Natalia Giordano

Focus

Child Welfare

Biography

Natalia Giordano began her social work career working with adolescents in community and school based programs. After receiving her MSW from Fordham University, she began her journey in the child welfare system in New York City.

Giordano focused on services that prepared young adults to age out of the system successfully, including case management, life coaching and designing and implementing employment, education and life skills programming. It was there that Giordano learned about the power of transformational relationships with clients and trained in motivational interviewing and restorative practices.

When Giordano returned to Miami, she continued her work in child welfare as the program director of a supportive housing program for young adults who aged out of the foster care system. As the program director, Giordano participated in the design and implementation of life coaching, case management, group life skills, employment and education services to residents based on the principles of restorative practices and community building. She also established several community partnerships and participated in a national leadership development program.

She came to Florida International University to coordinate the Title IV-E Child Welfare Stipend Program and teach practice courses with the hope of instilling a passion for social work and child welfare work in the next generation of social workers.

Education

• Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service, MSW
• University of Florida, BA