NEW YORK WELFARE FRAUD INVESTIGATORS ASSOCIATION

34th ANNUAL TRAINING SEMINAR

SEMINAR AGENDA

Sunday, June 4th, 2017 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Registration

Lake Ontario Ballroom Hallway 6:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. NYWFIA Board Meeting Executive Board & Regional Representatives Room 3 8:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. Networking Reception Quality Inn - Riverside Room

Monday - June 5th, 2017 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Alex’s Dining Room – Best Western 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Registration

Lake Ontario Ballroom Hallway 9:00 a.m. –10:00 a.m. Welcoming Remarks Lake Ontario Ballroom

Dan McCann, NYWFIA President Stacy Alvord, Commissioner, Oswego County DSS William Barlow Jr., Mayor City of Oswego Kevin Gardner, Oswego Co. Legislative Chair Catherine Leahy Scott, NYS Inspector General Janice Molnar Deputy Commissioner Division of CC Kevin Kehmna, Director A&QI OTDA

10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Break and Vendor Exhibits

Lake Ontario Ballroom Hallway 10:30 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. General Session Homeless Initiative Lake Ontario Ballroom

11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Break Out Sessions

Advanced Welfare Fraud A A refresher on preparing SNAP claims B IPV Policies and Reporting Changes C

12:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. Luncheon

Keynote Address: Gregory Oakes, Oswego Co. DA

2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Break Out Sessions Childcare overpayments & fraud A A refresher on preparing SNAP claims B SNAP Trafficking C 3:15 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Break and Vendor Exhibits Lake Ontario Ballroom Hallway 3:45 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Break Out Sessions Childcare overpayments & fraud A “To Felony Be, or Not To Felony Be” B SNAP Trafficking C 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Monday Night Activity Bar- B -Que - Best Western Courtyard Historic Haunted Fort Tour – Fort Ontario 8:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. Networking Reception

Quality Inn - Riverside Room

Tuesday – June 6th, 2017 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Alex’s Dining Room – Best Western 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Registration Lake Ontario Ballroom Hallway 9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Break Out Sessions IPV’s Effective & Professional Advocacy A Advanced Welfare Fraud B

Overview OCFS Division CC services C 10:15 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Break Lake Ontario Ballroom Hallway 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Annual Business Meeting & Elections Lake Ontario Ballroom 12:00. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch – On Your Own

1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Break Out Sessions IPV’s Effective & Professional Advocacy A Reversing Negative Trends B Overview OCFS Division CC services C 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Concurrent Session Regional Fraud Directors Meeting Room 3

2:45 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Break Lake Ontario Ballroom Hallway 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. General Session Human Trafficking

Lake Ontario Ballroom

6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Pre-Banquet Reception 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Annual Association Banquet

Keynote Speaker: Katrina Patterson, KP Clarity, LLC Keynote Theme: “Rising Through the Challenges to Remain Professional” Sponsored by: New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance

Wednesday - June 7th, 2017 7:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Alex’s Dining Room – Best Western 8:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m. Registration Lake Ontario Ballroom Hallway 9:00 a.m. – Noon OCFS District Managers Meeting Room 4

9:00 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. Break Out Sessions

Field Safety & Drug Recognition A How ACA Changed NY Medicaid Landscape B “To Felony Be, or Not To Felony Be” C

10:15 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. Break

10:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Break Out Session Field Safety & Drug Recognition A How ACA Changed NY Medicaid Landscape B IPV Policies and Reporting Changes C

Seminar Concludes

12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Executive & Regional Representatives Board Meeting Room 3

All newly elected board members and regional representatives are strongly encouraged to attend.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

Childcare Overpayments and Fraud Presenter: Lakia Green; PDP

This session will cover the key aspects of handling Child Care Subsidy overpayments and fraud. Participants will learn the process for handling child care overpayments for both clients and providers, and determine when it may be appropriate to pursue fraud to disqualify either a client or provider from participation in the program. Using case studies to illustrate key program guidelines, topics will include overpayment requirements, creating overpayment agreements, fraud, and disqualifications.

How the Affordable Care Act (ACA) changed the NY Medicaid Landscape: Presenter: William Gilbert; OMIG

This session will explore the Affordable Care Act, the creation of Health Exchanges and how it affects OMIG’s investigations of Medicaid eligibility fraud.

Intentional Program Violations: Effective and Professional Advocacy

Presenter: Amy Weiswasser; Esq.

This presentation will discuss the fundamental necessity of preparation and ensure that IPVs are evidentiary sound before proceeding with the Administrative Disqualification Hearing. Critical concepts such as understanding the determinative allegation, paperwork, witness testimony, cross-examination and effective advocacy will be addressed. The course will also provide a brief overview of legal principles, ethical considerations, and professionalism. This is intended to be an interactive experience where we can tackle common struggles in proving welfare fraud IPVs, and challenges to those representing the Agency, including engaging with attorneys and client advocates.

Fraud Directors Meeting

Moderator: Judith Gardner

Open to any local fraud director. Interested fraud directors should RSVP to First Vice President Judy Gardner (585-786-8900) X6238 or Judith.Gardner@dfa.state.ny.us by 5/15/17. This session will offer fraud directors the opportunity to speak to each other about plans and goals, and will include NYS OTDA officials on hand to answer any questions regarding planning, state initiatives, and upcoming changes. Advanced Welfare Fraud Presenter: Jessica Silver and Ben Defibaugh NYSOIG

In this course, we will explore advanced techniques to be employed in the most common

public assistance fraud schemes. We will explore strategic decision making, investigative and technological tools that can further your investigations - enabling you to work smarter, not harder.

An Overview of the OCFS Division of Child Care Services Regional Operations: Presenter: Jim Hart; OCFS

There have been several recent changes among the OCFS Division of Child Care Services

senior leadership team. Get to know the Division of Child Care Services regional leadership for your county. Come learn about the type of work that DCCS is responsible for and the types of child care programs they oversee. There will also be discussion on how DCCS staff can assist and collaborate on child care subsidy fraud investigations and a review of some successful case outcomes that were done in collaboration with local districts.

Human Trafficking

Presenters: Karen Sessions, Estelle Davis, CJ Boykin, Nora Cronin Session regarding New York State human trafficking law addressing the victim confirmation

process (how a person becomes designated a victim of human trafficking under our state law and regulations), indicators of trafficking, state and federal law issues, victim concerns, resources, arenas of trafficking, etc. NY State Referral Process for victims and applicable federal and state law as it applies to trafficking victims. The services provided via the New York State Response to Human Trafficking Program, which is run through OTDA. Labor Trafficking and Safe Harbour overview will also be training topics.

A Refresher on Preparing a SNAP Claim Presenters: Lauren Ford and Erika Pileggi PDP

This session will review the job tasks associated with preparing a SNAP claim, with a focus

on reviewing the steps involved in preparing a SNAP claim and the specific process for assessing the SNAP overpayment history. Topics will include: establishing the overpayment and claim periods, calculating the accurate claim amount, determining SNAP benefits received, and determining corrected SNAP benefits.

This session is appropriate for Welfare Fraud Investigators involved in identifying and calculating SNAP overpayments and establishing SNAP claims, as well as for supervisors who review and approve cases with SNAP overpayments and claims.

Homeless Initiative

Presenter: Paula Reid With the ever-growing homeless population Washington County has gone to a team

approach in working to have clients find safe, stable housing. They have formed a team and this team includes Social Services Examiners, Caseworkers and an Employment Representative. All work in teaming the cases to best meet their needs while keeping the clients accountable in the eligibility process, finding employment, finding housing and keeping their children safe.

SNAP Trafficking Presenters: Renee Williams and Melanie Easton

This will give a general overview of investigative techniques used when conducting SNAP

trafficking investigations.

Field Safety & Drug Recognition Presenter: Samuel Mercado

Students will be familiarized with the identification and types of drugs, proper nomenclature, current prices and packaging and current trends related to street drug possession and sales. Students will also learn typical behaviors to expect from subjects who are under the influence of narcotics. Proper field safety and handling of both street and pharmaceutical narcotics. PowerPoint presentation. Reversing Negative Trends — Initiatives being deployed by the Oswego County Anti-Poverty Task Force. Presenter: Roy Reehil This Oswego County Anti-Poverty Task Force began its research in 2014 to find ways to get Oswego County off the bottom of the list of counties in New York State who were “first or worst” in childhood poverty, unemployment, child abuse and neglect, substance abuse and many other negative measures. They believe that implementing the initiatives captured in their Comprehensive Revitalization Plan will measurably reduce poverty and begin reversing many negative trends. Legislator Roy Reehil, Chair of the Task Force, will give a brief history of the Task Force’s work and initiatives relevant to conference attendees. IPV Policies and Reporting Changes Presenters: Rebecca Lynch and Rebecca Schoonmaker; OTDA Program Integrity staff from OTDA’s Bureau of Audit & Quality Improvement will provide an overview of policies and requirements related to Intentional Program Violations. The session will also provide instruction on the new method of submitting SNAP IPVs through WMS. “To Felony Be, or Not To Felony Be” … Presenters: Stephen Bach and Rebecca Lynch; OTDA

Program Integrity staff from OTDA’s Bureau of Audit & Quality Improvement will facilitate an open discussion about the appropriate course of action to be taken when faced with potential fraud, using real life scenarios.

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Presenters and Speakers

SPEAKERS Catherine Leahy Scott Catherine Leahy Scott was appointed New York State Inspector General in May 2013 by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. Ms. Scott’s office has authority over 200 state agencies, authorities, boards and commissions, covering more than 200,000 employees who work in the executive branch of state government to combat fraud, waste, abuse and conflicts of interest. Currently, her office has oversight over the $3.9 billion New York Bridge project. Inspector General Scott, as the independent investigatory agency designated by the New York State Commission on Forensic Science, conducts investigations into allegations of serious negligence or misconduct of 23 laboratories across New York State. Additionally, Inspector General Scott is the Chair of the Stimulus Oversight Panel and is charged with conducting investigations of fraud and abuse relating to $31 billion provided to New York State through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and ensuring these federal funds are properly accounted for and expended on programs designated to boost New York State’s economy. In October 2012, Inspector General Scott was appointed Acting Welfare Inspector General by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, charged with rooting out waste, fraud and abuse in New York State’s social services programs. Previously, Inspector General Scott served as the Acting Inspector General and First Deputy Inspector General. Ms. Scott served as an Assistant Attorney General for New York State, investigating and prosecuting criminal matters with an emphasis on white-collar fraud and public integrity cases. In addition, Ms. Scott served over thirteen years at the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office, eight of which as Chief Assistant District Attorney. In that role, Ms. Scott investigated and prosecuted all levels of crimes, created new and innovative court-affiliated drug treatment programs, and supervised all prosecutors working within the office. During that time, Ms. Scott was appointed to the New York State Committee for Establishing Protocols for Forensic Child Interview. Ms. Scott also served as a Columbia County Assistant Public Defender, and worked in the general practice of law as a sole practitioner in Columbia County. Inspector General Scott received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hofstra University, where she was named Hofstra University’s Woman of the Year, and her law degree from the Hofstra University School of Law. Ms. Scott is married over 25 years to Michael Scott and has two children, Megan, 22, and Michael, 15. Stacy Alvord Stacy Alvord, MSW is the Commissioner of the Department of Social Services for Oswego County. Her experience spans four decades of service to our most vulnerable citizenry in Central and Northern NY. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Public Justice at SUNY Oswego and her Master in Social Work degree at Syracuse University. Stacy has worked in both public and private agencies, tackling issues of poverty, homelessness and the abuse of children. Stacy has developed and implemented programs to strengthen families and improve the systems that respond to those most in need. Her commitment to coalition building and community development is known to all who have worked with her and she lives by the motto that together we can do what not one of us can do alone.

Kevin Kehmna Kevin has been the Director of Audit & Quality Improvement (AQI) at the NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) since 2010, leading the bureau responsible for Program Integrity, Social Services District and contractor audits, SNAP Quality Control and TANF-MOE Data Reporting. AQI currently has approximately 135 staff located in six offices throughout NYS. Prior to becoming AQI Director, Kevin worked for several years as an auditor with both OTDA and the NYS Health Insurance Program. Kevin has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Master of Science degree in Taxation from SUNY-Albany. Before moving to NY, Kevin served in the US Army as a Cavalry Scout Sergeant, stationed in Ansbach, Germany. Janice M. Molnar, Ph.D. Dr. Molnar is the Deputy Commissioner of the Division of Child Care Services in the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). Prior to joining OCFS in September 2007, she held a number of positions in the public and non-profit sectors, including the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, where she was Deputy Commissioner for Program Operations; the Atlantic Philanthropies; the Ford Foundation; Bank Street College of Education; and others. Throughout her career, she has concentrated on program and policy issues affecting children, youth, and families. Trained as a developmental psychologist, Janice has a background in research and evaluation, and has experience in organizational development and organizational learning, cross-sector planning and process facilitation, and evaluation and assessment of educational and human service activities both in the U.S. and internationally. Janice earned a B.A. from Northwestern University and holds a Ph.D. from Cornell University, where her dissertation focused on the impacts of different kinds of child care arrangements on selected indicators of child development. Gregory Oakes Mr. Oakes attended undergrad at Elmira College ('97) and went to law school at Boston College ('00). He started working at the Oswego County District Attorney's Office in 2001. When he first began with the office, he was assigned to prosecute welfare fraud cases and worked closely with the Department (DSS). In fact, it was during that time that we developed many of the protocols and practices that we use today. Mr. Oakes continued prosecuting welfare fraud cases until 2005, when he assumed responsibility for prosecuting special victim cases. In 2011, Greg was promoted to Chief Assistant District Attorney. Later that same year, he was elected to his first term as Oswego County District Attorney. Having served as District Attorney since January 1, 2012. (re-elected in 2015.) The District Attorney also serves as Coroner for Oswego County. Mr. Oakes serves as legal counsel to and sit on the board for the New York State Association of County Coroners and Medical Examiners (NYSACCME).

PRESENTERS Stephen Bach Stephen Bach has worked at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance in the Program Integrity Unit of Audit and Quality Improvement since October of 2001. For his first 3 years, he was the Project Coordinator for the AFIS Project. For the past 13 years, Stephen has been the Project Coordinator for the PARIS, Prison, and Felon Matches. He served as a point of contact and worked closely with the local Social Service Districts to resolve all matches. His responsibilities also included providing specialized fraud trainings and presentations to local districts; managing the IPV, lottery, web fraud, and EBT out of state matches; as well as being the SLEB (State Law Enforcement Bureau) Program Manager for NYS OTDA. He worked in conjunction with the USDA and local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute SNAP trafficking. Steve was also a member of the National PARIS Board of Directors for 10 years where he served as its secretary. In May of 2016, Stephen was promoted to the Director of Program Integrity where he will lead this unit in its continued effort to fight fraud and abuse in our assistance programs. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York at Albany. Carl J. Boykin – Director of Human Trafficking Prevention, NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services Responsible for trafficking victim confirmation process, collaboration, and training. Received 2016 immigration law training. Past antiviolence partnership with Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees. Prior positions: • New York State Special Deputy Attorney General for Guns and Gangs (2007-2011) • Northern District of New York Assistant United States Attorney assigned to illegal reentry prosecutions, immigration appeals, and asset forfeiture matters (2004-2007) • Chief of Appeals – Oneida County, New York District Attorney’s Office (1999-2004) • Law Clerk to New York State Court of Appeals Associate Judges the Late Fritz W. Alexander, II and George Bundy Smith (1990-91 & 1993-95) • Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, Inc. (1991-93) • Law Assistant, New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department (1995) Admitted: New York State, Northern District of New York, Second Circuit, US Supreme Court Education: BA - Colgate University; Ed M - SUNY at Buffalo (Amherst); JD - Cornell Law School Nora M. Cronin Assistant Director for Refugee Services and the coordinator for Response to Human Trafficking and Unaccompanied Minors programs at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. Prior to this position, Nora was in Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Office of Public Safety and was also a Senior Trial Attorney at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office. Nora has also been a consultant for the American Bar Association’s Rule of Law Initiative in Panama, where she instructed attorneys and police on investigative and trial techniques. Before beginning her career as an attorney, Nora was a staff writer for the Long Island Press, where she covered local political and environmental issues. Nora received her Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Philosophy cum laude from Mary Washington College and her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law.

Estelle Davis Counsel to DIPA Estelle joined the NYSDOL in 2012 as a Supervisor for DIPA's Agriculture Labor Program. In 2014, Estelle became DIPA Counsel. As Counsel, Estelle provides legal support for the various programs under DIPA including labor trafficking and U/T visa certifications. Before joining DIPA, Estelle worked in legal services for over 10 years in children’s rights, women’s rights, human rights, and criminal justice reform - most recently at Cabrini providing legal assistance and social services to immigrant populations. Estelle also has experience in Trafficking and Domestic Violence cases through Safe Horizon. She is a graduate of CUNY School of Law, speaks English and Spanish, and is a member of the New York State Bar. Melanie A. Easton Currently works for the Cattaraugus County Sheriff 's Office as the Welfare Fraud Investigator, Domestic Violence Coordinator, Project Lifesaver Administrator and manager of the St. Bonaventure Security Detail. Has 19 years in law enforcement experience starting with Salamanca Police Department and onto CCSO as a Deputy, road patrol Sergeant and now Detective. Current board member for Leadership Cattaraugus. Past President and current board member of Cattaraugus Community Action. Leadership Cattaraugus graduate 2014. Current Instructor and graduate of Chautauqua County Sheriff 's Academy. Current member of NYWFIA (New York Welfare Fraud Investigator Association) Bachelor in Science degree in Business Administration from SUNY Brockport. Is committee co-chairman of the Santa Sheriff Program. Has been a volunteer coach in the Olean Girls Softball League for over 10 years. Lauren Ford Senior Trainer with the Professional Development Program. She received her Master of Social Work and Bachelor of Social Welfare from the University at Albany. Lauren is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), and has experience working in the human services field, primarily serving low-income Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) communities. Prior to coming to PDP, Lauren worked as an LGBTQ Health Specialist where she developed and delivered training to promote LGBTQ cultural competency and inclusion for various community service agencies. She also worked directly with social services district clients as a case manager and psychotherapist. Since coming to PDP in 2014, initially as an Education Specialist, Lauren has teamed with colleagues to deliver the following training programs: SNAP Training Institute, Case Processing Review Training for NTA-SNAP Supervisors, SNAP Reporting Requirements and Claim Determinations Training, Processing Expedited SNAP Benefits, UIB Budgeting and RFI Refresher Training, Welfare Fraud Investigator Training Institute, Effective TA & SNAP Case Record Documentation Training, Mental Health Awareness Training, and other traditional classroom and virtual classroom training programs on related topics to state and social services district staff throughout New York State. Since 2016, this includes serving as training team leader for many of the aforementioned programs and other NYS Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance training initiatives. Lauren is also working with team members to update established classroom and e-learning programs.

Lakia Green Lakia Green is a Senior Education Specialist with the Research Foundation for SUNY’s Professional Development Program. Over the past seven years, Lakia has trained Local District staff on implementing and monitoring the Child Care Subsidy Program. Her expertise includes program eligibility requirements, payments, overpayments, and fraud. In addition, Lakia trains NYS OCFS contractors who enroll and monitor legally-exempt child care providers. Prior to working at the Professional Development Program, Lakia facilitated workshops on a variety of topics, including diversity, life skills, and substance abuse. William Gilbert William Gilbert currently serves as an Assistant Medicaid Investigator in Charge within the Division of Medicaid Investigations for New York State’s Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG). There he supervises investigators, clinicians and technical experts that investigate Medicaid providers and recipients for possible fraud, waste and abuse in the New York State Medicaid program. Prior to joining NY State, Mr. Gilbert served many years as a Special Agent in Charge with the United States Army, Criminal Investigations Division, where he investigated criminal activity, including white collar crime, drug diversion and major crimes against the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Government. Mr. Gilbert started his New York State career in 2003 with New York’s Office of Medicaid Management (OMM) as a Senior Medicaid Investigator with the Restricted Recipient Program until 2006 when the program was absorbed by the newly created OMIG. As an employee of OMIG, he has served as a Senior Investigator, Supervising Investigator and in his current title with the Division of Medicaid Investigations with oversight of the Recipient Investigations Unit and the Restricted Recipient Program. In this capacity, Mr. Gilbert serves as a member of the national Healthcare Fraud Prevention Partnership (HFPP) and the National Association of Medicaid Program Integrity (NAMPI) where he has given presentations to share OMIG’s efforts and best practices in the investigation of fraud, waste and abuse in the NY State Medicaid program. Jim Hart The Director of Program Operations at the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Division of Child Care Services. In this role, Jim is responsible for the overall management of the seven Division of Child Care Services regional offices that are responsible for the licensing and inspection activities of the nearly 18,000 state-regulated child care programs in NYS. Jim also provides oversight to a unit that provides support to the regional offices in the areas of policy, technical assistance, and regulatory enforcement. Jim has led several strategic initiatives during his tenure in the areas of technology, licensing and inspections. Jim’s career in regulated child care began in 2000 and he has held several key supervisory and management roles within the Division. Jim is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University.

Rebecca Lynch Rebecca Lynch has worked at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance since October 2006. For the first five years, she was with the Eligibility and Quality Assurance Unit in OTDA’s Bureau of Audit and Quality Improvement. She then joined the Program Integrity Unit in June 2012. Her current responsibilities include managing EBT Fraud Investigations, IPV Reporting, the Quarterly Fraud Report, eDRS (Electronic Disqualified Recipient System), the Lottery Intercept Match, and the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). She also provides specialized fraud trainings and presentations to local districts. As the SLEB (State Law Enforcement Bureau) Program Manager, she works in conjunction with the USDA and local law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute SNAP trafficking. Rebecca has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Hobart and William Smith College and holds a Masters of Business Administration degree from Union Graduate College. Samuel Mercado Highly decorated and accomplished Sr. Investigator with the New York State Police. More than 30 years of investigative and law enforcement experience. Areas of expertise include narcotics, drug trafficking, drug prevention, gang violence, crime scene investigation, evidence processing, local, state and federal laws, surveillance techniques, expert witness, field operations, and public speaking. Proven ability to supervise a diverse team of successful investigators. Adept at promoting and training new investigators. Successful at coordinating local, state and federal resources and agencies to produce results and reduce targeted crime. Developed and designed presentations for academy training, new recruits, corrections officers and numerous other public audiences. In-depth working knowledge of modern law enforcement and security procedures. Federal, state and local laws knowledge, Evidence collection and preservation Instructor for NYSP Undercover School, Instructor for NYSP Basic BCI School Undercover investigations, Court testimony Liaison to FBI, DEA, ATF & US Attorney's Office, Certified expert witness state and federal courts. Recipient of NYSP Superintendent Commendation Awards in 1994 and 2001 – Operation Green Card and Operation Wild Card. NYSP Troop G Investigator of the Year Award 1994. Immigration and Naturalization Service Outstanding Contribution Award 1994. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Exemplary and Exceptional Undercover Performance Award 1996 – Multi-State firearms trafficking. US Attorney’s Office Northern District – Marty Marciniak Award for Excellence in Law Enforcement 1999. Permanent rank of Sergeant in 2000. Senior Investigator Community Narcotics Enforcement Team (CNET) August 1997 to Current New York State Police － CNET Capital Albany, NY Personally investigate all serious matters within my Bureau of Criminal Investigations unit. Public speaking for local schools and outside law enforcement agencies. Lead and assemble special raid teams and arrest teams. Coordinate investigations with multiple local, state and federal agencies. Actively supervise the investigation of all matters that are investigated by the BCI members. Investigator - Troop G Narcotics Unit September 1989 to July 1997 Trooper - Troop G Patrol September 1986 to August 1989 Bachelor of Arts: Political Science major, Psychology minor, 1986 SUNY New Paltz － New Paltz, NY, USA Fluent in English and Spanish

Nathan Miglucci Nate Miglucci is new to the New York State Temporary and Disability Assistance’s Program Integrity Unit. He joined the agency in September 2016. He works with the SLEB (State Law Enforcement Bureau) Program and on SNAP trafficking investigations. He analyzes transaction data to identify patterns that are indicative of trafficking and refers recipients suspected of trafficking to the local Social Services Districts for further investigation. Nate holds of Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Marist College and a Master of Science degree in Adolescent Education from the College of Saint Rose. Erika Pileggi Education Specialist with the Professional Development Program. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from SUNY Plattsburgh and an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice/Police Science from Adirondack Community College. In addition, Erika earned a Certificate of Advanced Study in Instructional Technology and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Educational Psychology: Program Evaluation and Development from The College of St. Rose. Erika has experience in cognitive psychology, adult learning, research, data collection and analysis, and program evaluation. Prior to coming to PDP, Erika worked in the education and human services fields. As a Lead Teacher for a college preparation and mentoring program for at-risk youth, Erika facilitated workshops for adult mentors and provided classroom instruction to elementary students. Erika also served as a Research Assistant to a Cognitive Psychologist, and she interned at a homeless shelter/transitional housing site where she developed and delivered case management training to social workers and taught independent living skills to clients. Erika came to PDP in 2016. She is currently working with team members to deliver the following training programs: SNAP Training Institute, Case Processing Review Training for NTA-SNAP Supervisors, SNAP Reporting Requirements and Claim Determinations Training, Processing Expedited SNAP Benefits, UIB Budgeting and RFI Refresher Training, Welfare Fraud Investigator Training Institute, FEDS Training, Effective TA & SNAP Case Record Documentation Training, and traditional classroom and virtual classroom training programs on related topics to state and social services district staff throughout New York State. Erika is also working with team members to update established classroom and e-learning programs. Roy Reehil Mr. Reehil is an Oswego County Legislator, and chair of both the County’s Economic Development and Planning Committee and the Oswego County Anti-Poverty Task Force. The task force was formed in Feb. 2015, in partnership with all the school districts in the county to develop strategies to reverse negative trends in poverty, health and the economy. He also serves as Majority Whip and as a member of the following committees: Government, Courts and Consumer Affairs, Tourism Advisory Council and the Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board. Prior to his election to the legislature, Roy served as Mayor of the Village of Cleveland from 1995 to 2002, and has served as President of the Central Adirondack Search and Rescue Team since 2010. He has co-authored two books, Under an Adirondack Influence and Adirondack Adventures and frequently lectures on Adirondack topics, history and folklore.

Paula Reid As a 20+ year veteran of Washington County, Paula has been a Social Services Examiner in the programs of Temporary Assistance, Medicaid, Chronic Care and Daycare. She has been the Social Services Investigator for Washington County since 2006. While being the Social Services Investigator Paula also supervised the Transportation Unit, HEAP unit and most recently the Homeless Unit. Paula has served as a Regional Representative, 3rd Vice President and most recently Treasurer of NYWFIA. Jessica Ryan Jessica Ryan has worked at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance since January 2010. For the first five years, she was the Automated Finger Imaging System (AFIS) Project Coordinator within the Program Integrity Unit in OTDA’s Bureau of Audit and Quality Improvement (A&QI). She then joined the Eligibility and Quality Assurance Unit in July of 2015, where she was responsible for monitoring SNAP Quality Control (QC) reviews and providing SNAP QC policy and procedure guidance to A&QI regional office staff. Jessica returned to the Program Integrity Unit in March of 2017. Her current responsibilities include working with the SLEB (State Law Enforcement Bureau) Program, EBT Fraud Investigations, PI Training Initiatives, and the Treasury Offset Program (TOP). Jessica holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Master of Science degree in School Counseling from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Albany. Rebecca Schoonmaker Rebecca Schoonmaker has worked at the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance in the Program Integrity Unit since February 2016. She is responsible for IPV Reporting, the Quarterly Fraud Report, and eDRS (Electronic Disqualified Recipient System). She is the point of contact for local Social Services Districts to resolve any reporting discrepancies related to fraud investigations. Prior to her state service, she was the Clubhouse Manager at Normanside Country Club, overseeing the events, restaurant, membership, and staff. Rebecca has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of South Florida at Tampa and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the State University of New York at Albany. Karen Sessions Child and Family Services Specialist 1 Karen Sessions, has worked for the Office of Children and Family Services for the past 10 years and currently works in the Bureau of Vulnerable Populations on the Safe Harbour (Anti-Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children) body of work since June of 2016. Prior to working for the Office of Children and Family Services, Karen was employed by the Rensselaer County Department of Social Services and served as a Social Welfare Examiner, Employment and Training Specialist, Caseworker and Casework Supervisor during her 10 years as a county employee.

Jessica E. Silver Jessica E. Silver is the Deputy Inspector General for Welfare for New York State Inspector General Catherine Leahy Scott. Under Jessica’s leadership, the Inspector General’s Welfare Fraud Investigative Unit has carried out significant and complex public assistance fraud investigations. Jessica began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in Queens County, where she specialized in prosecuting domestic violence and violent felony offenses. Jessica also served as an Assistant Attorney General in the New York State Attorney General’s Public Integrity Bureau, where she investigated and prosecuted white collar and public corruption cases. Jessica was the lead attorney on the IG's investigation into the Nassau County Police Department’s Forensic Evidence Bureau and led the inquiry into the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner Forensic Biology Department in 2013. As a result of the investigative findings in those cases, significant procedural safeguards were implemented in crime laboratories throughout the state. Jessica has provided extensive training to the New York Welfare Fraud Investigators Association on public assistance fraud and ethics. As a volunteer, Jessica has delivered lectures about cyberbullying to middle school students and mentored high school moot court participants. In April 2017, Jessica will be named an Outstanding Women in Law by Hofstra University’s Maurice A. Dean School of Law which recognizes individuals for their extraordinary contributions to the legal community, exemplary leadership and strong commitment to ensuring the advancement of women. Jessica earned her J.D. in 2003 from Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law and her B.A. in 2000 from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Karen Stern Karen Stern began her career with OTDA as a contractor in the Program Integrity Unit for the AFIS Project in 2003 where she developed the quarterly Performance Measurements reports and worked with a team on the recipient fraud matches. For the next 7 ½ years, Karen worked in A&QI’s Technical Systems Audit Unit as the Recipient Fraud Matching System (RFMS) Project Manager. During that time, she coordinated the inclusion of the Public Assistance Reporting Information System (PARIS) match, NYS Prison match, Web Fraud match, and the Out of State (EBT) match into this RFMS web application. In addition, Karen had teamed with Program Integrity on other initiatives, such as the National Directory of New Hires (NDNH) and Unemployment Insurance Benefits (UIB) matches. In June 2013, Karen returned to the Program Integrity Unit to focus her energies as project manager of the PARIS, Bordering States, Prison and Web Fraud matches, while retaining her role as project manager for the RFMS application. Karen is also the project manager for the NDNH and Front End Detection System (FEDS)/Eligibility Verification Review (DVR) matches. Karen has a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from SUNY Albany. In her spare time, Karen is a certified group exercise fitness instructor.

Amy Weiswasser Amy Weiswasser did her undergraduate study at Cornell University, where she majored in Human Development and Family Studies. During her junior year, Ms. Weiswasser participated in the Cornell-in-Washington program, living in DC and interning for Congresswoman Nita Lowey on the Hill. After graduating from Cornell, she started University at Buffalo Law School. As a first-year law student, Ms. Weiswasser earned one of eight spots on the Fasken International Moot Court Team, culminating with a first - place win in Toronto, Canada. She also interned for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton. Ms. Weiswasser graduated from UB Law with a Criminal Law Concentration. Ms. Weiswasser is actively involved in the Cornell Alumni Ambassador Association Network and has continued to represent UB Law at law school forums locally. Ms. Weiswasser was a prosecutor in the Bronx District Attorney’s Office for ten years. As an Assistant District Attorney in the Trial Bureau, General Crimes Division, she handled a caseload comprised mostly of violent felonies, including Murder in the First Degree and other homicides, armed robberies, burglaries, kidnappings and vehicular crimes. She investigated matters even prior to a defendant’s arrest, drafting accusatory instruments, obtaining videotaped confessions, and addressing questions from the New York City Police Department regarding probable cause and identification procedures. She further investigated and prepared each case for trial by interviewing police and civilian witnesses and viewing crime scenes. On a monthly basis, Ms. Weiswasser responded to police shootings, high profile incidents, and recent murder scenes (often before the body was removed to the Medical Examiner’s Office) and other “emergencies” at all hours of the day or night during a twenty four hour period. Ms. Weiswasser has extensive litigation experience including nineteen violent felony jury and non-jury trials, numerous pre-trial hearings, sentencing, post-conviction matters and all aspects of a misdemeanor caseload. Ms. Weiswasser is now the Director of the Prosecutions and Administrative Hearings Division in the Bureau of Fraud Investigation/Investigation, Revenue and Enforcement Administration at New York City Human Resources Administration. In her current position, Ms. Weiswasser supervises the Civil Remedies Unit (initiates and advocates at administrative disqualification proceedings and civil litigations), Criminal Remedies Unit (reviews cases for legal sufficiency and presents evidence for referral of criminal charges to the appropriate prosecutorial agency), External Affairs Unit (works closely with state and federal law enforcement and handles confidential investigations) and the Economic Crimes Unit (investigates SNAP trafficking, and works joint undercover investigations with our external partners). Ms. Weiswasser uses her background and experience to ensure that her staff understands their audience and makes persuasive and compelling arguments. She continues to oversee high priority, sensitive investigations and work collaboratively with city, state, and federal agencies; including an exceptionally successful long-term project where a large number HRA investigators worked together with Detective Investigators from all five District Attorney’s Offices and other major offices to conduct over one hundred field visits and obtain statements in an eighteen-hour period. She has maintained her external relationships with NYPD and other external agencies, securing unique and specialized training that BFI staff would not otherwise have access to. Ms. Weiswasser regularly develops and conducts an internal training for BFI/IREA staff on a number of topics, including Path of a Criminal Case, preparation for interviews and taking voluntary statements. Ms. Weiswasser is currently a member of the New York City Bar Association and serves on the Criminal Advocacy Committee. She has been invited to guest lecture at high school, college and graduate levels.

Renée Williams Has been employed by the Cattaraugus County Department of Social Services for 18 years. In her current role as Senior Investigator, Renée supervises and oversees the Fraud and Legal Department, the Over-grant & Recovery Unit, and represents the agency in all Fair Hearings. Renée is a graduate of Leadership Cattaraugus (2012). She is an active board member of the Pfeiffer Nature Center (2 years) and the Olean Area Youth Advisory Board (7 years). For over 10 years, Renée has been a volunteer coach in The Olean Little League and The Olean Girls Softball league. She is an ongoing volunteer for St. Mary of the Angel's Church, Archbishop Walsh High School, The Pink Pumpkin Project, and the YMCA. Renée served as a Member of the City of Olean Common Council (2010, Ward 4 Alderman, Finance Committee, City Operations, and Youth & Recreation Committee). Married for twenty-five years, Renée and her husband, Tim have two children, Keefer (20) and Olivia (14). She takes her greatest pride in having raised two children that have proven to be undaunted by popular world view, they are their own people. In her spare time, Renee’ dabbles in entrepreneurship as a free-lance photographer and the founder of Dye Happy, a quality tie-dye apparel start-up.

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