SUSAN IGLESIAS
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record at the State of New Jersey Department of Children & Families, enhancing policy compliance and financial reporting efficiency. Expert in accounting analysis and workflow optimization, I spearheaded initiatives that significantly improved revenue reporting and policy adherence, demonstrating exceptional analytical and organizational skills.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Supervising Administrative Analyst
State of New Jersey Department of Children & Families (DCF)
09.2021 - Current
- Manage, review, analyze, and evaluate all policies and procedures within the organizational structure of the Social Security Banking Unit, Child Support Team, and Revenue Receivables within the office of Revenue and Financial Reporting
- Recommends, plans, and implements improvements to ensure staff are submitting quarterly Title IV- Claims timely
- Responsible for collaborating with other government teams to develop, adapt, and adhere to the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA) of 2018 by recommending reporting requirements for Federal Title IV-E claims
- Participation in the development of adapting the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts to the Department which impacted over 300 accounts
- Write and provide policy guidance for newly adopted State Legislation by utilized analyzed large data sets
- Oversee the in-house Child Support unit that aids, and manages inquiries from across on the country, and from all County Boards of Social Services
- Participate in the creation of a new Public Assistance Cost Allocation Plan (PACAP) to enhance the claiming of the administrative costs associated with the Department
- Serve as a program lead to procure revenue tracking software and to streamline and enhance the reporting of fiscal data
- Oversee the Agency’s Revenue Receivables Operating Unit and the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) Reporting
- Identify, and troubleshoot any potential Federal claiming discrepancies alongside other stakeholders
- Oversee the development of newly created Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’S) for internal agency use
- Oversee the coordination of the hiring process, and all related Human Resources functions for the Office of Revenue and Financial Reporting
- Provide coverage to the Director of the Office of Revenue and Financial Reporting
- Prepares analysis and creates formal reports for budget hearings that include yearly collected revenues
- Submits formal recommendations for data system changes of the State’s Comprehensive Child Welfare Information System (CCWIS) that can significantly impact the Federal reporting of revenues
- Participate in extended leadership meetings to learn and adopt cutting edge child welfare initiatives
- Serve as the State Fiscal Lead for ACF’s 2024 Foster Care Eligible Review (FCER)
Supervising Program Support Specialist
State of New Jersey Department of Children & Families (DCF)
02.2021 - 09.2021
- Led the Client Banking Unit during the Covid19 Pandemic
- Participated in the planning of the development of NJ’s Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 State Plan to comply with programming and reporting requirements for Federal Title IV-E claiming
- Oversaw the management of 3 rounds of Economic Impact Payments (approx
- 1000) deposits throughout the Department for disbursements
- Initiated and established relationships with other State entities and the IRS to provide the appropriate disbursement of funds
- Entered the quarterly Federal Title IV-E maintenance claiming report and the PACAP for administrative costs associated with the NJ Department of Children and Families through GrantSolutions
- Managed the client banking unit’s operations of 4 staff members who responsible for establishing accounts, managing accounts, and supervising clients related financial affairs; and securing other Federal benefits
- Supervised the processing of claims and adjustments to client accounts organized the billing and collection work and developed effective work procedures
- Acted as the lead for the request for proposal (RFP) through Office of Management& Budget (OMB) for the new banking contract that maintains DCF’s collective trust account
- Provided claiming assistance to the Title IV-E Unit
Program Support Specialist I Assistance Programs
State of New Jersey Department of Children & Families (DCF)
01.2017 - 01.2021
- Achieved: Transitioned 100% of in-house office work to 80% remote work and restructured the filing of accounts to promote efficiency and reduce duplication of files
- Structured weekly meetings with SSA to increase effective cross agency accounting
- Obtained remote access and equipment to enhance real-time efficient information sharing intra-agency
- Began the process of opting into intra-agency SS benefit information requests
- Reduced the number of steps needed for the monthly maintenance withdrawals to promote work efficiency
- Cleaned up backlogged pending accounts and developed a tickler system for submitted SSA applications
- Reviewed, analyzed, and evaluated administrative practice and operational methods utilized by the client banking unit
- Was responsible for recommending, planning, and implementing an improved the organization’s business plan to adhere to policies and procedures for the client banking unit to complete their work remotely
- Supervised the operations of 4 staff members who are responsible for the billing of clients and other sources for the cost of institutional care, established accounts; supervised clients’ financial affairs; secured benefits and other entitlements; supervised the processing of claims and adjustments to client accounts, organized the billing and collection work and developed effective work procedures of the Title IV-E Program
- Reviewed, analyzed, and evaluated the team’s operational methods of providing reports for the State’s budget and expenditures to enter the quarterly federal IV-E maintenance claiming report and the PACAP for administrative costs associated with the NJ Department of Children and Families
- Planned and implemented the distribution of the Economic Impact Payments distributed by the IRS approved through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (Cares Act) for applicable children
- Reviewed current process surrounding the Social Security benefits and identified the need, planned, and executed an RFP to obtain a new state contract for bank selection to maintain client Social Security Benefits
- Reviewed analyzed and evaluated the monthly banking unit’s data processing of applications and made recommendations for the implementation of improvements needed between the client fiduciary account, NJS reports and the State government
- Organized and supervised the monthly maintenance withdrawals for the agency
- Evaluated current staff and assignments with the proper use of client funds ensuring compliance with federal and state statutes and completed reconciliation of accounts
- Evaluated current staff assignments within the banking unit, evaluated employee performance and conducted, enabled the effective recommendation of the hiring, firing, promoting, and the disciplining of subordinates
- Analyzed current operational methods surrounding monthly billing; reviewed policy and practice, updated forms and internal controls and process related to availability of assets for accuracy and availability of assets and/or income for clients in placement
- Reviewed, analyzed, and evaluated the proposed implementations of improvements with the management team which required to plan, prepare, and present documents for all state and federal audits
- Met and maintained weekly meetings with Social Security Administration to ensure the state accounts were compliant with Federal laws
- Met with and provided recommendations with various state teams on the implementation of the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018
- Established and maintained cooperative working relationships with other state and federal agencies to enhance compliance with requirements
- Provided as requested, various fiscal reports for senior management
Program Support Specialist
State of New Jersey Department of Children & Families (DCF)
Jersey City, USA
04.2005 - 01.2017
- Supervised 5-9 direct report/subordinate employees completing initial and redeterminations determinations and covered for the manager when needed
- Reviewed and analyzed proposed, new, and current federal/state laws and regulations relating to specific client service/assistance programs administered by the agency to determine and evaluate the subsequent impact on operations through multiple information technology computer systems
- Conducted reviews of small programs, and monitored specific program activities administered by the agency and made appropriate recommendations to implement and ensure that standards and procedures were followed, and new strategies or initiatives included performance-based outcomes
- Analyzed and applied regulations and policies developed for foster care program services, such as Medicaid, TANF, Child Support, Social Security & other social service programs
- Made recommendations for long term objectives on the planning and operations to develop funding under the fiscal department with Title IV-E, Social Security Administration and Child Support Administration through DFD agreements
- Assisted in developing policies, procedures, training programs and strategies that supported implementation of policy guidelines in compliance with Federal, State and Local authorities
- Ensured that safety requirements were met by the child’s resource parents
- Reviewed audit guidelines for federal/state policies, regulations, laws, rules, and administrative orders for services
- Analyzed the fiscal aspects of Title IV-E and made recommendations on enhancements and evaluated the effectiveness of programing data and operations within state government
- Aided with specialized program analysis reports and technical documents for management planning and prepared IV-E updates for Interstate Services
- Presented on evaluating and assessing the eligibility of claiming status for services rendered
- Planned, organized, and developed justification for financial resources during federal and state audits
- Provided reports and guidance to management officials on short and long-range objectives
- Ensured children were placed in licensed foster homes or childcare institutions
- Ensured and maintained accurate, complete, and organized documentation in support of all processed Title IV-E transactions through compliance reviews
- Collected data to classify, investigate issues and developed recommendations to resolve challenges
- Traveled to conduct on-site reviews & presentations using Microsoft Office, Excel spreadsheets, etc
- And other computer programming software to over 150 staff members in each office on Title IV-E federal funding to over 15 DCP&P local offices
- Coordinated multiple assignments simultaneously to ensure the accurate and timely completion of Title IV-E transactions within the established fiscal guidelines for Department of Children & Families
Family Service Specialist
State of New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (D.Y.F.S.)
Jersey City, USA
01.2001 - 04.2005
- In addition to the duties while in this title mentioned below, I also received intake calls from our Centralized Screening Unit and disseminated them to the appropriate units within the office for follow up and investigation
- I also served as the Child Placement Review Liaison between the community volunteers and D.Y.F.S
- I was also assigned as the in-house coordinator for Regional Reviews and was later assigned as the Title IV-E Coordinator
- This position was the first line to assist Maximus in Title IV-E review process within the Jersey City Local Office, which later provided me the opportunity to obtain a position in the Title IV-E Unit
- Conducted investigations for abuse and neglect referrals within required timeframes; interviewed children, parents, relatives, neighbors and other collateral parties to the family or institution; obtained medical care if necessary; assessed safety and risk for children and took appropriate action; pursued court intervention, police assistance, or in severe situations removed the child and unaccompanied children from an unsafe environment in accordance with statute
- Engaged families, identified underlying needs, arranged, and facilitated Family Team Meetings as appropriate to foster the development of a case plan that identified functional strengths, built on supports and service linkages for the family
- Utilized community resources; maintained cooperative relationships with public and private agencies identified service limitations
- Provided information or testimony to juvenile courts and other committees as directed
- Gathered evidence of abuse and neglect, prepared affidavits, and depositions, took or obtained pictures, medical reports, and other documentation and contacted the local police or prosecutor's office when necessary
- Provided documentation for the preparation of detailed affidavits and legal complaints for court review, acted as a witness in court and provided testimony under oath
- Processed children for adoption placement, prepared computation for adoption subsidy
- Prepared forms and reports and other required paperwork
- Visited homes of client and families to plan and implement corrective measures and approaches to problems of parent/child relationships
- Provided assessment and treatment services to children and their families using agency and community resources
- Prepared for and facilitated Family Team Meetings in accordance with the case practice model
- Prepared for and facilitate parent child visitation and sibling visitation as appropriate in accordance with the case practice model
- Conducted investigations to identify problems leading to family disintegration; secured substitute care and temporary or permanent custody of children unable to remain at home
- Recruited resource family/foster homes, screened, and evaluated applicants for resource family/foster and adoption care and did child specific recruitment
- Oversaw activities of paraprofessional staff, students, and volunteers providing support services for children and their families
Education
Graduate Certificate - Human Resources
Thomas Edison State University
Trenton, NJ01.2016
Master of Business Administration - Public Administration
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ01.2007
Bachelor of Science - Community Health Science
New Jersey City University
Jersey City, NJ01.2000
Skills
- Accounting analysis
- Workflow optimization
- Meeting coordination
- Controls assessment
- Policy analysis
- Revenue reporting
Achievements
- Participation in ACF’s Title IV-E FCER 2024, 2018, 2015, 2011, 2008, and 2006.
- Serve as a Contracted Peer Reviewer for JBS International 2023 to present.
- Achieved top 20 as a participant in NJ’s Governor Innovation ENJINE Challenge.
- Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad, Elected Honorary Member, and Past President.
- Participated in the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS), Office of Inspector General (OIG), Review of New Jersey’s Adoption Assistance Subsidies, 2009.
Emergency Medical Service
Westfield Volunteer Rescue Squad, Westfield, NJ, Current Honorary Member/Past President, 11/01/08, 08/01/14, Managed an Emergency Medical Services Agency., Managed an annual budget of $250k., Developed and administered new in-house programs., Conducted the solicitation or for bidding process., Directed a team to ensure that membership followed licensing standards., Established and maintained contact with the Chief of Police and Fire Chief., Traveled to other EMS agencies to assess their services., Ensured that 3 ambulances passed rigorous inspections., Improved & expanded services available to surrounding towns., Provided programmatic and fiscal oversight of tax-exempt donations., Represented the agency in Town Events.
Military Experience
- 02/01/18, 02/01/20, Army Reserve, Individual Ready Reserve, Provided platoon sergeant coverage for 30 direct report/subordinate soldiers., Team leader for the Homeland Response Force (HRF) Region II., Served as a squad leader in a reconnaissance platoon.
- 02/01/12, 02/01/18, New Jersey Army National Guard, Noncommissioned Officer, Chemical Specialist Operations, Provided soldiers with training., Maintained physical fitness., Ensured equipment was kept in an optimal condition.
Timeline
Supervising Administrative Analyst
State of New Jersey Department of Children & Families (DCF)
09.2021 - Current
Supervising Program Support Specialist
State of New Jersey Department of Children & Families (DCF)
02.2021 - 09.2021
Program Support Specialist I Assistance Programs
State of New Jersey Department of Children & Families (DCF)
01.2017 - 01.2021
Program Support Specialist
State of New Jersey Department of Children & Families (DCF)
04.2005 - 01.2017
Family Service Specialist
State of New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services (D.Y.F.S.)
01.2001 - 04.2005
Graduate Certificate - Human Resources
Thomas Edison State University
Master of Business Administration - Public Administration
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Community Health Science
New Jersey City University
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