Melissa Dennis
Blanchard
Summary
Experienced and professional with extensive knowledge in the field and a demonstrated history of leadership. Committed to effectively solving problems, possessing a keen eye for detail, and valuable experience in coordinating projects, programs, and implementing improvements.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Program Manager I
Department of Human Services
09.2022 - Current
- Company Overview: Child Care Services - Oklahoma City, OK
- Oversee and maintain the Quality Assurance activities by conducting regularly scheduled Quality Assurance reviews with supervisory groups
- Create timely and informative reports from Quality Reviews to include strengths, weaknesses, and suggested methods for improvement
- Coordinate Statewide Employee Recognition Committee
- Provide and discuss Quality Review results with affected supervisory groups, Licensing Coordinator, PD personnel, and Director of Child Care Services
- Schedule and lead Policy Pick meetings with Child Care Services leadership
- Supervise three Administrative Assistant II positions and oversee Child Care Services call center
- Assist in the oversight of Child Care Services grant management program
- Child Care Services - Oklahoma City, OK
Child Care Licensing Specialist IV
Department of Human Services
01.2018 - 09.2022
- Company Overview: Child Care Services - Oklahoma City, OK
- Supervised an average of 225 Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers
- This included maintaining a tracking system for each Licensing staff of the monitoring visits due for each staff, as well as, complaints received and worked by each staff
- Provided direct supervision of 5-7 Licensing staff and one Administrative Technician
- This included the following: reviewing monitoring visits and complaint investigations completed by each staff to verify that agency policies and procedures were followed, reviewed case documentation for approval of permit and license issuance, and reviewed case records to make recommendations for State Office on license denial or revocation
- Interviewed and hired new Child Care Licensing Specialists
- This included scheduling and completing interviews as well as ensuring all required paperwork was completed and submitted to state office when the staff started
- Ensured the new Licensing staff attended new worker trainings with state office
- Scheduled new Licensing staff to train in the field with myself and other Licensing staff
- Completed monitoring visits and complaints investigations for cases under my supervision
- Received and responded in writing to grievances from child care providers
- Testified in hearings for denial or revocation of licenses and reductions in STARS status
- Member of the Inquiry Committee and trainer for the Inquiry class
- Member of the Application Trial Green Belt team which created and implemented an improved application process
- Member of the Complaint Green Belt team which aided in improving and streamlining the complaint process
- Computer Skills used: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Lync, Child Care Licensing System (CCLS), and Child Care Monitoring Administration and Safety System (CCMASS)
- Child Care Services - Oklahoma City, OK
Child Care Licensing Specialist III
Department of Human Services
09.2017 - 01.2018
- Company Overview: Child Care Services - Oklahoma City, OK
- Managed a caseload of an average of 45 cases, including Family Child Care Homes, Child Care Centers, and Part-Day Programs
- Managing a caseload includes maintaining a tracking system of the monitoring visits have been completed and the monitoring visits that are due to be completed
- Monitored and assessed the child care facilities to ensure compliance with licensing requirements and certification criteria for the STARS program
- Conducted complaint investigations for licensed and unlicensed child care programs
- Assisted in the training of new Licensing Specialists
- Acted as a backup supervisor in my supervisor’s absence
- Testified in hearings for denial or revocation of licenses and reductions in STARS status
- Provided any necessary training for child care programs
- This included an inquiry class for new potential child care providers, requirements trainings for established child care programs, and specialized trainings that met the needs of individual child care programs
- Member of the Inquiry Committee and trainer for the Inquiry class
- Member of the Application Trial Green Belt team which created and implemented an improved application process
- Member of the Complaint Green Belt team which aided in improving and streamlining the complaint process
- Computer Skills used: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Lync, Child Care Licensing System (CCLS), and Child Care Monitoring Administration and Safety System (CCMASS)
- Child Care Services - Oklahoma City, OK
Child Care Licensing Specialist II
Department of Human Services
08.2016 - 09.2017
- Company Overview: Child Care Services - Oklahoma City, OK
- Managed a caseload of an average of 45 cases, including Family Child Care Homes, Child Care Centers, and Part-Day Programs
- Managing a caseload included maintaining a tracking system of the monitoring visits have been completed and the monitoring visits that are due to be completed
- Completed monitoring visits and assess the child care facilities to ensure compliance with licensing requirements and certification criteria for the STARS program
- Conducted complaint investigations for licensed and unlicensed child care programs
- Testified in hearings for denial or revocation of licenses and reductions in STARS status
- Assisted in the training of new Licensing Specialists
- Provided any necessary training for child care programs
- This included an inquiry class for new potential child care providers, requirements trainings for established child care programs, and specialized trainings that meet the needs of individual child care programs
- Member of the Inquiry Committee and trainer for the Inquiry class
- Computer Skills used: Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Publisher, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Lync, and Child Care Licensing System (CCLS)
- Child Care Services - Oklahoma City, OK
Education
Bachelors of Science - General Studies
University of Central Oklahoma
Skills
- Problem-solving
- Project management
- Detail-oriented
- Strategic planning
- Team leadership and direction
- Decision-making
- MS office applications
- Policy and procedure improvements
- Critical thinking
- Relationship building
Recognitions
- Employee of the Quarter for Division County Office, 01/12 - 03/12
- DHS Best of the Best for Child Care Services Region V, 2014
- Employee of the Quarter for Child Care Services Division, 10/16 - 12/16
- Employee of the Quarter for Child Care Services Division, 10/20 - 12/20
- Employee of the Year- Child Care Services Division, 2020
Professional Committees
- Communication and Outreach Committee Chair-2023-Present
- Child Abuse Prevention Committee (Oklahoma City County Health Dept.), 2013-Present
- National Association (NARA)- National Seminar Planning Committee , 2022-Present
- National Association (NARA)- Child Care Task Force Committee , 2024-Present
- Oklahoma County Inquiry Committee (Child Care Services -CCS), 2010-2022
- Oklahoma County Employee Recognition Committee (CCS), 2010-2022
- Rainbow Fleet Partner’s Committee Member (CCS), 2014-2022
- Quality Rating Improvement System Mentor (QRIS) (CCS), 2017-2021
- Green Belt Complaint Task Force (CCS), 2018-2020
- Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Foster Care Task Force Subcommittee, 2019-2020
- National Association (NARA)- Program Specific Member Resources Committee Meeting, 2021
- Health and Safety Revisions Committee (Center for Early Childhood and Professional Development), 2017-2018
- Maternal Child Health Workgroup (Oklahoma City County Health Dept.), 2014-2016
- Co-Chair of the Workgroup, 2015-2016
- Behavior and Guidance I Revisions Committee (Center for Early Childhood and Professional Development), 2015-2016
- Complaint Task Force Committee (CCS), 2015
- Daily Programming for Infant and Toddler Revisions Committee (Center for Early Childhood and Professional Development), 2013-2015
- Family Child Care Home Resource Fair Committee (Oklahoma County- CCS), 2014-2015
- Quality Review Focus Group (CCS), 2014
Certification
- Lean Six Sigma White Belt
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt
- National Association for Regulatory Administration (NARA) Credential
Timeline
Program Manager I
Department of Human Services
09.2022 - Current
Child Care Licensing Specialist IV
Department of Human Services
01.2018 - 09.2022
Child Care Licensing Specialist III
Department of Human Services
09.2017 - 01.2018
Child Care Licensing Specialist II
Department of Human Services
08.2016 - 09.2017
Bachelors of Science - General Studies
University of Central Oklahoma
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