Laura Aguirre

I am a dedicated professional with over eight years of experience in child welfare investigations, seeking a position in Supervisory Family Based Safety Services or Child Welfare field. I am passionate about protecting children and have a strong background in policy training, risk management, and cross-functional collaboration. With expertise in child safety, I aim to contribute to ensuring all families are well versed in community resources and assistance to reduce the risk of child abuse and/or neglect.

Senior Lead Unification Specialist The Providencia Group | January 2024 – Present

• Led a team of 3-6 managers in their oversight of 12 unification specialist who focused on reunification of unaccompanied minors. As a Senior Lead, I ensured cases were in compliance with the Office of Refugee Resettlement as well as child protection policies and legal requirements.
• Developed and managed safety guidelines to ensure children’s well-being, collaborating with legal teams and external stakeholders to address child protection concerns.
• Managed the evaluation and improvement of safety programs, conducting research and utilizing data to inform decision-making and program enhancements.
• Delivered training and guidance on child welfare issues, ensuring that staff and stakeholders adhered to best practices and regulatory standards.

• Conducted comprehensive assessments for the reunification of unaccompanied minors, focusing on their safety and long-term protection.
• Collaborated with legal teams and child welfare agencies to address issues of child exploitation and ensure compliance with child safety regulations.
• Developed and implemented safety protocols for children in care, ensuring alignment with legal standards and evolving safety requirements.

• Supported reunification efforts for unaccompanied minors by conducting detailed family assessments and ensuring compliance with child protection policies.
• Identified potential risks to child safety and worked closely with legal teams to address and mitigate any concerns related to child exploitation.

Department of Family and Protective Services | July 2014 – April 2018

• Conducted thorough investigations into cases of child abuse and neglect, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and ensuring the protection of children.
• Collaborated with law enforcement and external agencies to investigate and address child safety concerns, including identifying and addressing cases of child exploitation.
• Prepared and presented investigative reports for legal proceedings, advocating for the safety and welfare of children in at-risk environments.

Court Appointed Special Advocate of El Paso | June 2018 – November 2019

• Supervised a team of advocates providing support to children in foster care, ensuring high-quality advocacy and the safety of children in vulnerable situations.
• Led the preparation of case files for court hearings, advocating for the permanency and safety of children in care.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

University of Texas at El Paso | August 2010 – December 2013

Minor in English: Writing & Rhetoric

University of Texas at El Paso | August 2010 – December 2013