Service Manager

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Over ten years' experience in the education and human services fields focused on

collaborating with educational institutions, community and faith-based organizations,

governmental entities, businesses, civic leaders, and beneficiaries in both urban and

rural settings to improve the lives of women, children, and families in need.

Consulted and built strong collaborative partnerships with local, regional, state, and

national entities, such as the Corporation for National and Community Service, Goodwill

Industries International, the Texas Governor's Mentoring Initiative, One Star

Foundation, Texas Workforce Commission, the Texas Council on Developmental Disabilities,

Deep East Texas Council of Governments, The Mentoring Coalition, the North Carolina

Departments of Juvenile Justice and Social Services, the IRS, the Annie E. Casey

Foundation, and other relevant education agencies, businesses, and organizations, in

order to improve the lives of people with barriers.

Designed and executed the implementation and operation of the YouthWorks! initiative,

which received national recognition for its success in serving youth with disabilities.

In its first year, YouthWorks! was chosen as a pilot program for AmeriCorps* VISTA and

received an international Join Hands Day Excellence Award.

Reviewed grants for the U.S. Department of Education and the Corporation for National

and Community Service.

Key player in grant preparation and management (including research, program design,

funds oversight, accountability, and reporting) to fund agency programs, which resulted

in over $500,000 annually in monetary support and the allocation of both

AmeriCorps*State and AmeriCorps*VISTA members to build capacity for the program and

other programs throughout the region. This program won an Annie E. Casey Family

Strengthening Award in its third year. Also key player in program development and grant

preparation resulting in over $1.3 million in monetary support to fund Intensive Family

Preservation Services in North Carolina's Region Seven from 2010-2012.

Trained professionals in non-profit management best-practices at local, regional, state,

and national conferences.

Managed a 60-bed long-term therapeutic wilderness camp for youth with behavior problems,

including a staff of 42 and a $2.5 million annual budget. Responsible for positive

financials and program outcomes while serving as Director.

EXPERIENCE

DIRECTOR Eckerd Youth Alternatives, Inc. Camp May 2008-Apr 2010

E-Ku-Sumee

Provided oversight of all processes involved in managing a 60-bed long-term therapeutic

wilderness camp for youth (10-17) with behavioral issues. This included managing (and

inspiring) a staff of 42 to serve clients to the best of their ability; ensuring the

health, safety, and therapeutic milieu for all clients; providing oversight of a $2.5

million annual budget; overseeing all capital projects and the maintenance of a large

property including four on-property staff residences; ensuring compliance in

licensure/accreditation standards, contracts, and performance outcomes; collaborating

with leaders/agencies throughout the state to provide services to youth/their families;

managing an active Advisory Board; developing strategic plans for Camp EKS; and

planning/securing funds for new programs (Intensive Family Preservation Services and

Adolescent Parenting Programs).

EDUCATIONAL CONSULTANT Buckner Children and Family Services, Aug 2004-May 2008

(Contract: Part-Time) Inc. Preparation for Adult Living (PAL)

Program

Subcontracted with Buckner to teach monthly PAL classes to youth in the Lufkin and

Beaumont regions who are aging out of the Texas Department of Family and Protective

Services' Child Protective Services system; responsible for creating and implementing

curriculum to help students gain skills to transition into adulthood, managing case

files and documentation, reporting to contract manager, ensuring all contract

requirements are met, and working with communities to create experiential learning

opportunities for students.

GRANT REVIEWER Corporation for National and Community Jun 2004-May 2008

(Contract, as Needed) Service & Department of Education's (intermittently

Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools as needed)

Used knowledge and expertise to critically analyze, review, and submit evaluations of

grant applications, which resulted in federal funding for quality national service

programs and quality mentoring programs.

CO-FOUNDER /SECRETARY The Mentoring Coalition Oct 2003-May 2008

(Volunteer Position)

Co-Founder: Collaborated to found The Mentoring Coalition (TMC) to promote and provide

resources for mentoring in the rural twelve-county Deep East Texas region and to set

quality standards for programs choosing to become members of the region-wide coalition;

collaborated to develop TMC's mission, structure, bylaws, short- and long-term

strategies, and regional trainings to fulfill TMC's mission.

Board Secretary: Maintained accurate records of meetings and legal records; set up

procedures for TMC elections.

PROGRAM DIRECTOR (multiple Goodwill Industries of Central East Jan 2003-May 2008

positions) Texas

Program Director: Oversaw the operation of all workforce development programs, including

YouthWorks! (a transition program for youth with disabilities), Youth

Leadership/Advocacy Training (a program teaching students with disabilities leadership

and advocacy skills), AmeriCorps*VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America, a project that

builds capacity for the agency's Family Strengthening Initiative), and TMC MentorCorps

(a program providing 40 national service members to serve one-year terms with grassroots

mentoring programs throughout the Deep East Texas region); managed all grant

requirements, including budgets, staff, and outcomes.

YouthWorks! Program Manager: Designed Goodwill's program for youth with disabilities,

YouthWorks!, which consists of Life Skills Training, Work Adjustment Training,

Service-Learning, and Mentoring; oversaw daily operations and supervision of all staff

and volunteers, including AmeriCorps*VISTA Members; oversaw program development,

marketing and fundraising, and program/project evaluation; assisted in researching,

writing, and managing grants for the program; built community partnerships to promote

projects; recruited volunteers; created curriculum.

Consultant: Provided consultation regarding youth from school districts in three

counties; completed research to improve service delivery and program outcomes; wrote

grants; designed YouthWorks!, including program planning, mission, objectives,

performance measures, curriculum, and student assessment/program evaluation; developed

two AmeriCorps*VISTA projects and one AmeriCorps*State project; assisted in attaining

VISTA members and preparing them for service; collaborated with the IRS to create a VITA

site to provide free tax preparation to low-income families.

GRADUATE INTERN Texas Youth Commission Jun 2001-Aug 2001

Taught juvenile prison inmates (ages 15-21) at the Gainesville State School; prepared

students to pass the GED; observed, documented, and evaluated academic /behavioral

progress; conducted behavior interventions and facilitated students in processing and

resolving conflict; documented and reported activities; facilitated staff in daily

routines and activities, including group re-socialization sessions, behavioral

interventions, and student history profiles, documented and reported all activities.

SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER Denton County Special Education Coop Feb 1999-May 2002

Elementary/Intermediate Teacher (Feb 1999-Jun 2001), High School Teacher (Aug 2001-May

2002): Taught students with Emotional/Behavioral Disorders (EBD). Planned, developed,

and implemented academic/behavioral curricula for students on all functioning levels;

integrated service-learning into the curriculum and implemented service-learning

projects with students resulting in recognition for project excellence; conducted

ongoing student assessment/performance measurement utilizing assessment best-practices

and modified educational goals as needed; managed/consistently updated student

educational files according to federal and state mandates; conducted behavioral

interventions and facilitated students in confronting, processing, and resolving

conflict appropriately.

EDUCATION

Master of Education University of North Texas August 2001

Major: Special Education, Severe Emotional Disturbance/Autism in Children and Youth.

Cumulative GPA: 3.95

Bachelor of Arts University of North Texas December 1998

Majors: German and History, Specializing in African-American History and WWII/The

Holocaust; Minor: French.

Cumulative GPA: 3.96

HONORS, AWARDS, AND MEMBERSHIPS

Girl Scout Leader: Brownie Troop #375 Sept 2010-Present

Member, Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Montgomery Class of 2010 Aug 2009-Apr 2010

EYA Leadership Award for Commitment to Employee Engagement Nov 2009

Board Member, X-Change Place Nov 2007-May 2008

Texas Governor's Mentoring Initiative Advisory Council Member Apr 2005-May 2008

National Join Hands Day Excellence Award Sept 2004

National Recognition for Spring 2004 Service-Learning Project May 2004

Magna Cum Laude, UNT Master's Degree Program Aug 2001

Denton County Commissioners Court Government Agency Award for Sept 1999

Community Initiatives May 1999-Dec 2002

Member, Texas Federation of Teachers Dec 1998

Magna Cum Laude, UNT Bachelor's Degree Program May 1997

University Honors Day Faculty Award for Excellence Oct 1995-Present

Pi Delta Phi, Delta Phi Alpha, and Golden Key Honor Society:

Numerous Officer Positions

Contact this candidate