DELANA M. RUSSELL-CLAY
COLUMBUS,OH
Summary
Dedicated Public Service Leader with a proven track record of driving strategic change, fostering collaboration, and delivering results in the fields of workforce development, human services, compliance, organizational development, and project management. With a background in overseeing high-level projects, managing budgets, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, I am well-prepared to contribute my expertise to the Department of Job and Family Service’s mission. My strategic leadership, collaborative teamwork, and problem-solving skills make me an asset to lead the department's initiatives towards achieving organizational goals and enhancing the public's experience with the government. Proficient in public administration principles, I contribute to effective organizational governance, ensuring compliance with government regulations and optimizing public service delivery. I bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to excel in the Assistant Deputy Director position.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Compliance ADMINISTRATOR
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
COLUMBUS, OH
08.2021 - Current
- Provide direct oversight for program compliance, monitoring, and training initiatives within Ohio Workforce Development, ensuring strict adherence to federal and state regulations, including compliance with US Department of Labor standards
- Manage high-level compliance projects, cultivating relationships with internal and external stakeholders to enhance program effectiveness
- Analyze organizational policies, contribute to program enhancements, and play a pivotal role in setting short and long-term goals
- Lead the development and implementation of action plans aligned with compliance strategies, ensuring seamless integration with broader organizational objectives
- Develop comprehensive performance measures to evaluate program effectiveness and proactively adjust operations based on evolving priorities within resource constraints
- Serve as a liaison, facilitating information flow between the Deputy Director and staff, covering report status, rule changes, and management needs
- Approve recommendations impacting organizational objectives and program operations and provide strategic leadership in the vision, strategy, and execution of compliance operations, emphasizing continuous improvement and diversity
- Direct training components for Ohio Workforce Development programs, identify impediments, review proposals, and ensure compliance
- Oversee legislative inquiries and public records requests and represent the Office of Workforce Development at labor-management committee meetings
- Provide leadership and professional development to management and staff, guide performance improvement strategies, emphasize employee development, coaching, and disciplinary action when necessary
- Determine and manage schedules for completing work, ensuring timely project completion (spreadsheets, Gantt charts)
- Oversee prioritization of projects, evaluation, cost schedule management, risk mitigation, and resource allocation.
Human Services Hearing Officer 2
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
COLUMBUS, OH
01.2009 - 07.2021
- Preside over adjudicative hearing processes, ensuring due process rights for appeals related to human services programs
- Apply a deep understanding of state and federal laws, provide expert technical opinions on rules and regulations, and contribute to informed decision-making
- Co-chair Focus Workgroup projects, showcasing strong leadership and project management skills throughout all phases
- Develop and implement benchmarks and agency-specific scorecards for meticulous tracking of performance indicators, enabling data-driven decision-making
- Collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies and internal departments, fostering a cooperative environment
- Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, integrating quality assurance practices into daily operations.
Training officer
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
COLUMBUS, OH
02.2007 - 01.2009
- Design training modules and analyze training effectiveness as an agency-wide subject matter expert
- Collaborate seamlessly with subject matter experts to design and customize course content, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and the utilization of various automated systems
- Transform technical information into a compelling narrative for both presentations and electronic platforms
- Compile detailed reports and analyze data from specific sessions, workshops, and overall program effectiveness
- Play a pivotal role in elevating training effectiveness by developing and translating technical information into persuasive narratives for presentations and electronic platforms
- Complete comprehensive reports and meticulously compile data on specific sessions, workshops, and the overall program, contributing to informed decision-making.
Quality Control REVIEWER
Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services
COLUMBUS, OH
06.2004 - 02.2007
- Collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including federal and state departments, to conduct routine quality assessments on data, ensuring accuracy and compliance with established guidelines
- Provide constructive feedback for improvement and investigate process inefficiencies, aligning with the Agency's commitment to continuous improvement
- Conduct monthly audits by random sampling of both positive and negative case actions involving social service programs regulated by Federal and State Departments
- Ensure compliance with governmental standards, identify areas for improvement in existing QA processes through continuous analysis of current practices
- Compile data and prepare written and statistical reports, effectively explaining the results of findings to county staff
- Investigate system flaws and process inefficiencies, providing clear and actionable recommendations for improvement
- Identify opportunities for business process improvement across projects, contributing to a culture of ongoing enhancement
- Play a key role in the agency-wide commitment to transparency and accountability by conducting thorough evaluations
- Lead initiatives to reconcile findings and observations from reviews conducted by the State Department, emphasizing fiscal compliance and case management requirements
- Provide strategic insights to management for overall process improvement, positively impacting service delivery and client outcomes
- Investigate system flaws and process inefficiencies, providing clear and actionable recommendations for improvement
- Lead initiatives to reconcile findings and observations from reviews conducted by the State Department, emphasizing fiscal compliance and case management requirement.
Total Case MANAGER
Franklin County Department. of Job and Family Services
COLUMBUS, OH
05.2001 - 06.2004
- Manage and facilitate assistance in housing, education, and childcare for clients, reflecting the Agency's commitment to serving the public
- Provide linkage to prospective employers and establish relationships with area stakeholders
- Perform ongoing monitoring of self-sufficiency contracts to evaluate effectiveness, document interventions and goal achievements, and suggest changes accordingly
- Assess client needs through interviews, surveys, focus groups, or other methods to develop appropriate intervention strategies
- Establish and maintain relationships with other community agencies and organizations to meet community needs and avoid duplication of services
- Manage and monitor caseloads of over 100 individuals and families within various State and Federal Government assistance programs
- Develop employability plans, training coursework, and support materials addressing service and self-development issues
- Provide linkage to prospective employers, establish and maintain relationships with area stakeholders
- Act as a liaison between clients and stakeholders to arrange assistance in housing, education, and childcare, ensuring comprehensive support
- Perform ongoing monitoring of self-sufficiency contracts, evaluate effectiveness, document interventions, and suggest changes accordingly
- Document and assess client needs through interviews, surveys, and focus groups, tailor intervention strategies for optimal outcomes
- Establish and maintain relationships with other community agencies and organizations to meet community needs and avoid duplication of services
- Consult with agency staff and other community programs on program-related federal, state, and county regulations and policies
- Compile data, prepare written and statistical reports, and explain the results of findings to county staff
- Investigate system flaws and process inefficiencies, contribute to the overall improvement of service delivery and program effectiveness
- Develop and implement strategies to enhance client self-sufficiency, ensure compliance with federal, state, and county regulations, contribute to the agency's commitment to accountability and transparency.
Executive MANAGER
Serenity Hair & Nail Studio
COLUMBUS, OH
01.1999 - 05.2001
- Oversee all business operations, demonstrating strong leadership in managing budgets, financial projections, stakeholder relationships, and human resources for Serenity Hair & Nail Studio
- Achieve and maintain budgetary guidelines by calculating cost projections, budgeting, procurement, reconciliation, banking procedures, cash flow, and accounting processes
- Develop, implement, and coordinate promotional strategies that significantly contribute to business success and revenue growth
- Collaborate with staff in streamlining booking, inventory, and appointment systems, resulting in increased customer satisfaction and retention
- Ensure a high level of service delivery, maintain a retention rate of 98% in the first year of operation
- Enforce staff compliance with health and safety policies, foster a safe and welcoming environment for both staff and clients
- Calculate and manage cost projections, oversee budgeting, procurement, reconciliation, and banking procedures
- Implement efficient accounting processes, ensure accurate financial reporting, and compliance with financial guidelines
- Address stakeholder concerns according to established service standards, emphasize professionalism and customer-centric values
- Collaborate with staff to enhance business processes and optimize service delivery, showcase adaptability and strategic thinking
- Implement efficient accounting processes, ensure accurate financial reporting, and compliance with financial guidelines
- Collaborate with staff to enhance business processes and optimize service delivery, showcase adaptability and strategic thinking.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Organizational Management/Communication
Wilberforce University
Wilberforce, OH01.2017
Associate of Science - Business Administration
Ohio Dominican University
Columbus, OH01.2007
Skills
- Strategic Leadership
- Collaborative Teamwork
- Project Management
- Compliance and Quality Assurance
- Budget Management
- Change Management
- Strategic Planning
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Problem-Solving
- Communication and Presentation
- Staff Development
- Contract Compliance
- Organizational Planning
Certification
- Six Sigma 'White Belt'
- Mediation - Supreme Court of Ohio
- Project Management
Projects/Involvement
Microsoft 365 Champion, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Provided crucial feedback for the successful launch of Microsoft 365, demonstrating adaptability and technology integration skills.
Transformation Lab Community of Practitioner, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Collaborated in supporting colleagues through organizational change, aligning with expertise in life cycle methodologies.
ESF- 6, Coordinator- Mass care, Housing, and Human Services, Ohio Emergency Management Agency
Led strategic plans for mass care, housing, and human services, showcasing skills in public policy management.
Statewide Special Initiative Grants, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
Directed comprehensive oversight for diverse projects, including planning, coordination, monitoring, and evaluation. Prioritized transparent accountability to ensure a sustained impact on the local workforce and community. Meticulously monitored increased program enrollment, promoted diversity and equity, and engaged with businesses rigorously for annual reporting.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Program Compliance ADMINISTRATOR
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
08.2021 - Current
Human Services Hearing Officer 2
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
01.2009 - 07.2021
Training officer
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services
02.2007 - 01.2009
Quality Control REVIEWER
Franklin County Department of Job and Family Services
06.2004 - 02.2007
Total Case MANAGER
Franklin County Department. of Job and Family Services
05.2001 - 06.2004
Executive MANAGER
Serenity Hair & Nail Studio
01.1999 - 05.2001
Bachelor of Science - Organizational Management/Communication
Wilberforce University
Associate of Science - Business Administration
Ohio Dominican University
- Six Sigma 'White Belt'
- Mediation - Supreme Court of Ohio
- Project Management
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