CHERIE BLANCK
Philadelphia,PA
Summary
Dynamic, results-driven professional with extensive experience in team leadership and stakeholder engagement. Proven ability to coordinate communications among diverse internal and external partners while managing competing priorities in fast-paced environments with tight deadlines. Expertise in recognizing and nurturing talent within teams, fostering unity and morale to enhance employee engagement and drive performance. Strong organizational and communication skills ensure project alignment with policies, facilitating successful outcomes while effectively managing resource allocation and budgeting for high-value contracts.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Coordinator
School District of Philadelphia/Office of Student Life & Innovation
07.2023 - Current
- Oversee 499 students at 14 after school enrichment sites at School District of Philadelphia schools to ensure program quality and compliance with District, Federal, State and City contract requirements.
- Manage multiple contracts, maintaining oversight of $2.6M in SY 25-26.
- Advocated for Pennsylvania Building Opportunity Through Out-of-School Time (BOOST) program by lobbying Congress in Harrisburg, PA, resulting in proposed funding increase from $11.5M to $12.5M for the 2026-27 budget year.
- Facilitated communication with Washington D.C. legislators to advocate for essential funding increase in FY27 for 21st Century Community Learning Centers.
- Chaired two Request for Proposal (RFP) evaluation committees, to ensure a fair and objective review process for potential new vendors.
- Developed and implement training sessions for school-based coordinators and site leads to enhance attendance data entry accuracy and quality program delivery.
- Spearhead communication initiatives between the District, Principals and vendors for enhanced collaboration and expanded programs .
- Facilitate professional development sessions to engage stakeholders, enhancing their networking experience and resource sharing opportunities.
- Optimized onboarding processes for new staff to enhance training efficiency and program comprehension.
- Collaborated on design and implementation of Assessment of Program Practices Tool - Observation (APT-O) to evaluate program quality through data collection, driving continuous improvement efforts.
- Conduct thorough reviews of Criminal Record, Child Abuse & FBI Clearances for incoming vendor staff to establish safe programming.
Climate Liaison
School District of Philadelphia
09.2022 - 08.2023
- Led a team of 3 Climate Staff to secure a safe and supportive school environment that was conducive to learning, while minimizing the need for disciplinary action.
- Developed systems for Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS) to promote a positive school atmosphere.
- Collaborated with parents to identify and address attendance-related barriers for students.
Environmental Educator / Archery Instructor
Let's Go Outdoors
10.2020 - 02.2025
- Provided archery instruction for groups of children and adults as a NASP certified archery instructor.
- Developed and implemented engaging educational programs on environmental sustainability for diverse audiences at tabling events in the community, in classrooms and virtually through a contract with Philadelphia Water Department.
Site Director; OST
Girls Inc.
04.2022 - 09.2022
- Managed a team of 10 OST Specialists while leading recruitment, training, and performance evaluations for optimal team effectiveness.
- Oversaw a $50,000 budget and resource allocation to optimize operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness for staff hours, field trips, snacks, and curriculum supplies.
- Created and implemented an early grade literacy curriculum for K-5th graders to increase reading scores in partnership with the Free Library of Philadelphia.
- Planned, organized, and chaperoned 48 campers on enriching field trips in the community and ensured high-quality and safe program delivery.
Camp Creator & Leader/Environmental Educator
Awbury Arboretum
04.2018 - 01.2022
- Created and led two new summer camps for 30 campers, which continue to operate at full capacity with a waitlist.
- Developed camp themes, schedules, activities and curriculum surrounding outdoor education, while staying within budget.
- Designed promotional materials to increase awareness for camps and distributed fliers throughout the community. Harnessed relationships that still exist to recruit campers annually.
- Maintained and adhered to the camp budget by upcycling materials and comparison shopping.
- Created curriculum for Wilderness Survival Camp; including, first aid techniques, shelter construction, water filtration, fire safety and fire building.
- Oversaw interns and Junior camp counselors and trained them to implement the curriculum.
- Coordinated outreach efforts with schools to integrate nature-focused curriculum into educational programs, enhancing community involvement.
Case Manager
Camden County Partnership for Children
05.2011 - 09.2016
- Maintained a case load of 30 youth and families, monitoring ongoing cases closely, adjusting case management strategies as needed based on evolving circumstances or new needs.
- Utilized the Wraparound Philosophy to help stabilize youth (ages 4-21) and their families struggling with behavioral/mental health challenges and developmental differences.
- Successfully discharged 200+ youth after completion of services.
- Encouraged long term success by linking older youth to career opportunities and assisting with life skills training.
- Oversaw therapists and behavioral assistants to ensure billable hours were being utilized appropriately. Led all team members with open communication through regular team meetings.
- Advocated for youth at school by attending Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings to help create IEP's and ensure appropriate services were in place to meet the youth's educational needs.
- Accompanied families to court and advocated for youth by presenting updates to Prosecutors and Judges. Provided community supports as alternative options to detention, when appropriate.
- Identified youth's interests and provided resources for positive community outlets based on those interests (music, sports, art, dancing, etc).
- Identified support systems and resources for young parents, before and after childbirth.
Education
BA - Psychology, Concentration in Childhood Studies
Rutgers University
Camden, NJSkills
- Team & relationship building
- Forward-thinking mindset
- Detail-oriented
- Budgeting and Forecasting
- Stakeholder collaboration
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Creative problem-solving
Certification
- NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) Certified Archery Instructor
Timeline
Program Coordinator
School District of Philadelphia/Office of Student Life & Innovation
07.2023 - Current
Climate Liaison
School District of Philadelphia
09.2022 - 08.2023
Site Director; OST
Girls Inc.
04.2022 - 09.2022
Environmental Educator / Archery Instructor
Let's Go Outdoors
10.2020 - 02.2025
Camp Creator & Leader/Environmental Educator
Awbury Arboretum
04.2018 - 01.2022
Case Manager
Camden County Partnership for Children
05.2011 - 09.2016
BA - Psychology, Concentration in Childhood Studies
Rutgers University