Summary/Profile: Transformational Leader Skilled Communicator Certified Trainer (Facilitator) Extensive experience in the review, evaluation and implementation of outcome-based administrative policies, procedures, guidelines, and related directives for various social service programs (including child welfare, economic services, and adult protective services programs). Efficient in providing direction, guidance, and counsel in the management and operation of social service programs. Demonstrated abilities in analytical problem solving and talent for boosting operational efficiency.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Assistant Secretary of Quality and Innovation
Florida Department Of Children & Families
04.2022 - Current
Review, approve and coordinate policies, standards and procedures for delivery of services
Coordinate work groups involving district, region or headquarters staff
Ensure the implementation of service delivery programs, review problem areas and coordinate the implementation of solutions with the Deputy Secretary, Assistant Secretary for Substance Abuse and Mental Health and , Assistant Secretary for Child and Family Well-Being and the Assistant Secretary for Administration.
Aligned organizational objectives with company mission, increasing revenue, profit and business growth by collaboratively developing integrated strategies.
Directed technological improvements, reducing waste and business bottlenecks.
Supported company in maintaining work environment focused on quality, communication, collaboration, integration and teamwork.
Liaised between quality control and other departments and contractors, providing project updates and consultation.
Assistant Secretary of Operations
Florida Department Of Children & Families
05.2021 - 04.2022
Refined organizational structure to consolidate, streamline and delineate necessary functions.
Developed quarterly business plans to evaluate cost projections.
Review, refinement and coordination of policy implementation for service delivery improvement.
Aligned organizational objectives with company mission, increasing revenue, profit and business growth by collaboratively developing integrated strategies.
Oversight of statewide regional operations
Regional Managing Director
Florida Department Of Children & Families
05.2019 - 05.2021
Served as the Chief Executive for the DCF Central Region by leading and empowering a human services workforce of nearly 2,000 team members through the 12 Central Florida counties
Provided direct oversight and strategic leadership to immediate directors and contracted service providers
Directed action focused process improvement initiatives by identifying trends in data analysis for immediate intervention to advance outcomes and to meet lawful, contractual, and legislative requirements as well as DCF priorities
Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
Delivered business strategy and developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency
Supported top-level decision-making and strategy planning, forging productive relationships with top leaders and serving as key advocate for various personnel issues.
Coordinated leadership workshops to educate team members on best practices to optimize productivity.
Developed and optimized organizational systems to boost efficiency and keep operations scalable and agile for changing demands.
Delivered leadership to executive team dedicated to driving ambitious targets with well-orchestrated plans.
Served instrumental role in organizational transformation and implementation and participated in [Number] successful large-scale corporate restructurings.
Articulate data-driven measures and priorities from a local, regional, and statewide perspective
Direct and coordinate the management of the regional annual budget of approximately $442M.
Economic Self-Sufficiency Director
Florida Department Of Children & Families
04.2012 - 05.2019
Oversaw the federally administered public assistance programs for the Central Region encompassing 12 counties
Provided guidance and support to a team of over 800 employees
Responsible for ensuring the Region met federally mandated performance metrics.
Hired and directed teams to achieve daily and long-term operations and business goals.
Managed daily operations while overseeing multiple locations to foster increased productivity.
Focused teams on developing innovative and cutting-edge approaches with effective resource allocation and strategic planning.
Sufficiency Statewide Director
Florida Department Of Children & Families
12.2013 - 07.2014
Provided leadership and oversight of the Economic Self Sufficiency Services Program
Managed budget, policy, quality assurance, quality control, and technology working closely with Regional Managing Directors and ESS Directors in efforts to advance and improve program performance
Maintained positive customer relations by addressing problems head-on and implementing successful corrective actions.
Cultivated positive rapport with fellow employees to boost company morale and promote employee retention.
Represented the interests of the State of Florida with federal agencies in terms of negotiating, reporting and monitoring responsibilities related to federal funds and policies.
District Operations Administrator
Florida Department of Children and Families
12.2007 - 04.2012
Oversaw operations for three major programs: Child Welfare, Economic Self-Sufficiency (Public Assistance) and Adult Protective Services, totaling 480 plus staff
Provide operational oversight for Child Protective Services to include investigations of abuse and neglect
Collaborated with Community-Based Care Lead Agencies/Case Management Organizations, Substance Abuse and Mental Health, and External community Partners to ensure safety, permanency and well-being of vulnerable children and families
Analyzed internal processes and plans and implemented agency or program-wide procedural and policy changes to improve operations
Administered, interpreted, and provided practice and operational directives regarding applicable policies, rules, regulations, and laws
Coordinated activities of team members to maximize returns on investments and increased productivity
Worked with budget analysts to manage a 30-million-dollar annual operating budget between the three programs.
Evaluated current operational practices and suggested improvement strategies.
Operations and Management Consultant Manager
Florida Department Of Children & Families- Hotline
12.2002 - 11.2007
Developed and maintained a positive working relationship with district, regional, and program office staff to facilitate timely, high-quality protective investigations; achieved a service level of 97% for Fiscal years 04-06
Oversight, management and coaching of staff involved in the collection of information, assessment and referral process related to reports of abuse and/or neglect
Key member of the Maltreatment Matrix reorganization workgroup
Ensured consistent interpretation and application of investigative Statutes, Administrative Code as well as Department rules, procedures and guidelines related to the protection of children
Worked closely with the Office of Family Safety and District child and adult protective investigative offices in the development of Florida’s system of record (Florida Safe Families Network)
Assisted in the development of the Diligent Search Unit to assist protective investigations in locating victims
Participated in the Alternative Response Development and Implementation Workgroup
Coached, mentored, and developed staff through Performance Improvement Plans and Individual Training Plans.
Evaluated current processes to develop improvement plans.
Produced detailed and relevant reports for use in making business decisions.
Established and oversaw performance targets for call center associates.
Collected and analyzed call center statistics and customer service metrics.
Maintained professional demeanor by staying calm when addressing unhappy or angry customers.
Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
Improved staffing during busy periods by creating employee schedules and monitoring call-outs.
Abuse Registry Supervisor
Florida Department Of Children & Families
06.2000 - 11.2002
Assisted Hotline personnel in making safe and appropriate assessments, determinations and investigation follow-up contacts through education, guidance, Statute, Rule and policy interpretation and coaching/mentoring
Established and updated work schedules to account for changing staff levels and expected workloads.
Hired, managed, developed and trained staff, established and monitored goals, conducted performance reviews and administered salaries for staff.
Ensured that staff assessments and investigation determinations were thorough and correlated with maltreatment allegation guidelines, as well as that collaborative work with field investigators occurred timely
Drafted and implemented Performance Improvement Plans for the intake and referral programs
Responsible for training and productivity adjustment to update and enhance essential pieces of the Florida Child Welfare and Social Services Pre-Service Training Curriculum.
Abuse Registry Counselor
Florida Department Of Children & Families
09.1999 - 05.2000
Gained proficiency in understanding, interpreting, and effectively implementing Florida Statute Chapters 39 and 415 and Florida Administrative Code related to providing safety, permanency, and well-being to abused, neglected and/or exploited children and adults
Proficient knowledge of maltreatment (allegation) matrix.
Delivered exceptional customer service to every customer by leveraging extensive knowledge of Florida Statutes, Administrative Code and Department policies creating welcoming, positive experiences.
Helped large volume of customers every day with positive attitude and focus on customer satisfaction.
Student and Family Enhancement Team Leader
AMI Kids Tallahassee Marine Institute
02.1997 - 09.1999
In this Aftercare Youth Transition Program, worked in a multidisciplinary collaborative approach to provide intensive assessments, service coordination and evaluation of service provision for at-risk youth, including children in foster care
Multidisciplinary collaboration included wrap-around services being provided in partnership with the Department of Juvenile Justice, Department of Children and Families, Department of Education, and the Department of Health
Increased team performance, skills and accelerated Favorable Termination rates from 54% to 73%
Conducted training and mentored team members to promote productivity, accuracy and commitment to student success.
Implemented new working processes to deliver multiple improvements.
Improved the Quality Assurance rating from Marginal to Satisfactory within one year.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminology
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL
04.1995
Skills
Memoranda Preparation
Resource Coordination and Allocation
Professional Correspondence
Confidentiality and Data Protection
Strong Organizational Skills
Research and Analytical Skills
Quality Processes
Operational Efficiency
Customer Experience
Strategic Vision
Facilitating Change
Accomplishments
AMI Kids Outstanding Team Leader of the Year 1999
Additional Information
Sterling Examiner 2015-2017
Dept. of Children and Families Outstanding Team Award 2005
Certification
Certified Public Manager - Florida State University 2008
Certified Facilitator- Leadership Institute Fl Department of Children and Families.
Timeline
Assistant Secretary of Quality and Innovation
Florida Department Of Children & Families
04.2022 - Current
Assistant Secretary of Operations
Florida Department Of Children & Families
05.2021 - 04.2022
Regional Managing Director
Florida Department Of Children & Families
05.2019 - 05.2021
Sufficiency Statewide Director
Florida Department Of Children & Families
12.2013 - 07.2014
Economic Self-Sufficiency Director
Florida Department Of Children & Families
04.2012 - 05.2019
District Operations Administrator
Florida Department of Children and Families
12.2007 - 04.2012
Operations and Management Consultant Manager
Florida Department Of Children & Families- Hotline
Senior Child Protective Investigator at Florida Department of Children & FamiliesSenior Child Protective Investigator at Florida Department of Children & Families