Meka Brown

Human Services subject expert, designing, developing, and delivering course materials such as syllabus and learning materials, teaching future human services practitioners using various teaching methods and platforms (hybrid, in-person, Blackboard, and Canvas).

• Courses taught: Intro to Human Services, Helping & Professional Relationships, Advanced Case Management, and University 101-Design Your Life.
• Engaged students with insightful and compelling classroom discussions of topics relevant to coursework to boost student learning and retention.
• Developed creative and effective teaching methods for course content to capture students' attention.
• Collaborated with department head to create dynamic, ongoing curriculum development, and instruction improvement processes.
• Developed and implemented course revisions to Intro to Human Services (HUS 300) curriculum for improved learning and student performance Developed and implemented course modifications to Helping & Professional Relationships (HUS 310) curriculum for writing disciplinary genre of degree major for students to complete Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) successfully.
• Designed and distributed feedback forms to continually improve teaching skills and develop stronger connections with students.
• Worked cooperatively with other faculty and staff members to contribute to overall institutional effectiveness through Faculty Learning Communities.

Responsible for the oversight of multiple county Transitional Housing Programs, Non-Minor Dependent (THP+NMD), preventing homelessness and promoting the highest level of independence for AB12 foster youth (18-21 yrs.) through trauma-informed care approach and delivery of supportive services at the remote site model in Los Angeles (Palmdale) Riverside, and Ventura County areas, and for the oversight of the Regional Violence Prevention Coalition in the Metropolitan Los Angeles areas of SPA 4:

• Provided direct and indirect support and supervision to department of 25 program staff—program administrators, case manager supervisors, case managers, and interns, conducting supervision meetings (planning), case conferences, leadership, and All-Staff meetings to ensure program compliance with standards of care established by agency, licensing, and regulatory agencies.
• Interviewed, hired, and trained staff, provided regular and appropriate feedback, including in-service training for best practices and adherence to Title 22 standards, opportunities for professional growth, verbal and written improvement plans when needed, staff evaluations, and overall support local offices towards achievement of program outcomes.
• Collaborated with various teams to uncover issues, identify applicable solutions, and offer guidance in multiple programs.
• Worked collaboratively with CDSS, DCFS, probation, public health, and other agency supports, redeveloped program policies and procedures, implemented initiatives, and developed projects to ensure continuous quality improvement in program operations and supportive services delivery.
• Prepared reporting (i.e., census, personnel, incident, cert/decert) to community care licensing, county, and probation staff requests for information as needed or assigned; addressed and corrected deficiencies as requested.
• Prepared local, state, and federal grant proposals and reports in alignment with organization’s strategic plan and assisted in agency’s responses to RFPs, RFQs, etc.
• Assisted Executive Director in meeting budgetary, operational, and strategic planning.
• Provided direct support to Executive Director for expanding and developing Transitional Housing Program (THP+NMD) across counties of Southern California, with recent expansion in San Bernardino County.
• Gained agency support from Los Angeles County DFCS Transitional Housing Unit for TAY's former foster youth.
• Successfully granted funding, becoming one of several agencies collaborating with Department of Public Health (DPH) on Regional Violence Prevention Coalition.
• Performed additional duties as assigned by Executive Director.

Promoted achievement of self-sufficiency and retained housing for older adults through coordination of programs and supportive services that support goal of self-empowerment and fostering independent living at multiple senior portfolios:

• Oversaw programs & services and coordinated activities that enabled and empowered residents socially, mentally, and physically to live successfully.
• Assessed and identified older adults' needs to maintain their self-sufficiency, educating available resources; provided service referrals and linkages to connect them with appropriate programs and services; accessed entitlement programs and other federal, state, and community resources.
• Worked collaboratively with Agency’s Beyond Homes program and community service providers for coordination and continuity of service to fulfill compliance requirements for Beyond Homes regulatory agreements at assigned sites.
• Assisted residents with transitioning into new living environments and maintained strong relationships with residents.
• Provided crisis management and intervention during emergencies.
• Prepared quarterly data outcomes reporting using AASC Online/Family Metrics to maintain various funding and funding proposals.
• In collaboration with Funding Development Director, encouraged resident participation and prepared impact stories for annual fundraising events, tours, and other related events beyond home program goals.
• Served two years on Human Capital Committee under leadership of COO and Director of H.R.
• Served on COVID-19 Site Task Force Committee to represent Resident Services.
• Served as facilitator of Racial Justice & Equity platform and participant of RJE interviewing team for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion consultant.
• Received "Behind Scenes Support" Award.
• Attended and represented Abode Communities at various conferences and convening meetings, local coalition meetings, and training.

Facilitated provision of program support through coordination of programs and services that supported goal of self-empowerment and fostering self-sufficiency for seniors living independently in 144-unit affordable housing facility, including veterans and homeless persons transitioning back into permanent housing:

• Coordinated activities and events to create safe, positive, and inclusive environment.
• Identified need for assistance; educated on available resources and links; connected residents with appropriate programs and services; accessed entitlement programs and other federal, state, and community resources; served as liaison and advocated for residents.
• Prepared monthly newsletters and calendars and funding proposals for housing subsidies as needed, collaboratively with management staff.
• Worked cohesively with Resident Council President and Council members, liaising between residents and management staff to make recommendations for changes, if appropriate, for residents’ housing concerns, safety, and enjoyment of facility premises.
• Worked with Director of Resident Services, assisting with setting program goals and targets, and created strategies and timelines for achieving target goals, tracking progress towards achieving outcomes, and program improvement.
• Maintained resident files, including all required documentation and updated progress notes using AASC online to comply with HUD requirements and follow mandated reporting requirements.

Managed the daily operations of multiple programs within the social services department: Congregate Lunch Meal Program at the Senior and Community Centers, Transportation, Home Delivered Meals Program, Case Management, and Internship Program in the North and Central Orange County areas:

• Recruited, supervised, and worked cohesively with social services staff and volunteers to ensure case management and home-delivered meals complied with Older Americans Act Regulations and Title III Program and agency, local, state, and federal requirements.
• Restructured case management program and trained case managers on new forms and procedures to ensure case files were maintained and ensured compliance with standards according to program.
• Cultivated optimistic, trusting relationships with clients and community providers to promote effective coordination of resources.
• Coordinated with social, public, and welfare agencies to obtain and provide client information.
• Visited homes for quality assurance to support case managers and ensure quality case management services to clients.
• Conducted offsite evaluations at 21 Congregate Lunch programs to ensure compliance with policies and procedures and represented agency/program at meetings and training events throughout county.
• Assisted Director of Social Services in Community Block Development Grant (up to $20,000) funds administration and management from 13 cities in Orange County areas: target goals, reporting, audits, and presentations.
  

Volunteer Program Manager, providing weekly oversight and assistance with supportive services to at-risk women, children, and TAY's (former foster youth):

• Provided service delivery components through collaboration with various community-based organizations: clothing, food, transportation, and housing vouchers to serve over 200 women and children and former foster youth.
• Through fundraising efforts, obtained $5,000 to temporarily house domestic violence survivors and their children in non-disclosed housing.
• Attended community functions to promote awareness of organization and its goals, recruited volunteers, and expanded network of donors and volunteers.
• Created contacts with community organizations to obtain commitments to support organization's mobilized resources.

Oversaw daily operations of the assigned property portfolio of two independent living scattered sites for seniors 62 years plus, non-elderly disabled persons, including homeless and veterans with affordable housing:

• Worked closely with Board of Directors on strategic planning, program direction, and funding.
• Partnered with community groups and social service agencies in services administration throughout year; bi-monthly, collaborated with resident service coordinators to build and organize programs of interest to residents and to build upon ongoing provision of services for residents.
• Organized and coordinated resident efforts in developing resident councils and resident management groups and provided referral services to residents.
• Collaborated with management and fellow supervisors to organize operations and achieve demanding schedule targets.
• Optimized productivity by managing employee schedules, payroll operations, and inventory transactions.
• Supervised and managed Rehabilitation Project at distressed facility. Supported construction and extraction workers to facilitate timely completion of distressed scattered site projects.
• Developed and maintained positive relationships with clients and other stakeholders.
• Scored “Superior” on Management Occupancy Review (MOR).

Directed and provided strategic planning and leadership in the administration of youth programs for ages 5-18 of diverse cultural, linguistic, and socioeconomic backgrounds:

• Scope of responsibilities included day-to-day operations, human resources, financial/grant management, program development, case management ensuring compliance, fundraising, facilities, marketing, public relations, and community outreach.
• Redeveloped, implemented revitalized, and expanded floundering after-school, winter, spring, and summer programs, increasing attendance to 100 participants.
• Performed continuous evaluations of programming successes and failures, and implemented improvement plans.
• Networked among community-based organizations to improve financial backing, operational planning and program performance.
• Developed work schedules for team members to maximize shift coverage.
• Identified and eliminated safety risks through additional training; OSHA.
• Evaluated team member strengths and assigned tasks based upon expertise and background
• Certificate in Outstanding Performance in program productivity and promoting Healthy Lifestyles guidelines.