Helen Bernal
Los Angeles
Summary
Results-driven case management professional with track record of effective client advocacy and support. Experienced in conducting thorough assessments and creating individualized care plans to meet client needs. Collaborates seamlessly with multidisciplinary teams and adapts to dynamic situations to ensure optimal client outcomes.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Case Manager
New Directions For Veterans
Los Angeles, CA
09.2024 - Current
- Support and work hand on hand with homeless veterans.
- Maintained records of progress, recording outcomes in HMIS and MCR.
- Create individualized housing plans, supports and monitors progress in achieving goals.
- Provide ongoing support and crisis intervention as necessary.
- Oversee participant’s daily activities; coordinates medical, legal, dental and/or psychological services as needed.
- Work collaboratively with treatment team members, including: VA Liaison, Clinical Supervisor, Case Managers, Peer Support Specialists, Volunteers, and Psychiatric Consultants in a helpful and supportive manner, in order to provide coordinated care that is consistent with the program philosophy and mental health recovery.
- Constructed and developed clients’ Individual Support Plan.
- Assessed and resolved client concerns using Motivational Interviewing techniques.
- Provided housing assistance; and referrals for mental health care and other unmet social service needs.
- Connecting clients with appropriate community resources like shelters, housing providers, job training programs, healthcare providers, and benefits agencies
- Conducting thorough intake interviews to understand clients' needs, including housing situation, mental health, substance abuse history, and employment status.
- Maintained accurate documentation on all cases, ensuring compliance with regulations and confidentiality requirements.
- Monitored ongoing cases closely, adjusting case management strategies as needed based on evolving circumstances or new information.
- Enhanced communication between clients and providers through consistent follow-ups and progress updates.
- Advocated for client rights when interacting with external agencies or institutions, ensuring fair treatment at all times.
- Provided crisis intervention support for clients experiencing emergencies, using appropriate techniques to de-escalate situations safely.
- Contributed to team discussions and case conferences actively, sharing insights and expertise with colleagues to optimize client support strategies.
- Coordinated services with other agencies, community-based organizations, and healthcare professionals to provide useful benefits to clients.
- Assist clients in navigating housing, legal services and public benefits to gain access to valuable resources.
- Improved client satisfaction by efficiently addressing concerns or grievances in a timely manner.
- Participated in regular professional development opportunities to stay current on best practices within the field of case management.
- Facilitated successful transitions between levels of care by developing detailed discharge plans and coordinating resources.
Rehabilitation Services Intern
Community Veteran Justice Project
Los Angeles, United States
06.2023 - 05.2024
- Insured current and former military service members received the information, support, and services they needed to use California's Veteran Statutes to improve their lives
- Provided services for employer consultation, employment development and placement, career counseling, and vocational planning and assessment
- Able to initiate evaluations to determine the presence of a vocational handicap, whether it qualifies as an employment handicap, the degree of the handicap, the viability of reaching a vocational objective, eligibility for Chapter 31 rehabilitation benefits, and the requirement for independent living services
- Able to explore treatment and other services for Chapter 31 Veterans
- Able to observe interviews conducted by counselors with veterans to learn about their psycho-social histories to assist veterans make well-informed decisions about their careers using a variety of approaches, including telecounseling, depending on the needs of the Veteran
- Experience in assisting counselors with establishing partnerships with administrators at schools, Vet Centers, military bases, and federal, state, and local agencies to determine the individual needs of service members and veterans and to provide essential assistance
- Provided specific services, policy advocacy, and community education to assist service members and veterans with obtaining alternative sentencing for some felonies, and diversion for misdemeanor cases
- Advocated and informed clients with other options involving treatment rather than incarceration
- Performed intake interviews with clients needing services
- Followed up with clients and their attorney to make sure they had everything they needed for their upcoming court date, and followed up after their court date to find out how everything went and if anything is needed to proceed
- Insured clients that were provided with diversion stayed on track of their plan
- Researched and connected clients to services they may benefit from within their community
- Provided weekly and daily follow-ups with clients
- Recorded every outgoing and incoming email, phone call and text message with clients and their attorney via Monday.com database
- Attended weekly and daily training to expand my knowledge to better assist my clients
Caregiver
Honor Home Health
Los Angeles, United States
10.2016 - 03.2018
- Provided direct care for the elderly community and people with disabilities
- Delivered friendly and professional companionship, including social activities inside and outside of the home
- Assisted clients with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring out of bed
- Drove clients to and from activities which included doctor visits, grocery shopping and meeting with friends
- Encouraged clients to do as much of their own care as possible
- Maintained clients records daily in a timely manner and in accordance with company policy and procedures; documented medication distribution, leisure activities, incidents, and observations; reported any changes in client's physical condition and/or behavior, and visitors; observed and reported the health and emotional condition of each client; and promptly reported all changes to their family and care team
- Maintains a clean, safe, and orderly environment for clients; performed general housekeeping and prepared meals
- Followed proper procedures in emergency situations and made sure to be up to date with clients wishes in case the client passed away
- Assisted clients with medication and supervised clients who self-administer medication; followed physician nutritional requirements
Caregiver
Accredited Home Care
Pasadena, United States
10.2015 - 10.2016
- Provided direct care for the elderly community, people with disabilities and children
- Maintains a clean, safe, and orderly environment for clients; performed general housekeeping and prepared meals
- Encouraged clients to do as much of their own care as possible
- Maintained clients records daily; documented medication distribution, leisure activities, incidents, and observations; reported any changes in client's physical condition and/or behavior, and visitors; observed and reported the health and emotional condition of each client; and promptly reported all changes to their family and care team
- Redirected clients when they experienced a behavioral episode
- Assisted clients with medication and supervised clients who self-administer medication; followed physician nutritional requirements
- Delivered friendly and professional companionship, including social activities inside and outside of the home
- Assisted clients with activities of daily living, including bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring out of bed
- Drove clients to and from activities which included doctor visits, grocery shopping and meeting with friends
Spotter Driver
Law Recovery
Los Angeles, United States
06.2015 - 09.2016
- Ran accounts of vehicles with reposition orders
- Worked with banks in order to come to a solution when vehicles could not be located
- Investigated and searched for the vehicles with reposition orders
- Inputted new reposition orders in the database
Sales and Customer Service
Target
Los Angeles, United States
01.2011 - 05.2015
- Greeted guests as they entered and shopped throughout the store
- Maintained the store in a clean and safe environment
- Responded to a high amount of phone calls
- Educated customers on products that were sold throughout the store
- Maintained the store full of merchandise and ordered more inventory where needed
- Created shelfs and distributed merchandise throughout the store to fill in gaps where needed to insure the store looked full at all times
Education
Bachelor of Science - Rehabilitation Services
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA05-2024
Certificate - Veteran Services
California State University, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA05-2024
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts: Social And Behavioral Science
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA06-2021
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts: Arts And Humanities
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles, CA06-2021
High School Diploma -
Albert Einstein High School
North Hills, CA06-2011
Skills
- Collaborative Teamwork
- Analytical Problem-Solving
- Effective Time Management
- Effective Case Documentation Techniques
- Supportive Demeanor
- Documentation and reporting
- Efficient Task Management
- Integrated Care Management
- Analytical Thinking
- Email and telephone etiquette
- Case management
- Adept at Utilizing HMIS Database
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Case Manager
New Directions For Veterans
09.2024 - Current
Rehabilitation Services Intern
Community Veteran Justice Project
06.2023 - 05.2024
Caregiver
Honor Home Health
10.2016 - 03.2018
Caregiver
Accredited Home Care
10.2015 - 10.2016
Spotter Driver
Law Recovery
06.2015 - 09.2016
Sales and Customer Service
Target
01.2011 - 05.2015
Bachelor of Science - Rehabilitation Services
California State University, Los Angeles
Certificate - Veteran Services
California State University, Los Angeles
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts: Social And Behavioral Science
Los Angeles City College
Associate of Arts - Liberal Arts: Arts And Humanities
Los Angeles City College
High School Diploma -
Albert Einstein High School