Tamara Abu-Elreish
Burbank,USA
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Social Service Program Planner IV-Opt SS
Department of Human Services-Office of IL Welcoming Centers for Refugee & Immigrant Services
01.2022 - Current
- Confers with management on the integration of program function activities to resolve administrative problems and program function improvements at the Office of Welcoming Centers for Refugee & Immigrant Services.
- Develops and maintains ongoing communications with private and public organizations, officials of other agencies, or officials of other states and the federal government.
- Maintains liaison with a variety of organizations that may be able to supply funds, training and technical assistance in particular areas. Responds to oral and written inquiries concerning available programs.
- Maintains all program spreadsheets for data analysis and tracking purposes.
- Responsible for the contract development and execution of grants for the Bureau.
- Manages all fiscal responsibilities including but not limited to overseeing the financial health, compliance, and reporting for all grant-funded programs, managing budgets, tracking expenditures against award terms, ensuring adherence to State of Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA), completing internal desk audits of our providers, liaising with funders and external; auditors, and supporting program staff on financial matters to maximize funding impact and maintain fiscal integrity.
- Evaluates the types of contracts entered with each Department including specific programs and dollar amounts. Plans, manages, directs, and conducts reviews of community services providers' fiscal and administrative records and procedures for GATA compliance with contractual requirements.
- Assists management with the development of training materials on the contract development and fiscal procedures processes.
- Develops and maintains important liaisons with staff within Department of Human Services (DHS) and a multiple of public and private service providers to ensure the accuracy and compliance of community services administered.
- Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
Human Services Caseworker (Upward Mobility Target Title)-Opt SS
Illinois Department of Human Services
10.2019 - 10.2021
- Under direction, performs professional casework activities in providing public assistance services available from the Department of Human Services as well as auxiliary state, local and federal programs. Explains eligibility criteria and requirements for public assistance programs. Collects customer data and determines eligibility. Discusses the customer's goals and participation levels. Assesses the customer's skills and evaluates their ability to obtain and retain employment; makes appropriate referrals to other DHS programs, state services or local private services to verify customer receives available benefits. Completes case documentation, responds to electronic correspondence and makes entries into automated computer systems. Performs functions outlined below or a portion thereof (e.g. Intake) as part of an assigned caseload or on a rotational basis. Communicates with customers and other DHS staff in both verbal and written form.
- Reason for Leaving: Selected to do detailed work at another state agency.
Child Protection Specialist-Opt SS
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
12.2018 - 09.2019
- Respond to child abuse and neglect report within twenty four hours. Contact relatives of child for home evaluation and determine if child is in immediate danger by interviewing child and siblings in person. Devise a safety plan or, in consultation with the supervisor, make the decision to take child into protective custody if needed. Take child to hospital for medical treatment and evaluation as needed to ensure physical well being. Prepare paper work according to department rules, procedure and accreditation standards. Interview all subjects of the report including but not limited to parents, relatives, neighbors, police, teachers, doctors, nurses and others. Prepare and review comprehensive reports to support or refute alleged neglect abuse and to assess its seriousness. Testify in court as to the custody hearing and or prosecution case. Transport child to placement with relatives or foster home as determined in the court hearing. Complete and review all child abuse and neglect tracking forms, pre placement prevention and medical forms, relative check list, foster care placement protocols, etc. Provide referrals for community based services as needed. When placement is required, address issues of separation with the child and the family; prepare birth family for necessary follow up court and agency intervention; prepare care giving family for child's needs, care giving responsibilities, family contact and current planning and identify family's desires regarding religious and cultural preferences. Track all detailed case notes and client interactions into state database system. Carry an increasing case load with decreasing guidance and review.
- Reason for Leaving: Moved to another state agency.
Benefits Outreach Coordinator (Bilingual)
Greater Chicago Food Depository
11.2016 - 10.2018
- Manage day to day operations of Health and Wellness program aimed to expand Medicaid and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) coverage in Chicago Public Schools. Work directly with Illinois Department of Human Services and other partner agencies to identify changes in Medicaid and SNAP policies to ensure alignment with company procedures. Help clients enroll in Medicaid Snap benefits by guiding them through application process, translating all material, and assuring they comply with state regulations procedures. Act as a case manager by inquiring with DHS offices regarding client applications and help detect miss information. Coordinate outreach events including scheduling, preparing, and executing events to build stronger relationship with partner agencies and create new partnerships. Conduct monthly site visits to state public aid offices to identify areas of improvement, make recommendations, and build stronger relations with government agencies. Coordinate all program databases, weekly reports, and graphs, as needed for program evaluation and reporting.
- Reason for Leaving: New Employment Opportunity
Project Assistant
Asian Health Coalition
01.2016 - 06.2016
- Created, updated, and maintained a committee database aimed to provide a Physician Directory to several immigrant populations in Illinois. Helped conduct, transcribe, and analyze 1,000 community surveys to compile research identifying healthcare needs of different communities. Adjudicated over 400 possible grant funding opportunities for the organization and made funding recommendations to the Program Director. Helped establish and maintain liaison with external non profit, private, and public organizations whose mission overlapped with our organization's. Maintained strict communication with Project Managers on a weekly basis regarding project progress, obstacles, and areas for improvement. Collaborated with IT Team to create and maintain a web-based resource center for public use.
- Reason for Leaving: This position was a temporary contracted 6-month position only.
Student Worker
UIC-Liautaud Graduate School of Business
01.2015 - 06.2015
- Provided administrative support to Managing Director including duties such as scheduling meetings, greeting visitors, and completing correspondence and calls. Reviewed and processed all prospective student applications and supporting documents into university database. Evaluated prospective student applications based on credentials and supporting documents and decided which applications where complete and ready to be sent to the admissions committee. Acted as liaison between prospective students and admissions faculty. Maintained standards and internal operating procedures and policies during all times as a student employee.Participated in administrative staff meetings to plan and develop internal strategies to address administrative issues or concerns.Performed other clerical and administrative duties such as sorting mail, filing, and answering inquiries about the business college.
- Reason for Leaving: Undergraduate student position only.
Education
MA - Public Administration
University of Illinois At Chicago
01-2016
BA - Sociology
University of Illinois At Chicago
01-2015
Skills
- Financial Analysis
- Budgeting
- Contract Compliance
- Contract Development
- Leadership
- Intergovernmental Relations
Languages
Spanish
Full Professional
Timeline
Social Service Program Planner IV-Opt SS
Department of Human Services-Office of IL Welcoming Centers for Refugee & Immigrant Services
01.2022 - Current
Human Services Caseworker (Upward Mobility Target Title)-Opt SS
Illinois Department of Human Services
10.2019 - 10.2021
Child Protection Specialist-Opt SS
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS)
12.2018 - 09.2019
Benefits Outreach Coordinator (Bilingual)
Greater Chicago Food Depository
11.2016 - 10.2018
Project Assistant
Asian Health Coalition
01.2016 - 06.2016
Student Worker
UIC-Liautaud Graduate School of Business
01.2015 - 06.2015
MA - Public Administration
University of Illinois At Chicago
BA - Sociology
University of Illinois At Chicago