Chastity McEwen
Greene,NY
Summary
"Compassionate and dedicated professional with 15+ years of experience in providing support and advocacy for vulnerable populations. Skilled in social work and program management to design, implement, and oversee service programs aimed at improving the well-being of individuals and communities. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, time management skills with a proven track record of the ability to build trust and rapport with diverse clients and stakeholders. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Housing and Community Services
Family Enrichment Network
01.2020 - 01.2023
- Oversaw all Housing programs as well as the ESG program through the City of Binghamton.
- Directly supervised the Housing Connections Case Manager, Life Skills Instructor, ESG Housing Case Manager, and ERAP Specialist.
- Prepared reports, program summaries, success stories, written plan/policy/procedures, correspondence, reports, surveys, and required narratives, gathers documents as needed.
- Provided training, development, coaching, and mentoring to staff.
- Ensured programs adhered to pertinent state and federal regulations and met all funder requirements.
- Ensured compliance with housing standards to maintain health and safety requirements.
- Assisted in the development of the housing program including the startup of a state funded 19 unit homeless housing program.
- Created comprehensive intake procedure for tenants entering the Housing Connections program.
- Maintains compliance with state regulations for housing program to ensure future funding of programs.
- Oversees maintenance of all housing units, submits and manages maintenance requests to ensure homes and units meet required housing standards.
- Assisted in the development of programs for tenants that encourages ongoing education to allow them to gain the skills to be able to live independently in the community.
- Assists in preparation of both internal and external audits of programs.
- Works alongside Program Development Director to identify properties in the community that will continue to support the agencies mission of self-sufficiency and living independently in the community.
Community Services Director
Family Enrichment Network
01.2015 - 01.2020
- Oversaw agency projects including managing of Clinic Plus, Medicaid Services Coordination, ESG and Rapid-Rehousing, and the housing program.
- Directly supervised and evaluated the programs and meets all funder requirements.
- Provided training, development, coaching, and mentoring to enhance staffs skills.
- Prepared reports, program summaries, success stories, written plan/policy/procedures, correspondence, reports, surveys, and required narratives, gathers documents as needed.
- Ensured programs adhered to pertinent state and federal regulations.
- Assisted in the development of the Medicaid Services program.
- Created waiver services program including Prevocational services and Supported employment.
- Attended city council meetings to advocate for funding to support ESG/Rapid Rehousing grant.
- In conjunction with Clinic Plus Coordinator, increased school participation to full county support.
- Developed housing program that ran at full capacity
- Successfully piloted home designated for those with developmental disabilities living in a shared living environment.
- Actively involved in the Southern Tier Homeless Coalition and served 2 terms as a board member.
- Participated in several community committees.
- Involved in speaking engagements to advocate for programs under the community services umbrella.
Family Advocate
Family Enrichment Network
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Provided case management for 35+ families enrolled in the Head Start Program to access family dynamics and enhance parents’ abilities to meet their own needs through the appropriate use of community resources.
- Carried our recruitment activities as well as supported the classroom staff.
- Supported and encouraged parent engagement in the classroom, during home visits, and in center base activities.
- Utilized a case management system with each family to ensure efficient and effective service delivery: conducted monthly home visits.
- Improved communication with families in a positive manner providing a supportive social and emotional relationship.
- Worked within the team to communicate, monitor, and follow-up on results of a child’s assessments and evaluations with parents.
- Assumed responsibility of ensuring parent participation and completion of kindergarten registration.
Community Development Manager
Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways
01.2004 - 01.2010
- Continued development and implementation of a plan to ensure membership growth while maintaining current membership levels
- Recruit, train, and place volunteers in appropriate positions based on need and interest
- Collaborate with local organizations to ensure community support as well as networking and volunteer recruitment
- Organize new troops and maintain existing troops as needed
- Developed and maintained long-term relationships with volunteers to ensure longevity of troop
- 85% success rate
- Assisted in organizing and implementing backyard programming
- Involved in speaking engagements to recruit adult volunteers
- Responsible for increasing adult and girl involvement in areas of decline
- Increased involvement in SU teams by attending 90% of SU team meetings annually
- Attended special functions for troops, groups and SU’s.
Thirteenth Moon Director
Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways
01.2003 - 01.2010
- Provided case management for girls who are identified as at-risk and to provide support services for all girls with issues/concerns while at resident or day camp.
- Established excellent working relationships with referring agencies.
- Worked directly with outside agencies caseworkers/social workers and with each girl to identify and set goals.
- Work within a team approach with each camp staff to ensure a quality program for the girls.
- Assisted in the development of a system for recruiting eligible girls in the service area.
- Responsible for developing a program the increased girl participation by 100%.
- Developed outside relationships with referring agencies for the 13th Moon Program ( a program for at-risk girls)
- Developed a referral system for girls to join a Girl Scout troop upon completion of their program.
- Increased placement by 100%
- Developed a system for tracking girls’ pre/post the program and for reports to funding sources.
Education
B.A. Sociology -
Framingham State College
Framingham, MA05.1996
A.A. Liberal Arts -
Broome Community College
Binghamton, NY05.1993
Skills
- Microsoft Office
- Community Outreach
- Client Needs Assessments
- Interviewing skills
- Written and verbal communication
- Public Speaking
- Organization
- Microsoft Word
- Active Listening
- Team Management
- Organizational Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Networking
- Task Prioritization
- Decision-Making
- Service planning
- Interpersonal Communication
- Calm Under Pressure
- Relationship Building
- Staff Oversight
- MS Office
Professional Accomplishments
Developed Partnerships: Established partnerships with local businesses and nonprofit organizations to provide job training, educational opportunities, and support services to residents, improving overall community well-being.
Achieved Regulatory Compliance: Ensured compliance with all local, state, and federal housing regulations and standards, resulting in successful HUD audits and accreditation renewals.
Ensured Regulatory Compliance: Conducted thorough audits and assessments to ensure compliance with OPWDD regulations and standards, resulting in successful accreditation renewals and continued eligibility for funding.
Increased Community Integration: Established partnerships with local organizations and businesses to create employment opportunities and community integration programs for individuals with developmental disabilities, resulting in improved social inclusion and quality of life.
Membership Growth: Implemented targeted recruitment strategies that led to a 15% increase in Girl Scout membership within the community.
Client Advocacy: Successfully advocated for clients' rights and access to services, resulting in increased funding for the 13th Moon Program that benefited vulnerable populations.
Timeline
Director of Housing and Community Services
Family Enrichment Network
01.2020 - 01.2023
Community Services Director
Family Enrichment Network
01.2015 - 01.2020
Family Advocate
Family Enrichment Network
01.2010 - 01.2015
Community Development Manager
Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways
01.2004 - 01.2010
Thirteenth Moon Director
Girl Scouts of NYPENN Pathways
01.2003 - 01.2010
B.A. Sociology -
Framingham State College
A.A. Liberal Arts -
Broome Community College