PROFILE

Highly-skilled Human Services Consultant with a passion for improving outcomes for children and families through training, community engagement, program development and system improvements.

• Broad perspective derived from advanced degree in Organizational Management coupled with extensive hands-on experience in Human Services agencies, providing a unique ability to analyze an organization’s vision and develop plans encompassing all components and criteria to ensure optimal implementation.
• Leader in facilitating the implementation of cutting edge child welfare service improvements such as Team Decision Making, Standardized Assessment, Parent Partners and Systems of Care.
• Strong Project Manager, with experience developing time-lines, facilitating, implementing and monitoring outcomes for small and large projects with critical expertise in Fairness and Equity Diversity Initiatives.
• Energetic and goal-oriented Facilitator, with proven skill in bringing disparate groups together to reach common ground; experienced facilitating small groups as well as large group processes for 100+ people.
• Dynamic and engaging Trainer for audiences ranging from private sector business professionals to social workers, supervisors, managers, parent partners, youth community based organizations, and attorneys.

EXPERTISE

• AB12/212 Fostering Connections to Success Act
• Organizational Development
• California Child and Family Services Review (C-CFSR) (County Self Assessments, Peer Quality Case Review and System Improvement Plans )
• Organizational Mapping
• Strategic Planning
• Curriculum Development
• Team Building
• Training
• Continuum Care Reform
• Resource Family Approval

RECENT PRESENTATIONS

EXPERIENCE

Shared Vision Consultants [Dublin, CA] Independent Consulting
Consultant
Jan 2001 – Present

Provide consulting and organizational development support to public/private agencies, including project planning, assessment, system improvements, facilitation, and implementation of fairness and equity plans.

• Identify and collaborate with key stakeholders, including management, unions, partner agencies, grantors, systems engineers, vendors and others to ensure seamless implementation of project goals, including AB 12.
• Project Manager Bay Area Social Services Consortium Executive Development Program
• Develop and implement training curricula, working in tandem with Regional Training Academies, and utilizing subject matter experts in various field specialties as co-trainers. Key Clients/Projects:
• Child and Family Policy Institute of California: California Statewide Self Assessment Project.
• California Social Work Education Center: curriculum development and train-the-trainer implementation in support of the “Framework of Child Welfare” state-wide standardized core curriculum.
• The California Disproportionality Project, funded by Casey Family Programs, Annie E. Casey, California Department of Social Services, CalSWEC and Children and Family Policy Institute of CA.: general consulting.
• Contra Costa, Napa, Sonoma, Glenn, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, San Mateo, Solano & Santa Clara counties: collaboration with Staff Development and Administration teams.
• Bay Area Academy: child welfare worker training and implementation of a county management review.

Staff Development Specialist
Jan 2000 – Nov 2006

• Provided leadership in the implementation of Family to Family programs, including ongoing training to community partners and staff regarding Family to Family, team decision making and family engagement.
• Facilitated the County Leadership Team, including writing the Self Assessment and System Improvement Plan, and assisting Division Managers and Director with project planning and outcome measurements.
• Facilitated the Contra Costa County Cultural Competency Oversight Committee. Accomplishments:
• Chaired the Comprehensive Assessment Tool (CAT) 4-County work-group that developed tools for the seven standard areas of review defined by the state; those tools have been implemented in numerous counties.
• Co-developed innovative training series and systems to address disproportionality in child welfare, including: “Cross Cultural Communication” and “Engaging Families through Fairness and Equity.”
• Chaired the Content Advisory Team to develop the “Framework of Child Welfare” standardized core curriculum for all new workers under the auspices of the California Social Work Education Center.
• Designed, implemented and conduct the New Worker Training Unit in Contra Costa County.

Child Welfare Social Worker
Jun 1998 – Jan 2000

• Received referrals for the Emergency Response Unit, conducted investigations and relative assessments, and made emergency placements in licensed foster homes and with relatives.
• Served as Continuing Services Caseworker.

• Served as Case Manager in various programs including Emergency Response, Court, Continuing Services and others.
• Assisted with family preservation and conducted emergency dispositional reviews as a Court Worker; trained foster parents in the PRIDE curriculum, and trained Court Appointed Special Advocates.

PRIOR AFFILIATIONS

State Training Education Committee (STEC)
Content Development and Oversight Group (CDOG)
Contra Costa Cultural Competency Oversight Committee
Systems of Care Grant Team – Multi-disciplinary Training Committee
San Luis Obispo Child Abuse Prevention Council

AWARD

California Youth Connection for “outstanding dedication to all members of the California Youth Connection and your commitment to foster youth past, present, and future”