Christy McCarthy

-Participated in hiring interviews and selection of new staff

-Trained social workers who provided direct services to recipients of In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS), on program and departmental policies and procedures

-Assisted social workers with time and caseload management techniques to improve efficiency

-Conducted case reviews to ensure program compliance

-Assisted with completion of IHSS home visits and case processing to ensure recipients needs were addressed and state required timelines were met

-Addressed recipient and provider concerns and helped resolve issues

-Participated in inter-disciplinary team meetings

-Conducted routine evaluations of both probationary and permanent staff and addressed issues with behavior and/or performance

-Led IHSS team in emergency response efforts during wildfires and extreme weather events

-Interpreted and applied laws, policies, procedures, rules and regulations governing the In-Home Supportive Services program (IHSS)

-Reviewed and evaluated cases for adherence to IHSS program regulations and departmental policies as part of quality assurance requirements

-Documented case review findings and made recommendations for improvement of IHSS program compliance and delivery

-Scheduled and completed quality assurance and state directed unannounced home visits

-Provided assistance and training to IHSS staff on social work procedures, methods and program required forms

-Completed and submitted quarterly reports to the California Department of Social Services- CDSS, including reports of fraud in the IHSS program

-Served as the fair hearings representative for IHSS and back-up for other public assistance programs

-Resolved customer issues and complaints

-Referred IHSS program participants to other social service programs and community resources

-Participated in annual state reviews

-Assisted in agency directed emergency response efforts during wildfires and extreme weather events

-Interviewed, screened, and counseled program participants regarding employment barriers; advised participants regarding training and employment opportunities. Evaluated participants' interests, education and experience to determine possible program placements.

-Referred eligible participants for vocational, educational, and aptitude assessment and counseling

-Made appropriate referrals due to barriers beyond the scope of employment due to issues of domestic violence, substance abuse, homelessness and mental health services.
-Explained program rules, regulations, and policies to participants, worksite employers, contracted training facilities, and other interested parties

-Resolved problems and conflicts for the improvement of program delivery
-Counseled and guided participants during their enrollment in Welfare-to-Work (WTW) activities; monitored and evaluated participants' progress and attendance to ensure participation requirements were met
-Arranged supportive services for participants and approved needs-based payments- including child care and transportation

-After first year as a Social Worker I, promoted to Social Worker II

-Worked with and monitored General Assistance program participants and assisted those with chronic medical conditions in applying for social security

-Assisted with LIHEAP (Energy Assistance) application processing and payments

-Conducted interactive interviews to elicit eligibility information, obtain and/or verify financial, employment, tax and personal demographic information and determine eligibility for public assistance programs and services

-Analyzed financial and eligibility information to determine initial or continuing eligibility for multiple aid programs, Entered and retrieved data from automated computer system

-Determined need for additional services and made referrals to outside agencies to assist clients toward self-sufficiency

-Organized and prioritized caseload so that necessary case records and documents were processed and updated within specific time limits established by regulation and local policy -Determined Eligibility for Temporary and Permanent Homeless Assistance (CalWorks)

-Maintained program related time clocks for CalWorks program participants

-Explained program rules, regulations and policies to clients and informed them of their rights and reporting responsibilities

-Resolved client issues and concerns to ensure better outcomes

-Participated in special projects, studies, work assignments and committees

-After first year as an Eligibility Specialist I, promoted to Eligibility Specialist II