Esmerilda Soto

THE CONNECTION INC, New Haven, CT -Program Manager 1 –10/2023 to Present.

Programmatic and daily oversight of a 16 bed Women’s Work Release DOC funded residential program. Ensure that all matters involving program functioning will run efficiently and effectively. The Program Manager will manage and report on the day-to-day operations of the program including, but not limited to, scheduling, facility, contract obligations and fiscal management.

Maintain working knowledge of and adhere to the program Manual, agency handbook and Policies and Procedures. Attend all required training courses as outlined by Agency Policy, Program Manual and Funder Guidelines. Arrives on time for work and remains at work for whole shift and have regular and predicable attendance. Maintains appropriate boundaries and ethical standards with staff, clients, visitors, and outside providers as detailed in Agency Policy. Maintains positive and professional working relationships with co-workers, managers, clients, visitors, and outside providers. Strong and clear written and verbal communication skills. Excellent computer skills (included but not limited to Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook).

Develop working relationships with all departments within the Agency, including Operations, Human Resources, Communications and Finance. Respond in a timely manner to all requests for information/assistance from agency colleagues. Develops understanding of how other Agency programs work and the needs each program serves, refers clients to other programs within the Agency as needed. Build working relationships with colleagues within the Agency. Examples: Visits other programs, talks with program managers about how those programs work, shares ideas about what works for them and how it might help other Program Managers in their operations. Anticipates emerging needs of the client population. Responds to internal requests for information needed in developing grant applications. Identifies at least one potential source of new funding annually and communicates this internally. Reads and demonstrates solid knowledge of Staff Manual and all Agency policies and procedures. Adheres to personal boundary and ethical standards as defined in the Staff Manual.

Attends all scheduled training and attains knowledge in Evidence-Based Practices including:
- Motivational Interviewing, - Trauma-informed practice. Gains knowledge of emerging research and practices by attending classes, seminars, workshops, and conferences. Participates in agency-sponsored research activities, contributing job knowledge to build and enhance the intellectual capital and national reputation of the Agency. Interviews and makes hiring recommendations for vacant staff positions to assure program’s treatment and service requirements are met in a timely manner. Supervises CSAs and Case Managers and completes documentation at a minimum of once per month. Delegates responsibilities and accountabilities to supervised staff. Monitors staff work hours, vacation schedules, attendance issues and approves payroll. Supervises case management on a weekly basis including service planning, assessments, and documentation. Assures program adheres to all relevant agency policies and procedures, funder requirements, state and federal regulation. Work in collaborative fashion with the Administrative Director to ensure budgetary needs are being met

Ensure that program facilities and equipment needs are met, with an eye toward health, security, and safety. Responsible for program staffing schedule to ensure appropriate shift coverage for the 24 hour, 7 days a week program operation. Prepares manuals and reports for communicating program activities Participate in on-call rotation. Participates in all required community justice area and agency staff meetings and training as required by supervisor. Provides ongoing communication with funder sources. Ensure proper maintenance of client files. Monthly DOC/Funder report completed by the 5th of each month. Maintain CAMIS and PDMS up to date with required information.

• Provide Intensive Case Management for a case load of ten individuals re-entering the community sex offenders. Responsible for quality assurance, direct supervision of case managers in assigned area. Coordinate with the program Manager, TCI, and contracted employees to ensure uniform standards and quality of service. Provide supervision regarding processing and assigning cases. As well as comprehensive case management services to clients in the REACH program, including intake screenings, risk/need assessments, development and implementing of service plans, and liaison with treatment providers and community resources. Work collaboratively with medical treatment provider, employment, educational, DSS paperwork, assisting with all necessary paperwork, calling pharmacy for medications, assisting with food shopping, and volunteer linkages in the community on behalf of clients. Supervise operations while on duty. Maintain CAMIS management information database by supplying the necessary information, Chart audits, review program goal, compile monthly reports with budgeting, and printing data for supervisor.

• Provide Intensive Case Management for a case load of ten individuals re-entering the community sex offenders. Support and provide cognitive behavioral interventions/education based on risk needs. Facilitate criminal thinking and employment groups. Complete assessments and conduct home visits for all clients. Make referrals, complete paperwork, and data entry and compile reports. Document client progress adherence to client’s service plan. Provide support to DOC/Parole personnel during reporting with clients. Obtain toxicology results by mouth swab. Assist in the assessment and screening of client’s admission to the program, as needed and measured by the results placed in the file and assessment scores in CAMIS.

• Function as Case Manager for dual diagnosed clients. Work with interdisciplinary team members from initial client assessment with psychosocial for treatment planning and monitoring through the continuum of care. Serve as client advocate by establishing strategic alliances with community and social services resources. Provide crisis intervention, hospitalization, meals, inpatient and outpatient services, individual counseling and coaching in conjunction with goal setting to help mainstream clients. Monitor medications, track client progress and complete all required documentation. Serve as liaison between area shelters, court, probation officers, parole and local law enforcement. Assist psychiatrics with appointments, medications refills and psychosocial assessment. (Case load 15)

• Performed multiple case management functions, including enrollments, intake, outreach, hearing and vision screening, service plans and ongoing client counseling. Served in a client advocacy role to help homeless clients with the resources and networking support needed to achieve goals and transition back to community life. Handled crisis intervention, DCF cases, conducted home visits and maintained all related documentation. (Case Load 40)