Elba Cherry MSW, Ph.D., Grant Development, Public/Community Relations
Dr. Cherry has over 25 years of experience in
administration, program planning, grant writing, grant
administration and implementation oversight. She has an
extensive background in policy analysis, organizational
development, staff training, applied research and managing
for results. She is formally trained in policy analysis,
organizational development (management & administration
for change) program design and evaluation, mechanics of
direct services provision (esp. gerontology & child welfare),
multiple aspects of population diversity. Dr. Cherry brings
over 10 years of experience in the administration in local
government, and over 20 years in community development
experience. She has developed and delivered specialized
staff development training in numerous areas of Human
Services.
RECENT PROJECTS:

NSP 3 Abbreviated Action Plan
Amendments, research and
writing: Hernando, Osceola,
Martin Counties and the City of
Palm Coast.

NSP1 Grant Admin and
Support, including researching
and updating Guardian and our
clients on the latest program
updates: Hernando, Lake,
Martin, Osceola Counties, and
the City of Palm Coast.

Marketing of Guardian services
and proposal development
Professional highlights and duties:
Dr. Cherry coordinated the writing and submission of four
Neighborhood Stabilization 3 (NSP3) Abbreviated Action
Plan Amendments. She oversaw Polk County’s $5.3M CDBG
program for 7 years, including the successful completion of
Community Enhancement Area projects. She coordinated
Polk County’s NSP1 & 3 application and implementation
design, and reorganized the Polk County Human Services
Department. She also developed a comprehensive
gerontology education program.
In her capacity as Grants Administrator she is responsible
for:

Grant research and writing

Developing alternative
identifying sources

Attendance and representation at site visits and
monitoring

Review of
procedures
grants
funding
management
strategies
policy
&
and

Client specific Organizational development services

Training
EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATIONS:
Ph.D., Brandeis University, Florence
Heller Graduate School for Advanced
Study in Social Welfare.
M.S.W., Boston University School of
Social Work, Boston, Massachusetts
M.A., Boston University Graduate
School, College of Liberal Arts.
B.A. Curry College, Magna cum laude.
Certified Public Manager, Florida
State University, Florida Center for
Public Management
Certificate in Supervisory
Management, Florida State University,
Florida Center for Public Management