Denise L.

Pilz, MSW, LCSW

715 N. Milwaukee St. #305 ~ Milwaukee, WI 53202
414-881-1042 ~ dp619a24@westpost.net
Skills Summary
* Metrics & Data Analysis
* Compliance Management
* Stakeholder Engagement
* Internal & External Presentations
* Cross-Functional Teamwork
* Multi-Million Dollar Budget Management
* Written and Oral Correspondence
* Policy Writing & Implementation
* Procurement of Program Funding
Education
UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO - CHICAGO, IL
Master of Social Work Degree, 1998
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN - MADISON, WI
Bachelor of Arts - Psychology Degree, 1990
Professional Experience
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF WISCONSIN & UPPER MICHIGAN, INC. ~ Milwaukee, WI
12/2005 - Present
VICE PRESIDENT OF PERFORMANCE & QUALITY IMPROVEMENT
Description: Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, plan, implement and dire
ct quality initiatives that further the mission and vision of the agency. Direc
t initiatives that ensure program compliance and give consultation of federal an
d state laws and rules. Direct the quality of internal practices that promote op
erational efficiencies and achievement of the agency's strategic goals. Partici
pate as a member of the Senior Management Team, overseeing responsibility for a
$90 million dollar annual budget. Report indirectly to the Board of Directors.
Accomplishments:
* Developed a new data management process to accurately report on client served
metrics for over 350 programs, which equals over 100,000 clients in various capa
cities.
* Successfully maintained excellent accreditation standing with national accredi
ting body, the Council on Accreditation (COA).
* Secured an average of $300,000 per year in private grant funding for programs.
* Increased operational efficiencies by 25% within two years by identifying and
eliminating duplications in processes.
* Developed agency scorecard that tracks strategic and operational goal achievem
ent in all program and support functions.
* Effectively maintained balanced department budgets on an annual basis.
REGIONAL DIRECTOR
Description: Reporting to the Regional Vice President, plan, develop and implem
ent quality programming to children and families involved in child welfare and r
efugee and immigration services.
Accomplishments:
* Consistently maintained balanced program budgets consisting of multiple fundi
ng sources.
* Secured over $200,000 in funding for programs that allowed private grant fund
ing.
* Successfully passed a federal Office of Refugee Resettlement audit of client
files and services.
* Launched cutting-edge program model that served large sibling groups in the c
hild welfare system.
* Increased community volunteer support of programs by 50% in one year.
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Description: Reporting to the Regional Vice President, provide direct oversight
for the Out-of-Home Care contract with the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare (B
MCW) including the successful achievement of performance outcomes. Present prog
ram improvements, goals and initiatives at public meetings to keep the community
stakeholders involved and aware of child welfare services and outcomes in Milwa
ukee County.
Accomplishments:
* Increased overall safety in general foster care by 50% in one year through imp
roved practice and increased licensing standards.
* Decreased overall placement disruption in general foster care by 10% in one ye
ar through improved practice.
* Co-authored statewide policies and procedures for child protective services in
collaboration with the Wisconsin Bureau of Policy and Procedures.
* Developed and implemented state-approved culturally competent practices for cr
oss-racial placements.

CHILDREN'S FAMILY & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS, INC. ~ Milwaukee, WI

5/2002 - 12/2005
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT DIRECTOR
Description: Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, direct quality improveme
nt standards for 7 child welfare case management sites serving over 1500 familie
s involved with the Bureau of Milwaukee Child Welfare (BMCW).
Accomplishments:
* Achieved 95% compliance rate for all best practice standards set forth in the
Jeanine B. Settlement Agreement.
* Developed data management process to report monthly statistics per contract wi
th the State of Wisconsin.
* Reduced out-of-home care placements by approximately 25% through the enhanceme
nt of quality practice standards.
* Improved provider network standards and accountability, which successfully red
uced the time children remained in placement.
* Successfully re-bid and secured all site contracts via a competitive process.
PROGRAM MANAGER
Description: Reporting to the Director of Operations, direct the day-to-day ope
rations of an ongoing case management child welfare site for children in need of
protective services within the BMCW system. Provide direct and indirect superv
ision to over 60 case management staff and supervisors.
Accomplishments:
* Achieved top performing site within two years of the initiation of the Jeanine
B. Settlement Agreement in the areas of safety, permanence and well-being for c
hildren.
* Consistently met at least 95% of all performance benchmarks on a monthly basis
.
* Reduced staff turnover at site to a rate of 23% within two years. The average
for all BMCW sites was over 50%.
Additional Professional Experience
CLINICAL SUPERVISOR - SINNISSIPPI CENTERS, INC. ~ Mt. Carroll, IL 2/2000 - 5/20
02
CHILD & FAMILY THERAPIST - CHILDSERV ~ Chicago, IL 5/1998 - 2/2000
KALEIDOSCOPE ~ Chicago, IL 10/1990 - 8/1996
TREATMENT PROGRAM SUPERVISOR
FOSTER PARENT TRAINER & COORDINATOR
CASE MANAGER
Additional Accomplishments
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Certified Quality Service Reviewer for the State of Wisconsin
Disaster Mental Health Volunteer with the Red Cross