Amanda J. Harris
Silver Spring,MD
Summary
Visionary leader who successfully balances business practices with a strong commitment to equity and social justice. Possess skills in change management and system transformation; adept at fiscal management including budgets and contracting services; makes decisions based on data-driven solutions; dedicated to supporting and guiding staff in professional development; and builds coalitions to include professional staff, community members and people with lived expertise. Deeply passionate about ending homelessness through evidenced-based approaches such as "Housing First” and and innovative strategies.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief of Services to End and Prevent Homelessness
Montgomery County, Dept. Of Health &Human Services
Rockville, MD
08.2016 - 03.2023
- Created a vision and implemented strategies to ensure homelessness is a rare, brief and one-time only experience.
- Maintained high visibility of the homeless continuum of care through consistent outreach and coordination with political leaders, senior-policy makers, non profit partners, as well as federal, state, and local officials.
- Regularly provided expert testimony to the Montgomery County Council and the MD Joint Committee on Homelessness
- Responsible for overall system performance of homeless, housing, and prevention services and ensuring equitable outcomes.
- Oversaw staff development through in-depth trainings, workshops, seminars and other learning opportunities.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions, make decisions, and pivot when necessary.
Chief Operating Officer
Pathways To Housing Dc
02.2011 - 08.2016
- Accountable for internal functions of the agency including quality improvement, human resources, health integration, housing, behavioral health services, supported employment, facilities, and office operations
- Provided on-site training in the areas of recovery planning, Medicaid billing, harm reduction and stages of change, motivational interviewing, Housing First and assertive community treatment
- Conducted Pathways-Housing First fidelity assessment to full-service partnership programs throughout the state of the California as part of a research project with the University of California-San Diego
- Provided training for outside entities including the Virginia Coalition to End Homelessness, National Alliance to End to Homelessness, and the VA Medical Centers in DC, WV, and LA.
- Provided technical assistance and presented at the first Housing First Symposium in Tokyo, Japan
- Facilitated departmental strategic planning and monitored progress of the work plan
Director of Quality Improvement and Clinical
Pathways to Housing DC
01.2009 - 02.2011
- Developed a robust quality assurance program that led to a reduction in the agency's Medicaid audit failure rate.
- Boosted Medicaid collection rate to 98% by ensuring the submission of clean claims and regular monitoring or reconciliation
- Training new employees on Medicaid compliance, recovery planning, assertive community treatment, and assessment tools
- Spearheaded an agency-wide shift to a “culture of supervision”
ACT Team Leader
Pathways to Housing DC
01.2008 - 01.2009
- Supervised multidisciplinary team of social workers, addition counselors, nurse and peer support workers while providing direct clinical services 50% of the time
- Guided the team's practice to utilize innovative treatment approaches such as harm reduction and “Housing First”
Service Coordinator, ACT Team
Pathways To Housing Dc
07.2007 - 01.2008
- Provided the highest level of outpatient behavioral health services to individuals with serious mental health challenges and long histories of homelessness.
Editorial Assistant
Congressional Quarterly
12.2006 - 07.2007
Legislative Intern
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
09.2006 - 12.2006
MSW Policy Intern
National Low Income Housing Coalition Washington
05.2006 - 12.2006
Education
Master of Arts - Philosophy and Social Policy
George Washington University
2008
Master of Social Work - Social Policy and Evaluation
University of Michigan
2006
Bachelor of Social Work - undefined
Western Michigan University
2003
Skills
- Results Orientation
- Systems Thinker
- Leadership and People Development
- Innovative and Visionary
- Change and Growth Management
- Strategic Direction
Accomplishments
- Reduced homelessness in Montgomery County for all populations by 31% and ended for chronic homelessness for over 500 people
- Led the homeless continuum of care through the pandemic and maintained lower positivity and death rates than the general public in emergency shelters.
- Managed a budget of over $80 million and administered the federal Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Affiliations
Co-Chair of Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments Homeless Services Committee
Member of the Maryland Interagency Council on Homelessness
Timeline
Chief of Services to End and Prevent Homelessness
Montgomery County, Dept. Of Health &Human Services
08.2016 - 03.2023
Chief Operating Officer
Pathways To Housing Dc
02.2011 - 08.2016
Director of Quality Improvement and Clinical
Pathways to Housing DC
01.2009 - 02.2011
ACT Team Leader
Pathways to Housing DC
01.2008 - 01.2009
Service Coordinator, ACT Team
Pathways To Housing Dc
07.2007 - 01.2008
Editorial Assistant
Congressional Quarterly
12.2006 - 07.2007
Legislative Intern
U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow
09.2006 - 12.2006
MSW Policy Intern
National Low Income Housing Coalition Washington
05.2006 - 12.2006
Master of Arts - Philosophy and Social Policy
George Washington University
Master of Social Work - Social Policy and Evaluation
University of Michigan
Bachelor of Social Work - undefined
Western Michigan University
Similar Profiles
Nicole CohenNicole Cohen
Health Room Aide at Montgomery County Department Of Health And Human ServicesHealth Room Aide at Montgomery County Department Of Health And Human Services
Phoenicia SchwingPhoenicia Schwing
Program Administrator at Montgomery County Department Of Health And Human ServicesProgram Administrator at Montgomery County Department Of Health And Human Services
ELIZABETH DIARCANGELOELIZABETH DIARCANGELO
Administrator- Office of Community Connections at Montgomery County Department of Health & Human ServicesAdministrator- Office of Community Connections at Montgomery County Department of Health & Human Services
Lanita CallahanLanita Callahan
Classroom Teacher at Montgomery County Public SchoolsClassroom Teacher at Montgomery County Public Schools
Kimberly RivasKimberly Rivas
Universal Banker at M&T BankUniversal Banker at M&T Bank