Melissa E. Email & Phone Number

Cochrane, Ab, Ca

Saskatchewan, Canada

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada

Warman, Saskatchewan, Canada

Consultant for strategic processes and business planning documents for small to medium sized operations. Experience in the development of business plans, CIM’s, facilitation of strategic planning sessions and strategy maps.

Cochrane, Alberta

Responsible for the education, engagement, and development of a cross section staff committee to advance diversity and implement equitable and inclusive practices, policies, procedures, training and events within the municipal administration. Accomplishments have included: • Leading the successful development and council adoption of the Town of Cochrane Social Policy and the procedure and implementation within the organization across the municipal sections. • Development of baseline evaluations for staff and organization through online surveys (40% response rate generated).• Invitations to present on committee activities across Alberta (Alberta Human Rights Commission, Alberta Urban Municipalities Association, Alberta Parks and Recreation Association, Chestermere Regional Inclusion Conference). • Development of online webinar on Cochrane’s Social Policy in partnership with Alberta Urban Municipalities Association & Alberta Human Rights Commission. This webinar can be viewed here.• The development of organization wide training modules, webinars and speaker series to enhance the organizations ability to deliver more inclusive services and programs. 100% of committee members indicated they had increased their individual skills and ability through the training, and 62.5% indicated it had increased the capacity of our organization.• Lead an Accessibility campaign that involved engaging senior leadership and council through an experiential activity in mobility devices. Highlights of which can be viewed at the following link: Town Rolling Audit.• Leading an annual organization Inclusion evaluation (3rd year of evaluation) with senior leadership & employees.

Cochrane, Alberta

This role involves front line responsibilities and case management for community members presenting in crisis or requiring basic needs supports as well as community development projects with community stakeholders to address on the ground themes. Direct client work involves: assessment, coordination, evaluation and system navigation to respond sensitively to complex situations and the needs of individuals and families in the community. Keen knowledge of programs and eligibility within multiple governmental services (federal, provincial and local non-profits) and strong stakeholder relationships with health services teams and law enforcement agencies including victim services, have been developed to support clients effectively and build capacity within the larger community. Key deliverables have included:• The collection and analysis of client and community data reports to support our community partners to access additional grants for major capital projects such as the Inclusion Playground and Just Like Me in school program.• Development of the ACCESS Card Community Program (A private public partnership for low-income residents to participate in recreation and social activities). • Town of Cochrane Inclusion Report: An Inclusion Research Project for People with Diverse Abilities.• Town of Cochrane Resource Guide for People with Diverse Abilities.

Cochrane, Alberta

Duties include providing in home support to parents with children to build relationships, teaching problem-solving skills, encourage positive parent-child relationships, supporting early child growth and development, resource referral and parent education. Position requires case management skills, goal setting, conflict resolution, problem solving, liaising with CFSA caseworkers & formal community supports, screening for appropriate interventions, and connections to instrumental needs (housing, transportation) with a client-centered, strength-based approach. Accomplishments in this role included leadership and facilitation of Community Education Services to our rural area for community members and professionals.

Calgary, Canada Area

Punjabi Community Health Services: Calgary, Alberta (October 2015- June 2016)Private ContractorResponsible for the development of program and agency logic models, theories of change, program outcomes, budget development and grant writing. This role required collaborative work across multiple sectors and disciplines (human services, law enforcement, medical & education) to coordinate data, program logic models, community outcomes, theories of change and resources.

Cochrane, Alberta

Team member for the execution of the of a 3-year community development research project funded by Status of Women Canada. Responsibilities included a community engagement initiative, gender based analysis, group facilitation, preparation & transcribing of focus groups and expert interviews with community stakeholders, and analysis and coding of data using NVIVO software. Second & third stage of the implementation process responsibilities include the dissemination and presentation of findings and recommendations to the public and key stakeholders in the community to facilitate enhanced community coordination in areas of response, data collection and referrals. Full report and recommendations can be viewed here. Key accomplishments as a result of this research resulted in:• Funding established (150K) for the development of a coordinated response for senior’s issues (elder abuse)• Funding established (50K) for implementation and facilitation of the Community Helpers Program.• Establishment of 20 new subsidized child care spaces granted through the Alberta government for Cochrane.• Implementation and development of an Inclusion Lens through a Social Policy with the Town of Cochrane.

Cochrane, Alberta

Western Rocky View Family & Community Support Services: Cochrane, Alberta (November 2010- April 2011)Cochrane Community Kitchen/FCSS Program FacilitatorIn partnership with a Bell Mental Health grant and the Parent Link Centre duties included the designing, delivery and facilitation of a group mental health program initiative through the community kitchen. Responsibilities included program development and group facilitation of Basic Life Skills for Young Adults and Parental Self-Care programs.

Author of Flight of the Dragonfly: A Mothers Harrowing Journey to Bring her Daughters Home (2007)Harper Collins Sydney, Australia & Toronto CanadaAutobiography and International best seller of a mothers account of parental abductions. Responsibilities included media tour, keynote speaking engagements interviews (radio, television and print) and book signings.

Master'S Degree, Social Work Leadership In Human Services

Graduates of Leadership in the Human Services (LHS) specialization develop an in-depth understanding of: current theories and practices.

Bachelor'S Degree, Social Work

Activities and Societies: Registered Social Worker

Diploma, Social Work, 4.0

Activities and Societies: Scholarly Exchange Board

Master Of Business Administration - Mba, Masters Of Business- Social Enterprise Specialization

Blending my unique Frontline, Community and Human Services work within a business landscape.