Al-Trease Battle-Rhea
Hammond,IN
Summary
Strategic and collaborative human services leader with over 14 years of experience leading teams, managing community-based programs, and building strategic partnerships that improve access to essential services for children and families. Proven expertise in operational leadership, partner engagement, staff development, program management, quality improvement, and cross-functional collaboration within nonprofit and public service organizations. Skilled at cultivating stakeholder relationships, implementing data-driven process improvements, managing complex initiatives, and ensuring compliance with funding and regulatory requirements. Recognized for coaching high-performing teams, partnering with senior leadership, and advancing equitable, community-centered services that strengthen organizational effectiveness and create lasting community impact.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Healthy Families Program Manager
Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana
Hammond, IN
02.2012 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership and operational oversight for the Healthy Families Program by supervising Family Support Specialists, strengthening community partnerships, ensuring program compliance, and driving continuous quality improvement to improve outcomes for children and families.
- Leadership & Team Development
- Lead, coach, and mentor Family Support Specialists through administrative, clinical, and reflective supervision to support professional growth and high-quality service delivery.
- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous learning, and family-centered practice.
- Conduct performance evaluations and develop individualized professional development plans.
- Direct employee onboarding, orientation, and ongoing training to ensure staff readiness and program effectiveness.
- Promote evidence-based, culturally responsive practices through coaching and reflective supervision.
- Partner Relations & Community Collaboration
- Build and maintain collaborative relationships with hospitals, healthcare providers, community organizations, government agencies, and social service partners.
- Serve as a key liaison between internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure coordinated services and effective communication.
- Facilitate partnership meetings, interdisciplinary consultations, and community collaborations to strengthen service integration.
- Represent the organization through community outreach, public speaking, and stakeholder engagement initiatives focused on maternal and infant mental health.
- Program Operations & Strategic Support
- Provide operational oversight to ensure effective program implementation, service quality, and organizational alignment.
- Collaborate with senior leadership to improve workflows, optimize resources, and strengthen program operations.
- Ensure compliance with Healthy Families America standards, grant requirements, funding expectations, and organizational policies.
- Support cross-functional initiatives requiring coordination, planning, and implementation.
- Identify operational challenges and recommend strategic solutions and process improvements.
- Quality Improvement & Performance Management
- Lead Quality Assurance (QA) and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) initiatives to strengthen program outcomes and service effectiveness.
- Analyze performance data, KPI reports, statistical reports, and funding reports to guide program improvements.
- Monitor program compliance, performance trends, and operational risks while developing improvement strategies.
- Provide leadership with data-informed recommendations to support organizational goals and funding requirements.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Indiana University
Master of Public Affairs (MPA) - Leadership in Human Services
Indiana University
05-2023
Skills
- Leadership & Team Development Partner & Stakeholder Relations Program & Operations Management
- Strategic Planning & Execution Cross-Functional Collaboration Project Management
- Quality Assurance & Continuous Quality Improvement Performance Data Analysis & KPI Reporting
- Grant & Funding Compliance Process Improvement Community Outreach & Public Speaking
- Cultural Competency & Equity-Centered Leadership
Accomplishments
- Led and developed a high-performing team of Family Support Specialists through coaching, reflective supervision, onboarding, and performance management, strengthening staff capacity, accountability, and service excellence.
- Strengthened strategic partnerships with hospitals, healthcare providers, community organizations, and government agencies to improve referral coordination, collaboration, and access to family-centered services.
- Directed Quality Assurance and Continuous Quality Improvement initiatives to enhance program performance, compliance, service delivery, and organizational effectiveness.
- Collaborated with senior leadership to identify operational challenges, implement process improvements, streamline workflows, and support strategic organizational initiatives.
- Analyzed program data, KPI dashboards, and performance reports to identify trends, measure outcomes, and support data-driven decision-making.
- Ensured adherence to Healthy Families America standards, grant requirements, and agency policies while promoting continuous improvement and accountability.
Certification
- Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration
- Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IMH-E)
- Infant Mental Health Certification
- Mental Health Certification
- Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated
LEADERSHIP HIGHLIGHTS
- 14+ years of progressive leadership experience in nonprofit and human services organizations.
- Master of Public Affairs (MPA) with a concentration in Leadership in Human Services.
- Expertise in partner relations, over 80 community engagement project collaborations, program operations, and staff development.
- Proven ability to lead Quality Assurance (QA), Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI), and compliance initiatives.
- Experienced in developing strategic partnerships with healthcare providers, community organizations, government agencies, and social service systems.
- Recognized as a trusted advisor to senior leadership with strengths in strategic planning, operational excellence, and data-informed decision-making.
Leadership Profile
- 14+ years of leadership experience supervising, coaching, and developing human services professionals.
- Extensive experience building strategic partnerships with community organizations, healthcare providers, and public agencies.
- Strong background in program operations, strategic planning, compliance, and quality improvement.
- Proven ability to use data and performance metrics to improve outcomes and drive organizational decisions.
- Experienced in leading teams through change, process improvement, and cross-functional initiatives.
- Committed to equitable, family-centered, and community-focused service delivery.
Timeline
Healthy Families Program Manager
Mental Health America of Northwest Indiana
02.2012 - Current
Master of Public Affairs (MPA) - Leadership in Human Services
Indiana University
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Indiana University