Mariela Leon Email & Phone Number

Clarksburg, Md, Us

Montgomery County, Maryland, United States

As the Hispanic Community Liaison and Media Spokesperson in the Community Engagement Division of the Montgomery County Police Department, I strive to build trust and open communication between the Hispanic community and law enforcement. My role involves connecting with community members, leaders, and local organizations to better understand their concerns, provide resources, and support public safety.I am passionate about helping and educating others, and through this, I have the privilege of organizing community conferences, workshops, and events that aim to inform and empower individuals and families. These efforts focus on providing the tools and resources to help people advocate for themselves and achieve greater independence. I also work closely with government officials from all ranks and build relationships with individuals at all levels—from community leaders to public servants—to help foster collaboration and mutual understanding.In addition, I manage initiatives like the Police Latino Liaison Committee, Cafecito con Mariela for newcomers, and the Voces Importantes women’s empowerment support group for victims of domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault.In my role, I have the opportunity to represent the department in interviews with Hispanic media, ensuring transparency and continuing to strengthen understanding. My ultimate goal is to support residents, particularly new and immigrant families, in feeling safe, informed, and connected within their community.

In my role as the Hispanic Community Liaison for the Montgomery County Police Department, I've embraced the challenges of stepping out of my comfort zone and confronting my fears, especially when speaking to large crowds. Every day, I face these fears, and though it's a work in progress, it gets better each day.I understand the feelings of fear, grief, hunger, pain, and hopelessness. I am resilient. I get up each day and try again, no matter how I feel. When life knocks me down, I don't give up. Despite my imperfections, I am kind, caring, and generous, with a heart dedicated to service.In my current role, I act as a bridge between the police department and the Hispanic community, nurturing trust and enhancing relations. Fluent in both Spanish and English, I promote communication and mutual understanding to address safety concerns within the Hispanic community. Through outreach initiatives and educational efforts, I help my team raise awareness on issues including crime prevention, substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual assault, traffic laws, and emergency readiness.I help connect those in need, including crime victims, new immigrants, and youth, to resources and services that empower them to navigate the legal system. I educate them on how to report a crime and who to contact, ensuring they are not afraid and know where to turn for help.With experience in community outreach, engagement, and victim advocacy, my mission is clear: to empower all community members, regardless of whether they are Hispanic or not, by providing guidance and access to vital resources, and to foster a collaborative environment where every voice within the community is heard and valued.

Rockville, Maryland

My journey to this role was fueled by a longstanding aspiration to work in the Montgomery County Government's Office of Human Resources. This goal, realized through dedication and the attainment of both bachelor's and master's degrees, has been transformative. In this position, I connected with influential mentors like Anita Brady and Melissa Davis, who have since retired, significantly enriching my career in HR.As a recruiter I engaged with hiring managers, employees, community members, students, legislative staff, and executives to ensure compliance with regulations and collective bargaining agreements. Appointed by the Chief of Talent Acquisition as the Relationship/Outreach and Social Media Recruiter, I initiated the creation of our Facebook and Instagram pages.I provided professional guidance through written and oral communication, offering interview and résumé tips, and guiding applicants through our application process. In this role, I also supported families and applicants facing tough times, listening to their needs, providing feedback, and helping them find jobs that matched their skills and qualifications. Often, I could offer them hope and motivation.Despite high demand and limited resources, my team and I worked tirelessly to support hiring managers in selecting the best candidates. I attended meetings, assisted in evaluating applications and resumes to ensure they met minimum qualifications, and scheduled medical appointments using OHM.Additionally, I contributed to new hire orientation, maintained confidential records, and assisted with background clearances. I also assisted our previous Director for three consecutive years with the employee giving campaign and team-building activities.

As a HR Benefits administrative specialist in the Health Insurance Team Customer Service Center, I am fortunate to be the front line handling walk-ins, managing upset employees and answering MC311 service requests. I'm accustomed to working in fast-paced environments with the ability to think quickly and successfully handle difficult clients. Currently, I have demonstrated strong leadership with skills at learning new concepts quickly, working well under pressure, and communicating clearly and effectively. •I give advice and guidance to employees, retirees and survivors on their health and life insurance election. Serve retirees, new and existing employees at all levels, regarding County group insurance plans which include health, dental, vision, prescription, flexible spending accounts, life, and long-term disability programs through analysis of data within Oracle Advance Benefits (OAB) system for Human Resources Application.•Conduct new-hire orientation; educating employees about benefit programs and changes by developing and revising communication materials. •Ensure the applicant meets the verification of eligibility and that all documentation needed has been submitted.•Serve as as a Rater for Spanish/English-Advanced level Language certification, Testing Fire fighters and Police officers.•Process new hire and terminations for participating agencies in Oracle Advance Benefits (OAB) system•Monitor contracts to ensure they are written correctly, that terms are met, to recommend payments be made, and ensure renewal so that service is not interrupted.•Update external carrier systems to check current eligibility status and update status if necessary.•Processing employee and retiree refunds for overpayment of premiums.•Submit and process death claims including advising beneficiaries of death benefits.•Review and draft replies to correspondence. •Organize and maintain personnel records.•Plan and schedule meetings.

Department Of Health And Human Services

As a Case Manager, I always provided great customer service by showing empathy and understanding the emotions, needs and concerns of those whom we served. I communicated and understood the needs of our clients. I have the ability to understand the politics with the Department of Health and Human Services and how these affect the people working in them which have allowed me to gain the respect of my employers, coworkers and community.•Assisted County residents with the eligibility for various programs available to assist families, children, older persons and the disabled who are in need of financial and/or medical assistance and other support services. •Experience in explaining and defending ideas and positions, both orally and in writing, to individuals and groups.•Self-motivated and worked independently meeting all Federal and state deadlines and followed through with all assigned cases.•Planned, scheduled and managed my own workload insuring my cases were complete.•Obtained current information and data on clients enrolled in programs to re-certify/re-evaluate their continued eligibility through interviews, database inquiries and document verification.•Worked in a fast paced team environment that required between 15-25 face to face interviews with the applicants and great customer service.•Responded to customer complaints by resolving the issues.•Made recommendations to solve problems and issues with system errors.•Conduct Research and prepare reports using the data found in the internet.•Analyzed and interpreted data, state regulations and federal policy.•Responded to inquiries from customers, staff, public and community groups regarding regulations, health coverage laws, policies and procedures; providing clarification on eligibility requirements, or case status. Maintained accurate case files, updating case information & entered data into required computerized case management system.

Montgomery County, Md

Represented the Connector entity in a professional and knowledgeable manner while assisting the public with customer service, eligibility determination, plan selection, document retrieval/submission, application for federal tax subsidies and cost-sharing assistance during Open Enrollment and though out the year. I was made in charge and the point of contact for our job site, overseeing four Navigators and one assister.Participated in Montgomery county events such as open enrollment events held at various locations such as recreation centers, county fairs, The Silver Spring Civic Center conducting education and outreach to uninsured individuals and small businesses.•Responded to customer complaints assisted with the finding a resolution by solving the problem.•Maintained current and accurate case status and tracked all escalated cases pending eligibility or an override. Once case was resolved updated case information by entering data and results in Maryland Health Connection and followed up to insure information was reflected in MMIS.•Reviewed and responded to email requests, faxed and scanned documents.•Handled high volume of walk-ins and caseload, with duties including document collection, signing up, retrieving customer data, phone calls and facilitated eligibility determinations for government funded programs such as Qualified health plans, Medicaid, MCHP, and premium tax subsidies.•Provided all information and services in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate and ensures accessibility for individuals with disabilities throughout Montgomery County.•Outreach to MCG community, informing applicants of the various aid programs, their purposes and requirements, and the procedures used to process applications.•Provided referrals to appropriate agencies, including the Attorney General's Health Education and Advocacy Unit (HEAU) and the Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA), for applicants and enrollees with grievances.

•Assisted low income, self-pay and uninsured hospital patients with the completion of the application process for any applicable governmental medical assistance programs•Served as an information resource for patients by distributing information regarding eligibility requirements for Medicaid, Maryland Children’s Health Plan (MCHP), and Qualified Health Plans both in English and in Spanish•Provided information about our services in a manner that is culturally and linguistically appropriate•Thoroughly enter information and actions taken in the medical information database (MEDITECH &CITRIX)•Requested,review and submit patient medical records DELMARVA and The State Review Team•Conduct home visits to patients with disabilities home as needed to acquire documentation needed.•Attended bi-weekly meeting with The Department of Social Services and spoken material into “Meeting Minutes” •Screened and evaluated Frederick Memorial Hospital patients for potential eligibility for medical assistance •Completed and submitted county required applications and documents•Maintained structured timely contact with applicant and Department of Social Services staff•Create Excel spread sheets with data from our cases•Used computer software to draft reports, letters, memoranda, and forms •Created PowerPoint presentations, Excel spreadsheets, organizational charts, and case status reports for distribution to managers/team lead•Set up and arranged appointments •Operated a multi-line phone, evaluated all incoming communications and determine if an urgent response is required, record messages accurately•Reviewed and responded to email requests•Faxed and scanned documents

Assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Special Operations Division, Title III Coordination Unit as a Data Technician II•Communicated with Special Agents to obtain the necessary documentation in order to process affidavits•Coordinated with the Assistant U.S. Attorneys Office requested applications and orders for authorized interception of communication•Greeted Agents and answered the telephone, assisting with any questions or help•Prepared Statistical reports, memos, and letters•Obtained and inputted specific detailed information into the DEA Analysis & Response Tracking System (DARTS)•Responsible for locating and printing monthly funding requests•Communicate with DEA Tech Groups to resolve funding request inadequacies•Issued applications and ordered authorizations for Title III Investigations•Constantly updated Federal statistics•Responsible for coordinating files with court order dates and target numbers

Assigned to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Headquarters Security Unit as a Security Program Specialist •Maintained calendar and set appointments for DEA badges•Prepared reports in spread sheets, memos, and letters•Approved titles for credentials and identifications cards•Processed and issued DEA badges and credentials, identification cards, and Task Force Officer badges and credentials.•Processed and issued building identification for all DEA and DEA contract employees assigned to Headquarters.•Verified security clearance status of all DEA and DEA contract employees through the Personnel Security Unit prior to issuing identification documents•Responsible for the Lost or Stolen Replacement badges and credentials•Responsible for the Task Force Officer badge and credential program to include voiding, retiring, and preparing for shadow boxing for DEA Division presentation •Responsible for the Credential ID Data Tracking System to include adding, updating and inputting records into this system

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Human Resources Management And Services

Bachelors Of Applied Science Degree, Criminal Justice

Associate Of Science (A.S.), Criminal Justice

Ged

Activities and Societies: I wasn't perfect, and I found myself facing the challenges of becoming a teen mom, a role that came with its own.