the staff recruitment and selection process. Managed department budget, appointments, and ensured general adherence to division timelines. Revised and edited documents to ensure quality alignment with TEA branding and guidelines.

Legislative Assistant

• Jan 2019 - May 2019

Researched and compiled background information on 10 bills for distribution and presentation to the Texas legislature. Analyzed over 160 bills. Provided research and analysis on Texas education and healthcare policies via summarized policy notes. Managed social media outreach (via Facebook, Twitter) and communicated with constituents on behalf of the representative. Researched and compiled background information on 10 bills for distribution and presentation to the Texas legislature. Analyzed over 160 bills. Provided research and analysis on Texas education and healthcare policies via summarized policy notes. Managed social media outreach (via Facebook, Twitter) and communicated with constituents on behalf of the representative.

Community First! Study Intern

• Nov 2018 - May 2019

Conducted research examining the effectiveness of the supportive community model and wraparound services on chronic homelessness reduction at the Mobile Loaves and Fishes Community First! Village. Individually interviewed over 30 formerly homeless residents to determine whether these services improved psychological health, interpersonal relationships, and substance use. Collected residents' background information - including type of homelessness and family history - to find trends in community demographics and correlations to the rate at which residents maintained their permanent housing. Show less

Intern

• Sep 2018 - Dec 2018

Collected data from assessments conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality considering polluted sites for the state and federal Superfund programs. Analyzed and organized over 1,000 written reports to consolidate information for future public release. Collected data from assessments conducted by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality considering polluted sites for the state and federal Superfund programs. Analyzed and organized over 1,000 written reports to consolidate information for future public release.

President

• Jun 2018 - Dec 2018

Acted as the face of Women in Foreign Affairs by contacting and accommodating 3-4 professional speakers. Maintained communication with the faculty advisor and Clements Center at the University of Texas. Managed 3 professional development events by: moderating panels, developing workshops, and facilitating a free headshot event.

Membership Coordinator

• Aug 2017 - May 2018

Managed social media community outreach for weekly meetings, social events, and community events. Track 40+ members’ attendance and participation through sign up sheets and rosters. Facilitated 3 volunteer opportunities per semester with local NGOs in Austin as well as 3 social events promoting member comradery: communicated with private companies, announced plans weeks in advance at organization meetings, facilitated extra promotion on Facebook, and coordinated logistics and transportation for members. Show less

Event Parking Assistant

• Apr 2017 - Feb 2018

Facilitated special events on the University of Texas property by providing exellent customer service and parking information to guests. Managed traffic inflows of around 100 cars per event. Cashiered at garage entryways, handled permits, and directed traffic. Calculated earnings by Parking and Transportation. Facilitated special events on the University of Texas property by providing exellent customer service and parking information to guests. Managed traffic inflows of around 100 cars per event. Cashiered at garage entryways, handled permits, and directed traffic. Calculated earnings by Parking and Transportation.

Youth Program Assistant

• Jun 2017 - Aug 2017

Supervised school-age children for parents employed on base. Moved regularly between 6 activity rooms and maintained accountability for up to 12 children at a time. Led activities that supported children in learning, interacting, and exploring new interests. Kept rosters of children during various field trips on and off base. Watched for signs of emotional or developmental problems to report to parents. Supervised school-age children for parents employed on base. Moved regularly between 6 activity rooms and maintained accountability for up to 12 children at a time. Led activities that supported children in learning, interacting, and exploring new interests. Kept rosters of children during various field trips on and off base. Watched for signs of emotional or developmental problems to report to parents.

Lifeguard

• Mar 2016 - Jan 2017

Prevented incidents at University of Texas pools by remaining constantly vigilant and prepared to take action at any given time. American Red Cross certified in Lifeguarding/First-aid/CPR/AED. Trained bi-weekly in Red Cross lifesaving techniques to ensure constant preparation for incidents. Attended RecSports leadership events and set personal goals for better work performance. Prevented incidents at University of Texas pools by remaining constantly vigilant and prepared to take action at any given time. American Red Cross certified in Lifeguarding/First-aid/CPR/AED. Trained bi-weekly in Red Cross lifesaving techniques to ensure constant preparation for incidents. Attended RecSports leadership events and set personal goals for better work performance.