Laura Castello, LRC

Experience

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  Family Health Center of Worcester, Inc.

  Jan 2009 - May 2009

  Bi-lingual Case Manager Intern - Homeless Families Program

  Case Manager for families in need of resources including shelter, food and medical care.Assisted in the multi-cultural dynamics of case management and initial assessment plans.

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  McLean Hospital

  Aug 2009 - Jan 2010

  Rehabilitation Counseling Intern

  Worked with a treatment team to ensure quality services to individuals with chronic mental illness on an acute, inpatient unit.Worked with several individuals in detox, following their recovery and post-discharge plans

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  Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission (MRC)

  Jun 2010 - Oct 2011

  Bi- Lingual Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

  Worked to increase independence for people with disabilities by assisting more than 153 clients in matching their skills, abilities and interests with the current job market. Implemented assessments as I saw fit to better understand the individual emotional, physical and intellectual needs of the individual to better assist in the rehabilitation process.Acted as the bi-lingual counselor for all hispanic and latino clients that came through the agency. This allowed to increase my cross-cultural sensitivity and gain a better understanding of cultural needs. Show less

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  McLean Hospital

  Oct 2011 - Aug 2012

  Transition Specialist

  Helped young women involved in Dialectical Behavior Therapy to decrease self-injurious behavior, increase interpersonal effectiveness and build a life worth living. Provided transition services to increase the effectiveness of learning to live in the community after being in treatment for extended periods of time.Created a curriculum based on Independent Living Skills and tailored it to the specific population to assist them in adapting to life post- treatment. Led weekly group where teaching this curriculum was the primary focus. Created another curriculum based on school and employment where the focus was to learn how to take the next step toward a fulfilling and productive life. Created individual plans for each patient taking into account their history, skills, abilities, and interests to ensure a smooth and effective transition. Show less

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  Peace Corps

  Aug 2012 - now

  Provided programmatic support and supervision to 35 current health volunteers implementing Peace Corps’ project framework in rural, semi-urban and urban communities in the Dominican Republic. Worked closely with the Associate Peace Corps Director and Program Manager of the Health Sector to ensure that projects are being implemented with the goal of sustainability in mind.Reviewed and evaluated project plans, monthly report form and bi-annual reports to ensure accurate reporting to Peace Corps.Trained incoming volunteers on public health preventative practices, how to implement development project ins rural/urban Dominican communities, how to assess the sustainability of projects, monitoring and evaluation tools and cultural implications that come along with public health in the Dominican Republic.Collected and analyzed data from various project sites to continuously improve the health programs in Peace Corps Dominican Republic. Developed, designed and implemented the first Sexual and Reproductive Health Diploma Program for top Dominican youth around the country. With this university level diploma the youth are now able to teach preventative health information in the public schools. Planned, facilitated and evaluated regional and national health conferences funded by federal grants.Reviewed grant applications for compliance with guidelines for use of federal funds.Prepared communities to receive a Peace Corps Volunteer by evaluating the needs of the community over a few-month process, talking to local officials and matching the need with an appropriate candidate. Consistently led working groups in the revision of materials used for reporting, facilitation, monitoring and evaluation and sustainability. Show less As a Peace Corps Volunteer I worked in a rural community of the Dominican Republic as a health promoter with a goal of decreasing malnutrition and infant mortality rate as well as increasing prevention practices among youth to prevent the spread of STI’s, HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy.Formed and trained 4 groups of youth in which they graduated as peer educators. The youth continue to spread the knowledge and education in the school or by forming their own community groups, creating a sustainable network of peer educators. Formed and trained 15 health promoters who are certified to go out into the community to implement home visits to families and provide basic orientation on 6 evidence-based health practices; Hygiene/Sanitation/Potable Water, Childhood Illness, Family Nutrition, Chronic Disease, Women’s Reproductive Health, and the prevention of HIV/AIDS. This has created a network of promoters in the community that will continue to promote health and prevention practices far after the presence of Peace Corps exists in the community. After a needs based assessment, saw the need for a safe place where children can expand on what they learn in school. This began the Community Center and Library project. Managing a large grant, donations from international and local organizations as well as coordinating all logistics from budget proposal, to construction details, formation of a committee to head the project as well as creation of a solid sustainability plan. Created a group that focuses on weight loss and living a healthy life based on an assessment I did for high rates of chronic disease in the community. The women learned how to use what they have in their home to live healthier and happy lives, reducing the risk for chronic disease. They were also taught exercise and weight reduction strategies to prevent obesity and increase heart function. Show less

  • Returned Peace Corps Volunteer

    Jul 2015 - now

  • Peace Corps Volunteer Leaders

    Aug 2014 - Jul 2015

  • Community Health Specialist

    Aug 2012 - Aug 2014
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  McLean Hospital

  Jul 2015 - now

  Transition Specialist

  Work alongside a DBT focused treatment team to provide transition services to young women struggling to maintain the balance of behavioral and emotional difficulties with academic and vocational responsibilities.Assist in the job readiness process by working individually with the clients to assess their skills, abilities and interests to match their goals. Facilitate two groups which focus on self-discovery and self- exploration in order to make effective choices around their future goals.Participate in discharge planning and case management to ensure good clinical care during and post-treatment Show less

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  Assumption College Graduate Studies

  Jan 2016 - now

  Adjunct Faculty - Rehabilitation Counseling Graduate Program
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  Change Over Constant

  Feb 2016 - now

  Change Over Constant is a unique support-meets-strategy practice that empowers young adults with mental health issues and neuro-diverse profiles to build meaningful lives. As Transition Specialists, we do this by providing goal-oriented support that includes: Transition Planning, Executive Function Support, College Coaching and Gap Year Planning, and Vocational Guidance through Job Exploration. By providing personalized strategies across these disciplines, we partner with clients and their families so they can navigate any transition with confidence and purpose. Show less

  • Lead Consultant

    Feb 2016 - now

  • Founder and Coach

    Feb 2016 - now