Orlando De León joined El Buen Samaritano on September 13, 2010 as the Behavioral Health Specialist (L.C.S.W.). Orlando serves as bilingual care manager and therapist in the Integrated Behavioral Health Program, integrating mental health care into the primary care setting to treat the whole patient and maximize health outcomes. Orlando will provide client assessments, counseling, case management and care management services to clients enrolled in the program.
Orlando began his work in social services in 1990. For five years, Orlando worked as a case manager and crisis worker for adults with chronic and severe mental illness. In the last several years, Orlando has worked as a Bilingual child and family therapist for Austin Travis County Integral Care. Additionally, Orlando has worked as a medical social worker for the Seton Network of Hospitals providing emergency room and inpatient psychosocial support services.
Orlando's decision to join the staff of El Buen Samaritano was influenced in part by the feedback given from the Spanish-speaking community about El Buen’s mission and services. “El Buen’s mission and vision for its role in the Austin community fell in line with my work as a social worker here in Austin.”
Orlando received his master’s degree in social work in the fall 2001 from the University of Texas at Austin. He was licensed in 2002 as an L.M.S.W. and obtained his L.C.S.W. license in 2007. In his free time, Orlando loves spending time with his family, reading, tinkering with electronics and working on his home.
What is the one thing you want to tell the Austin community about your organization?
El Buen Samaritano does work every day to live and work by its vision "to give a hand up, not a hand-out." I work daily with colleagues who love what they do and meet people daily who want a hand up and not a hand-out so they can learn to live a successful life or regain their successes.
What is the most rewarding thing about working in public/social service?
It gets back to the point of working with great people. I have always worked in social services, and honestly, the majority of my coworkers have always LOVED their work and seen the good in all individuals. My work in behavioral health services does come with its stressors. I have seen, heard and witnessed the worst a human can do to a fellow human, BUT, I get to share, feel, hear and witness the BEST and GREATEST thing one human can do for another--give a hand up!
What would you counsel someone coming in to the workforce?
It is a cliché, but the longer I am in the workforce, and the more people I meet professionally, personally and provide services to, I have found this to be true: do what you LOVE and the money will follow. So often, we find ourselves working harder to make ends meet , get that promotion or that new job. And we wait. We work even harder. And we wait….Not once did we stop peddling to rest, rethink our strategies or our motivation. And in the end, we realized we hadn't stopped to change gears or get off the bike and walk to reach the top of the hill.
Recently, I was reminded of advice I was given many years ago, "The smartest, most successful people you will come into contact with speak very simply and clearly. It is the novice who tries to impress you with his or her newly acquired jargon and fancy talk." I had forgotten that lesson! The people you work with are more important than the company. It is nice to work for a great company, but it is great to work with nice people. Finally, avoid lifestyle inflation, it is easy to spend more as we make more, but as we spend more and too often acquire debt, we lose flexibility. In short, learn to budget and you will be more successful with money regardless of your income.
What gadget can't you live without?
Actually, I can live without all gadgets. Yes, I would be lost without my smart phone and computer during a work week. However, I have learned to practice what I teach. At the end of the day or when on vacation, all screens are off in our household. It is family time with my wonderful wife of 15 years and our 18-month-old son. No gadget can replace the touch, warmth, silence, laughter and love of a family-spending time making true human contact with each other. I do believe as we become more "connected," the potential to become less connected with neighbors, friends and family runs high. Social networking technology, smart phones, emails and such do have their place in one's life and can bring rewards, but I often feel one can forget that they are a tool, not a lifestyle.
What's your favorite Austin dining, entertainment, or outdoor experience?
As a father of an 18-month-old, I have to say my favorite dining, entertainment or outdoor experience is anywhere in Austin that I can share with my wife and son. A toddler reminds one of the need to explore, touch and experience one's world and often find new experiences. These past few months, as my son has grown into a toddler, EVERYPLACE in Austin that I share with my son is my favorite experience!
