P RO F ESSIO NAL EX P ERIE N CE
Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) – Washington, DC Aug. 2007 – Present
Foster Care Program Family Resource Specialist
 Oversee the recruitment, training, and licensing of English and Spanish speaking foster families.
 Cultivate relationships with diverse group of clients, donors, and community partners; process inquiries.

Conduct strengths and needs assessments of resource parents; evaluate suitability of applicants.
 Coordinate special events (i.e. workshops, trainings, meetings, program excursions, award ceremonies, etc.)

Create and execute strategic outreach strategy; document efforts; increase public awareness of program.
 Interview and orient new program staff; recruit, select, and supervise program/event volunteers.
 Conduct 30-hour training curriculum in English and Spanish on parenting skills and child development.

Develop policies and procedures that promote retention and enhance ongoing recruitment efforts.
 Administered evaluations, surveys, and polls to solicit feedback from stakeholders about program services.

Conduct internal audits and ensure compliance with strict government regulations.
 Perform due diligence in managing confidential documents (i.e. background clearances) for staff & clients.
 Create systems for tracking and sharing data regarding program capacity, performance, and compliance.

Manage distribution of foster parent stipends totaling approximately $150,000 yearly.
 Design and distribute bilingual (Spanish/English) materials/forms; update & improve program webpage.
Unity Health Care, Inc. / Reach Out and Read of Metro DC – Washington, DC Sep. 2006 – Jul. 2007
AmeriCorps Community HealthCorps Member

Coordinated and strengthened early literacy program in local community health centers; planned, organized and facilitated trainings, meetings & fundraisers; interpreted for Spanish-speaking patients; updated website; trained new staff in enrollment procedures; created resource guide for successors.
Heads Up (DC Reads) – Washington, DC Jul. 2005 – Apr. 2006
AmeriCorps National Civilian Corps Member, Team Leader, Tutor
 Taught 3rd grade class for academic summer program for children from low-income families in DC; oriented after-school tutors; maintained student behavior logs for 4th grade class during school year.
Amnesty International – Washington, DC Jul. 2004 – Aug. 2004
Media and Communications Department Intern

Researched potential advertisers for magazine; tracked media mentions and distributed daily summary to all staff; processed media requests for expert interviews.
ED UC ATIO N
The George Washington University – Washington, DC
Graduate Level Coursework in Organizational Sciences: Non-Degree Student

Courses: Organizational Behavior and Management Systems (final grades: A)
2011-2012
The George Washington University – Washington, DC 2002 – 2006
Bachelor’s of Arts in Anthropology : Cum Laude
 Women’s Leadership Program (WLP) Scholarship & Dean's List Recipient

Studied abroad in the Dominican Republic and Costa Rica (experienced total immersion through homestays)
F O REIGN LA N GU A GES , SK IL LS / AB ILI TIES , C ER TIF ICA TI O NS & C LE AR AN CE S
Multilingual: English & Swedish (native); Spanish (advanced); Portuguese (intermediate); French (novice).
Computer & Tech-Savvy: highly proficient in MS Office as well as various databases & social media platforms .
Culturally Competent: experienced working with children and families of diverse backgrounds.
Articulate & Poised: experienced speaking to Eng. & Span. media as well as groups as large as 2,000 people.
Proactive Self-Starter: created program Facebook page to increase program’s online visibility.
Certified & Cleared: Notary Public; CPR/ First Aid Certified; full background checks; DC driver’s license.

Page 2 of Resume for Elizabeth Jenkins-Sahlin
INT ER NA TIO NA L E XP ERIE NC E
 Nicaragua: Norwalk-Nagarote Sister City Project, Program Delegate 2001, 2004, & 2011

El Salvador: Save the Children, Child Sponsor & San Alfonso Site Visitor
 Dominican Rep.
: Niños del Camino, Intervention and Ambulatory Care Program Volunteer
2011
2005
Additional Travels: France, Ghana, Iceland, Mexico, Norway, Panama, St. Martin, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey.
P RO F ESSIO NAL AC TIVI TIES
 Foster & Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center’s Resource Parent Training Coalition


LAYC’a Residential Foster Care Programs’ Local Advisory Committee
Washington Peace Center’s DC Trainer's Network Skillshare
2009-present
2008-present
2013
 LAYC’a Community Building (a.k.a. Culture Club) & Thanksgiving Planning Committees 2010
 LAYC’s Family-to-Family Mentoring Program at LAYC 2008
P UB LICATIO NS

"Get Involved!" 33 Things Every Girl Should Know. Ed. Tonya Bolden. New York: Crown, 1998.
P RO F ESSIO NAL DE VELO P MEN T
Management, Leadership & Group Facilitation Related Trainings/ Workshops:
 Professional Group Games Training: YMCA 03/22/12

Supervisor Training Institute: Mid-Atlantic Network for Youth and Families (MANY) 04/12/11
 Abriendo Puertas Curriculum Train the Trainer Institute: Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors 11/15-11/17/10
 Collaborative Problem Solving Approach Webinar [Dr. Ross Green]: Latin American Youth Center 10/07/10

Solution Focus Interviewing: Columbia Height/Shaw Family Support Collaborative 04/09/10
 Productivity Boot Camp – Clear your desk. Clear your mind.: Productivity Partners Inc.

Fundamentals of Instruction (FIT): American Red Cross

Nonprofit Budgeting: Center for Entrepreneurship (CfE)

Constructing a Logic Model: National Minority AIDS Education & Training Center

Introduction to Corporate Giving: Foundation Center
 Proposal Writing Basics: Foundation Center

Grant Seeking Basics & Introduction to Fundraising Planning: Foundation Center
10/26/09
11/04/07
08/02/07
07/31/07
07/27/07
07/25/07
07/24/07
Social Work & Child Welfare Related Trainings/ Workshops:

Understanding the Impact of Trauma on the Brain & Implications for Practice: LAYC/MMYC 06/01/12

Interpersonal Neurobiology in Therapy [Dr. Daniel Siegel]: Psychotherapy Networker Symposium 0 3/24/12

Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) Home Study: Consortium for Children (CFC) 8/10-8/11/11

The Impact & Process of Disruption: Post Permanency Family Center (PPFC) 04/15/11
 Adoption Law & The Clinical Implications: Adoptions Together

Understanding Mental Illness in Child Welfare for Supervisors: CFSA Training Academy
04/01/11
03/28/11

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum (FAS) Disorders: Foster & Adoptive Parent Advocacy Center (FAPAC) 11/13/10

Ethics in Foster Care and Adoption: Adoptions Together

Addressing the Needs of LGBTQ Youth: Adoptions Together
 A Guide to the Juvenile Justice System: Council for Court Excellence

Confidentiality & Mandatory Reporting: Latin American Youth Center
10/21/10
10/08/10
04/19/10
 LGBTQQI Awareness/Sensitivity: Parents, Families & Friends of Lesbians & Gays (PFLAG)

Cultural Considerations When Serving Families:
Kayla’s Village
10/12/09
04/29/09
07/11/08

Human Trafficking: Polaris Project 04/09/08
 Foster & Adoptive Family Home Recruitment & Retention: American Foster Care Resources, Inc.
03/28/08
P RO F ESSIO NAL CO NF ERE NC ES
 Adoptions Together Annual Professional Conference (Silver Spring, MD)
 Psychotherapy Networker Symposium (Washington, DC)
 ATTACh Annual International Conference (Baltimore, MD)
 Child Welfare League of America National Conference (Washington, DC)
 Child Welfare League of America's Western Region Training Conference (Portland, OR)
2013
2012
2012
2008
2008