Lora Mcdonald Email & Phone Number

Kansas City, Missouri Area

The Kansas City Metropolitan Crime Commission is leading efforts to ensure a quality continuum of services for ex-offenders, which will further our mission of creating a safer community. As Program Director, I ensure funding for programs, supervise staff, create new programs, and lead/ organize the Kansas City Metropolitan Reentry Coaliton.

Organize and lead Kansas City Metropolitan Reentry Coalition, 100+ organizational membersMaintain comprehensive information about reentry programs and policiesCompleted Examining Offender Reentry in KC: A Gaps Analysis, research with UMKCDesigned and Implemented Second Chance Programs for returning offendersSuccessfully obtained $396,000 in new funding in 2010Hire, train and supervise staff of Second Chance ProgramPassed Liquor License City Ordinance change with Councilman Sharp in KCMOCreate public response to policy issues and recruit/ prepare people for testimonyConsult with other non-profitsCreate large scale collaborations within corrections and non-profit organizations

Prepare reports to respond to grants and other funding streams Organize major events related to housing, employment and other issues; Supervised Staff Managed Hunger Relief, Emergency Assistance ProgramsDeveloped, marketed and implemented Self-Sufficiency ProgramsSecured and maintained federal, local and private funding streamsEstablished partnerships with business community, local government and private agenciesPlanned strategically with organization to facilitate growth and changeRepresented agency at speaking engagements, multi-media appearances and public events Created a small community garden that produced 2 tons of fresh produce in year one

Wrote Life Skills Curriculum (Conflict Resolution, Problem Solving, Teamwork, Diversity, etc.)Facilitated Life Skills Classes at Rosedale Middle School

Assessed homeless 17-22 year olds for housing needs/ servicesProvided Strengths-Based Case Management for up to 80 youth, short-term and follow-up Maintained case-file documentation/ MAAC Database recordsPrepared/ Compiled Monthly/ Quarterly and Annual Reports for Housing and Urban DevelopmentTrained new staffFacilitated Interagency Project C.A.R.E. MeetingsManaged Homeless Services Center financial records from five funding sources

Managed a caseload of approximately 30 offendersTaught personal development classes to offendersWrote reports to court recommending for or against 120 probationary release

Assessed families who desired to foster or adopt children through Division of Family ServicesConducted up to four three hour in-home interviews for each client familyProvided written assessments and completed case files to DFS within 90 days of assignment

Created and implemented Post Adoption Services Provided in-home case management services to adoptive familiesManaged STARS contracts for Jackson, Platte and Clay CountiesTrain Spaulding/ STARS and in-service classes to parentsConducted written assessments and proper documentation to license foster/ adoptive familiesProvided supervision to Parenting Education Specialists/ Contract EmployeesCreated and managed Access client database Family Reunification SpecialistProvided intensive in-home intervention for 2-3 families at a timeAvailable on call to families through the eight week intervention

Wrote and updated adoptive family home studiesProvided written reports and personal testimony for courtConducted post placement supervisionManaged a caseload of approximately 75 special needs children with a goal of adoptionSuccessfully placed numerous children with special needs in adoptive homesProvided supervision to an assistant

Gained valuable experience working with drug exposed children of women in treatmentPlanned educational and recreational activities for childrenActed as "lead" childcare worker in the evening shifts

Education record

Bsw, Social Work

Activities and Societies: Board of Directors Wyandotte Serves Wyandotte Works, President; Board of Directors KCK Green Market

Bachelor, Social Work