Melissa Jensen Email & Phone Number

Washington, Dc, Us

Alexandria, Virginia, United States

Provides direction and recommendations for improving food access and address food insecurity challenges and inequities in the City of Alexandria.Coordinates between the City and community organizations.Collects data on food insecurity and participation in federal nutrition programs.Write reports and creates strategic plan to lower food insecurity.

Washington, District Of Columbia

-Works, as part of the D.C. Hunger Solutions’ team, to engage and educate the public andpolicymakers about the issue of hunger in the District of Columbia and to identify solutions toend hunger in D.C. -Promotes participation in and improvements to the SNAP/Food Stamp Program as a keydefense against hunger and an important nutrition and income support strategy.-Develops and implements strategies to increase participation in the SNAP/Food Stamp Program in the District, including site visits, outreach, presentations, training, research, technical assistance, public education, policy advocacy, assistance to partner groups, work in coalitions, media and social media outreach, and the development of materials.-Coordinates SNAP/food stamp outreach in partnership with the D.C. EITC Campaign duringtax season. This includes training and assisting 40+ volunteers, pre-screening potentiallyeligible clients, and coordinating the filing of SNAP/food stamp applications with the D.C.Department of Human Services.-Analyzes policies and practices that foster or inhibit program participation in the SNAP/FoodStamp Program. -Manages the collection and reporting of data related to SNAP/food stamp participation ratesand outreach efforts (e.g., materials distributed, residents pre-screened) for quarterly reportsrequired under work on the state SNAP outreach plan.-Assists in the development and implementation of strategies to address hunger among olderresidents and increase participation in federal nutrition programs available for seniors throughsite visits, outreach, research, technical assistance, public education, policy advocacy, work incoalitions, media and social media outreach, and the development of materials.

Greater Salt Lake City Area

-Project Manager of the statewide SNAP outreach contract with the Utah Department of Workforce Services, grew program by 300%. Recruits community partner sites to participate in outreach program, and provides onsite training, technical and informational support. Onsite training includes teaching staff at sites how to perform SNAP pre-screenings, how to provide education about the benefits of SNAP, how to provide assistance with accessing Utah’s online SNAP application, and tracking the number of clients who apply for SNAP. -Evaluates success of the program by managing an online customer demographic database, creating reports, and conducting yearly onsite monitoring. -Invoices hours completed by sites, submitted billings to government agency, and managed payments to sites -Oversees all other outreach activities, including speaking at conferences, community events, and universities, assisting community members with food stamp applications, tabling at community events, and ensuring that community partners have SNAP outreach materials. -Serves as a policy liaison to state officials and agencies. Meets with members of Congress, Congressional staff, state Representatives, the Utah Governor's office to discuss federal nutrition programs, SNAP, Child Nutrition Act Re-authorization, and other anti-hunger policies. Testified in committee at the Utah State Legislator. -Created and implements grassroots advocacy plan. Promotes text advocacy alerts and increased participation by 500%. Helped organize community advocacy training event; arranged for food donation, set up event information online, advertised event online and with community partners.-Works in coalition on poverty issues. Co-led voter registration coalition group.-Manages Facebook page, increased Facebook followers by over 100%.-Writes monthly newsletters to donors and supporters. Writes op-eds and letters to the editor on poverty issues.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Worked in a team of two students representing cases involving 1st and 4th Amendment violations. Prepared reply and supplemental briefs filed in the 5th Circuit Court; extensively researched various legal issues; analyzed applicable statutes and common law and assessed their application to client’s specific case; monitored and evaluated potential cases for clinic selection.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Provided legal assistance for non-profit organization. Drafted internal governance documents; evaluated contracts and other agreements to make sure they abided by applicable state and federal laws, and agency policies; researched legal issues involving contracts, insurance law, taxation law, FAA regulations, employment law, and application of US law in foreign jurisdictions; participated in meetings with in-house counsel and foreign lawyers. 1 in-house attorney, only intern.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Managed cite checking and editing process for articles to be published in Volume 21 of William and Mary Law School's Journal of Women and the Law. Oversaw eight students as they performed individual cite checking and editing, and answered their questions about the process. Reviewed their work and had students make changes as necessary. Communicated with the executive board about editing and disciplinary issues.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

Assisted litigation by checking appellate briefs for substance and citation format; used for attorneys’ final submission to the US Supreme Court. Helped develop research database, will be used to create central resource for OSG staff to research domestic and foreign legislation. 22 attorney office with 12 paralegals, slower paced with large volume of cases, 1 of 3 clerks.

Cedar City, Utah

Assessed viability of cases by reviewing police reports, conducting initial legal research, and drafting recommendations for attorneys. Researched and filed pre-trial motions and memorandums with the District Court. Drafted county ordinances and agreements. Five attorney office, fast paced with large volume of cases, only clerk.

Doctor Of Law (J.D.), Law

Activities and Societies: Journal of Women and the Law (Articles Editor), Institute of Bill of Rights Law: Student Division (Publicity.

Law

Studied European Union Law and Comparative Election Law with faculty from University of Oxford and Moritz College of Law

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Theatre & Dance

Activities and Societies: NCAA Women's Rowing Team, Latter-day Saint Student Association, Texas Exes Alumni Association, Phi Kappa Phi.

Education record