Sharonda S. Sheppard
Franklinville,NJ
Summary
A reliable and methodically structured person who exhibits skill in handling various priorities while maintaining an optimistic demeanor. Dedicated to advocating for the needs of underprivileged communities to develop new initiatives focused on self-sufficiency.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Direct Services
Ocean Community Economic Action Now (O.C.E.A.N) Inc
05.2020 - Current
- Implements the CEO’s vision and goals by spearheading community-based programs for socially economically disadvantaged populations across Monmouth, Ocean, Atlantic, and Cape May Counties, utilizing Community Service Block Grant (CSBG) funding.
- Oversees and manages federal, state, and county budgets for direct services programs; including housing, transportation, intensive case management, and financial literacy for a diverse populations with various limitations.
- Prepare and present monthly financial reports like income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements for board member review.
- Drafts Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for new partnering organizations to expand social/community and rehabilitation/education services within the communities served.
- Oversees administrative and operational functions for sub-recipients, as well as providing guidance and leadership to a team of over 20 employees across 15 programs.
- Leads negotiations for contract renewals with sub-recipients, resulting in increased program revenue and strengthened partnerships.
- Coordinate fundraiser events throughout the community to raise money for disadvantaged populations.
- Recruits, hires and trains staff, providing direct supervision, ongoing professional development and continuing education to enhance team performance and service delivery.
- Design and implement a leadership development, coaching models, promoting team management skills that led to employee advancement into higher responsibility roles based on individual performance evaluations.
- Develops and updates policies and procedures, maintaining compliance with statutory, regulatory and local, state and federal guidelines relating to HIPAA and social services.
Program Specialist
Division Of Family Development (DFD)
07.2015 - 05.2020
- Liaison between the Division of Family Development (DFD) and contracted community providers statewide for Intensive Case Management (ICM) program.
- Supervised community providers staff to provide intensive case management to meet the socio-economic needs of welfare recipients; as well as, their families. This includes, but not limited to, utility assistance, housing assistance, DCP&P, treatment facility referrals and employment to establish/maintain self-sufficiency
- Monitored perform-based outcomes in the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) database.
- Conducted thorough needs assessments to identify gaps in service delivery and inform program development efforts.
- Collaborated and assists in the assimilation with writing request for proposals (RFP) for mentally and physically challenged.
- Meet weekly with State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) liaison to prescreen and process ICM cases that are discharged from the program to transition to DCA- SRAP-Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) based on eligibility guidelines.
- Routinely advised and briefed administrators on any updates/changes on program operations and queries in accordance with state regulations.
- Streamlined communication channels between departments, enhancing overall organizational workflow efficiency as it pertains to the execution of assigned projects.
- Worked alongside other professionals to outline and implement program plans and objectives geared to disadvantaged populations.
- Maintained regular communication between departments via email and phone calls to coordinate program logistics.
- Evaluated program operations, successes and deficiencies to identify concerns and recommend strategies to enhance processes and elevate results.
- Conducted site visits to audit case files, and evaluate program performance.
- Addressed and resolved technical, financial and operational concerns by working with team members and directors.
- Prepared manuals and informational packets to be administered throughout the state.
Field Supervisor
DFD, The Office Of County Operations
01.2012 - 07.2015
- Liaison between the CWAs/MWAs and all state departments regarding low income families eligibility requirements.
- Supervised community-based initiatives, particularly those related to food and cash assistance across the state, provided suitable recommendations to guarantee adherence to established standards and procedures, thereby enhancing the program's quality to better address the needs of low-income families.
- Oversaw daily operations at welfare agency site, keeping team production moving at optimal pace.
- Updated welfare agencies on reviews, drafting and/or interpretation of basic law and regulations of food and cash assistance programs.
- Responded to written inquiries regarding eligibility requirements and case status of food and cash assistance programs.
- Conducted field work within statewide welfare agencies to keep administrators abreast of new policies and procedures.
- Conducted terminations once low income families exhausted their lifetime limit benefits.
- Planned and scheduled field activities according to set timelines and order of operations.
- Monitored, collected, and analyzed data retrieved from legacy databases during the investigative process of low incomes families’ applications for assistance.
- Supervised field operations teams to complete projects within established timelines.
Program Supervisor
Kelsch Associates
03.2009 - 01.2012
- Directed team of 18 personnel, overseeing records, performance and quality assurance.
- Led onboarding activities for 36 developmentally disabled individuals to become more independent in their daily living.
- Assisted with community resources for healthcare and mental health.
- Scheduled and supervised staff meetings to discuss new ideas and update participants on program details and milestones.
- Coached team members on productivity strategies, policy updates and performance improvement plans to accomplish challenging goals.
- Responsible for assigned work, setting priorities, reviewing, evaluating work and performance of staff;
- Organized and managed program development from conception through successful execution.
Education
MJ, Master of Jurisprudence - Health Law
Widener University Delaware Law School
Wilmington, DEBachelor of Arts - Political Science
Delaware State University
Dover, DESkills
- Team Meeting Management
- Intervention Strategies
- Risk Assessment Capabilities
- Financial Management
- Social Work
- Compliance Advisory
Accomplishments
- Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP), anticipation date June 2025 Mental Health First Aid Certified, administered by National council behavioral health, August 2021 Received Tri County Community Service Award, August 2021 Received Community Service of Award, from Sheriff’s Department in Atlantic City, May 2021 Excel Basic, Intermediate & Advance Training, May, 2020 Employee of the Month, March 2018 Professional Development Series for Managers and Supervisors Training, September 2017
Timeline
Director of Direct Services
Ocean Community Economic Action Now (O.C.E.A.N) Inc
05.2020 - Current
Program Specialist
Division Of Family Development (DFD)
07.2015 - 05.2020
Field Supervisor
DFD, The Office Of County Operations
01.2012 - 07.2015
Program Supervisor
Kelsch Associates
03.2009 - 01.2012
MJ, Master of Jurisprudence - Health Law
Widener University Delaware Law School
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science
Delaware State University
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