I lead a team of dynamic and committed professionals that leads the department in ensuring culturally affirming prevention and family preservation strategies and a Department of Human Services (DHS) child welfare system response focused on understanding and addressing the disproportionate overrepresentation in Minnesota's child welfare and foster care systems for African American children and families. I work with unit and Division staff and leadership in reducing over-representation of African American children and families in Minnesota's child protection, foster care, and permanency systems. I collaborate with partners to identify preventive interventions focusing on those county agencies in which African American children and families are overrepresented. I partner and collaborate with other DHS programs (Economic Assistance and Employment Supports Division and Behavioral Health) and Juvenile Corrections and Probation to appropriately address and impact the issue of overrepresentation. I work with other Child Safety & Permanency (CSP) units to provide guidance and technical assistance to clarify when out of home placements must be made, how to utilize safety planning to prevent out of home placements, use of relatives or kin, use of parent and child legal representation, and to engage stakeholders and community through an advisory committee structures to develop priorities, policies, trainings, and services to address these issues. I monitor the state's child welfare system response for African American families. I work with division staff to understand systemic factors contributing to the disproportionate overrepresentation, identify solutions across the child welfare continuum, and make recommendations to the deputy division director and director regarding successful interventions to positively impact the disproportionate overrepresentation and disparity in safety, well-being, and permanency outcomes.

I lead a team of dynamic and committed professionals that leads the department in ensuring culturally affirming prevention and family preservation strategies and a Department of Human Services (DHS) child welfare system response focused on understanding and addressing the disproportionate overrepresentation in Minnesota's child welfare and foster care systems for African American children and families. I work with unit and Division staff and leadership in reducing over-representation of African American children and families in Minnesota's child protection, foster care, and permanency systems. I collaborate with partners to identify preventive interventions focusing on those county agencies in which African American children and families are overrepresented. I partner and collaborate with other DHS programs (Economic Assistance and Employment Supports Division and Behavioral Health) and Juvenile Corrections and Probation to appropriately address and impact the issue of overrepresentation. I work with other Child Safety & Permanency (CSP) units to provide guidance and technical assistance to clarify when out of home placements must be made, how to utilize safety planning to prevent out of home placements, use of relatives or kin, use of parent and child legal representation, and to engage stakeholders and community through an advisory committee structures to develop priorities, policies, trainings, and services to address these issues. I monitor the state's child welfare system response for African American families. I work with division staff to understand systemic factors contributing to the disproportionate overrepresentation, identify solutions across the child welfare continuum, and make recommendations to the deputy division director and director regarding successful interventions to positively impact the disproportionate overrepresentation and disparity in safety, well-being, and permanency outcomes.

I provided leadership and expertise as the state foster care policy lead to agency directors, supervisors, social workers and other partners to develop and strengthen child placement services in the 87 Minnesota counties and tribal agencies serving roughly 15,000 children in foster care annually. I served as the child placement team lead in developing policy and coordinating the statewide delivery of placement services. I served as the primary program policy lead on Northstar Care for Children, Providing technical expertise and developing policy for a statewide single benefit program. I led statewide policy implementation of federal and state child needs assessment, rate setting and payments. I drafted legislation for Nothstar Care for Children, Including eligibility, assessment processes and rate setting. I prepared draft legislation on issues and/or federal laws related to placement, permanency child wellbeing and adoption. I attended legislative hearings and/or various committees as requested. I prepared bill analysis and consult on fiscal notes on foster care related bills. I assessed the action of local agencies and require compliance with state and federal mandates and policy in the delivery of foster care services. I ensured counties and tribes are following the provisions and mandates set forth by the Indian Child Welfare Act. I promoted culturally component and responsive child placement services to ensure the needs of children and families of color are integrated practice and service delivery. I provide technical consultation and direction to other DHS divisions.

I provided leadership as a partner with counties/tribes in a continuous quality improvement process and make recommendations for program improvement plans to address areas needing improvement. I lead, conducted and provided oversight to qualitative case reviews to examine and evaluate the practice of the 87 Minnesota counties and 11 federally recognized tribal child welfare agencies. I determined county/tribal child welfare programs’ achievement in meeting performance objectives and outcomes by planning coordinating and conducting on-site reviews; receive and review periodic monitoring reports to assure county/tribe compliance with applicable standards, guidelines, county and state social service plans, and state and federal law. I reviewed child welfare placement and performance data of each county/tribe and identify issues and/or areas of practice needing improvement. I developed written findings based on results of case reviews and broader, quantitative performance data using a high level of expertise in child welfare practices. I reviewed quality program Improvement plan updates to monitor progress in efforts to meet their identified outcome goals. I analyzed results of reviews and developed mechanisms for recording and tracking common issues arising from reviews. I developed strategies for addressing these on a local, regional or statewide basis.. I participated in the ongoing review, analysis and planning necessary to develop and implement improved/enhanced quality assurance/quality improvement processes. I developed and implemented monitoring process to ensure timely, efficient and consistent application of quality assurance and quality improvement process and procedures. Key accomplishments include the following:-Serving as a state CFSR Lead in planning and coordinating the federal Child and Family Services Review.-Serving as one of four state staff leading MN state work group addressing child maltreatment responses involving domestic violence.

I review various government grant application from applicants across the country and score each application as well as provide narrative feedback to support the scoring to assist the Office of Justice Programs with selecting grantees and distributing available financial resources

I assisted ACF with conducting federal child and family services reviews of state child welfare systems to ensure conformity with federal child welfare requirements, determine what is actually happening to children and families involved in child welfare services, and assist states in helping children and families achieve positive outcomes.-Participated as a federal reviewer for New York State's 2016 Child and Family Services Review.- Participated as a federal reviewer for Kentucky’s 2016 Child and Family Services Review.

The Minnesota Board of Psychology is one of the Health-Related Licensing Boards, a regulatory state agency charged with protecting the public through licensure, regulation, and education for the practice of psychology to promote access to safe, competent, and ethical psychological services within the State of Minnesota. I serve on the board Application Review Committee where I assist with reviewing application to ensure they meet the necessary requirements for applicant licensure. I previously served on the Complaint Resolution Committee where we reviewed complaints regarding the practice of board licensees and made recommendations for resolving complaint to the larger board. I am a Governor-appointed public member of the board, serving a 4-year term.

The Guardian ad Litem board administers a statewide, independent Guardian ad Litem Program to advocate for the best interests of children, minor parents and incompetent adults in Juvenile and Family Court. I was Governor-appointed public member of the board, serving a the remainder of the previous board member's 4-year term.

I was appointed by the mayor to serve on the commission in an advisory capacity to the Director of the Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity Department. In conjunction with the Director’s three-year term, the HREEO Commission conducts an extensive assessment of the Department’s performance. The commission also conducts studies, hearings, investigations, makes recommendations and determines discrimination complaints under the Saint Paul Human Rights Ordinance, Chapter 183. I hear appeals under the Saint Paul Public Health, Safety and Welfare Ordinance, Chapter 233.

I provided leadership and training to new mental health child crisis staff. I developed and designed individual treatment plans with input from an integrated multidisciplinary treatment team. Interviewed clients and performed case evaluations to determine problems and appropriate types and methods of service/treatment. I designed and followed through on intensive long or short-term service/treatment plans for assigned caseload. I provided preventive and direct services to clients who have mental, emotional, or physical disabilities and other cases involving complex social and financial problems. I provided coordination of care with family and other service providers. I completed over 200 diagnostic assessments under the supervision of a mental health professional and have over 2000 hours of post MSW direct clinical practice. I provided supportive counseling to families and individuals. I interpreted and explained policies, regulations, and programs to clients and the public. I referred clients to appropriate community services and interpret social and emotional factors to others involved in treatment of clients. Key accomplishments include the following:-Assisting with development of program policies and protocol for crisis response services.

I provided leadership, mentoring and training to new child protection social workers.I provided social work services to families with findings of abuse or neglect or other needs for services. I provided social work services to children and families in Hennepin County with findings of abuse or neglect or other needs for services. I assisted with the case management and coordination of client caseloads. I conducted risk assessments of adult clients and their children. I developed case plans, coordinated services and provided case management services. I completed regular home visits and consulted with collateral staff and community resources. I prepared court reports, appeared in court, implemented court orders and documented all activities on county systems (SSIS, ECF). I researched, located and coordinated potential resources for clients and their children. I assisted the parent client’s children with managing various emotional and behavioral issues. I assisted clients with completion of their case plan goals. I provided individual counseling services to adult and youth clients. I arranged and supervised parent/child visits including child transports. Key accomplishments include the following:-Developed strong interdepartmental agency relationships.-Established effective working partnerships with community service providers.-Assisted with development of new service delivery procedures and resources.

I interviewed clients to obtain information concerning social history, past treatment and other pertinent information. I planned and administered therapeutic treatment, behavior modification, and stress management therapy to assist clients in developing/displaying appropriate behaviors.I changed methods and degree of therapy when indicated by resident reactions/needs. I discussed progress toward goals with residents such as medication regiment, family relationships, educational programs, social development, discharge plans or other behavioral problems. I consulted with mental health professionals concerning treatment plans and amends plans as required. I conducted a minimum of at least one individual therapy session per week for each client. I completed and maintained individual counseling notes and documentation following the treatment session. I developed and implemented appropriate transition planning with client and family. I developed and maintained a positive relationship with the clients.

I oversaw and supervised contracted speakers/presenters and managed financial service agreements. I coordinated and scheduled college planning presentations with various middle and high schools and community agencies in the metro area. I facilitated presentations to students and families at community events and schools. I distributed and use the MN Office of Higher Education publications at presentations, meetings, and/or conferences, and actively participated in such events. I coordinated work with other agency staff to enhance the agency’s outreach efforts. I maintained a resource referral list of websites, organizations and program that students and parents could utilize to gather more information regarding college planning and preparation. I also conducted needs assessments and gap analyses for existing and new contracts. Key accomplishments include the following: -Developing and maintaining database of statewide contacts for presentations and scheduling of presentations.-Identifying target demographics and recruiting contracted presenters to serve those areas and provide orientation and training to contracted speakers representing the agency.-Developing and maintaining an evaluation process to measure and track program objectives.

I supervised and managed after school program staff. I coordinated afterschool programming including ALC and community-based partner provided programs. I completed special projects in support of partnership work at Maxfield Magnet Elementary School. I provided documentation of project needs and obtained the necessary administrative approvals for all assigned projects. I provided project information for those participating in the project; develop program communications, both internal and external; designed and prepared newsletters, brochures, flyers and other related program documentation. I compiled data for projects; prepared project reports and recommendations to administration as required or appropriate. I represented Maxfield Magnet Elementary School interests at partnership meetings. Key accomplishments include the following:-Developing methods and mechanisms to maintain program records; develop other program documentation as needed.-Establishing and maintaining contacts with representatives of businesses, non-profits and other government agencies, district staff or others as appropriate to promote and implement program initiatives.-Developing the after school learning program including schedule, activities and programming and coordination of transportation.

I assisted with overseeing 20 contracted community liaisons to ensure program objectives were met on time and efficiently. I assisted students with applying to college and for financial aid/scholarships. I arranged opportunities for students to prepare for ACT/SAT tests. I organized opportunities for students to visit colleges, in partnership with community organizations. I assessed needs, maintain student contact and engagement, and maintain partnerships with appropriate MPS and SPPS district staff to provide quality opportunities for Destination 2010 students during out-of-school time (school year and summer); contract for services as needed. I assessed needs, initiated contact, contracted for services (as needed) and maintained partnerships with community-based organizations and pre-college program staff to provide opportunities for Destination 2010 students. I assisted students, parents and liaisons use the Naviance to complete My Life Plan and research post-secondary information. I worked with community partners to provide parents information about supporting children in planning and preparing for college. I designed, implemented, and oversaw the facilitation and distribution of community resource information that contracted liaisons and high school coaches could share with Destination 2010 families and students. I assisted in the design and implementation of Destination 2010 student leadership initiative, including seminars, conferences and the D2010 Youth Advisory Board. I coordinated and facilitated monthly school meeting for students regarding college planning and preparation. Key accomplishments include the following:-Organizing a summer program fair with over 30 community partners in efforts to connect students to summer activities and programs.-Developing a “Roadmap to College” Binder to assist students with post-secondary planning.-Organizing a Youth Advisory Board to provide students opportunities for developing skills and civic engagement.

I provided leadership to a program staff of up to 12 individuals within both the Connections and Pathways to Independence Programs. I was responsible for day to day operations of both programs. I developed operational plans which incorporated goals and objectives that worked towards the strategic direction of the organization. I oversaw the planning, implementation, execution and evaluation of special projects. I implemented a performance management process for all staff which included monitoring the performance of staff on an on-going basis and conducting an annual performance review. I created and monitored the annual budget and expenses through monthly and yearly forecasts. I was responsible for the compilation of weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual client data reports. I established positive ongoing working relationships and collaborative arrangements with community groups, funders, politicians, and other organizations to help achieve the goals of the organization. I implemented numerous program procedures and policies. I organized program social activities and events for clients. I developed extensive independent living skills curriculum for clients. I interviewed and trained all new staff members. I coordinated all youth referrals, intakes and discharges. I was responsible for the development of youth database. I coordinated and disseminated program correspondence and marketing materials, I created program scorecards, operational, strategic and implementation plans. I compiled, edited and distributed the programs quarterly newsletter. Key accomplishments include the following: -Writing and securing MN Department of Human Services grant for $183K. (2005).-Managing an annual budget of over $750K and generating revenue in excess of 325K from July 2002 to July 2008.-Presenting at local and national conferences and trainings (2005, 2006, 2007)-Meeting and/or exceeded majority program objectives and goals each year from 2002-2008.

I provided social services leadership, training and direction for a team of independent living skills counselors. I managed individual caseload of 10-15 at-risk youth in long-term foster care in Hennepin County. I attended meetings with county social workers, private licensing workers, probation officers, treatment facility and shelter staff and foster parents/group home staff. I assisted clients with job development skills including resume writing, interviewing, completing application and job maintenance. I facilitated large and small group workshops consisting of youth ages 12-22. I attended school meetings, Hennepin County youth conferences, juvenile and adult criminal court hearings, foster care reviews and placement hearings. I assisted youth with obtaining housing in private apartments or houses, transitional housing programs and temporary shelters. I assisted youth with enrollment into secondary and post-secondary schools and institutions. Key accomplishments include the following:-Assisting with the program development, protocol and policies-Developing working independent living skills curriculum for clients-Developing case plan and assessment tools for clients