
Join us in congratulating Daysi Mendez on her Firestarter Award!
Daysi exemplifies top box performance when it comes to customer service
and caring for the pregnant mothers in her case load. She goes out of
her way to find the most appropriate resources, provide consistent contact
and education, and build trust so that clients are comfortable reaching
out to her. Her patients remember her fondly for years due to the relationships
she builds.
In 2021, she became a team lead for the Maternity Support Services team
and handles the bulk of training for new case managers, as well as leading
by example in her own client interactions and documentation. In all of
her "spare time" she also took on project lead for the 2021
CBHA Thanksgiving Basket program and she did an amazing job, surpassing
all prior years for the total number of baskets provided.
She is a consistent and reliable employee, and a wonderful ambassador for
CBHA and for all of Family Services - we are so grateful to have her on our team!
When did you start at CBHA?
I started working at CBHA on May 8, 2017.
What is your title and job duties?
I am a MSS (Maternity Service Support) Case Manager Team Lead. As a case
manager my role consists of providing prenatal education and screening
for high risk factors (i.e. substance abuse, domestic violence, family
basic needs and mental health concerns). I also facilitate appointments
with medical, eye care, dental, specialist appointments, transportation
coordination, assist completing DSHS forms or referrals to other resources
in the community based on our patient’s needs. I also provide training
to new case managers and MSS Behavioral Health specialists. I’m
in charge of doing internal MSS audits to make sure we are in compliance
with the state program requirements.
What do you like best about working for CBHA?
I love the relationships I create with my patients and the support I get
from my managers. My team’s energy and commitment to help our patients
makes me very happyJ.
I also love the fact that I live 2 minutes away from work. I appreciate
all the benefits, surprise gifts CBHA offers, especially the trainings
that help better my career.
How has CBHA helped you in your career development?
CBHA gave me the opportunity to work here right after I graduated from
CWU with my Social Work degree. They also gave me the opportunity to become
a Child Passenger Safety technician, develop my leadership skills as the
MSS Lead and I am one step away to become a Certified Childbirth Educator.
What has been your favorite project at work so far?
I have two favorite projects:
My first project was coordinating the annual Thanksgiving Food Basket Drive.
It was very scary for me to take the lead on such important event. To
be honest I went home and cried the day I was told I was in charge because
I had no experience coordinating events, but Leo Gaeta believed in me
and pushed me to do it. I thank him for that because I learned a lot from
coordinating such a rewarding event.
My second favorite project is training new employees. I find it to be challenging
but it gives me the opportunity to share everything I have learned with
them and make sure that they will have the same passion and dedication
when it comes to providing services for our patients.
What motivates you to wake up and go to work?
My daughter Ximena and my future goals are my main motivation to wake up
and go to work with the best attitude possible. Also, I find a lot of
fulfillment knowing that what I do in my job has an impact on the lives
and overall wellbeing of my patients.
Tell us something about yourself that would surprise us.
I came to the USA when I was 15 years old, my goal was to finish High School
and College and go back to Mexico but I ended up staying!
I don’t like watching TV! I think it’s boring.
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t doing this?
My dream when I was little was to be a Civil Engineer.
Favorite travel spot?
Mexico will always be my favorite place to travel. Maybe because I never
travel to other countries.
When you have 30 minutes of free-time outside of work, how do you pass the time?
I love to spend my free time with my beautiful daughter and husband, but
I also like to listen to audio books and TED-Talks. My favorite audiobook
at the moment is The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.
Anyone you would like to thank or final words?
I would like to thank Leo Gaeta and Marisol Quezada who gave me opportunity
to start my job as a Case Manager and team lead. Also, thank you Martha
Mabry and Shannon Walker my current leaders for all their support and
trust in my current position and of course to the Family Services team
for all their support.