Jessica Velez, Mpa Email & Phone Number

Pittsburgh, Pa, Us

O'Ahu, Hawai'I

Mediator, facilitator, and trainer working hard to promote effective communication and deeper understanding that lead to creative, inclusive and sustainable outcomes. Passionate about bringing conflict management, effective communication, and crucial collaboration skills to groups and individuals who want to grow through their conflicts and create lasting change.

https://www.bidenschool.udel.edu/ipa/people/jessicav

Newark, De

Policy researcher in the Conflict Resolution Program and the Institute for Public Administration conducting extensive research on important policy issues in the State of Delaware. Current projects focus on improving child welfare for vulnerable populations, specifically children with disabilities and children from high-risk backgrounds. Conducting research on restorative justice practices in communities and schools, alternative practices for addressing school discipline, juvenile justice best practices and innovations, and after school programming in Delaware. Trained mediator and facilitator. Coordinator of the University of Delaware's Basic Mediation Training.

University Of Delaware

Public Administration Fellow in the Conflict Resolution Program. Researched best practices for mediation programs, training delivery, and program evaluation. Implemented new procedures for improving efficiency. Administrative assistant for a statewide mediation program. Revised and contributed to training manuals and assisted with a 4-Day Basic Mediation Training for 16 professionals. Studied juvenile justice practices in Delaware and successfully defended a Masters Policy Brief on implementing restorative justice practices in schools to supplement traditional school disciplinary actions.

Infant Caregiver Project At The University Of Delaware

Undergraduate Coordinator: hire, supervise, and mentor undergraduate student researchers. Lead Researcher: conduct visits with children and parents, collect behavioral data and interviews. Dissemination Supervisor: supervise Masters and PhD level clinicians' implementation of an evidence-based intervention across the country.Database Manager: keep database up-to-date, fix bugs, adjust and create database to serve new needs.

Infant Caregiver Project, Psychology Department

Assisted with child development research focusing on infant attachment and the effectiveness of a parenting intervention. Supervised Masters and PhD level parent coaches across the country in their delivery of a parenting intervention. Assessed the fidelity of parent coaches as they delivered a parenting intervention for high-needs families. Conducted phone and in-person interviews with adults and children to assess a variety of measures. Lead research visits, both in homes and at the university, with parents, guardians, and children from vulnerable populations, such as families with low-income and families in the foster care system. Successfully defended a thesis on the effects of an intervention on maternal attachment in infants.

Dover, Delaware

Legislative Fellow in the Delaware House of Representatives. Staffed the House Administration, Appropriations, and Ethics committees. Prepared meeting agendas and supplies. Attended meetings and recorded statements from Representatives and public comments. Wrote meeting minutes for the public record. Conducted research on a wide range of topics including juvenile justice laws and policies, child welfare polices, and property taxes. Drafted House Resolutions.

Collected and organized data regarding bus stations and park-and-ride facilities in Middlesex County, New Jersey to encourage the use public transportation and decrease carbon emissions.

Doctor Of Education - Edd, Organizational Leadership

Master’S Degree, Public Administration

Activities and Societies: Public Administration Fellow, Institute for Public Administration; Chair of the Professional Development.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Psychology, 3.8

Activities and Societies: Research with the Infant Caregiver Project, Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity. Graduated with a Degree.