Grace Assefa
Summary
Public health professional with over 6 years of experience in managing health program initiatives and optimizing administrative processes. Successfully directed quality improvement projects that secured grant funding and enhanced operational efficiency. Developed community health strategies through comprehensive analysis of COVID-19 data, improving vendor compliance and implementing effective intervention programs. Demonstrated expertise in data analysis, cross-functional collaboration, and resource coordination, ready to contribute to [company name]'s mission.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Behavioral Technician
Maxim Healthcare Services
06.2025 - Current
- Administer Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) intervention programs for children diagnosed with autism, with customized in-home and at-school programs.
- Increase compliance, independence, participation, and social skills by establishing behavioral program best suited for each client.
- Conducted data collection and analyzed reports on target goals and behavioral patterns to inform intervention strategies.
- Reviewed and evaluated client progress and improvements, reporting key findings to management for program adjustments.
- Collaborated with supervisors to address extreme maladaptive behaviors, discussing effective practices and developing tailored intervention programs.
Health Program Analyst
Los Angeles Department of Public Health
08.2023 - 12.2024
- Directed quality improvement and performance management initiatives for Public Health Investigation (PHI) Administration team, contributing to successful approval of grant funding for public health staff training.
- Enhanced operational efficiency, compliance, and data integrity by collaborating with PHI Administration's senior staff in the revision of webpages, documents, forms, and spreadsheets.
- Compiled comprehensive list of staff training programs for Trauma Informed Care, Adverse Childhood Experiences, Cultural Humility, and Gender Diversity by evaluating community-based organizations' program proposals.
- Streamlined vendor documents, including Request for Quote (RFQ) forms, Scope of Work (SOW), bidder requirements, and vendor correspondence, ensuring compliance and facilitating informed decision-making for management.
- Advanced formal quotes to the procurement phase for successful approval of funding.
Public Health Investigator
Los Angeles Department of Public Health
06.2022 - 07.2023
- Collaborated with Exposure Management Unit to investigate COVID-19 cases and exposed contacts, analyzing cluster data to identify potential outbreak incidents across TK-12 school sites and mitigate transmission.
- Coordinated with LAUSD superintendents to gather detailed cluster information on exposed students and staff, and classroom environments to conduct data collection and analysis of disease transmission threats.
- Conducted investigations of school site violations of public health orders and protocols.
- Guided superintendents on risk reduction techniques, outbreak prevention strategies, and compliance with county public health orders.
- Provided detailed summary of collected data and analysis to report findings to management.
Behavioral Technician
Institute for Behavioral Health
03.2018 - 03.2022
- Conducted customized in-home ABA therapy sessions for children and adolescents diagnosed with autism.
- Increased compliance, participation, and social skills by building rapport with clients and establishing behavioral programs.
- Collaborated with supervisors to address extreme maladaptive behaviors, discussing effective practices and developing customized intervention programs.
- Evaluated client reports to assess progress and inform treatment strategies.
- Communicated with parents and guardians about observed changes, reinforcing positive behavior patterns and enhancing self-expression among clients.
Health Education Assistant I
Riverside University Health Systems
06.2020 - 07.2021
- Coordinated planning, scheduling, and management of live calls with newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients and exposed contacts, supporting Riverside County's COVID-19 emergency management and vaccine response efforts.
- Provided key information and guidance to patients, exposed contacts, and the public about COVID-19 and the importance of mitigating spread of transmission, while offering essential resources and services.
- Established and nurtured collaboration with vaccine providers to enroll in state mandated system to administer vaccine to the public, including MyCAvax, CAIR, MyTurn, and Blue Shield's TPA network to ensure seamless vaccine allocation.
- Monitored vaccine inventory for LHD, maintained accurate records, and supported providers in the vaccination of over 2 million residents.
- Assisted positive cases and contacts by delivering step-by-step instructions for in-home isolation or quarantine practices.
- Collaborated with support services to provide food, mental health, and housing assistance, such as Meals on Wheels, WIC, and Project Room-Key, for individuals in isolation or quarantine.
- Reached 100+ diagnosed COVID-19 cases to trace close contacts and mitigate spread of disease.
Education
Master of Public Health -
California Baptist University
Riverside, CA08-2019
Skills
- Data Analysis & Management
- Resource Coordination
- Program Planning & Rollout
- Progress Evaluation
- Behavioral Interventions
- Compliance Assurance
- Relationship Management
- Case Documentation
- Technical Assistance
- Community Outreach
- Problem Resolution
- Decision Management
- Risk Assessment & Mitigation
- Cross-functional Collaboration
- Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Visio, Word, Access, SharePoint, Teams)
- Salesforce
Qualifications Summary
- Adept at leading design, implementation, and oversight of cost-effective and scalable healthcare education programs.
- Proven ability to steer end-to-end health awareness programs from initial concept through planning and timely execution within budget.
- Skilled in fostering collaborations across functional areas and demonstrated history of reviewing and evaluating complex reports, metrics, and trends to aid in key decision making.
- Utilized interpersonal communication skills to establish productive working relationships with clients and stakeholders at all levels of company management.
Affiliations
- Global Health Council, 2025
- Society of Public Health Education (SOPHE), 2025
- American Public Health Association (APHA), 2023
- Eta Sigma Gamma, 2019
Certification
- Strengthening Community Health Worker Programs, Harvard University, 05/25
- BLS Provider (CPR and AED), American Heart Association, 12/25
- Skills Building COVID-19 Contact Tracers, Riverside University Health System, 07/2020
Timeline
Behavioral Technician
Maxim Healthcare Services
06.2025 - Current
Health Program Analyst
Los Angeles Department of Public Health
08.2023 - 12.2024
Public Health Investigator
Los Angeles Department of Public Health
06.2022 - 07.2023
Health Education Assistant I
Riverside University Health Systems
06.2020 - 07.2021
Behavioral Technician
Institute for Behavioral Health
03.2018 - 03.2022
Master of Public Health -
California Baptist University