Mitchell Lambert Email and Phone Number

In this role, I work with dynamic and diverse staff covering a wide range of programs and services for the office. It is my responsibility to maintain a strong customer-focus environment while assisting in continuing to improve services, and sustaining a work environment that engenders trust, values diversity, encourages collaboration, supports innovation and consistently exceeds expectations. In my role as CSOA I am directly accountable for all the operations of my three Community Service Offices and the delivery programs and services as defined by Washington State Laws. I am also responsible for monitoring and implementing all building needs, over 6.5 million in yearly budgets for all three offices. •Oversee the implementation and delivery of critical public assistance programs that are state and federally funded•Manage budgets and authorize use of client service funding•Coordinate and develop collaborative community partnerships with tribes, local governments, other agencies, and community based organizations in the local service area•Plan, lead, prioritize, organize and direct the activities and performance of staff; utilize continuous quality improvement and performance methods to monitor, evaluate and improve performance results of all public assistance programs administered by the Community Services Division•Effectively communicate with the public, staff, agency hierarchy, legislature, the media and throughout the organization to assure effective program delivery•Evaluate facility needs and manage facility operations to ensure efficient, cost effective and safe operations for staff, co-located partners, and clients

In this role, I worked with dynamic and diverse staff covering a wide range of programs and services for the office. During this twelve-month assignment, I partner with the Community Services Office Administrator, in maintaining a strong customer-focus environment while assisting in continuing to improve services, and sustaining a work environment that engenders trust, values diversity, encourages collaboration, supports innovation and consistently exceeds expectations. •Planning, leading, prioritizing and organizing activities and performance of office staff and ensuring public assistance dollars are issued legally, accurately, and timely in the Columbia River and Stevenson catchment areas. •Monitoring the office budgets for staff, support services and day to day operations •Participating in regional and state-wide meetings •Managing personnel activities including hiring and regular 1:1 supervision of supervisors •Effectively communicating with clients, staff, agency leadership, peers and other local community stakeholders •Evaluating facility needs and managing facility operations to ensure efficient, cost effective and safe operations for staff, co-located partners, and clients •Work with the Office administrator, management team and staff to coordinate and develop collaborative community partnerships with tribes, local and state governments, Workforce Development Councils, Accountable Communities of Health, and community based organizations in the local planning area

I supervised a unit of Financial Services Specialists who were responsible for gathering information regarding public assistance for numerous programs and correctly determining the client’s eligibility. Though knowing eligibility and being well versed in DSHS programs offered inside the CSO were important in this position while possessing skills to develop, cultivate, and evolve the staff I led. I needed to be creative in helping my staff obtain job experience and knowledge in regards to their ultimate careers goals while encouraging discussion of promotion and foster an environment of growth.•Recruit, hire, train and evaluate staff through consistent monitoring of staffs quality and quantity of work, while maintaining on ongoing dialogue with the staff member•Create a supportive environment that allows staff to advance and succeed through coaching and mentoring•Provide instructions and interpretations regarding policies, procedures or laws governing eligibility and work performance•Coordinate services with community partners, other state agencies, Local Area Planning networks and other CSD partners to maintain, develop and implement programs and activities that prepare CSD customers for self-sufficiency•Attend meetings locally and across the state with possible overnight travel with an expectation of full participation, and maintain of information to share when returning to the CSO•Establish unit workloads and quality standards.•Be CSO point of contact when assigned by the Administrator when they are out of the building•Represent the department in the community Implement directives from Headquarters and Executive leadership and provide back-up and support to both.

Provided case management and financial services to parents applying for or receiving WorkFirst/Temporary Assistant to Needy Families (TANF) assistance on an ongoing basis to promote and assist clients in achieving economic self-sufficiency. Consistently and accurately provided eligibility services, develop Individual Responsibility Plans (IRP), reviews, monitors, and evaluate client's needs. To be most successful I would collaborate with families and assist in finding the most successful possible outcome for self-sufficiency.•Provide case management to TANF WorkFirst clients on an on-gong basis in order to promote and assist clients in achieving economic self-sufficiency, while constantly evaluating the broad services/programs, offered to the individuals on the case•Develop IRP, review, plan, monitor, revise, update, and evaluate client's needs, activities and progress•Conduct orientation for new and returning WorkFirst clients•Screen clients for potential barriers such as domestic violence, substance abuse, special needs, family planning needs or mental issues•Use e-Jas to manage or take action on the Tri-County WorkFirst caseload•Performs all work using automated eligibility, verification and phone systems•Monitor/maintain/updated e-Jas case records; schedule/coordinate and participate in case staffing•Provide support services•Analyze client circumstances to identify their abilities and refer to community resources and/or WorkFirst contractors to remove barriers to employability

Provided direct customer service in person for all customers. You will determine initial eligibility and ongoing eligibility for all public assistance programs by independently conducting interviews, obtaining and reviewing information from individuals, and third parties. Additionally, you will process applications received through Washington Connection online applications, Document Management System, and process all case actions using the appropriate computer programs (ACES, ACES Online, Barcode, e-Jas, ICMS). Conducted intensive interviews to determine eligibility for financial, medical, and food stamp benefits.•Conduct intensive interviews to determine or re-determine eligibility for Basic Food benefits, cash and medical benefits•Obtain and review necessary data, documents, and verification for each program•Analyze written and oral information to assist in eligibility determination•Determine accurate benefit amount by determining household income and household size, by utilizing federal and state policies, Washington Administrative Code (WAC), procedure manuals, and laws•Authorize necessary benefits•Refer clients to mandatory and optional services within and outside of DSHS. Assist in finding alternatives to public assistance and refer as appropriate•Explain program requirements and services available to clients•Respond to client and vendor inquires•Process appropriate changes in client cases, properly assessing the effected time period, and taking the necessary case actions•Establish over/underpayments when errors occur whether client or agency caused•Successfully complete required training and actively participate in trainings•Attend unit meetings, all staff meetings, and CSO functions•Regularly meet with your Supervisor to receive feedback from trainings, in office work, as well as providing feedback for your Supervisor•Complete any additionally assigned special projects and assignments

Accurately determining eligibility for programs provided by Self Sufficiency program which include Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Domestic Violence Services, and Employment Related Day Care (ERDC). This includes coding the appropriate systems to deliver benefits as determined by the eligibility of the applicant. This is accomplished by conducting interviews, reviewing verifications and interpreting policy and rules.•Explain the programs, policies and procedures. •Utilizing and reviewing all applicable forms. •In-depth interviewing by comparing information on forms to statements given by the customers. •Verifying eligibility factors by pursuit of documents and statements from collateral sources. •Analyzing all information obtained and applies policies and guidelines to determine eligibility. •Notify family of needed documents. •Make decisions to approve or deny the case based on all of the above. •Complete all necessary documents and enter information accurately on the State of Oregon computer system this also includes narration summary of interview, citing collateral sources and reasons for case actions.