CHRIS DURHAM

Westminster, CO H-303-***-****, C-720-***-**** adw1jw@r.postjobfree.com

Innovative social work leader with 20+ years of experience providing direct client care, finding creative solutions to complex problems, and effectively managing multiple clients simultaneously. Possess strengths in managing personnel, volunteers, and resources, driving continuous improvement, and serving as a subject matter expert on various programs. Skilled at conducting client interviews to assess and identify needs and then bring outside resources to meet those needs.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Case Management

Client Advocacy

Public Speaking

Relationship Building

Problem Solving

Organization

Project Management

Employee Development

Fast-Paced Environments

Client Communication

Process Improvement

Community Building

PROFESSIONAL SKILLS

Management & Leadership

Built out all aspects of a new department, combining multiple casework functions

Led staff interviewing, hiring, onboarding, training, mentoring, and coaching

Oversaw volunteer management, retention, and professional development activities for 60 volunteers

Supervised the day-to-day activities of 6 caseworkers and managed scheduling

Collaborated with the CEO to provide financial assistance for breast cancer treatment clients

Communicated outdated SOPs and protocols to the board of directors, resulting in policy changes

Strategic Planning

Designed processes, procedures, and standards for a newly established department

Spearheaded the implementation of a nation-wide computerized system; oversaw local installation and operation

Analyzed casework challenges to build out a new casework program

Gathered job requirements and day-to-day tasks to create standardized work requirements and processes

Developed and implemented staff training, volunteer training, and casework programs

Built out an expenditure tracking system in Excel to monitor monthly budget use

Case Management

Performed client interviews and assessed individualized client needs

Collaborated with medical personnel to verify medical conditions

Researched and provided client resources based on client access restrictions due to mental, physical, geographical, and technical abilities

Tracked client bill payments and worked with outside agencies and vendors to ensure timely payments

Processed military, military family, and local community emergency need assistance

Supported efforts to reunite families separated through disasters and war; provided resources and communication vehicles to family members

Community Relations & Interpersonal Skills

Acted as a primary point of contact and resource guide for healthcare professionals, clients, and their families on MS

Educated clients and their families on MS symptoms, treatments, and community and financial resources

Forged long-term partnerships with local cancer facilities to gain access to client resources and provide referrals

Communicated closely with client landlords, community vendors, and insurance providers to meet client bill payments

Reached out to outside entities to determine program relevancy based on client needs

KEY PROJECTS AND ACCOLADES

Conducted interviews to trace holocaust family lineages, gather information, and to enable financial reparations

Administered the 9/11 Disaster Financial Gift program as the Lead Case Worker for Colorado and at Ground Zero in New York; verified all claimants and averted fraud attempts

Led 250 national call center personnel during the 2004 Florida hurricanes

Managed a record of 600 national call center volunteers during Hurricane Katrina; directed onsite mental health professionals and fielded the most severe incoming crisis calls

Coordinated all phases of free US medical treatment for a Ukrainian family of 6 for a debilitating parasitic infection

Assisted an Ethiopian woman in receiving free hearing aids from a US company

Aided 2 separate Ethiopian families with finding free resources to help their children receive free heart surgeries in the US; sourced sponsoring families from an agency to care for children due to parental visa restrictions

Oversaw call center and mental health operations during the Columbine shooting tragedy

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Durham Enterprises, LLC Westminster, CO March 2018 – August 2019

Owner / Operator

National Multiple Sclerosis Society Denver, CO May 2008 – November 2016

Information and Referral Specialist

Sense of Security Westminster, CO January 2007 – May 2008

Manager, Client Services

American Red Cross, Mile High Chapter Denver, CO July 1999 – November 2006

Manager, Client Casework

International & Military Casework Specialist

EDUCATION, TECHNOLOGIES, AND COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Indiana University Bloomington, IN

Bachelor of Arts in Social Work

Technologies

Microsoft Office Suite

Proprietary Business Systems and Applications

Community Leadership

Accent Care Hospice – Volunteer (January 2023 – Present)

Broomfield FISH Food Bank – Volunteer (January 2023 – Present)

Marshall Fire Recovery Center – Volunteer (December 2021 – March 2022)

Golden Retriever Rescue of the Rockies – Volunteer (April 2019 – March 2020)

American Red Cross (1994 – 1999)

oDisaster Mental Health Team (1994 – 1999)

Disaster Aviation Committee Member

oDisaster Action Team Captain (1994 – 1997)

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