Melanie Powell

• Collaborated with clients to develop action plans to address specific challenges and objectives.
• Develop Person Centered plans to support individuals navigate systems and support to reach their life goals.
• Focus of planning is developed individually and based on the family resources/support and individual goals. Sustainable community supports, long term housing, financial planning, advocacy, skill development and assessment are areas of focus.

· Provide cross-sector coordination support for case resolution (e.g. assessment, clinical planning, housing, planning tables, MCCSS) including:

o Facilitating the acquisition of required supports and services (e.g. specialized services, residential etc.)

o Coordinating support to enhance existing resources and services

o Liaising with different sector partners, including those with the criminal justice system, health system etc.

o Assisting with system navigation, including urgent response and other planning tables

· Referrals and facilitate access to and from specialized resources, including at the local, regional and provincial levels. This would include clinical supports, psychiatric support, psychological support, and specialized accommodation.

· Provide intense evidence based person centered coordination of supports including development of plans and linkages to services for persons with complex multisystem needs who require a high level of active engagement and ongoing monitoring.

· High degree of problem solving, communication and clinical acumen and effective collaboration daily.

-Responsible for ensuring a high level of quality in service, including strong collaborative relationships with service providers and stakeholders.

- Provides policy and program direction, expertise and advice to managers and front line staff. Ensuring they are informed and guided by MCSS compliance guidelines as well as meet the expectations of the organization mission an vision, while maintaining Focus Accreditation standards

- Developed individualized/specialized service delivery plans for individuals with extraordinary support needs. Including: assessment of needs, identify current environmental and social barriers, specialized training requirements for support staff, risk assessments and on-going community supports

- Successfully developed and negotiated individualized proposals with MCSS inclusive of staff support, housing and maintenance, purchased external services, operational costs, staff training and all supports needed to meet the bio psychosocial of the individual.

§ Lead the development, implementation and on-going operational support of the fee for service model which now supports over 100 individuals in over 40 programs. Created and maintain all service contracts, consents, individualized supports plans and financial records while adhering to all privacy and confidentiality policies.

§ Monitors and evaluates agency performance, according to our service contract, ministry policies and directives, through review and analysis of financial, statistical and operational reports.

§ Analyzes population needs, program targets, supply and access to local services, in order to collaborate with potential community partners and other sectors (e.g. Health, Education).

- Develops operational action plans to accomplish service development and community presence in line with the organizations strategic plan.

- Manages critical incidents, serious occurrence and complaints; liaises and facilitates resolution with staff, individuals and profession colleagues as appropriate.

- Advises managers, team leaders and direct care professionals, as appropriate, on complex, sensitive issues.

- Manages/leads initiatives to increase capacity and service development. Woking collaboratively with community processes, DSO, partners and families to respond to community needs.

- Collaborates with community partners and stakeholders to establish working protocols for service delivery within and across education/health/housing service sectors and government programs.

- Excellent written communication skills demonstrated by receipt of many successful community and ministry grant opportunities including: The Harry Foster Foundation, Employment Modernization Fund and Heathy Communities.

- Supervise and maintain day to day operation of community and residential programs, identifying and resolving operational problems, implementing program policies and procedures to maintain service delivery, goals and objectives

- Train, supervise, evaluate and discipline direct care professional and team leaders

- Interacts and maintains liaison with a wide range of stakeholders (e.g. MCSS, families, program partners, volunteer sites, Durham District School Board, Durham Catholic school board and community organizations) to discuss new and existing programs and responsibilities, clarify roles and identify and resolve service gaps, conduct program evaluations and discuss funding and other service and program enhancement issues. Participates with other interested parties (e.g. community planning and other affected organizations) in community forums to discuss and assist in determining and planning community needs for new services and programs (e.g. residential and non-residential programs) or changes to existing programs.

- Development and production of program materials and external information sharing including: monthly snap’d article, update and redesign of agency website, program curriculums, newsletter and fee for service advertisments.