Deborah Harte
Brooklyn,NY
Summary
Strategic Director known for high productivity and efficient task completion. Specialize in operational strategy, team leadership, and financial oversight. Excel in communication, problem-solving, and adaptability, ensuring effective team collaboration and project success.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC)
Borough of Manhattan Community College
01.2013 - Current
- Manager of the Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC) serving students from one of the largest undergraduate colleges in the City University of New York, serving nearly 20,000 students in credit-bearing programs and over 10,000 more through workforce development. Oversaw more than 10 professional staff, work study students, and volunteers, managing a combined budget of nearly $3,000,000 for emergency funds, housing insecurity, and food service programs. Provide leadership for and oversight to all aspects of the ARC operation consisting of eight components. Developed best practice model for ARC. Developed procedures for in-person and online service provision. Executed retention-focused initiatives, including Comprehensive Assistance and Retention Empowerment Services (CARES), Save for Success, Citi Foundation Financial Literacy program, Annual Health Enrollment Day, and immigration seminars and clinics, enhancing student access to resources. Cultivated partnerships with campus and community organizations to address barriers hindering student attendance and graduation. Recruit, hire, and train staff to successfully deliver services while providing competent leadership to staff ensuring that evaluation of performance is completed and support is offered where needed. Collaborate with faculty and other colleagues to provide support to students. Generated detailed reports for funders and administrators to inform decision-making and secure ongoing support. Negotiate and obtain funding where necessary.
- Oversaw daily operations of the department to ensure efficient service delivery. for Borough of Manhattan Community College programs and services.
- Managed staff schedules across multiple departments to ensure adequate coverage., daily workflows, and campus administrative procedures.
- Administered departmental budgets to ensure compliance with financial guidelines., purchasing requests, and vendor communication for BMCC offices.
Coordinator, Single Stop Program
Borough of Manhattan Community College
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Work collaboratively with Student Affairs to ensure comprehensive student support for the day-to-day operations of the Single Stop program through a combination of direct service and program coordination. Coordinate the integration of partnering service providers, such as legal and financial counseling. Conduct and supervise outreach to external and internal site programs and facilitate the flow of participants into Single Stop. Conducted intake and assessment for students, facilitating referrals to partnering service providers to enhance student access to support. Ensured follow-up with students and partnering agencies regarding referrals and outcomes, improving service continuity and participant satisfaction. Ensure that the proper documentation of all student data including student contract, referrals, and outcomes is entered into Single Stops case management database in an accurate and timely manner. Oversee and monitor scheduling of student appointments with legal and financial counselors. Produced detailed reports and provided consistent feedback for Single Stop USA, contributing to program evaluation and strategic improvements. Recruit and supervise staff and volunteers. Assist in program research, development and assessment. Participate in ongoing training. Taught workshops on effective program implementation and trained new Single Stop Coordinators nationally. Collaborate with Grants Department to obtain funding.
- Scheduled and organized student appointments with academic advisors and support staff to enhance student access to services. and office calendars across community college departments.
- Updated and organized academic records using college database systems to ensure accurate student information management. using college database systems and filing procedures.
- Informed students, faculty, and staff of schedule changes to ensure smooth communication and operational efficiency. with students, faculty, and campus staff.
Director, Policy and Procedure Unit
New York City Administration for Children Services
01.2003 - 01.2010
- Coordinated Policy and Procedures Unit's efforts with other Children's Services areas to enhance collaboration. Facilitated project plans for new and revised procedures. Supervised Procedures Writers in the development of new and revised policies and procedures. Managed and supported all CONNECTIONS-related policy and procedures documents to ensure compliance and accessibility. Provided training on CONNECTIONS procedures and technical assistance to other procedure development. Developed Operational Protocol for procedure unit. Addressed requests for procedures due to changes in City, State, and Federal regulations. Ensured staff development. Developed online library of procedures to streamline access and utilization of policy resources.
- Directed child welfare operations across New York City Administration for Children Services programs.
- Led policy implementation for child protective and preventive services teams.
- Coordinated interagency partnerships with courts, schools, and community providers.
Deputy to the Assistant Commissioner for Program Development, Policy and Procedures
Administration for Childrens Services
01.2002 - 01.2003
- Led team of 20 staff members to enhance program delivery and support. Implemented contracts for 66 foster and preventive care agencies, ensuring effective program design and monitoring. Developed resource manual for policy area, providing essential guidance for staff.
- Supervised child welfare staff across Administration for Children’s Services operations
- Coordinated response with family support, foster care, and protective services teams
- Reviewed case files for compliance with agency policy and safety standards
Chief of Staff
Administration for Childrens Services
01.1997 - 01.2002
- Advised executive leadership on child welfare priorities and agency strategy.
- Supported Deputy Commissioner of Division of Child Protection by coordinating management activities and streamlining communication. to Deputy Commissioner of Division of Child Protection. Administered operations for Assistant Commissioner of Field Support Services, facilitating effective workflow and project execution. for Assistant Commissioner of Field Support Services. Contributed to the development of the management plan for field support services and assisted in implementing the plan. Oversaw central office activities, ensuring alignment with departmental objectives and responsiveness to stakeholder needs. Addressed requests and complaints from Mayors and governmental offices. Collaborated with other ACS divisions on implementation of ACS Reform Plan. Represented Deputy Commissioner on several committees.
- Coordinated cross-department initiatives across administrative services and program teams.
- Prepared briefing materials for commissioner meetings and public presentations.
Center Director
CHN Caribbean House Center
01.1995 - 01.1997
- Oversight of health center serving over 12,000 patients a year with a full time staff of 20. Implemented HIV Primary Care, Adult Medicine, and Pediatric Clinic. Ensured federal, state, and city guidelines, policies, and procedures related to funding were followed. Streamlined medical and administrative procedures to enhance compliance with regulations and improve operational efficiency. Generated and submitted comprehensive reports to funding and administrative staff to ensure transparency and accountability. Ensured utilization targets were met on a monthly basis. Collected statistics on patient population and conducted data analysis. Created targeted marketing strategies to increase health center visibility and patient engagement. Coordinated staff schedules to ensure proper coverage during clinic sessions for clinic sessions. Procured medical equipment and supplies to support clinic operations and supplies. Maintained the facility and coordinated timely repairs. Conducted interviews and selected qualified candidates for clinic positions. evaluated staff performance. Performed the Senior Case Management function for the Centers COBRA program, monitoring the program according to Department of Health (DOH) AIDS Institute regulations. Monitored staff billing activities.
- Directed daily operations for Caribbean House Center community programs and services.
- Supervised staff schedules, assignments, and workflow across center departments.
- Coordinated outreach with families, partners, and local community organizations.
Director, Community Follow-Up Program (CFP)
Brownsville Community Development Corporation
01.1993 - 01.1995
- Managed CFP staff of 15 supervisors, case managers, and support staff, ensuring effective program delivery. Managed an operational budget of $500,000 dollars. Provided support and policy interpretation to staff. Coordinated several activities of the program with other community based organizations. Enhanced operational procedures and policies for CFP, improving program efficiency and compliance. Developed quality assurance protocol for the program. Negotiated annual increase for CFP staff. Compiled quarterly and annual reports for NYS DOH AIDS Institute, providing insights for program evaluation.
- Oversaw grant applications, compliance, and reporting for corporation funding sources.
- Facilitated collaboration among residents, nonprofits, and local government agencies.
- Led community development efforts in Brownsville to revitalize neighborhoods.
Associate Director of Specialty Services
Brownsville Community Development Corporation
01.1993 - 01.1993
- Managed comprehensive AIDS programs, enhancing service delivery effectiveness. Designed social service programs and procured funding for two AIDS programs. Identified staff to support programs. Negotiated space for the operation of the programs. Developed policy and procedures for programs. Implemented referral system. Established linkages agreements with community-based organizations to improve collaboration. Liaised between the agency and funders. Created training manual for staff and conducted training on policies. Researched and compiled statistics on HIV and AIDS.
- Supervised program staff and guided daily service delivery
- Directed community development programs for Brownsville neighborhood residents
- Coordinated housing and revitalization initiatives with nonprofit partners
Director, Community Follow-Up Program/Scatter Site Housing Program
Miracle Makers, Inc.
01.1992 - 01.1993
- Developed and implemented Community Follow-Up and Scatter Site housing programs to enhance service delivery. Established linkage agreements with partner agencies to improve resource accessibility. Compiled and analyzed monthly statistical reports to track program performance and inform strategic decisions. Recruited, hired, and trained staff. Coordinated interagency services.
- Directed community programs at Miracle Makers, overseeing daily operations to ensure effective service delivery.
- Developed strategic plans for outreach, services, and program growth.
- Facilitated staff meetings to align team objectives and coordinated project priorities across functions.
Supervisor, Medical Assistance Program
NYC Department of Human Resources (HRA)
01.1989 - 01.1992
- Supervised HRA staff handling public assistance cases and daily office operations.
- Assigned cases to Eligibility Specialists based on their expertise and workload. Managed a team of seven workers across five departmental units to improve productivity. Conducted conferences and guided workers in resolving adverse issues to enhance team dynamics. Evaluated staff performance through regular assessments and feedback sessions to inform development strategies. Compiled and submitted daily, weekly, and monthly statistical reports to management. Mediated conflicts among workers to maintain a positive work environment and improve team collaboration.
- Trained employees on NYC Human Resources Administration policies and service procedures.
- Reviewed case records for accuracy, completeness, and program compliance.
Education
Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) -
The School of Education, St. Johns University
Queens, NY01-2022
Continuing Education -
Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) Leadership Fellows Program
New York, NY01-2015
Master of Human Services (MHS) -
Lincoln University
Lower Oxford Township, PA01-1991
Skills
- Grant proposal
- Program evaluation
- Budget oversight
- Grant proposal
- Stakeholder engagement
- Client management
- Stakeholder engagement
Personal Information
Title: Manager and Administrator
Affiliations
- National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) 2010
- Guyana United Youth Development Association (GUYDA) 2022
Presentations
- ACCT Leader Congress 2022, Borough of Manhattan Community College 2022 The Role of the Advocacy and Resource Center at BMCC
- Hispanic Educational Technology Services (HETS), San Juan, Puerto Rico 2020 Best Practices Showcase 2020, Enhancing the Culture of Care and Redefining In Loco Parentis
- National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) 2016 Redefining Financial Aid
- US Department of Housing and Urban Development 2015 Student Housing Insecurity
- National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) 2014 Show me the Money: CUNY Reinventing Financial Aid for Low Income Students
- American Association of Community Colleges 2012 Diversity, Retention, and Economic Empowerment
- BMCC Academy of Leadership PLUS 2011-2016 Management 101
- Freshman Year Experience 2011-2019
Committees
- Borough of Manhattan Community College-Trinity Dorm Advisory Committee 2022
- Borough of Manhattan Community College Perkins Advisor Board 2022
- Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence 2020 Interview participant
- Designing for Success: Taking What Works to Scale: BMCC Strategic Plan 2020-2025 2019 Co-Chair, Strengthening our Culture of Care for Students, Faculty, and Staff
- A Guide to Surviving and Thriving at CUNY 2019 Advisor
Interviews and Honorable Mentions
- Http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/03/26/the-system-when-it-works/#more-152550 2014
- Http://www.fox5ny.com/news/college-students-food-insecurity 2019
- Https://www.ny1noticias.com/nyc/noticias/noticias/2023/01/23/programa-de-ayuda-con-vivienda-a-estudiantes-universitarios# 2023
Timeline
Director, Advocacy and Resource Center (ARC)
Borough of Manhattan Community College
01.2013 - Current
Coordinator, Single Stop Program
Borough of Manhattan Community College
01.2010 - 01.2013
Director, Policy and Procedure Unit
New York City Administration for Children Services
01.2003 - 01.2010
Deputy to the Assistant Commissioner for Program Development, Policy and Procedures
Administration for Childrens Services
01.2002 - 01.2003
Chief of Staff
Administration for Childrens Services
01.1997 - 01.2002
Center Director
CHN Caribbean House Center
01.1995 - 01.1997
Director, Community Follow-Up Program (CFP)
Brownsville Community Development Corporation
01.1993 - 01.1995
Associate Director of Specialty Services
Brownsville Community Development Corporation
01.1993 - 01.1993
Director, Community Follow-Up Program/Scatter Site Housing Program
Miracle Makers, Inc.
01.1992 - 01.1993
Supervisor, Medical Assistance Program
NYC Department of Human Resources (HRA)
01.1989 - 01.1992
Doctor of Education (Ed. D.) -
The School of Education, St. Johns University
Continuing Education -
Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC) Leadership Fellows Program
Master of Human Services (MHS) -
Lincoln University