Denise Darden
Bronx,NY
Summary
Goal oriented Director of Social Services. I have been in the social service field for over 20 years servicing various communities throughout new york city. Working in the social service field has not only been challenging but rewarding in ways that has taught me to be more compassionate and understanding the needs of individuals dealing with homelessness.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Westhab, Inc.
03.2023 - 05.2026
- Oversees the admissions procedure and guarantees that each family receives a thorough assessment.
- Makes certain that client encounters, service plans, and assessments are properly documented.
- Audit charts and, if necessary, draft corrective action plans.
- Makes sure that interventions are professional, concise, and in line with the agency’s policies, procedures, and practices that are evidence-based.
- Creates interpersonal relationship between case management and housing to ensure the effectiveness and quality of housing and casework services.
- Makes sure that employees correctly complete case management and housing to make the right referrals, and make sure that program participants and senior manager follow up with resources to support their participants in successfully completing the objectives of their service plans.
- In charge of overseeing the case management staff. Makes sure that employees are aware of the agency’s mission statement, policies, procedures, and practices and that they are evidence-based.
- Keeps up with all necessary records and reports, and promptly submits them.
SUPERVISOR OF FAMILY SERVICES
African American Planning Commission, Inc.
02.2021 - 03.2023
- Responsible for providing direct services to survivors of domestic violence living in the safe dwelling to include counseling, advocacy, housing assistance, food inventory and ordering, transportation, and referrals.
- In collaboration with other employees, insure that the safe dwelling is operating in accordance with NYS guidelines.
- Interacted with appropriate vendors and contractors.
- Experienced with trauma informed, survivor-centered.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism, as well as strong organizational, time-management, decision-making, and interpersonal skills.
- Was in charge of Overseeing 3 case managers and 2 housing specialists to ensure optimal communication.
CASE MANAGER
Helpusa.
09.2012 - 03.2017
- Assisted families with identifying appropriate housing resources and assist application process as needed.
- Provided stability services to homeless families.
- Delivered to crisis management and intervention services to clients.
- Completed ILP’s and other Case Management related tasks as needed.
- Established linkage with community service providers to obtain housing, health and social services for clients. Site Coordinator
SOCIAL SERVICE SUPERVISOR
Children's Community Services Inc.
01.2017 - 02.2017
- Provided field orientation and on the job training to Case Manager.
- Created and executed plans for permanent housing completion and placement goals.
- Ensured all Case Managers completed mandated CCS, DHS, and OTDA tasks in accordance with prescribed timeframes.
- Ensured Case Managers were providing advocacy and support to clients as per CCS, DHS and OTDA policies and procedures.
- Monitored Case Managers work activities via CARES review, physical chart reviews, and spreadsheets.
- Provided feedback of performance, including areas of strength and areas in need of development.
- Conducted performance evaluations of Case Managers as per CCS, DHS, and OTDA policies and professional standards.
- Collaborated with Social Services team members and Case Managers to address clients’ needs related to housing, substance abuse treatment, mental health and/or employment, etc.
- Met with Senior Management (PD and APD) for individual and group supervision on a weekly basis.
POLICE
Athletico.
01.2006 - 08.2012
- Worked as a Site Coordinator at a truancy prevention site.
- Worked with children who were excessively truant.
- Provided case management, referrals, tracked their attendance.
- Worked alongside school safety, police officers and as an attendance teacher.
CASE MANAGER
The Partnership for the Homeless.
01.2004 - 12.2006
- Provided aftercare services to previously homeless families.
- Provided referrals to outside agencies for needed services.
- Conducted home visits.
- Accompanied clients to appointments.
- Documented all efforts in Awards.
Education
MASTER'S DEGREE IN EARLY EDUCATION - undefined
Touro College
12.2025
BACHELORS IN LIBERAL ARTS - undefined
The College of New Rochelle
05.2005
Timeline
DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Westhab, Inc.
03.2023 - 05.2026
SUPERVISOR OF FAMILY SERVICES
African American Planning Commission, Inc.
02.2021 - 03.2023
SOCIAL SERVICE SUPERVISOR
Children's Community Services Inc.
01.2017 - 02.2017
CASE MANAGER
Helpusa.
09.2012 - 03.2017
POLICE
Athletico.
01.2006 - 08.2012
CASE MANAGER
The Partnership for the Homeless.
01.2004 - 12.2006
BACHELORS IN LIBERAL ARTS - undefined
The College of New Rochelle
MASTER'S DEGREE IN EARLY EDUCATION - undefined
Touro College