Matthew Sam-Thornhill

Responsibility for planning, directing, and administering the UIATF Family Service Programs, (ICW foster care program, Our Strong Fathers program, Traditional medicine Program, Ina Maka home visiting program, Coalition against hate and bias program, Kina Ole Program, and” Way of the Buffalo” Food Equity fund. as well as additional early childhood and family support programs.

Present responsibilities include program development, program fiscal management, quality assurance, grant reporting requirements, community collaboration/coordination, staff oversight and supervision, training, and technical assistance to programs as well as client advocacy. I am responsible for some grant writing and fundraising along with fiscal management of federal, state, county, city and private funds.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES as Family Services Director

1) Oversee the development and implementation of client services - ensuring compliance of all applicable funding/revenue requirements, regulations and standards along with organizational policies and procedures.

o Provide direct oversight to ensure all programs are implemented in adherence to the model, curriculum, or implementation plan (model fidelity) as well as grant/contract requirements

o Interpret, analyze and apply standards and regulations to day-to-day operations of the program

o Review and edit drafted program manager reports, and will ensure timely submission to appropriate targets

o Ensure programs are providing culturally based programming, and will create modifications, adaptations or enhancements when necessary

2) Ensure workforce and community relationships are in place to meet programmatic and administrative needs

o Oversee program managers’ operations, including staff supervision, service implementation, client interaction, recruitment, data management, and reporting

o Hire program managers and oversee UIATF FSD hiring

o Ensure that FSD employees, volunteers, and students are well-trained, qualified, and supported

o Establish and maintain successful relationships with community

o Communicate appropriately to diverse audiences through verbal, written and technological means

o Serve as principal liaison between funding sources, community representatives, tribes, and tribal organizations

3) Oversee resources

o responsible for efficient and effective program/department budget planning and management

o secure funding to support departmental objectives

o Ensure that resources (equipment, training, and systems) are available for personnel to implement program goals and objectives effectively

o Work with finance department to devise budgets, review invoices and determine program monthly/quarterly spend downs; and will craft required program reports

4) Administer quality assurance, evaluate program activities, and assess performance measurements

o Develop and oversee qualitative/quantitative data measurements, informing program outcomes

o work with consultants, contractors, and program managers, and will present project results to various stakeholder groups

o Ensure all projects are conducted ethically and in a culturally appropriate manner

o Oversee data collection and analysis along with timely submission of required performance measures to proper channels

5) Provide leadership to departmental staff

o Represent department and/or organization through public presentations, collaboration with stakeholders, and community partners

o Oversee dissemination material, especially for funders and policymakers, such as open letters, policy statements, and advocacy materials.

o Demonstrate service models with partner agencies

o Participate in relevant advocacy efforts (i.e., new federal or state efforts, renewal of legislation, ASTHVI)

• Provided supervision and Management of ICW Foster Care program that is supported by four individual grants.
• Provided supervision and Management of Our Strong Fathers program that is supported by two individual grants.
• Over saw "Food Equity grant" that provided resources to multiple programs throughout UIATF.
• Managed and tracked program activities, expenditures, and coordinated program/ agency events.
• Provided funders and grant makers with written reports of program activities and expenditures.
• Provided supervision to program staff and contractors.
• Updated program policy as directed by state and federal guidelines and changes in law or legislation.
• Responsible for staff hiring, evaluation, and supervision.
• Grant writing, Grant management, and Grant amendments when circumstances provided more efficient or better use of grant funds.

• Provide comprehensive and on-going assessment of casework needs for child, parent(s)/guardian, and foster parent(s)
• Prepare and document cases for court proceedings
• Conduct interviews and maintain on-going contact focusing on strengths, cultural beliefs and values, language and learning style, and communication challenges/barriers which may impact behaviors
• Consult with other involved professionals/agencies focusing on strengths, while taking into consideration cultural background and beliefs of each, and assessing whether all providers/stakeholders are working from a solution-focused, strength-based, and culturally-competent standpoint
• Complete family assessments
• Facilitate the implementation of petitions, ensuring that appropriate supports are in place for family and youth
• Assess need for out-of-home placement, and work with familes to find the strongest placement to nurture the child's cultural and family ties
• Provide psychosocial summaries, home studies, and other appropriate correspondence to outside agencies
• Refer clients for psychological, psychiatric, and/or medical evaluations and treatment with other community resources, and monitor progress and effectiveness of services provided
• Monitor the health and safety of children by regular visitation in the placement facility and other settings
• Continually reassessing needs and ensuring the continued safety and well-being of the child
• File petitions for dependency, termination referrals, and guardianships when necessary
• Prepare and present written and oral testimony for court proceedings
• Provide regular discovery to all legal parties, at minimum before every court hearing, and assessments to be provided as soon as received
• Complete all required legal documents for court, placement, and service delivery
• Develop a plan to meet the child's needs including short and long-term goals
• Develop and implement appropriate service plans including service agreements with clients that are goal-directed, have specific behavioral objectives, and are measurable and time-limited
• Monitor and review all court matters to ensure compliance with RCW and federal mandates
• Participate in in-house case staffing's, shared planning meetings, FTDMs, and multi-disciplinary and/or multi-agency case staffing's
• Develop permanent plans with the consultation of providers and including their recommendations
• Utilize FamLink to document case activities and maintain case records within the program and manual standards, accountability requirements, and agency's documentation practice in order to ensure the quality of practice and consistency of service delivery to children and families statewide
• Initiate payments within FamLink for child placement and child/family services, as appropriate, in a timely and accurate manner.

• Provided individual supervision, lead weekly unit meetings, and completed performance evaluations for 7 program staff
• Lead unit through COVID response protocols and assisted management team in planning for functional community response to ensure continuity of placement resources for children in need
• Evaluated foster care licensing assessments of prospective foster parents
• Facilitated and participated in targeted recruitment of foster care resources to meet the child placement needs of IDHW
• Co-facilitated informational recruitment meetings in the community for prospective foster parents
• Assisted staff with safety assessment and corrective action planning with resource families
• Assisted in strategic planning for program implementation and policy change (Foster Care)
• Assisted in statewide training of foster care licensing both inside and outside of Department
• Provided ICWA support and training within region
• Assisted in statewide ICWA training through DHW
• Participated and facilitated multidisciplinary crisis teams/stability staffing

• Reviewed case files for child protection proceedings in Hennepin county juvenile court.
• Submitted written finding to court regarding ICWA compliance and Active efforts provision.
• Provided testimony regarding findings in Juvenile court.
• Consulted with Tribal experts regarding tribal customs and traditional Native American parenting practices.

• CPSW - ICWA Liaison
• Completed C.O.R.E training (Oregon safety Model)
• Case management (case planning, service referral, safety assessment, child placement, home visit, parent-child visit supervision, court reporting and participation)
• Client assessment and case plan development with adults and children in accordance with the Oregon Safety Model
• Resource acquisition and service referral as guided by client assessments and court direction
• ORKIDS trained and proficient (case note documentation)
• Child placement and removal in accordance with Oregon state law and Oregon Safety Model
• Culturally appropriate resource acquisition and referral
• Prepared Court reports and participate in Child Welfare hearings

• A.T program (Medically assisted therapy)
• Facilitated interdisciplinary team (M.A.T team)
• Policy research and implementation of protocols and procedures for administration of Suboxone/ methadone in a community clinic setting
• Conducted focus groups, organized and presented data to clinic management and community partners
• Conducted chart review and assessment, Made recommendations for M.A.T program eligibility
• Community outreach/ program collaboration

• Provided direct services to families in which abuse, or neglect has been reported or juvenile court is currently involved
• Developed child protection case plans specifically addressing specified issues outlined in court findings and child protection investigations
• Provided intensive in-home case management services for purpose of risk reduction and child safety
• Provided recommendations for child placement and worked with sister teams for permanency and concurrent planning
• Implement judicial findings and report progress to court (written and verbal)
• Document risk/ safety assessment for court proceedings and child placements
• Case note documentation
• Collateral contact with service providers and participation and family group planning (FGDM)
• Culturally appropriate resource acquisition and referral

• Case management (case planning, service referral, safety assessment, child placement, home visit, parent-child visit supervision, court reporting and participation)
• Investigated reports of child abuse and neglect in accordance with state and tribal law
• Facilitated Family Group conferences (FGDM)
• Provided case management and regular assessment for children involved with tribal court (Safety, Wellbeing, and Permanency)
• Implementation of multidimensional assessment tool and intervention strategy for tribal family services and court
• Co-facilitated interdisciplinary team (medical, mental health, conservators, attorneys offices, and child protection)
• Assisted in child protection policy development and implementation
• Provided ICWA training to program staff, local government, and community partners
• Participated in tribal-state compact policy planning and review.

• Provided trauma informed skills work with shelter residents (youth ages 5 to 18)
• Crisis intervention and de-escalation of resident conflicts and shelter emergencies
• Documentation (daily resident log, case noting, and intake/discharge documents)
• Perform intake/discharges of shelter residents
• Administered medication and logged detailed information as guided by state law
• Client transportation
• Managed funds and developed a weekly budget for youth activities

• Provided field supervision for junior level undergraduate students
• Developed, supervised, and adjusted learning contracts for social work students
• Ensured that students were able to apply social work theories to direct practice
• Ensured that students maintain ethical boundaries and were compliant with the NASW code of ethics
• Ensure that students are practicing in a culturally competent manor
• Responsible for grading/ learning assessment and implementation of curriculum

• Co-facilitated a diversity class in the graduate school of social work
• Lead group through the “Steen dialog”(dialog process that builds competent practice with diverse populations)
• Scheduled individual groups and co-instructed bi-weekly class
• Assisted in program evaluation and assessment
• Responsible for grades and curriculum implementation

• Policy analysis with recommendations for increased effectiveness in meeting agency goals and stakeholder expectations
• Employee performance review and goal development for performance improvement
• Direct supervision of program staff
• Grant review and participation in agency annual budget
• Participation in strategic planning
• Conducted focus groups to assess after-care program effectiveness

• Trained, recruited, and supervised foster homes that comply with the Indian Child Welfare Act
• Lead families through the licensing process, conducted initial assessment, wrote and complete home study assessment with training and capacity recommendations
• Coordinated services for developmentally disabled children
• Policy development and program implementation (teen-parent group home)
• Budget assessment and feasibility study for group home project
• Implemented and facilitated disciplinary action to correct Foster home non-compliance with DHS foster care rules
• Planed, developed, and implemented strategies for American Indian foster parent recruitment
• Provided monthly foster parent home visits, placement meetings, quarterly reviews, tribal worker meetings, and monthly foster parent trainings.

• Coordinated student support services and after-school program
• Direct supervision of students during school events and community activities
• Cultural specialist (traditional drum teaching)
• Taught personal hygiene and health class
• Responsible for managing student behavioral problems and resolving student issues
• Support staff supervision
• Hiring and training of support staff
• Participation in Minneapolis public school's attendance improvement initiative

• Dropout prevention case manager for, Lead cultural support groups at seven schools/ community organizations
• Coordinated and supervised a summer youth employment program.

of National Social Work Honor Society

• Awarded NASW Social work student of the year 2006
• Dean's List fall 2005/ spring 2006
• Scholarship Recipient American Indian Graduate Center
• Relevant Coursework: Policy development and Program administration (PDPA) & Indian Child Welfare Act

• Relevant Coursework: Indian Child Welfare Act, Minor in American Indian studies