Maira Acevedo
San Bernardino,CA
Summary
Accomplished Senior Program Specialist with a proven track record at Riverside County DPSS, enhancing program efficiency and expanding impact through strategic innovation and collaborative partnerships. Expert in policy analysis and project management, I excel in problem-solving and teamwork, significantly improving operational outcomes and compliance with state legislation.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Program Specialist
Riverside County DPSS
07.2024 - Current
- Plans, organizes, and coordinates the day-to-day activities of the Statewide Automated Welfare System Consortium Project (CalSAWS) and associated County staff; guides staff engaged in analyzing, testing and implementing the application, and ensures project and County goals and objectives are being accomplished.
- Championed organizational mission by consistently aligning programs with strategic priorities, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
- Coordinated with external partners for collaborative programming opportunities, expanding reach and impact of initiatives.
- Develop and make recommendations for procedural or organizational changes including staffing requirements and costs; outline proposed recommendations for administrative and supervisory staff and review input submitted by them to determine the most cost effective and productive approach.
- Analyze new and revised legislation which govern social services programs to determine impact upon departmental operations and those of service provider contracts and interagency agreements.
Program Specialist II
County of San Bernardino, Human Services - PDD
06.2023 - 07.2024
- Perform administrative and operational program development activities; analyzes, recommends and develops policies/procedures and knowledge assets/tools for agency/department programs, such as Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, CalFresh, etc.
- Serves as the team leader for a small staff engaged in program development activities, or serves as assistant to department Director and performs other related duties as required.
- Analyzes and interprets federal and state laws, regulations, court orders and directives from the State for impact on current operations. Reviews local operation, policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
- Writes or coordinates with others in preparing requests for proposals and contracts for performance of services with the primary responsibility to assure compliance with program regulations; assists in evaluating bids, recommends to management which contractors to select; monitors program aspects of contracts as assigned.
- Serve as a liaison between county and State agencies such as California Department of Social Services and Department of Health Care Services.
- Serve as a Regional Committee Member (RCM) for the CalWORKs and CalFresh programs for California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS).
Program Specialist I
County of San Bernardino, Human Services -PDD
02.2021 - 06.2023
- Analyzes and interprets federal and state laws, regulations and court orders, and directives from the State for impact on current operations. Reviews local policies and procedures to ensure compliance.
- Performs analytical studies of organizational systems, procedures, policies and practices; proposes new or modified administrative policies, organization and procedures; as approved, coordinates the implementation of adopted recommendations for the Medi-Cal program.
- Develops knowledge/assets tools to facilitate adopted recommendations for agency/department policy and procedure handbooks, automated tools, forms and user guides, including implementing the CalAIM initiative for adult and juvenile inmates' pre-release applications.
- Serve as the Medi-Cal Eligibility Data System (MEDS) Coordinator for the County of San Bernardino and Regional Committee Member (RCM) for the California Statewide Automated Welfare System (CalSAWS).
- Act as the Primary Point of Contact (PPOC) and liaison between the county and California Healthcare Eligibility, Enrollment, and Retention System (CalHEERS).
Eligibility Worker Supervisor
County of San Bernardino Transitional Assistance Department
02.2019 - 02.2021
- Assist subordinate staff on the more difficult eligibility problems and in identifying problems requiring referral to Social Services; interview complainants and make adjustments if necessary.
- Plan, organize, supervise and assign work to Eligibility Workers (EWs) for ongoing benefits of public social service cases for the CalWORKs, CalFresh, and Medi-Cal programs, such as Re-determinations (REs) and Rectifications (RCs).
- Collaborate with other supervisors in coordinating the activities of staff; interpret rules, regulations and policies; make recommendations regarding improved work methods, policies and procedures.
- Supervise staff; participate in personnel decisions, including hiring and disciplinary actions; train staff and participate in the development of training programs.
- Review the quantity and quality of work performed; assume responsibility for work group error identification, analysis, prevention and corrective actions; confer with supervisory/management staff on individual cases as needed; testify on behalf of the department at formal hearings.
- Answer inquiries from public or other agencies regarding available programs and services.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish Language
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA06.2009
Skills
- Policy analysis
- Proposal Writing
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Excellent Communication
- Organizational Skills
Attending concerts and sporting events
I am a music fan and enjoy attending concerts whenever possible. I am also a big New York Yankees fan as well as a San Francisco 49ers fan.
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Senior Program Specialist
Riverside County DPSS
07.2024 - Current
Program Specialist II
County of San Bernardino, Human Services - PDD
06.2023 - 07.2024
Program Specialist I
County of San Bernardino, Human Services -PDD
02.2021 - 06.2023
Eligibility Worker Supervisor
County of San Bernardino Transitional Assistance Department
02.2019 - 02.2021
Bachelor of Arts - Spanish Language
University of California, Riverside