OMIA Foundation — Merry O’Brien

Merry O’Brien holds an M.S.W. from the University of Michigan.

Merry O'Brien

Merry O’Brien

EDUCATION

MSW, University of Michigan School of Social Work Ann Arbor, MI

· 4.1 G.P.A., Aging in Families and Society Concentration, Geriatric Scholar

B.A., St. Mary’s College of Maryland St. Mary’s City, MD

· Magna Cum Laude, Dean’s List all semesters, St. Mary’s Scholar, Elks National Scholarship

WORK EXPERIENCE

MD Crime Victims Resource Center Upper Marlboro, MD 2009-Present

Director of Special Grants

· Research and write new grant proposals

· Implement grant projects, including organizing and chairing NCPEA funded Elder Abuse Coalition

· Audit and provide fiscal oversight to HOPE II subgrantees

· Implement upgrades to agency’s case management system and train staff on usage

Project Coordinator

· Supported HOPE II subgrantees, in data management, fiscal oversight, technical assistance, and capacity building

· Assist with the development and implementation of new database and grants management system

· Provide training to staff and subgrantees

Elder Law of Michigan Lansing, MI

2006-2009

Consultant

· Completed transition of data collection and analysis procedures to meet new federal and local grant needs

· Provided support and training to staff and Program Director

Public Benefits Coordinator

· Provided coordination, support, and training to 85 partner agencies across Michigan

· Conducted focus groups and surveys; analyzed public and program data; used resulting information to inform state and federal policy recommendations

· Wrote annual and quarterly reports on the local, state and federal levels

· Developed Program Logic Model, Gantt Charts, and Evaluation Plan

· Analyzed data for use in grant proposals and reports and prepared executive summaries

· Designed and created an Access grant management database to coordinate 25 grants, as well as databases to manage 5,000 client records and contact information for program partners

· Continuously researched policy updates and revised agency training materials accordingly

Graduate Social Work Intern: Medicare D Program Training and Coordination

· Developed procedures for a program serving the Midwest, funded by an AARP grant

· Interviewed and assisted in the selection of six, temporary employees

· Developed and implemented a Medicare D training course

· Provided ongoing coordination and support to the staff during the Enrollment Period

Senior Wellness Center, Apostolic Towers Baltimore, MD

2005-2006

Graduate Social Work Intern

· Independently enrolled 50 seniors in Medicare D during program’s first month

Outreach Program to Purchase of Care Voucher Recipients, SMCCR Charlotte Hall, MD

2003-2005

St. Mary’s County Coordinator

· Advocated for clients’ needs and connected families to services in the community through 400 homevisits to grandparents providing care for grandchildren

· Chose multiple testing instruments, conducted program evaluation, analyzed resulting data, and prepared report for dissemination to stakeholders

Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) Leonardtown, MD

AmeriCorps Member