Melinda Berry
Chicago,IL
Summary
Most recently worked as a Program liaison Manager with a Head Start grantee, where I also had years of experience in management and coordinator roles in parent, family, and community engagement. I have worked as a Program Manager in a Medicaid funded outpatient program and an intensive outpatient psychiatric unit. I have also done contract work as a therapist, both in home with foster children and in the office with children, families, and adults. I have worked in a therapeutic day school, early childhood education program, in clients’ homes, and a hospital. This variety of experience makes me a well rounded professional with a wide range of transferrable skills, including strong relationship building and networking skills, conflict management, reflective supervision, change management, and assessment and data analysis. Other skills include working under pressure, developing procedures and systems to improve efficiency, and organization along with strong interpersonal communication skills.
Overview
32
32
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Liaison Manager
Start Early
Chicago, Il
10.2023 - 11.2024
- Recruitment of Head Start partner and sub-recipient programs for the Head Start grant recipient- developed a service area map and Smartsheet including all early childhood programs in Chicago and their quality indicators
- Facilitate potential program assessments which included environmental health and safety, eligibility, recruitment, selection, enrollment and attendance, fiscal, and education
- Onboarding of new partner programs to ensure proper implementation of all Head Start performance standards
o developed Smartsheet onboarding plan for the first year of partnership, assisted with policy and procedure development, monitored compliance in all content areas
o Developed tools to support full implementation, such as annual program timeline and onboarding manual
o Supported programs with self-assessment and implementing a program improvement plan
Parent Family and Community Engagement Coordinator
Start Early (formerly Ounce Of Prevention Fund)
Chicago, IL
04.2016 - Current
- Function as content area lead in area of family and community engagement
- Responsible for setting policy, procedures, and ensuring compliance to Head Start Performance Standards for 2065 children in 13 programs in Chicago and suburbs
- Develop and facilitate training and technical assistance to 13 delegate and partner Head Start and Early Head Start programs
- Develop and facilitate meetings and trainings for over 50 Family Support staff from delegate and partner agencies
- Monitor family and community engagement services at these programs through data analysis and continuous quality improvement cycles
- Develop procedures, guidance, and forms for program staff to ensure compliance with Head Start performance standards
- Developed and implemented family assessment and family outcome rating process, including data analysis process used for program planning and development
- In the first two years 67% of families moved out of need in areas of housing and health, and 57% in area of supporting their child’s development.
- Demonstrate respect, friendliness and willingness to help wherever needed.
- Maintain energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
- Prove successful working within tight deadlines and fast-paced atmosphere.
- Use critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
Family Support Supervisor
Start Early- Educare Early Childhood Center
Chicago, United States
01.2000 - 04.2016
- Supervision of three to five staff members and student interns supporting, classrooms providing case management including family engagement, crisis intervention, and counseling and support resource referral for 150 children and their families
- All staff supervised during that time remained in their job for no less than five years
- Member of inter-disciplinary Management Team for Educare Center, helping shape the vision for the center, addressing center-wide issues, strategizing for completion of goals and implementation of agency plans, participating in developing action plans for highly involved families
- Co-facilitated monthly Parent Committee Meetings. Creating agendas, coordinating speakers, adhering to Head Start Standards for meeting topics, soliciting feedback from parents, and assisting parents with concerns to address their needs appropriately with center staff
- Managing various projects, including: Transition Planning for families of children entering kindergarten, member of team partnering with University of Chicago Charter Schools to develop birth to college pipeline, randomized control trial for Educare Learning Network outcomes analysis, annual Community Partners Breakfast, annual parent elections for governing body and parent appreciation event
- Monitoring staff files and documentation, use of ChildPlus Management Information System, assistance in developing more streamlined use of MIS, developing work-flow strategies for staff to increase productivity
- Developing relationships with diverse community agencies to enhance services provided to meet needs of families
- Supervise Disabilities and Mental Health Coordinator, and function as content area lead for disabilities and mental health in center
- Functioned as Interim Site Manager for Head Start program serving 85 children ages 3-5, supervising 25 staff members and overseeing all aspects of program April – September, 2004
- Coached employees through day-to-day work and complex problems.
- Established and updated work schedules to account for changing staff levels and expected workloads.
- Assessed personnel performance and implemented incentives and team-building events to boost morale.
- Monitored employee and customer interactions to assess quality of service.
- Standardized office structures and processes to promote collaboration and increased performance.
- Tracked and documented metrics, and evaluated trends.
- Hired, managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, conducted performance reviews and administered salaries for staff.
- Resolved issues through active listening and open-ended questioning
- Interceded between program staff during arguments and diffused tense situations.
Clinical Social Worker
CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF JOLIET
Joliet, Illinois
12.2008 - 01.2012
- Contract Therapist with foster children ages 0-6 and families in their homes
- Updated treatment plans on monthly basis with latest intervention strategies and progress notes.
- Performed short-term therapy, provided education and responded to crisis situations.
- Interviewed clients, families or groups to assess situations, limitations and issues and implement services to address needs.
- Organized clinical documentation, treatment plans, and referrals.
- Helped clients develop new coping mechanisms and techniques to drive behavior modification.
- Maintained regular contact with clients by calling and visiting clients' homes.
- Diagnosed clients by using DSM-IV criteria
- Provided individual and family therapy focused on Attachment Disorders and Trauma.
- Facilitated family therapy sessions between children, caregivers and siblings to remediate conflict and build healthy relationships.
Dual Diagnosis Program Supervisor
ADA S. MCKINLEY INTERVENTION SERVICES
Chicago, Illinois
06.1997 - 12.1999
- Clinical supervision of five full time therapists and one student intern
- Maintain program within agency and DHS guidelines
- Ensure program met Medicaid billing goals every month
- Directed team of five personnel, overseeing records, performance and quality assurance.
- Coached team members on productivity strategies, policy updates and performance improvement plans to accomplish challenging goals.
- Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.
- Scheduled and supervised staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones.
- Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions
- Participated in team-building activities to enhance working relationships
- Collaborated with team members to achieve target results
- Managed team of employees, overseeing hiring, training and professional growth of employees
- Completed paperwork, recognizing discrepancies and promptly addressing for resolution
- Devoted special emphasis to punctuality and worked to maintain outstanding attendance record
- Identified issues, analyzed information and provided solutions to problems
Partial Hospital Program Manager
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
Chicago, Illinois
07.1996 - 05.1997
- Clinical supervision of 10 employees,
- Managed therapeutic programming,
- Ensured quality of clinical documents in accordance with Medicaid documentation and billing policies
- Addressed and resolved technical, financial and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
- Orchestrated smooth and efficient program development by collaborating cross-functionally across departments.
Clinical Supervisor
ADA S. MCKINLEY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
Chicago, Illinois
02.1993 - 06.1996
- Functioned as School social Worker at a therapeutic day school
- Supervised one full time social service worker and various clinical consultants
- Provided social work services as mandated on Individual Education Plan
- Facilitated intakes and Chicago Board of Education Staffings
- Responded to crisis situations with calm and professional approach to optimize support.
Education
Infant And Toddler Studies Certificate -
Erikson Institute
Chicago, IL05.2003
Masters Degree - Social Work
University of Illinois At Chicago
Chicago, IL05.1991
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Indiana University Bloomington
Bloomington, IN05.1989
Skills
- Parent and caregiver rapport
- Customer service and engagement
- Customer engagement and assistance
- Patient and family education
- Individual and family support
- Family and individual counseling
- Community engagement
- Patient and family advocacy
- Provider interaction and engagement
- Data analysis
- Project Management
Certification
Illinois Professional Educators License- School Social Work
LCSW Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois and Indiana
Parents As Teachers Curriculum
Touchpoints
Floortime
Portage Project Family Service Credential Trainer
Gateways Family Service Credential, Level 5
Timeline
Program Liaison Manager
Start Early
10.2023 - 11.2024
Parent Family and Community Engagement Coordinator
Start Early (formerly Ounce Of Prevention Fund)
04.2016 - Current
Clinical Social Worker
CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF JOLIET
12.2008 - 01.2012
Family Support Supervisor
Start Early- Educare Early Childhood Center
01.2000 - 04.2016
Dual Diagnosis Program Supervisor
ADA S. MCKINLEY INTERVENTION SERVICES
06.1997 - 12.1999
Partial Hospital Program Manager
UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL
07.1996 - 05.1997
Clinical Supervisor
ADA S. MCKINLEY EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
02.1993 - 06.1996
Infant And Toddler Studies Certificate -
Erikson Institute
Masters Degree - Social Work
University of Illinois At Chicago
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology
Indiana University Bloomington
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