Chinmayi Desai
Niles,USA
Summary
Professional Human Service Casework Manager with proficiency in Hindi, Gujarati and Urdu languages. Adept at driving impactful results through effective client support and team collaboration, with 20 years of experience in case management, conflict resolution, and team building, ensuring optimal outcomes. Reliable and adaptable, thriving in dynamic environments and consistently meeting goals. Strong communicator with focus on excellence and team success, while assisting the South Asian Community navigating complex case resolutions.
Overview
28
28
years of professional experience
Work History
Human Service Casework Manager
Department of Human Services
Lincolnwood, IL
04.2022 - Current
- Serve as a Casework Manager for the Division of Family and Community Services (FCS).
- Serve as a working supervisor.
- Provide training and technical assistance to assigned staff.
- Review and evaluate reports of casework activities.
- Translate functions/procedures into Hindi for individuals who cannot speak or read English, in contacts with the general public, advocacy groups, customers and community organizations.
- Establish and maintain effective public relations with employers and community partners in the local area served.
- Implement and interpret new initiatives related to welfare policy.
- Assign work, provide guidance to subordinates, recommending counseling and/or discipline following collective bargaining agreements, training staff and approving time off.
- Expert in a public assistance eligibility system such as Integrated Eligibility Systems (IES).
Human Service Casework Manager
Department of Human Services
Chicago, IL
09.2020 - 04.2022
- Supervise the preparation, processing and maintenance of appropriate records; assume responsibilities for authorization of services to eligible persons.
- As first line supervisor, provide direct supervision to professional caseworkers; direct the investigation and determination of eligibility of applicants and recipients of public assistance and welfare services; assist in the administration of office operations as assigned; in charge of the office in absence of and as instructed by the LOA.
- Assign, review and approve casework documentation performed by Caseworkers; instruct and advise on casework methods, techniques, policy and procedures of DHS programs.
- Review difficult and complex assistance cases; approve or adjust casework.
- As the only designated manager for this location, performed duties outside of classification. Performed office manager functions, prepared all new employee paperwork, assigned equipment and installed the necessary applications for new hires, trained 13 new employees, supervised Department of Rehab employees 2 days a week, participated in meetings with community leaders and ADA community leaders, executed performance evaluations, exit evaluations and CAP reviews of employees, placed service orders for any repairs, supervised security personnel.
Case-Worker
Department of Human Services
Skokie, IL
06.2007 - 09.2020
- Company Overview: Illinois’s largest State Agency with more than 13,000 employees and an annual budget of over $5.4 billion
- Performing professional casework activities through public assistance services available from the State of IL such as Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid and Cash Assistance.
- Interviewing clients at the point of Intake and explaining eligibility criteria and requirements for public assistance programs.
- Providing performance and outcome driven customer service with an innovative approach and solution-oriented goals to achieve economic independence for those striving to move from welfare to work.
- Working with community partners to provide Illinois citizens integrated services to achieve self-sufficiency and health through a collaborative approach.
- Analyzing customer information and offer additional support services as tools to maximize and provide counseling and other beneficial services.
- Worked with FEMA and Illinois Disaster Assistance Program in a flood relief funded by a $30.5 million grant designated for residents who have incurred health and social service related expenses.
- As a Union Steward represented the AFSCME union contract in first level employee grievances.
- Negotiated and presented solutions to ongoing employee and work concerns during labor management meetings.
- Illinois’s largest State Agency with more than 13,000 employees and an annual budget of over $5.4 billion
Owner and TV/FILM Media-Consultant
Angelwings Productions Inc. (dissolved)
Skokie, IL
08.2000 - 05.2007
- Company Overview: Start-up Production Company specializing in producing various television and film projects
- An independent consultant, providing technical, creative, media support and marketing services for clients.
- Supervised and completed production for a demo/pilot for a cooking show with 30 episodes.
- Raised capital, managed budgets and expenses to sufficiently complete all company projects.
- Built and managed a team of 13 freelancers capable of producing a series of projects and shows for the television industry.
- Conducted market research to gather sponsors and investors interested in funding several projects.
- Worked closely with the Indian community on various community programs and producing/organizing large events such as red-carpet fashion shows, big events with high profile Bollywood celebrities and recording artists.
- Consulted and acted in 2 films including 'Legally Desi' (lead role) and 'Street Thief'.
- Supervised and managed all aspects of Pre-production, Production and Post Production.
- Start-up Production Company specializing in producing various television and film projects
Promotions Coordinator, Sales and Marketing Specialist, TV Producer
Paxson Communications (Spun-off from PAX TV to NBC Family)
Chicago, IL
01.2000 - 08.2000
- Company Overview: Broadcasting Station owned and operated under ION Media Networks with affiliations to NBC & ABC
- Wrote and edited copy for corporate commercials, voice-overs, and advertising and marketing materials.
- Wrote and produced Commercials for major campaigns such as Empire carpets and Arizona Ice Tea.
- Worked closely with the Sales team and prepared presentations, media kits, and sponsorship materials for potential clients.
- Supervised all sales and marketing teams and special project units.
- Managed all marketing and promotional events for the station which increased Corporate sponsorships.
- As a lead in Public Relations developed innovative ideas to promote Motion Picture films and PAX-TV.
- Directed contest trivia for station viewers, oversaw entries for contest promotions, and followed up with media contacts and viewers for invitations to PAX-TV promotional events.
- Broadcasting Station owned and operated under ION Media Networks with affiliations to NBC & ABC
Associate Producer/Promoted to Producer
Jerry Springer Talk Show
Chicago, IL
08.1998 - 11.1999
- Company Overview: Daytime Talk Show
- Frequently worked numerous additional hours to meet the show deadlines.
- Responsible for generating ideas and topics for all episodes.
- Developed and produced two shows a week, with each show containing four stories and segments.
- Prepared and managed scripts, rundowns, budgets, guest travel and expense reports.
- Researched and interviewed potential guests for the show while also managing the guests prior to, during, and after taping.
- Supervised all Productions Assistants and my own production team of 40 plus professionals.
- Promoted from Production Assistant to Associate Producer to Producer in a short time.
- Daytime Talk Show
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Communications and Television Production
Columbia College
Chicago, IL01-1999
Skills
- Proficient in Hindi, Gujarati and Urdu language
- Effective negotiation skills
- Issue identification and resolution
- Conflict mediation
- Case investigations
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Problem-solving
- Time management
- Multitasking
- Problem-solving abilities
- Excellent communication
- Diversity awareness
- Staff training
- Staff supervision
- Relationship building
Accomplishments
- Supervise team of 10 caseworkers and 20 back-up HSCs.
Affiliations
Federation of Indians in America-Member
Languages
Hindi
Native or Bilingual
Gujarati
Native or Bilingual
Urdu
Professional Working
Interests
- Gardening
- Documenting and sharing travel experiences
- I enjoy helping others and giving back to the community
- Learning new cooking techniques and expanding my culinary skills
- Strategy Games
- Dancing
- Fundraising Events
- Mindfulness Practices
- Volunteering for community initiatives to give back to local communities and make a positive impact
Timeline
Human Service Casework Manager
Department of Human Services
04.2022 - Current
Human Service Casework Manager
Department of Human Services
09.2020 - 04.2022
Case-Worker
Department of Human Services
06.2007 - 09.2020
Owner and TV/FILM Media-Consultant
Angelwings Productions Inc. (dissolved)
08.2000 - 05.2007
Promotions Coordinator, Sales and Marketing Specialist, TV Producer
Paxson Communications (Spun-off from PAX TV to NBC Family)
01.2000 - 08.2000
Associate Producer/Promoted to Producer
Jerry Springer Talk Show
08.1998 - 11.1999
Bachelor of Arts - Communications and Television Production
Columbia College