Stephanie Plaster

Experience

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  Phyxius Inc.

  Apr 2010 - Feb 2013

  Direct Care Staff

  • Documented developmentally disabled client specific progress after implementing behavior modifications• Audited client’s funds after accompanying them to community education events • Administered medications & be knowledgeable about possible side effects• Recorded maladaptive & adaptive goal completion via their personalized risk management plans• Engaged in verbal de-escalation & redirection during client crisis

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  St. Cloud State University

  Mar 2011 - Dec 2011

  Peer Mentor

  • Participated in Welcome Weekend activities with incoming first generation college students who were predominately students of color and from low-income families• Alleviated incoming first year students’ apprehension of transitioning into college life • Aided students with obstacles relating to their personal lives & their educational experience• Addressed time management & course specific concerns, demonstrate how to use campus technology & facilitate campus tours • Involved students by educating them about campus resources & student organizations Show less

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  A Minnesota Without Poverty

  Jan 2013 - Aug 2013

  Administrative Assistant & Project Manager

  • I was hired on part-time after a full-time four month internship with a grant I assisted in completing for the creation of my position • Researched, engaged in grant writing and reported to funders about objective progress & completion• Organized regional gatherings to implement the Legislative Commission to End Poverty’s recommendations state-wide• Connected with organizations across the state to develop goals of ending poverty collaboratively • Completed data input and updated email roasters• Served on the public policy Legislative Commission to End Poverty work team• Planned fundraising events with the Development committee• Evaluated the organization’s progress through surveys and developing benchmark goals Show less

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  Booth Brown House of The Salvation Army

  Feb 2013 - Oct 2015

  • After being promoted into this role, I followed up with youth who have moved out of emergency shelter & housing programs• Assisted youth with self-identified goal planning, such as independent living skills, long-term housing, education, mental health support & employment resources• Discovered unutilized community resources the organization could benefit from & formed partnerships with those agencies• Connected with other youth & adult housing programs to determine if clients are eligible for their services Show less • Assisted youth with self-identified goals, such as independent living skills, long term housing, further education, connecting to mental health supports, job search & employment & provide them with resources in the community• Provided youth with program expectations & emotional support• Engaged in harm reduction tactics with youth when they state they would like to attempt to cut down or cease risky behaviors • Completed in-take & existing summary paperwork when a youth enters or leaves the organization Show less

  • Service Coordinator

    Oct 2014 - Oct 2015

  • Resident Assistant

    Feb 2013 - Oct 2014
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  Ramsey County

  Sept 2013 - Jun 2014

  Planning Intern

  • Updated/edited Heading Home Ramsey’s website with current progress relating to homeless prevention and actions taken to better serve the homeless community• Created resource listing subsection of the website for individuals and families experiencing homelessness or at risk of being homeless with possible community resources• Collected NOFA data from service providers for the annual HUD grant• Collected data and ran analysis on client satisfaction within the various Program units of Ramsey County Mental Health Center • Participated in HUD’s annual “Point in Time Count” to count the number of homeless individuals in Ramsey County required by HUD• Coded CADI, CACK and TBI employment goals for evaluation• Tracked bills, advocated for issues identified by the Ramsey County Board, attended legislative briefings sponsored by community agencies and Committee meetings during the 2014 Legislative Session Show less

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  Clean Water Action

  Feb 2014 - Jun 2014

  Unpaid Part-Time Volunteer

  • Phone canvased, provided case analysis and research relating to drinking water contaminates

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  Social Policy Action Network NASW-MN

  Oct 2015 - May 2019

  Chairperson

  • Planned & facilitated monthly meetings throughout the legislative session to create the state chapter's social policy agenda• Tracked bills, updated Social Workers on bill progress via various social media tools • Sent out action alerts to maximize social worker’s contact with elected officials• Organized Social Work Day at the Capitol where social work students from across Minnesota learn about macro practice social work & advocate for the chapter's legislative agenda

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  FairVote

  Oct 2015 - Nov 2015

  Get Out The Vote Education Canvasser

  • Canvassed St. Paul’s Ward Two area to inform voters about Ranked Choice Voting

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  The Link

  Jan 2016 - Oct 2021

  • After being promoted into this role, I supervised staff & interns in case management, assessment & youth specialist positions as well as those with Social Work licenses outside of the program• Developed a hotel shelter for youth experiencing homelessness in Dakota County during the COVID-19 pandemic that is still operating today• Managed budgets for Drop-In Center & office supplies, Homelessness Prevention, rental space & hotel shelter • Coordinated environmental scans to learn which areas youth experiencing homelessness are frequenting • Presented information to churches, police departments, schools, concerned citizens & libraries surrounding the homeless youth population & the barriers they face• Problem solved with staff and other providers on how to best get youth connected to housing referrals• Ensured program compliance with funding requirements & managed the various administrative and financial components to the program • Wrote reports and compiled statistics for funders & other key stakeholders in a complete, accurate & timely manner • Assessed, researched & implemented program improvement & expansion as well as develop efficiency standards• Co-lead the Suburban Youth Advisory Committee which is made up of current & former clients Show less • Managed the Housing Crisis Line & determine eligibility for homeless services• Assessed homeless youth that are residing in Dakota County through the Coordinated Entry system to determine recommendations for housing supports• Engaged in a variety of workgroups to improve the Continuum of Care’s homeless response system to best serve our clients• Provided youth with referrals to case management, emergency shelter, hygiene items, clothing & food if they are in need through our Drop-In Center Show less

  • Program Manager

    May 2017 - Oct 2021

  • Youth Coordinated Entry Specialist

    Jan 2016 - Apr 2017
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  Stepping Stone Emergency Housing

  Oct 2021 - Sept 2022

  Shelter Team Manager

  • Provided supervision to Shelter Advocates & Program Coordinator • Created & implemented training program for new hires• Recruited, interviewed, hired & trained staff• Increased communication with Development Team around shared goals• Proactively provided support to team members who appear to be struggling while also holding them accountable to the tasks required to provide wonderful services• Streamlined processes across programs• Supported staff in day-to-day decision making around intakes, exits, Behavior Agreements & Wait List management to ensure clients are treated with the upmost dignity & respect• Completed data clean-up efforts in the Client Track system & reviewing files to ensure accurate & up to date information• Developed shelter schedule to secure 24/7 staffing in order for residents to be able to receive support whenever needed• Engaged in weekly Case Consults to update Priority List Managers on client's current statuses & advocate for services & resources that would aid them in their housing process Show less

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  Women's Advocates, Inc.

  May 2023 - Jan 2024

  Director of Housing Stability Services

  • Actively engaged in strategic, operational & budget planning on behalf of the people Women’s Advocates serves, the team reporting to this position & the organization as a whole• Collaborated closely with the other members of the Support (Leadership) Team to ensure the operations of the Housing Stability team & the overall organization are managed in an effective, efficient, integrated, holistic & participant-centered manner• Planned, developed, implemented, directed & evaluated the Housing Stability Program’s service delivery & performance, supporting a culture of process improvement and evaluation & ensuring all Housing Stability Services meet funder/grant, regulatory requirements & support the organization’s mission & strategic plan• Monitored compliance with standards, operating procedures & other regulatory & donor requirements• Prepared for monitoring site visits and file audits• Ensured WA Housing Stability Program is employing up-to-date best or promising practices & a data-driven approach to service delivery• Leveraged program data to refine established service offerings with a goal of continuous improvement• Tracked & monitored progress of the Housing Stability Program to ensure successful operations & produces reports, outcome measurements & program evaluation• Built & maintained relationships with state, local government & other key stakeholders in order to maximize Women’s Advocates’ impact & to identify funding opportunities for WA’s programs• Developed sustainable relationships with landlords, property managers & related organizations, to expand access to safe housing for DV victim-survivors, advocates with public & other housing-related entities to expand the supply of safe, affordable housing• Actively sought opportunities to collaborate with other staff & external partners to achieve defined programmatic goals Show less

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  Dakota Woodlands

  Sept 2024 - now

  Independent Consultant

  • Creating a set of streamlined process for Dakota Woodlands’ Policies and Procedures Manual to ensure a solid foundation of best practices for client care• Updating the Client Handbook to establish clear guidelines for client expectations while they are staying at the agency as well as creating restorative justice policies for clients who have been exited and want to return to receive services• Designing department-specific processes for childcare, case management, volunteers and client advocates at the Frost Desk• Researching and applying for grants to continue and grow the work of the shelter program Show less

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  Face to Face Health & Counseling

  Dec 2024 - now

  Manager of Housing Stability