• As a member of the Department’s executive leadership team, lead and develop all external affairs initiatives for the nation's largest vocational rehabilitation and independent living programs.• In collaboration with the California Health and Human Services Agency, oversee Department-wide efforts to track, analyze, and provide technical assistance on proposed legislation that impacts the Department and Californians with disabilities. Develop legislative proposals as needed. • Coordinate Department involvement in all interactions with the California State Legislature. Develop materials and talking points for budget and legislative hearings, prepare Directorate and executive staff for testimony at hearings, including Senate confirmation hearings. Provide testimony at legislative hearings as appropriate.• Alert the Directorate and other executives to public, media, and legislative inquiries. Respond to inquiries with input from DOR subject matter experts and in accordance with state law and policy. • Advise the Directorate and executive leadership regarding vocational rehabilitation and independent living policy. • Oversee the development and maintenance of Department’s internal and external communications efforts, including social media.• Represent Department Director on State Independent Living Council as ex officio member.• Provide temporary oversight over the Department’s Executive Division, including Office of Civil Rights, Audit Services, Consumer Ombudsperson, and Reasonable Accommodations, during Chief Deputy Director’s reassignment.

• Oversee development and submission of the federally-mandated vocational rehabilitation portion of California’s Unified Strategic Workforce Development Plan (State Plan). Coordinate all aspects of State Plan development with internal Department staff, and other state and federal partners.• Oversee development and submission of the federally-mandated Comprehensive Statewide Needs Assessment for Vocational Rehabilitation.• Lead and develop Department’s Equity Data Team.

• Enhance policies and procedures to promote consistent statewide Adult Protective Services (APS) practices.• Strengthen and expand services to meet the needs of vulnerable older (age 65+) and dependent age (18-64) adults, including protecting their well-being during emergency situations.• Coordinate with federal, state and local agencies, national organizations, law enforcement agencies and other organizations and stakeholders that provide or oversee elder and dependent adult justice services.• Make recommendations to the Deputy Director and high-level administration officials regarding formulation and development of legislation and policy changes related to APS.• Coordinate the review and analysis of State and Federal legislation, State budget, proposed law and regulatory changes to determine impact on APS. Assist in providing testimony in legislative hearings.• Represent Adult Programs Division in Governor Newsom’s Master Plan for Aging activities.• Represent Department Director on State Independent Living Council as ex officio member.

• Developed, implemented, and oversaw policies and procedures for the management and operations of the In Home Support Services (IHSS) program.• Made recommendations to the Deputy Director and high-level administration officials regarding formulation and development of legislation and policy changes related to the IHSS program.• Coordinated the review and analysis of State and Federal legislation, State budget, proposed law and regulatory changes to determine impact on IHSS. Assisted in providing testimony in legislative hearings.• Met and consulted with county, State and federal government representatives, advocacy groups and unions on policy issues related to various services provided to older adults and people with disabilities. Coordinated stakeholder meetings and external stakeholder communications for CDSS Adult Program Division.• Provided policy directions to all 58 counties in California on the implementation of the IHSS program.• Oversaw contracts and provided legislative and advocacy assistance to eight Deaf Access Programs statewide.• Provided general direction to bureau chiefs and staff involved in the administration and implementation of regulations, policy and procedures.

• Develop, monitor, and analyze state and federal policy and budget issues pertaining to long-term care, In-Home Supportive Services, the Affordable Care Act, and California’s Coordinated Care Initiative. • Advocate to state legislators and staff on issues impacting UDW and AFSCME members.• Testify on behalf of UDW in California State Legislative and Budget hearings.• Develop and present policy and budget materials to UDW members and stakeholders.• Work in collaboration with state agencies and stakeholder groups on long-term care issues.• Provide concrete analysis of the California State Budget as it relates to long-term care.• Produce publications for Political and Legislative Department, including legislative scorecard.

• Conducted research and analysis on California’s involvement in the Medicare/Medicaid Dual Eligible project and Community First Choice Option for long-term care.• Wrote fact sheets and analytical reports on health care policies and long-term services and supports. • Researched and edited grant proposals for statewide social service programs.• Represented organization at meetings regarding the Dual Eligible project and/or the Community First Choice Option.

• Represented organization in legislative meetings and hearings concerning Social Security, health care policy, Medicare and Medicaid, rehabilitation, and other issues impacting people with disabilities.• Researched and analyzed disability policies and legislation.• Organized internal effort to improve coverage of disability issues at www.nasi.org, including writing and editing new content for organization’s website.• Gave presentations to groups on social insurance and disability policy.• Contributed to development of organization’s policy reports on various social insurance topics.• Promoted organization’s efforts through social networking, including Facebook and Twitter.

Researched, analyzed, and contributed to the development of policies affecting people with disabilities and the independent living movement.Identified disability issues in the community and educated institutions on less discriminatory practices.Organized agency's housing strategy, including advocating to local entities to provide more affordable, accessible housing throughout the Los Angeles area.Consulted with consumers and staff on issues surrounding Medi-Cal, IHSS, and other social programs.Represented organization at public events and meetings.Co-facilitated disability policy advocacy groups.Provided 1:1 case management and support to consumers.

Provided 1:1 and group counseling for older adults with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.Administered intake assessments for new members.Provided referrals and support to members' caregivers and family members.

Edited, fact-checked and proofread stories at Pulitzer Prize-winning daily newspaper.

Edited, fact-checked, and proofread pages for news and business sections; designed news pages.