Provided trauma-informed, anti-racist, intersectional, non-judgmental, and truly holistic advocacy for clients targeted by the family policing system - provided crisis intervention management. Worked as part of the interdisciplinary team, including attorneys and other non-attorney advocates to determine case strategy.Responded quickly and communicated clearly with clients, their families, ACS and foster agency case workers - advocated for clients at ACS and foster agency case conferences; and communicated with service providers about clients’ needs.Identified and secured placement of clients in programs and services intended to address challenges such as mental health, addiction, domestic violence, educational needs - worked with clients to determine if any community resources served their legal and/or social work needs.

A woman of action with a proven track record of more than 20 years of experience leading community-led solutions, legislation, and community investments that are equity-driven and promote upward mobility.Our campaign was rooted in centering the voices and needs of the community directly impacted by the system and left out of the political process. Building collective leadership and community ownership through self-actualization, self-determination, and self-sufficiency for transformational change in our communities. https://www.darlenejackson2021.org

As an Enumerator working in the field, Enumerators visit households that haven't responded to the 2020 Census, speaking with residents to collect 2020 census data.New York State had the 38th lowest census response rate in the country and the Bronx self-response rate was only 55%. If we didn’t get counted, New York would have been undercounted even more severely than we were in 2010, resulting in losing millions of dollars and up to two Congressional seats. Our communities would not get the resources they need for health care, affordable housing and education to rebuild after COVID without complete data from the Census. Defying all odds and fighting all attacks, we matched our initial 2010 rate!NYC self-response rates:2010: 61.92020: 61.8We also closed the gap between NYC and the Country to 5 points versus 14 in 2010!

Implemented strategic work plans for advocacy campaigns, which include engaging members, partners and government officials.Identified and co-developed action opportunities (including rallies, social media actions, online petitions, etc.) around key legislative dates or political developments.Engaged with elected officials and agency staff to advance our campaigns, including scheduling and coordinating meetings, and tracking lobbying hours.Tracked relevant legislation and conduct research to inform development of new legislation or policy demands as needed.Led team efforts utilizing our database to best advance campaign goals.Facilitated and prepared agendas for meetings and presentations; including coalition meetings, issue-specific working groups, and briefings for elected officials or other stakeholders.Hired, and supported on-boarding process, supervised interns and/or volunteers as needed.

An interviewer for the Herstories Project, assist in telling the stories of women who have been detained and incarcerated at the Rose M. Singer Center for women at Rikers Island. An opportunity to hear and document the stories of women who have been involved in the criminal justice system and to help bring their stories to life. The goal was to complete written stories of each women’s path into the criminal justice system and their experience. The voices of the 20 women will form the backbone of a campaign to Close Rosie’s by 2020. Interviewees will have opportunities to become leaders in continued advocacy for this cause.

Interfaced with constituents in District 8 with a host of issues and connect with community resources in collaboration with city agencies, elected officials, community-based organizations and stakeholders.Met with city agencies monthly to discuss and evaluate community district service delivery and constituent claims in conjunction with a newly implemented data tool 'Boardstat' to access 311 reports and address unresolved claims on all city government operations.Liaison for Licenses & Permits subcommittee established relationships with the State Liquor Authority, Mayor's Office of Citywide Event Coordination & Management, small local businesses and cultural local event applicants.• Retrieved, reviewed, tracked, and monitored all liquor license and street activity permit (SAPO) applications. • Draft agenda, prepared meeting materials monthly and initiated seamless procedures for the committee to consider and adopt; seek full board final approval. Liaison for Events, Outreach & Marketing subcommittee, spearheaded a database to track and monitor all internal and external community events, sponsorships and board membership outreach efforts. A mechanism to support all committees with implementation and facilitation of events, including budget request.• Developed an advocacy tool for all committees to guide the annual fiscal District Needs & Budget, to secure community resources with the support from city agencies and elected officials. • Managed social media accounts, CB11M website, and newsletter to promote civic engagement, share community resources/events, all public meetings to ensure transparency, visibility, and community work.• Facilitated new board members orientation, registration for training offered at MBPO, and annual community board appreciation luncheon. • Secured offsite meeting locations for CB11M monthly full board meetings, setup, and troubleshoot. Managed board membership attendance and notify all members of scheduled public meetings.

Empowered over-aged and under credited high school students by partnering with NYC Department of Education and community-based organizations to provide individualized intensive academic and workforce support services.Supported the success of students in college admissions, vocational training, and ensuring postsecondary processes and workforce development.Ensured the college and career readiness of students through the administration of daily advisory instruction and by assisting in the planning of studies, establishing of goals, and reviewing progress.Established and sustained relationships with key stakeholders to secure internship opportunities in collaboration with the Learning to Work Coordinator.Led the planning for all school-wide college and career postsecondary workshops, trips, and events.Key Accomplishments:• Developed school-based educational policies and ensured the availability of resources to enact policies as a member of the Leadership Team.• Facilitated the development of the future-focus youth leaders' program by providing oversight, evaluation, professional development training, performance evaluations, and supervision.

MercyFirst received federal grant to serve unaccompanied immigrant children.Responsible for program evaluation, oversight, and management.Supported direct care staff through supervision with residential and post-release services.Provided language access, and translation services.

Supported the establishment of seven juvenile justice Close-to-Home programs throughout New York City.Interviewed, hired, and trained new members of personnel as part of the hiring committee.Co-facilitated weekly strategic program development and evaluation meetings with board members.Leveraged strong communication skills in building and maintaining vendor contract relations.Enforced budgetary compliance by strictly managing payroll and accounts payable and receivable.Key Accomplishments:• Educated community members within specific neighborhoods of Close-to-Homes programs during the public hearing process.• Spearheaded the implementation of an evidence-based Missouri model in all seven programs.

Developed and implemented realistic, appropriate, and timely service discharge treatment plans in a collaborative effort with board members of the LGBTQIA juvenile justice Close-to-Home program.Devised creative strategies to involve family members in the service planning and delivery process.Connected families with resources and assistance to support progress toward Family Assessment Service Plan goals.Key Accomplishment:• Led team conferences to develop, monitor, and reassess service and discharge plans.

Cultivated and nourished productive relationships with community-based organizations to secure resources and lead new initiatives to grant new funding sources for youth development programs.Determined inclusion of youths in the Family Assessment Service Plan as part of the treatment team.Approved funding for the distribution of monthly stipend checks to qualifying young adults.Key Accomplishment:• Guided the education, vocational training, future employment, and permanent housing of young adults through family reunification, kinship care, independent living, or pairing them with caring adults within the community.

Supervised office operations and maintained a friendly office environment while providing general information of the youth development department and monitoring the delivery of youth development services.Supported Program Director by organizing a busy monthly calendar, scheduling conferences, managing correspondence, executing special projects, and supervision of staff.Key Accomplishment:• Delivered services to more than 700 adolescents and young adults during tenure.

Directed communications between residential programs while overseeing 20 facilities.Facilitated operations by receiving, tracking, and processing daily incident reports.Disseminated information to program directors, caseworkers, and quality assurance staff along with notifying program directors immediately of any serious incidents in order to corroborate details.Key Accomplishment:• Contributed to staff and program development as part of monthly quality improvement review meetings with members of the quality assurance team.