Meredith Smillie
Muskegon,USA
Summary
Dynamic Branch Manager with a strong record of leading diverse teams to achieve service excellence and operational efficiency in child welfare. Expertise in developing and managing budgets, implementing strategic plans, and expanding service areas through innovative partnerships. Dedicated to enhancing compliance and quality of care while driving team performance.
Overview
1
1
Certification
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Branch Director
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES
Holland and Muskegon, Michigan
02.2016 - 07.2026
- Managed annual budget and created corrective action plan, including monthly forecasts.
- Led hiring, development, and retention of diverse staff, enhancing branch efficiency and morale
- Conduct strategic planning and diversification of services and funding
- Ensure compliance with agency policies, DHHS contracts, Modified Settlement Agreement measures, Department of Child Welfare Licensing Rules and Council on Accreditation Standards
- Conducted strategic planning to diversify services and funding sources
- Expansion of service area and development of additional partnerships for collaboration
- Development and delivery of marketing and donor engagement plan
- Directed activities as Branch Director for Holland and Muskegon
Child Welfare Program Manager
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES
Holland
03.2012 - 02.2016
- Ensured effective operations through selection, processing, and training of new hires and evaluation of current employees and interns
- Ensure effective operations through selection and processing of new hires; including regular evaluation and training of current employees and interns
- Assured effective operations with DHHS contracts and compliance with Modified Settlement Agreement goals, Council on Accreditation standards, and Department of Child Welfare licensing requirements
- Ensured timely outcome measures aligned with DHHS and Bethany policies
- Ensure timely outcome measures are in accordance with DHHS and Bethany policies
- Oversee and coordination of case distribution
- Maintain and enhance positive professional relationships with referring agencies, community agencies, courts and community stakeholders
- Managed child welfare programs to ensure compliance and effective service delivery.
Interim Branch Director
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES
05.2014 - 09.2015
- Developed and actively oversaw annual budget and created corrective action plans, including monthly forecasts.
- Provide leadership in hiring, developing and retaining of quality and diverse staff
- Expanded service area and developed additional service locations to enhance community access
- Developed and delivered marketing and donor engagement plan to strengthen community partnerships
- Conducted strategic planning and diversified services and funding to align with organizational goals
- Conduct direct supervision and evaluation of supervisors
- Expansion of service area and development of additional service locations
- Development and delivery of marketing and donor engagement plan
- Served as interim branch director, overseeing daily operations and staff management.
Education
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK - Social Work, Advanced Generalist
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
04-2000
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE MAGNA CUM LAUDE - Family Studies
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
04-1995
Skills
- Budget forecasting
- Strategic planning and accountability
- Operational reporting and management
- Leadership and supervision
- Stakeholder engagement
- Strategic planning
- Staff development and mentoring
- Quality improvement
- Continuous quality improvement (CQI)
Certification
- Licensed Master's Social Worker, Michigan-Clinical and Macro
- Grand Valley State University Structured Analysis Family Evaluation (SAFE) for Supervisors Trained
- Division of Child Welfare Licensing-Certification and Complaint Handling Trained
- State of Michigan Child Welfare Training Institute (Foster Care and Adoption)
- Program of Athletic Coaches' Education (PACE Certification)
- Level 1 IMPACT and CAP Level 1 Coaches Certification USA Volleyball
- CPR/First Aid/First Responder
Hobbies and Interests
- LEADERSHIP
- Previous Hope College School of Social Work Advisory Board Member
- Michigan Strategy Team-Performance Subcommittee Chair-Bethany Christian Services
- Ottawa County Permanency Forum Chair
- Council on Accreditation self-study narrative author for Bethany Christian Services Juvenile Justice Services
- Western Michigan Christian: Assistant Varsity Volleyball Coach
- Team Angle Volleyball Club: Coach and Administrator
- Rotary Club of Muskegon Foundation Chair
Timeline
Branch Director
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES
02.2016 - 07.2026
Interim Branch Director
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES
05.2014 - 09.2015
Child Welfare Program Manager
BETHANY CHRISTIAN SERVICES
03.2012 - 02.2016
MASTER OF SOCIAL WORK - Social Work, Advanced Generalist
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE MAGNA CUM LAUDE - Family Studies
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY