Community Program Specialist

SHANI ABELL

**** **** ** *******, **, ***** 806-***-**** acgioc@r.postjobfree.com

PROFILE: COMMUNITY PROGRAMS SPECIALIST

Dedicated, community-oriented Program Manager with nine years of experience

directing outreach programs for non-profit organizations, including

AmeriCorps. Oversee $600,000 annual budget to enable 700+ individuals with

intellectual and developmental disabilities and elderly adults to manage

their own healthcare requirements. Increased participant involvement from

99 active members to 700+. Expert in recruiting, training, and supervising

staff and volunteers to provide services that achieve the greatest benefit

at the lowest cost. Excel at engaging communities in programs and special

events, promoting services and enlarging customer base, and working with

colleagues, businesses, and other organizations to improve the quality of

lives for both individuals and communities.

PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS

Leadership Program Management Community Relations / Organization

Volunteerism

Grant Administration Advocacy & Education Budget Management

Partnering Staff Supervision

Training & Development Regulatory Compliance Vendor Management

Internal Collaboration

Implementation Presentations

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Quiet Valley Ranch, Kerrville, TX

2014 - 2017

Board of Directors

Elected to sit on the board of directors of the Quiet Valley Ranch whose

mission is to secure the property for the Kerrville Folk Festivals.

THE ARC TENNESSEE, Nashville, TN

2005 - 2014

Project Director, Self-Directed Services

Supervised 12-person staff in administering self-directed programs that

grant Medicaid money to participants to enable them to continue to live

actively in the community through self-direction by hiring people to

provide their healthcare needs in their own homes.

. Directed four programs geared to different populations including

persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, senior

citizens in need of aid, and adults with disabilities.

. Recruited, trained and educated staff and volunteers:

< Values and principles of self-determination and self-direction.

< Correctly complete application process for assistance.

< Hire, recruit, schedule, train and evaluate service providers.

< Manage their individual budgets.

. Guaranteed follow-up with monthly telephone calls or other contact and

home visits every six months.

. Ensured compliance with federal and state Medicaid regulations as well

as HIPAA.

. Investigated cases involving possible abuse, neglect, or exploitation,

fraud and critical incidents.

. Coordinated closely with Fiscal Intermediary, Tennessee's Department

of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Greater Nashville

Regional Council's Area Agency on Aging and Disability, TennCare and

other CHOICES stakeholders.

. Met very strict timelines for "CHOICES," a program for long-term care

home and community-based services for the elderly and adults with

disabilities.

< Turned program around to operate in the black within 6 months as

Director.

Lead Supports Broker / Supports Broker / Interviewer for People Talking to

People

. Managed individual budgets of 50 participants in DIDD at $30,000 each

and 10 participants in GNRC pilot program at $5,000 each as well as

PASS program budget totaling $200,000 for 10 participants.

. Trained in Person Centered Practices, Protection from Harm, PATH,

Title VI, and Conflict Resolution.

. Trained 1000+ participants in using services and maintained monthly

contact.

. Trained and supervised 15 Supports Brokers.

. Represented and advocated for individuals in five Administrative

Appeals Courts, winning all cases.

. Conducted interviews with 300+ participants with intellectual

disabilities to assess quality of services provided and level of

satisfaction. Results were used by state to determine best practices.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (Continued)

VARIED VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES AND TRAVEL

2003 - 2005

Traveled internationally and throughout the US, waiting tables when

necessary and performing volunteer work at the following:

Denver Tent City Initiative, Denver, CO

Dignity Village, Portland, OR

< Mobilized 200+ people who had experienced homelessness to advocate

for Village at City Council meeting.

House of Hospitality, Rock Island, IL

< Managed house and donations to support 11 Liberian refugees.

SISTERS OF THE ROAD CAF, Portland, OR

2000 - 2002

Lead Field Researcher Community Organizer

Led activities to serve the poor and people who experience homelessness

through a caf that provides meals for an average of 300 people per day on

the barter system to enable them to dine with dignity.

Interviewed 200+ individuals in the Crossroads project who had

experienced homelessness, recording their life histories and

experience with social services.

< Organized participants to collectively identify solutions and

develop strategic plans to achieve them.

< Interviews were digitally recorded, posted online, and compiled in

a book.

Recruited and trained barter workers and volunteers.

Performed crisis intervention when necessary, applying 120 hours of

non-violence training.

LAWRENCE GRASSROOTS INITIATIVE, Lawrence, MA

1997 - 1998

Project Coordinator Administrative Assistant

Administered city grant to create and manage four community gardens.

Organized community forums and special events such as community parade

that featured 400+ participants and attracted attention of Boston

media.

Served on Board of Directors for Bread & Roses Heritage Festival, an

annual event that draws thousands of people.

Recruited, trained. and supervised volunteers.

Assisted Executive Director with administrative support.

Managed volunteer bookstore.

AMERICORPS

1994 - 1996

Campus Organizer, Neighborhood Green Corps, Eugene, OR

Recruited and organized student volunteers to work on water quality issues,

built community relations, coalitions, and partnerships with diverse

companies and organizations, and facilitated leadership development

training.

Crew Member, Montana Conservation Corps, Missoula, MT

Worked on various conservation projects throughout Montana; formed

partnerships and coalitions; worked on legislative initiatives under the

guidance of the Environmental Quality Council.

EDUCATION

BA, POLITICAL SCIENCE, 1992, Texas Tech University, Lubbock TX

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