Deborah M. Kluss
Seneca Falls
Summary
Mission-driven leader in HIV community engagement and health services, excelling in case management and strategic partnership development. Expertise in coordinating Ryan White-funded services, enhancing access to care for underserved populations, and fostering collaboration among healthcare and community organizations. Recognized for building trusted relationships and advocating for equitable HIV care.
Overview
1
1
Certification
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Case Worker Supervised Visitation
Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes
Geneva
01.2017 - Current
- Supervised and coached interactions between parents and children to promote positive relationships.
- Provide a safe environment for the children during visits.
- Participated in service plan updates and delivered court testimony to support case objectives.
- Documented detailed observations for supervisor to inform case assessments.
Supportive Services Intake Coordinator
Catholic Charities Community Services
Rochester
01.2015 - Current
- Lead the Supportive Services and Case Management team serving individuals living with HIV throughout the 9 county region in the Finger Lakes region.
- Supervised intake, assessments, reassessments, service planning, case coordination, and ongoing client engagement to enhance client access to necessary services.
- Re-engage clients who have fallen out of HIV care and coordinate linkage to treatment and supportive services.
- Connected clients to behavioral health, substance use treatment, transportation, housing, employment, and financial assistance to eliminate barriers to healthcare access.
- Facilitated multidisciplinary case conferences to collaboratively address client needs and enhance overall client outcomes.
- Build strategic partnerships with healthcare systems, HIV treatment providers, health departments, community organizations, and pharmaceutical companies to improve access to care.
- Collaborate directly with ViiV Healthcare, Gilead, Merck, Johnson & Johnson, regional HIV coalitions, and community stakeholders to strengthen HIV prevention, treatment, and support initiatives.
- Supervise professional staff, conduct meetings, approve payroll, mentor employees, and oversee departmental operations.
- Ensure compliance with Ryan White requirements, agency policies, state regulations, and federal reporting standards.
- Assure compliance with all applicable local, State and Federal regulations and agency policies.
- Maintain comprehensive documentation utilizing Welligent and AIRS databases.
- Maintained timely case openings, case management logs, case closings, and all other paperwork, provided crisis intervention, and served as client advocate.
- Participate in staff meetings, Health Coordination and Support Services department activities.
- Led case management team in coordinating client services.
Vocational Educational Teacher
ARC of Yates
Penn Yan
01.2010 - 01.2015
- Planned and implemented Vocational Skills/Social Skills curriculum.
- Collaborated with professors and D.R.I.V.E team to design curriculum for community integration and teach basic computer programs.
- Developed Valued Outcomes and Safeguard plans to enhance instructional differentiation.
- Documented student progress and assessed needs to inform monthly Medicaid billing and summaries.
- Document Medicaid billing, Person Centered Planning, Implemented OPWDD regulations.
- Managed staff operations to ensure effective performance and Implemented Agency policy and procedures.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Keuka College
Keuka Park, NYMaster of Science - Education
Walden University
Baltimore, MDBachelor of Arts - Adolescent Social Studies and Special Education
Keuka College
Keuka Park, NYSkills
- HIV/HCV care navigation
- Ryan White program coordination
- Linkage to care
- Case management
- Community partnership development
- Community outreach
- Stakeholder engagement
- Patient advocacy
- Strategic relationship management
- Health education
- Team leadership
- HIV community engagement
Certification
- Social Studies
- Special Education
Activities
- RAFTA, 01/01/15 - 12/31/22
- Phi Alpha Honor Society, Honor Society in Social Work, 01/01/14
Timeline
Case Worker Supervised Visitation
Catholic Charities of the Finger Lakes
01.2017 - Current
Supportive Services Intake Coordinator
Catholic Charities Community Services
01.2015 - Current
Vocational Educational Teacher
ARC of Yates
01.2010 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Keuka College
Master of Science - Education
Walden University
Bachelor of Arts - Adolescent Social Studies and Special Education
Keuka College