Araiah Holmes
Delran
Summary
Policy Analyst with 5+ years of experience implementing, monitoring, and evaluating state- and federally funded human services programs impacting low-income families. Deep expertise in policy compliance, program analysis, interagency coordination, and data-driven reporting within complex regulatory environments. Proven ability to translate federal policy into operational practice, identify systemic barriers to access, and support equity-focused policy solutions.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
Work History
Family Services Specialist II
The State of New Jersey: Dept. of Children and Families
09.2024 - Current
- Implement and operationalized state and federal public assistance and child welfare policies impacting low-income households, ensuring alignment with statutory and regulatory requirements.
- Analyze family-level data, service utilization patterns, and eligibility factors to identify policy barriers affecting access to benefits and services, including food assistance and economic supports.
- Prepare detailed analytical documentation, case summaries, and reports used for court proceedings, administrative review, and policy compliance monitoring.
- Coordinate with internal state divisions, county agencies, courts, and community-based organizations to support cross-system policy implementation for families experiencing economic instability.
- Monitor service delivery outcomes to ensure programs meet federal performance standards, equity mandates, and accountability requirements.
- Apply trauma-informed and equity-focused policy frameworks to assess how administrative processes affect vulnerable populations.
- Maintain strict compliance with confidentiality, data governance, and ethical standards governing public benefit programs.
Project Specialist
Community Planning and Advocacy Council
02.2021 - 09.2024
- Support planning, oversight, and evaluation of grant-funded programs addressing and preventing child abuse and neglect, food insecurity, and poverty, with a focus on policy compliance and outcomes measurement.
- Coordinate Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and monitor funded agencies to ensure adherence to federal and state grant requirements, performance metrics, and reporting standards.
- Analyze programmatic and financial reports to assess effectiveness, identify service gaps, and recommend policy-aligned improvements.
- Collaborate with county, state, and federal agencies to collect data and prepare reports supporting policy compliance, funding justification, and program sustainability.
- Conduct needs assessments to evaluate how policy decisions affect service access for low-income populations, including households eligible for SNAP and other nutrition assistance programs.
Assistant Manager
Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Outlets
09.2021 - 09.2022
- Ensured operational compliance with corporate policies and applicable state and federal labor and employment regulations, maintaining accurate documentation and audit-ready records.
- Supervised, trained, and evaluated staff, applying standardized policies and performance metrics to support accountability and organizational effectiveness.
- Analyzed operational data to inform staffing decisions, workflow planning, and performance reporting.
Member Services Representative II
South Jersey Federal Credit Union
02.2021 - 09.2021
- Assist in the development and implementation of customer service training programs to improve overall customer satisfaction.
- Provide financial counseling to members to help them improve their personal financial situation and achieve their financial goals.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and implement innovative strategies for improving customer service and overall member experience.
- Assist in the development and implementation of strategies to improve customer retention and increase member loyalty.
- Assist in the development and execution of targeted marketing campaigns to attract new members and increase membership growth.
- Develop and implement personalized financial planning services for members to assist them in achieving their financial goals and improving their financial well-being.
- Assist customers in setting up and managing online banking accounts to enhance their convenience and accessibility to banking services.
Project Specialist
AmeriCorps/United Advocacy Group
06.2019 - 01.2021
- Supported the implementation of community-based advocacy initiatives informed by local, state, and federal policy, with a focus on improving access to services for low-income populations.
- Maintained working knowledge of federal program requirements and funding guidelines, ensuring compliance with AmeriCorps and grant-related reporting standards.
- Prepared and reviewed programmatic reports and documentation submitted to funding agencies, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and policy alignment.
- Assisted with monitoring program activities to assess effectiveness, identify service gaps, and support data-informed policy and program improvements.
- Safeguarded confidential records and case documentation in accordance with federal privacy and data governance requirements.
Education
Bachelor of Arts -
Rowan University
Glassboro, New JerseySkills
- Federal & State Policy Analysis
- Policy Implementation & Monitoring
- Regulatory Compliance
- Program Integrity & Oversight
- Data Analysis & Interpretation
- Program Monitoring & Evaluation
- Needs Assessment
- Equity-Centered Policy Analysis
- Administrative Burden Analysis
- Intergovernmental Coordination
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Policy Writing & Reporting
- Policy Brief & Memo Development
- Grant & Program Reporting
- Performance Measurement
- Research & Policy Evaluation
- Microsoft Excel (Data Analysis)
- Salesforce
Timeline
Family Services Specialist II
The State of New Jersey: Dept. of Children and Families
09.2024 - Current
Assistant Manager
Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Outlets
09.2021 - 09.2022
Project Specialist
Community Planning and Advocacy Council
02.2021 - 09.2024
Member Services Representative II
South Jersey Federal Credit Union
02.2021 - 09.2021
Project Specialist
AmeriCorps/United Advocacy Group
06.2019 - 01.2021
Bachelor of Arts -
Rowan University