Yaphet Howard
Hamilton,NJ
Summary
Dedicated employee who possesses leadership skills to motivate members of diverse groups. Creative problem solver with strong analytical, interpersonal and communication skills. Committed team player who can work independently when necessary to achieve goals.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Administrative Hearings Unit
NJ DCF Office of Legal Affairs
Trenton, NJ
02.2022 - Current
- Review investigative findings to determine if the appeal should be transmitted to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) or reversed when minimal evidentiary standards are not met .
- Responsible for overseeing the supervision of the AHU paralegal staff
- Performed risk assessments by evaluating closed CP&P records and gathering supporting documentation from appellants.
- Assisted in the development of curriculum and training for mandatory statewide training for DCPP staff, while visiting all DCPP offices.
- Analyze and interpret new case law to enhance staff comprehension through creative explanation.
- Consistently assess AHU policies and practices to optimize staff effectiveness.
Office of the Assistant Commissioner
STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DCF
01.2019 - 02.2022
- Assist internal and external stakeholders in resolving concerns within DCP&P by ensuring practice is in adherence with policy.
- Provide guidance to local offices in case planning with families for successful outcomes.
- Engage constituents to identify service needs and provide feedback to foster DCF policy and procedural understanding.
- Responsible for conducting high-profile and confidential case reviews for expungement purposes statewide.
- Responsible for training new local office expungement liaisons statewide.
- Conduct extensive case reviews for child fatalities and near fatalities to determine appropriate case practice and findings.
Office of Advocacy
STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DCF
07.2013 - 01.2019
- Provide advocacy of behalf of the Department as well as the constituent by analyzing the problem and providing logical and thorough responses for resolution.
- Work collaboratively with all divisions and all local CPP offices within DCF as well as other state agencies and community providers to ensure adherence to policy and law.
- Thoroughly conduct case reviews for case practice concerns brought forth by constituents and make recommendations to the local offices for positive resolution.
- Assisted constituents in understanding their rights to appeal specific abuse or neglect findings.
Intake and Permanency
STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DCPP
01.2010 - 07.2013
- Thoroughly conducted various types of investigations including abuse and neglect referrals in problematic high-risk family situations to ensure safety, well-being and family stabilization in a timely manner.
- Reviewed case history to help determine appropriate case handling and safe outcomes.
- Worked cohesively with families in assessing their needs and maximizing their ability to use available resources.
- Assisted the family in developing a case plan through Family Team Meetings which focused on time limited tasks to place emphasis on the parents and the Division’s responsibilities.
- Assessed risk and safety in the home and made decisions to remove a child if the child’s safety was compromised.
- Effectively advocated for families by working cooperatively and creatively with internal and external service providers to accomplish favorable outcomes for families.
Resource Family Support Worker and Resource Family Recruiter
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
11.2004 - 01.2010
- Developed and implemented a recruitment plan for resource families based on an analysis of data specific to Mercer County.
- Organized and facilitated recruitment events to meet the goals identified in the recruitment plan.
- Completed resource home studies within 60 days.
- Visited prospective resource homes to determine if the home will meet Licensing standards.
- Presented at county and statewide community events, the need for viable homes for foster youth.
- Thoroughly reviewed case records for past connections of legally free children.
- Scheduled and facilitated monthly orientations to prospective foster parents.
- Completed monthly reports to track resource parents interested in fostering or adopting.
- Conducted follow-ups based on findings by the Internal Abuse Investigation Unit.
Customer Service Supervisor
CENLAR
Ewing, NJ
01.2002 - 11.2004
- Performed annual staff reviews for a team of 12 and established individual staff goals for development.
- Motivated employees to reach department goals and objectives
- Identified trends and escalated issues to manager timely for minimizing corporate risk.
- Delivered continuous training to associates to maximize performance and customer relations skills.
- Addressed and mitigated escalated situations to meet organizational objectives.
- Assessed staff performance by delivering one-on-one coaching to promote better service.
Education
Violence Against Woman and Children Certificate (VAWC) -
NJ Department of Children And Families
05.2020
DCF Manage by Data Fellow -
NJ DCF
06.2017
BA - Business Administration
Upsala College
East Orange, NJ05.1995
Skills
- Conflict resolution
- Troubleshooting
- Analytical
- Leadership
- Communication
- Relationship Building
- Supervision
- Decision-making
- Global Assessment
- Innovative Problem Solver
References
REFERENCES
Available upon request
Interests
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
, Certified Volunteer Coach Boys/Girls Club of Mercer County;
Executive Board of Hamilton Township Recreation Soccer Association
Timeline
Administrative Hearings Unit
NJ DCF Office of Legal Affairs
02.2022 - Current
Office of the Assistant Commissioner
STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DCF
01.2019 - 02.2022
Office of Advocacy
STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DCF
07.2013 - 01.2019
Intake and Permanency
STATE OF NEW JERSEY, DCPP
01.2010 - 07.2013
Resource Family Support Worker and Resource Family Recruiter
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
11.2004 - 01.2010
Customer Service Supervisor
CENLAR
01.2002 - 11.2004
Violence Against Woman and Children Certificate (VAWC) -
NJ Department of Children And Families
DCF Manage by Data Fellow -
NJ DCF
BA - Business Administration
Upsala College
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