Lester Lamar Thornton III
District Heights
Summary
Experienced in driving positive change in underserved communities through harm reduction, youth development, and family support services. Proven ability to energize marginalized citizens and foster productive community engagement. Skilled in problem-solving and decision-making, with a track record of implementing effective solutions for social system challenges. Committed advocate for social change, focused on empowering community members to sustain improvements.
Overview
5
5
years of professional experience
Work History
Faculty Associate-Community Health Organizer
University of Maryland, College Park
College Park
07.2024 - Current
- Convened and led Community Advisory Board meetings to enhance stakeholder engagement.
- Established and maintained relationships with community organizations and coalitions.
- Identified strategies to strengthen organizational capacity for tobacco prevention among Black and Latino/x LGBTQ+ youth.
- Participated in training sessions focused on tobacco prevention and health education.
- Proposed timelines and milestones for projects, ensuring adherence to deadlines.
- Demonstrated initiative in resolving routine challenges related to project goals.
- Traveled to community spaces in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties to fulfill work duties.
- Completed administrative tasks and community outreach as assigned.
C.O.S (Community Outreach Specialist) Representative
AmeriHealth Caritas / District of Columbia
Washington
10.2023 - 07.2024
- C.O.S Representative interfaces with members in person, on the phone and through mail correspondence as appropriate.
- Document all call details in a clear and structured format using the GIRP Format.
- Meet all required Key Performance Indicators & attend bi-weekly Supervision sessions.
- Communicate targeted benefit administration details and health promotion messages to all enrollees.
- Collaborate with the Medical Management Team to identify and potentially identify solutions to address environmental factors and S.D.O.H (Social Determinants of Health) of all AmeriHealth Caritas Medicaid Enrollees.
- Screen all new intakes to determine that they have state issued ID and which benefits and entitlements they are eligible for.
- Establish an action plan to obtain necessary documents and enroll participants in entitlement programs.
- Assist participants in the filing of claims for access to entitlements and benefits, including health insurance enrollment.
- Develop and implement outreach strategies to engage community members effectively and promote our organization's mission and services.
- Coordinate and facilitate community events, workshops, and informational sessions to enhance awareness and participation.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with community leaders, organizations, and stakeholders to support collaborative efforts.
- Gather and analyze feedback from community members to assess the effectiveness of outreach efforts and make data-driven improvements.
- Represent AmeriHealth Caritas at community events, meetings, and conferences to advocate for our initiatives and strengthen our presence.
- Create informative materials and resources to distribute within the community, ensuring clarity and accessibility of information.
Community Engagement Specialist
Prestige Healthcare Resources Inc
Washington
06.2023 - 04.2024
- Conveyed purposes and services of PROJECT CONNECT program to enrollees and patient care partners, highlighting impact on health outcomes.
- Assisted enrollees in developing personalized health management plans and objectives.
- Conducted follow-ups on health management plans with enrollees, support teams, and providers.
- Coached enrollees in managing chronic conditions and implementing effective self-care strategies.
- Documented activities, service plans, and outcomes in compliance with PHRI policies.
- Guided enrollees in utilizing resources, including appointment scheduling and application completion for eligible programs.
- Facilitated access to health services, such as medical homes and behavioral health assessments, while addressing barriers to care.
- Cultivated positive relationships with enrollees, providers, case managers, agency representatives, supervisors, and office staff.
Director of Club Connect, Client Benefits, N.O.E.P & C.H.A.M.P
Community Health Action of Staten Island (C.H.A.S.I)
Staten Island
02.2022 - 06.2023
- Oversee all Club Connect, Client Benefits, N.O.E.P and C.H.A.M.P program operations while implementing effective workflow systems.
- Provide direct supervision to all employees within my management portfolio.
- Implement and maintain aggressive plans to achieve contractual performance targets.
- Analyze program performance, forecast future demand, and resource requirements to ensure effective program operations.
- Conduct community outreach in collaboration with community leaders and residents as well as to identify and establish new locations for the provision of SNAP and health insurance enrollment services.
- Conduct ongoing QA/QI activities and ensure that engagement methods are impactful and yield desired outcomes.
- Conduct regular, comprehensive client documentation reviews for quality and completeness.
- Complete weekly and monthly service delivery reports for Sunriver, SI PPS, the JCC, and United Way.
- Direct, coordinate, and implement training programs for staff, including both internal training and outsourced training for SNAP and health insurance enrollment activity.
- Conduct performance management activities, including appraisals, documentation, coaching, and disciplinary actions for direct reports.
- Provide daily and weekly updates to senior management and all program staff on key Club Connect, Client Benefits, N.O.E.P & C.H.A.M.P performance indicators.
- Unite staff under a single program mission and vision, model and ensure the full adoption by staff of agency values, and motivate staff to work together as a team
- Perform other duties as required by the AVP of Community Access and Engagement.
Community Health Worker/ Outreach Liaison
Howard University-CIDMAR Clinic
Washington
04.2021 - 02.2022
- Convey the purposes and services of a program to the user population and the impact that program or service would have
- Help patients develop health management plans and goals
- Follow-up with health management/care plans with both patients and providers
- Coach patients in effective management of their chronic health conditions and self-care
- Assist patient in understanding care plans and instructions
- Document activities, service plans, and results in an effective manner while strictly adhering to the policies and procedures in place
- Work collaboratively and effectively within a team
- Establish positive, supportive relationships with participants and provide feedback
- Help clients in utilizing resources, including scheduling appointments, and assisting with completion of applications for programs for which they may be eligible
- Assist clients in accessing health related services, including but not limited to obtaining a medical home, providing instruction on appropriate use of the medical home, overcoming barriers to obtaining needed medical care and social services
- Effectively work with people (staff, clients, doctors, agencies, etc.) from diverse backgrounds in reducing cultural and socio-economic barriers between clients and institutions
- Continuously expand knowledge and understanding of community resources, services and programs provided; human relations and the procedures used in dealing with the public as part of a service or program; volunteer resources and the practices associated with using volunteers, operations, functions, policies, and procedures associated with the department or program area, procedures and resources available to handle new, unusual or different situations
- Other duties as assigned .
Benefits Counselor (PCS1)
A.H.F (Aids Health Care Foundation) Benning Road -HCC
Washington
02.2020 - 04.2021
- Conducted patient assessments to determine home safety and socio-economic needs.
- Educated clients on health benefits and enrollment processes.
- Assisted individuals in understanding eligibility requirements for services.
- Provided support during application and renewal of benefits.
- Assisted in the development of new benefit policies, procedures and systems to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
- Responded to requests for information with open and knowledgeable support to foster interest in available plans.
- Checked accuracy and completeness of benefits applications and documents.
- Mastered state and Federal benefit laws Including ERISA, FMLA, COBRA, HIPPA and 401k administration.
- Produced detailed reports and data models to help clients pick optimal plans.
Education
Associate of Applied Science - Cyber Security
California Institute of Applied Technology
National City, CA05-2027
Program Management
NYC Mayor’s Economic Opportunity
New York, NY06.2023
Skills
- Cyber security
- Project management
- Data analysis
- Network troubleshooting
- Stakeholder engagement
- Community outreach
- Effective communication
- Team collaboration
- Problem solving
Timeline
Faculty Associate-Community Health Organizer
University of Maryland, College Park
07.2024 - Current
C.O.S (Community Outreach Specialist) Representative
AmeriHealth Caritas / District of Columbia
10.2023 - 07.2024
Community Engagement Specialist
Prestige Healthcare Resources Inc
06.2023 - 04.2024
Director of Club Connect, Client Benefits, N.O.E.P & C.H.A.M.P
Community Health Action of Staten Island (C.H.A.S.I)
02.2022 - 06.2023
Community Health Worker/ Outreach Liaison
Howard University-CIDMAR Clinic
04.2021 - 02.2022
Benefits Counselor (PCS1)
A.H.F (Aids Health Care Foundation) Benning Road -HCC
02.2020 - 04.2021
Associate of Applied Science - Cyber Security
California Institute of Applied Technology
Program Management
NYC Mayor’s Economic Opportunity
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