IVANA ONOJAFE
Summary
Completed multifaceted planning, research, networking and implementation of client employment programs as Workforce Development Specialist. Monitored local and regional employment markets and trends to create employment program strategies to satisfy immediate and future client needs. Surveyed prospective employees to determine compatibility with current and future job openings and created and implemented training and educational solutions based on findings.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Workforce Development Specialist
District of Columbia Department of Employment Services
2022.10 - Current
- Interview, register, and occupationally code applicants
- Counsel applicants to identify needs and/or problems to determine appropriate action required or referral to be made, and when necessary, refer applicants to appropriate specialized services such as testing
- Provide applicants with pertinent labor market information, job and/or training opportunities geared to need
- Screen applicant files against DCNetworks listings and refers qualified applicants to jobs
- Assess customers and identifies eligible program participants
- Deliver presentations and conduct orientations on eligibility and program services
- Collect, organize, and analyze customer information, including records, tests, interviews, and professional sources, to assess their interest, aptitudes, abilities, and personality characteristics for vocational and career planning
- Provide career advice
- Teach various job preparation classes, including resume, employment application, and cover letter writing
- Evaluated program effectiveness through ongoing monitoring and analysis of performance metrics, leading to continuous improvement efforts.
- Collaborated with employers to identify skills gaps and design customized training solutions, resulting in a higher employment rate.
Program Admin Specialist I
Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Service
2021.04 - 2022.10
- Ensured that state facilities are following the human rights regulations by promoting basic precepts of human dignity, advocating for the rights of persons with severe mental health diagnoses and disabilities
- Advocated for mentally ill offenders during institutional violation and adjudication process
- Provided technical support for Local Human Rights Committee hearings for case appeals
- Provided consultation to the treatment team regarding diagnostic impressions, recommendations, and strategies to engage patients in health and behavior change
- Monitored the overall processing of cases referred to the Office Of Human Rights regarding abuse/neglect
- Conducted thorough investigations of staff abuse/neglect and peer-2-peer abuse/neglect in mental health facilities
- Provided support services to individuals to include interviews with mental health patients and their families to aid in their overall treatment and discharging
- Coordinated training for new hires for the human rights advocate position
- Handled screening, intakes, and scheduling for individuals in mental health facilities
- Reviewed and document interactions with individuals in mental health facilities utilizing the electronic health record system
- Provided direct services to implement and manage DBHDS human rights dispute resolution program for individuals receiving services license funded or operated by DBHDS.
Lead Case Manager
Hillcrest Children & Family Center
2019.07 - 2021.03
- Completed intakes with homeless families and veterans referred from Virginia Williams for placement in low barrier shelters to aid in securing rapid rehousing
- Provided applied evidence-based techniques such as behavioral activation, problem-solving treatment, and motivational interviewing to support behavioral intervention
- Conducted various housing assessments such as VI-SPDAT for individuals facing homelessness to determine individual needs and developed comprehensive plan of supports and services
- Worked with clients to obtain benefits such as TANF, SSI, and supplemental food stamps
- Worked with housing landlords to secure stable housing for families and youth
- Reduced case resolution time by streamlining processes and improving communication between departments.
- Recorded client progress and treatment recommendation in the homeless management information database system to be shared with medical providers, psychiatric consultants, and other treatment providers
- Facilitated lease-ups for clients for their transition from shelter to their own stable housing.
- Enhanced client satisfaction by efficiently managing caseloads and providing personalized support.
Program Manager
LIFE DEEDS Inc.
2017.09 - 2019.04
- Developed business plans, determined key performance indicators
- Implemented risk management strategies to mitigate potential barriers to project success.
- Communicated with various mental health professionals to resolve client concerns, and met clients to provide emotional support
- Coordinated and directed the clinical activities of other medical personnel engaged in providing mental health-care services
- Implemented administrative and program support functions encompassing research best practices, development of effective solutions, management of correspondences, briefing documents, scheduling meetings, and oversight of community outreach
- Engaged community, local and state institutions to partner with schools to provide supplemental programs that support student achievement.
- Managed cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
Service Coordinator
LIFE DEEDS
2014.04 - 2017.09
- Served as key liaison for finalizing community contracts and assisting program managers within an acute intensive adolescent and adult population
- Developed comprehensive service plans tailored to individual client needs, resulting in high levels of satisfaction.
- Identified and documented any incident reports and collaborated with appropriate stakeholders to resolve any issues
- Submitted updated progress reports to the courts as well as attended cases to speak on behalf of clients within the program
- Implemented job readiness skills to youth within group homes and independent living facilities, to streamline a seamless discharge into the community and ensure recidivism was limited
- Strategized, planned, and coordinated quarterly breakout meetings, in addition to vetting, recruiting, and coordinating professional training speakers
- Performed group and individual counseling for children and adolescents, while conducting behavioral modifications and reporting on implicated results
- Streamlined service coordination processes for improved team productivity and response times.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by efficiently addressing and resolving service issues.
Education
Master of Arts - Forensic Psychology
Argosy University
Arlington, VA12.2017
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD05.2012
Skills
- Database Management
- Strong Interpersonal Skills
- Ability to Work Well Within a Team or Individually
- Amazing Customer Service Skills
- Superior Attention to Detail
- Creative Critical Thinking Skills
- Strategic and Organizational Development
- Good organizational skill and detailed oriented
- Excellent communication skills
- Data Entry
- Knowledge of individuals behavioral needs
- Outstanding Conflict Management
- Behavior Management Techniques
- Training and Therapeutic Analysis
- Proficiency: Microsoft Office Suite
Certifications Training
Online Cyber Security Professional Program, Kingsland University, Atlanta, Georgia, 08/01/21
Timeline
Workforce Development Specialist
District of Columbia Department of Employment Services
2022.10 - Current
Program Admin Specialist I
Department of Behavioral Health and Disability Service
2021.04 - 2022.10
Lead Case Manager
Hillcrest Children & Family Center
2019.07 - 2021.03
Program Manager
LIFE DEEDS Inc.
2017.09 - 2019.04
Service Coordinator
LIFE DEEDS
2014.04 - 2017.09
Master of Arts - Forensic Psychology
Argosy University
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Salisbury University
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