Kayla Cochrane

Experience

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  Northern Kentucky University

  Aug 2016 - Aug 2018

  Community Connections Guide

  Advocate for higher education to visiting K-12 school groups from the surrounding tri-state area. Presented targeted, age-appropriate information to inform guests of the potential resources that may be available to them and performed prior research to ensure scholarship and resource information was up to date.

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  Great Parks

  Jul 2018 - Jan 2019

  Public Engagement Specialist

  Planned, coordinated, and executed community outreach and engagement events with a focus on providing recreational, educational, and promotional materials to the public. Recruited volunteers and networked with local businesses, organizations and event planners to expand our public outreach in order to provide resources to a broader demographic of residents. Designed an Excel-based system to determine which events had the most positive engagement from the community and which events we should continue to attend and sponsor in upcoming years Show less

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  CRISIS CENTER OF RUSSELL COUNTY INC

  Jan 2019 - Dec 2019

  Community Education Coordinator

  Provided prevention education to local schools and organizations with a focus on issues centering on the awareness and prevention of intrapersonal violence. Presentations were individually tailored to each age group following school and state guidelines. Took an active roll in working with K-12 school counselors to target problem areas such as bullying and dating violence. Provided training to teachers and nurses to recognize the potential physical and behavioral signs of abuse. Took an active roll to provide outreach to vulnerable populations within our community and collect donations on behalf of our women's shelter. Show less

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  Sequel Youth and Family Services

  Feb 2020 - Jul 2020

  Direct Care Staff

  Provided direct care and support to teen youths residing within the facility. Worked with residential therapists to target problem areas and knowledge gaps for those coming from unstable environments, foster homes, and/or suffering from behavioral challenges. Held study sessions to assist those getting their GED or taking remedial classes while working one-on-one with residents to focus on long-term positive behavioral growth.

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  Houston Housing Authority

  Nov 2020 - Jun 2022

  Housing Specialist

  Provides tenant-based housing assistance to residents with low-income, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Processes annual recertification packets, Change of Family Composition, Rental Increases, and Change of Income forms for clients according to current HUD and organizational guidelines.Determines annual income, calculates adjusted income and Total Tenant Portion (TTP) in accordance with HUD policies by obtaining EIV (Enterprise Income Verification) and/or third party verification of income and eligible expenses.Set-up complete, accurate files with all necessary participant documents and third party verifications (or documentation of lack thereof).Receive Requests for Tenancy Approval, HAP contracts, Inspection reports, rent reasonableness determinations and leases. Checks to ensure that no participants will be paying more than 40 percent of adjusted monthly income in TTP, review for original signatures and internal consistency, and authorize HAP payments to the owner. Show less

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  City of Houston Mayor's Office

  Jun 2022 - Mar 2023

  Community Liaison
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  Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities Houston

  Jun 2022 - now

  Community Engagement Coordinator

  Deliver comprehensive reference services and offer information assistance to a diverse community through effective oral and written communication.Lead and supervise Community Liaisons in the successful implementation and deployment of an electronic filing and tracking system, encompassing information dissemination, referrals, requests, and complaints.Conduct thorough research on local, state, and federal legislation and regulations, assessing their impact on individuals with disabilities in Houston.Serve as a key point of contact between departments and the community, ensuring that concerns and reactions are effectively communicated.Coordinate and schedule various meetings to update the disability community on relevant issues.Organize and facilitate meetings of the Houston Commission on Disabilities (HCOD).Actively participate in emergency management activations as required, ensuring the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in emergency response plans. Show less