Paola Villanueva
Sarasota
Summary
Results-focused management professional offering 10 + years of progressive leadership experience. Proven effective leader skilled in development and oversight of high-performing, multi-disciplined and quality-oriented teams. Bringing solid diversity and inclusion knowledge within the disability community, excellent communication skills, talent for spotting areas in need of improvement and implementing changes with strategic approaches.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Director/ Interim Executive Director
Suncoast Center for Independent Living
10.2024 - Current
- Responsible for compliance, reporting, deliverable and oversight all grants, contracts and agreements.
- Prepare cost estimates and budgets and present it to the Board of the Directors.
- Serve as a liaison with Federal, State and local agency where appropriate.
- Ensure efficiency and effective delivery of all Suncoast Center for Independent Living core services, programs in general
- Track and assess consumer data to establish consumer needs and goals.
- Implement evaluation process to assess the efficiency, effectiveness and impact of Suncoast Center for Independent Living programs and operations.
Program Director
Suncoast Center for Independent Living
03.2021 - Current
- Provides leadership, guidance and execution input to other program staff initiating new programs.
- Develop, implement, monitor and report identified goals pertaining to programmatic services in the Strategic Plan.
- Develop and implement solutions to resolve programmatic issues/challenges.
- Coordinate program continuity with team members during staff absence.
- Train, supervise and evaluate staff, to include monitoring staff work load and assess individual productivity measurements to ensure effective, timely, and accurate service delivery.
- Ensure program staff compliance with SCIL policies and procedures, mission & philosophy.
- Administer disciplinary action and problem resolution with program staff.
- Identify programmatic and consumer needs in order to assist the organization in development of short and long term goal planning.
- Oversees and monitors the database reporting system including; initial intakes, orientation, consumer information (CSR), service outcomes, performance, and goal attainment.
- Provides input into the annual Federal 704 report.
- Reviews and updates independent living plans at least annually; preferably every 6 months.
- Monthly State reporting.
- Train staff with regard to their responsibilities and procedures.
- Evaluate training opportunities for staff development and ensure attendance at required training.
- Evaluate requests by team members regarding development opportunities.
- Attend off-site meetings at the request of the Executive Director.
- Provide assistance to the Executive Director on special projects as needed.
- Participates in community and other events sponsored by the SCIL.
- Keeps informed about disability related issues and social developments affecting SCIL and its consumers.
- Participates in individual and systems advocacy activities.
- Assists consumers with ADA issues related to reasonable accommodations.
- Identifies and recruit’s participants for advisory groups and forums.
- Conducts sensitivity trainings, Transition Center workshops and other presentations as needed.
Youth Transition Coordinator
Center For Independent Living Of South Florida
07.2014 - 03.2021
- Develop youth program from ground up, laying out framework and defining roles
- Provide ongoing direction and leadership for program operations
- Supervise and assign peer mentors, tutors, and other special need supports to guarantee effective compliance for program goals and accommodations (Special/fee for services projects)
- Schedule activities, facilities and volunteers as required
- Ensure that variety of activities are scheduled and implemented, including recreational, cultural and other programming
- Identify areas where new programs are needed
- Evaluate effectiveness of programming and make recommendations for improvement when appropriate
- Accommodate intake/assessment of consumers consistent with eligibility criteria
- Assist consumers with disabilities with establishing academic and self-sufficiency goals, developing self-advocacy independent living goals, and successfully completing independent living skills goals
- Oversee documentation/maintenance of consumer monthly contacts, accurate records of consumer achievement of program goals, and administration and results' documentation of consumer and stakeholder satisfaction surveys
- Develop, organize, and execute trainings, workshops, events and other development activities in person and virtually for persons with autism, development disabilities, and senior aging population
- Identify, develop and build relationship with non-profit and profit organizations and partners to provide services in the community
- Partner with profit and non-profit organizations in creating and delivering independent living skills workshops/trainings
- Provide trainings to staff to ensure programmatic compliance
- Follow programs closely to assess effectiveness and make proactive changes to meet changing demands
- Keep and maintain transportation logs, and reports for audit purpose ensuring compliance with state regulations and organization policies
- Assist with recruitment process by assisting in interview (special/fee for services projects)
- Manage quality assurance program, including on-site evaluations, internal audits and customer surveys
- Coach team members on productivity strategies, policy updates and performance improvement plans to accomplish challenging goals
Independent Living Advocate
Center For Independent Living Of South Florida
02.2013 - 03.2014
- Developed specialized knowledge as assigned in areas such as ADA, employment, housing, adaptive technology, home modification, disability benefits, etc
- Conducted comprehensive interviews to assess consumer needs
- Promoted independence, empowerment, self-advocacy and disability pride
- Provided periodic follow-up and ongoing support as consumers move toward stated goals
- Provided information and referral on disability related resources
- Provided individualized and group training in independent living skills
- Coordinated peer support for independent living through consumer groups and peer mentoring
- Established and maintained collaborative relationships with community partners and stakeholders
- Maintained accurate and timely consumer records, documentation and reporting
- Participated in staff training and related conferences/conventions
Information and Referral Specialist
Center For Independent Living Of South Florida
09.2009 - 02.2013
- Answered incoming calls on assigned schedule, assessing caller's needs and making accurate referrals as necessary
- Developed working knowledge of health and human services network in order to help customers effectively access services
- Followed up with customers to determine if referral resulted in needs being met
- Inputted data collected by customer to provide community resource planning and needs assessments
- Assessed and responded to customer needs using active listening skills, conversational intent and high level of empathy
- Supported service delivery in instances of both local, and regional disaster/emergency services activation
- Linked families to relevant community support to meet non-medical needs
Education
MBA - Human Resources Management
Nova Southeastern University
Davie, FL06.2019
Bachelor of Science - Office Supervision And Management
Miami Dade College
Miami, FL06.2016
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
Miami Dade College
Miami, FL06.2014
Skills
- Time management
- Problem-solving
- Conflict resolution
- Resume applications
- Structured work style
- Flexible work style
- Autonomous work style
- Result driven leadership
- Knowledge of disability community
- Proficient in MS Office
- Basic sign language
- Bilingual (English and Spanish)
- Experience with disabled
Timeline
Program Director/ Interim Executive Director
Suncoast Center for Independent Living
10.2024 - Current
Program Director
Suncoast Center for Independent Living
03.2021 - Current
Youth Transition Coordinator
Center For Independent Living Of South Florida
07.2014 - 03.2021
Independent Living Advocate
Center For Independent Living Of South Florida
02.2013 - 03.2014
Information and Referral Specialist
Center For Independent Living Of South Florida
09.2009 - 02.2013
Bachelor of Science - Office Supervision And Management
Miami Dade College
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
Miami Dade College
MBA - Human Resources Management
Nova Southeastern University
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