Sharon Diaz
Madera,Ca
Summary
Service focused Leader and Advocate with a strong commitment to serving the needs of those who are and those who are serving the dependent and older adult population. Highly skilled in advocacy, program development, staff development, and training strategies and will bring a broad level of both core social work and administrative experience. Highly organized and detail-oriented administrator successfully manages projects, plans productions and leads teams. Experienced in budget management and client engagement.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director
Central California Adult Services Training Academy
07.2023 - Current
- Ensure contract review, compliance,budget development, and fiscal accountability for multiple projects, including effectiveness of services and contract requirements.
- Establish and maintain relationships with, California Department of Social Services (CDSS),
California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC), County Welfare Directors Association
(CWDA), Regional county Adult Services Deputies, Regional Training Academies and other
training partners within the State of California - Establish and maintain linkages with all constituents including, members of CWDA, CDSS, adult
services deputy directors, county staff development managers, and representatives of other
public and private agencies, to determine regional needs and methods for the Academy to
meet those needs - Develop or coordinate and modify current and new policies in conjunction with the Training
Operations Manager regarding program procedures. - Support a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with diversity and inclusion.
Independent Consultant/Instructor
Central California Training Academy Fresno State and UC Davis
05.2021 - Current
- Provide instruction in the areas of Social Work and Human Services programs both in person and virtually
- Ensure transfer of learning on best practices for Social Workers, interns and departmental staff working in the areas Child and Adult Protectives services, Employment and Training, Public Guardian, and In- Home Supportive Services
- Build and develop curriculum to meet the needs of a changing environment.
Deputy Director
Madera County Department of Social Services
04.2020 - 07.2023
- Administration of programs and 200 staff assigned to Self Sufficiency, Staff Development, Child Welfare Services, Adult Services Divisions, Public Guardian-
- Oversight of Personnel actions to determine compliance with policies and procedures
- Develops and implements goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for a division
- Plan, organize coordinate and direct a division in the areas of administration, social services including Children and Adult Services, eligibility and employment; establish performance levels, communicate goals and performance expectations, and ensure conformance to established policies and procedures, and standards for quality and timeliness
- Assess service delivery to communicate findings to upper management, implement changes to improve efficiency and service quality, maximize effectiveness of program operations, and ensure alignment with the department's mission
- Interpret laws and regulations, including new laws and proposed legislation, to determine relevancy to department operations and services, and assesses program compliance with laws and regulations
- Develop or revise policies or procedures to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness, and assists higher-level management in departmental strategic planning
- Work collaboratively with personnel of other agencies, community groups, contractors, and other public and private organizations to determine needs for social services, and coordinate shared services or collaborative projects, or the provision of services by contracted agencies
- Provide leadership in development of the budget for assigned programs by preparing cost estimates and projections, and performing ongoing monitoring of expenditures to ensure compliance with budget provisions
- Optimized team productivity by providing ongoing training and support for staff members
- Enhanced communication within the organization through regular interdepartmental meetings and updates
- Collaborated with other department heads to ensure smooth functioning of organizational activities
- Managed budgets and financial resources effectively, optimizing resource allocation for maximum impact
- Fostered a positive work environment by promoting collaboration, transparency, and open communication among team members
Program Manager
Madera County
09.2018 - 03.2020
- Manage daily work activities of 45 staff assigned to adult programs and the Public Guardians Office, directly or through subordinate supervisors, by establishing performance levels, communicating goals and performance expectations, and monitoring and reviewing work to ensure conformance to established policies and procedures, and standards for quality and timeliness
- Assess service delivery to communicate findings to upper management, implement changes to improve efficiency and service quality, maximize effectiveness of program operations, and ensure alignment with the agency's mission
- Oversee personnel actions to determine compliance with policies and procedures and provide guidance to subordinate supervisors regarding personnel matters
- Provide training to Adult services division and all DSS staff in the areas of mandated reporting and Adult Services
- Ensure that programs or work units are staffed with qualified individuals by resolving performance problems, documenting performance according to policy, training and developing staff, and assisting in the selection, hiring, and promotion of staff
- Interpret laws and regulations, including new laws and proposed legislation, to determine relevancy to department operations and services, and assess program compliance with laws and regulations. Support projects that enhance service delivery to older adults.
- Enhanced project visibility with regular status updates, leading to increased stakeholder engagement
- Developed strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team
- Coached team members on productivity strategies to accomplish challenging goals
Social Worker Supervisor
Madera County Protective Services
02.2016 - 09.2018
- Supervise Social Work staff assigned to Child and Adult Protective Services
- Represent the department on committees pertaining to protective service issues
- Facilitate training for new staff
- Evaluate staff performance and review investigative work
- Review policy and create procedure
- Interpret policy to be utilized in ongoing practice
- Analyze policy and draft new procedures for staff.
Social Worker III
Madera County Protective Services
07.2002 - 02.2016
- Perform in depth investigations on allegations of elder and child abuse issues, including interviewing clients, witnesses and collateral contacts
- Assess risk levels and make determinations to assist the client with safety plan which may include out of home placement, hospitalization and facility placement
- Collaborate with Multi-disciplinary team members on resources and appropriate case plans to meet the needs of older adults in the APS program.
- Documentation within the state system of all investigations
- Create court reports; testify in both civil and criminal cases
- Cross report and collaborate with law enforcement
- Participate in committees to create policy and procedure guides for more effective social work practice
- Facilitate training on elder abuse and mandated reporting
- Participate in the after hour’s standby rotation
- Complete referrals to appropriate resource providers to meet the needs of the client.
Social Worker I/II
Madera County Department of Social Services
07.2000 - 07.2002
- Provide assistance to clients in need of seeking employment through the Welfare to work program
- Refer clients to appropriate services to address domestic violence, drug addiction and mental health issues
- Facilitate a Basic Life Skills Class and Job Club to provide education and training in the areas, of budgeting, education, and parenting
- Provide accurate and timely statistical information on needs and services to the state
- Supervise Welfare to work client placements within our office and provide mentoring to clients seeking employment
- Review requests for childcare and mileage
- Facilitate presentations and training regarding specialized programs available through the Welfare to Work program
- Complete performance evaluations for clients participating in onsite work/training placements.
Employment and Training Worker I and II
Madera County Department of Social Services
07.1999 - 07.2000
- Assist unemployed clients in identifying barriers to employment, creating a service plan to overcome these barriers and assist in locating resources to facilitate the implementation of the plan
- Facilitate group and individual training regarding job search and employment issues
- Evaluate and monitor client participation and progress
- Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with employers, outside providers and the general public.
Eligibility Worker I and II
Madera County Department of Social Services
05.1995 - 07.1999
- Screen, interview and determine eligibility for clients applying for cash assistance, Medi-cal, food stamps and general assistance
- Assess and enter monthly eligibility reports, perform duties independently at out stations, maintain accurate case records
- Attend training and review policy changes regularly to remain current on regulations
- Provide information and referrals as necessary
- Complete case documentation within the automated system
- Training staff and transitioning from a manual process to a computerized one
- Provide training on a computerized system to other agencies statewide.
Education
Certificate in Aging - Aging
Boston University School of Social Work
Boston, MA01.2012
AA Liberal Studies -
State Center Community College
Fresno, CA05.2013
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Fresno State University
Fresno, CA05.2018
Master of Social Work -
Fresno State University
Fresno, CA05.2021
Skills
- Advocate for individual clients and families
- Organizational skills
- Elder care collaboration
- Establishing goals
- Evaluation
- Maintain professional relationships
- Community collaboration
- Project development
- Operations Management
- Organizational Development
Volunteer Service And Membership
- National Adult Protective Services Association, 2015-present, Outreach
- Fresno Madera Agency on Aging Advisory Board, 2017-present, Homelessness
- American Society on Aging, 2021-present, Racial Equity and Inclusion Upstander’s
- Madera County Childcare and Development Planning Council, 2019-present, Executive Board
- Fresno Madera Continuum of Care, April 2020-present
- Madera County Local Child Care and Development Planning Council, May 2020-present, Executive
Certification
Napsa certificate program
Timeline
Director
Central California Adult Services Training Academy
07.2023 - Current
Independent Consultant/Instructor
Central California Training Academy Fresno State and UC Davis
05.2021 - Current
Deputy Director
Madera County Department of Social Services
04.2020 - 07.2023
Program Manager
Madera County
09.2018 - 03.2020
Social Worker Supervisor
Madera County Protective Services
02.2016 - 09.2018
Social Worker III
Madera County Protective Services
07.2002 - 02.2016
Social Worker I/II
Madera County Department of Social Services
07.2000 - 07.2002
Employment and Training Worker I and II
Madera County Department of Social Services
07.1999 - 07.2000
Eligibility Worker I and II
Madera County Department of Social Services
05.1995 - 07.1999
Certificate in Aging - Aging
Boston University School of Social Work
AA Liberal Studies -
State Center Community College
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Fresno State University
Master of Social Work -
Fresno State University
Napsa certificate program
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