Cynthia Lizano Resume
Cynthia Lizano
Cynthia provides engagement and planning support to clients by facilitating meetings, developing community engagement and planning approaches, and providing bilingual services in English and Spanish. She is a Costa Rica native with decades of experience in her homeland and in the United States working to increase equity for disenfranchised communities and building consensus for a common cause among diverse populations.
Experience
Senior Community and Stakeholder Engagement Consultant
JVA 2020-Present
- Evaluation consultant, Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO). Supported a five-phased opportunity assessment process designed to gather iterative community feedback and input into the development of a digital equity plan for Denver. Engaged diverse stakeholders through a collaborative planning process. Specific tasks included conducting models research, interviewing model organizations and stakeholders, synthesizing data gathered, writing portions of the community stakeholder discovery report, and co-facilitating digital equity coalition meetings.
- Evaluation consultant, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Collaborating in design and facilitation of a multiphase process to create a comprehensive Colorado Oral Health Strategic Plan (COHSP). Role includes community outreach, conducting stakeholder interviews, and co-facilitating meetings of the community-based Plan Design Team.
- Project lead, Family Resource Center Association (FRCA). Partnered with FRCA to create an equitable evaluation approach for use at family resource centers (FRCs) in Colorado, informed by best practices, the results of a JVA survey of FRC staff, key informant interviews and stakeholder conversations. Collaborated in creation of equitable evaluation framework, conducted interviews, facilitated meetings and presented findings to client.
Family and Community Engagement Liaison, Eiber Elementary School Lakewood Colorado 2015 to 2020
- Engage and plan community activities with teachers, parents, volunteers, foundations, donors, churches and fund raise for the school.
- Development of strategic community outreach.
- Identify community organization and leaders.
- Create effective communication, presentations, written/verbal communication, infrastructures and events between school and sponsors, business organizations, churches, foundations and individual donors.
- Fundraise to support the needs of the school community
- Coach Parents and Teachers in diversity and engagement.
- Provide training to schools regarding state initiatives on Parent Involvement in Education using best practice strategies to align with the National Standards for Family-School Partnerships. These include welcoming all families into the school community, communicating effectively, and supporting student success, speaking up for every child, sharing power, and collaborating with the community.
- Promote student success through engagement for parent/family involvement in school including attendance, behavioral and academic issues.
- Attend appropriate staff meetings and trainings at the district and state levels.
- Act as an intermediary and linguistic/cultural liaison for students, parents/guardians, schools and agencies.
- Facilitate communication, between students, parents/guardians, schools and agencies regarding school regulations, expectations, and cultural differences.
- Provide translation and interpretation services for students, parents/guardians, school staff and for Parent Information Night meetings.
- Make home visits and provide referrals and resource information for families.
Psychotherapist:. Phoenix, Arizona and Denver, Colorado-2010 to Present
- Thorough understanding of human psychology and behavior.
- Exceptional conversational and listening skills.
- Ability to pay keen attention and empathize with the client.
- Capability of establishing a comfort level with the client.
- Highly efficient at handling multiple responsibilities and being accountable.
- Consulting with the client to bring about a positive change in their personal and professional life.
- Assisting in planning and decision making efforts. Helping the client understand and evaluate the pros and cons of every decision.
- Setting long term and short-term goals for the client and assisting in their achievement.
Para-Educator, Intensive Support Jeffco Schools Colorado 2014 to 2015.
- Provide institutional support and tutoring in all academic areas and life skills instruction to individual student.
- Provide support to the special education teacher such as preparing materials; assist in the preparation of IEP (Individualized Educational Plan).
- Provide support and clarification for new concepts or homework.
- Discuss and articulate confidential information with appropriate individuals including teachers, parents and other professionals
Psychologist (volunteer): Alzheimer’s caregiver center. Surprise, AZ. 2011
- Conducted support group therapy sessions for Alzheimer’s patient caregivers dealing with sub-acute stages of the disease. Emphasis on avoiding burnout syndrome as well as education regarding preparation for the later stages.
Educational Psychologist /Community-Programs Developer: McKee Project, Costa Rica 2008 - 2012
- Provided psychological, educational counseling, assessments and therapeutics. Planned and developed community participation process and volunteer management.
- Provided clinical and educational advice and training to parents, staff members in schools. Liaised closely with the educational staff and parents regarding parental and
- Educational techniques and programs.
- Oversaw and monitored all school programs as well as activities at community centers. Developed and oversaw methods to provide updated information between Mckee Project, schools parents and community. Conducted public presentations.
- Participated in program development, implementation and evaluation. Offer support technical assistance and information to all parts involve in the Educational Programs.
- Planned, facilitated and documented program sessions, community meetings and social events in collaboration with other staff.
- Design developed and evaluated sustainable community educational programs.
Psychologist: Private Practice , Costa Rica 1995 - 2010
- Assessed client needs, abilities and behavior using a variety of methods, including psychometric tests, interviews and direct observation.
- Part of a multidisciplinary team including doctors, nurses, social workers, education professionals, school health nurses, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
- Devised and monitored appropriate programs of treatment, including therapy, counseling or advice, in collaboration with colleagues.
- Other duties included therapy for anxiety, depression, addictions, social and interpersonal problems, challenging behavior and rehabilitation of long-stay patients into the community.
- Developed and evaluated service provision and provided consultation to other professions, encouraging a psychological approach in their work.
Psychologist : Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social , Costa Rica 1997-99
- Engagement and Support for family members of terminal cancer patients at level 4 referral national hospital ( Hospital Mexico )
Education
UNIBE University of Psychology – Graduated with honors, GPA 3.88
Licentiate of Clinical Psychology
- International Neuropsychology Seminar
- Training in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy
- Physical and Mental Assessment
- Diagnostics of Psychological Testing
Costa Rica Rational Emotive Therapy Center Jume 2012
Primary and Advanced Courses in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT): Theory and Techniques Costa Rica Rational Emotive Therapy Center (June 2010)
Albert Ellis Institute of New York, USA (September 2010)
- Primary and Advanced Courses in Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy (REBT): Theory and Techniques
Autonomous University of Monterrey, Costa Rica 1995
- Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology
