DARLA C.

BENNINGS
2123 Hickory Club Dr.
Antioch, TN 37013-6102
(615) 330-9951
db669c18@westpost.net
SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
Results oriented professional with a diverse, progressive background and a consi
stent record of exceeding expectations seeks a position in a people-oriented org
anization where there is a need to assure broad cooperative efforts through the
use of sound planning, strong administration, and skills of persuasion to achiev
e goals.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
STATE OF TENNESSEE, Commission on Aging & Disability, Nashville TN
07/08-Present Quality Assurance Program Coordinator - Provides assistance to loc
al and regional grantee organizations, agencies and area agencies in the develop
ment and implementation of programs of benefit to older persons; stays abreast o
f laws, regulations, and guidelines impacting program implementation; oversees p
rogram activities to ensure compliance with program standards and contracts; rev
iews programs to determine if all activities have been completed; conducts brief
ing with appropriate agency staff on program review findings; writes a report of
all findings, recommendations and time frame for corrective actions. Facilitate
s communications between state officials, agencies, associations, and institutio
ns whose activities impact on a specific program or service; serves as a liaison
to various departments, agencies and meetings to voice opinions or gather infor
mation for a specific program or service. Collects statistical data regarding pr
ogram service delivery; identifies and defines trends in data; develops and dist
ributes printed material related to program implementation. Makes recommendation
s on the state Commission on Aging policies, procedures and functions, and servi
ces; compares new information (e.g. legislation, rules and regulations, studies
on aging topics) to current policies procedures, functions, and services; drafts
and presents material which affect their specific statewide aging program to su
pervisory staff and makes changes based on supervisory input; writes an assigned
portion of the grant contract between the state and federal governments (i.e.,
State Plan) and participates in refining goals and objectives in staff meetings;
modifies existing instruments (e.g., checklists, questionnaires) used for asses
sment and evaluation of aging programs.
STATE OF TENNESSEE, DEPT of HUMAN SERVICES (02/07-Present) Nashville, TN
05/08-07/08 Program Specialist, Families First Research & Performance Management
Unit - Provided research and performance measures by monitoring performance of
programs provided by all counties of the State of Tennessee, Department of Human
Services; identified program accomplishments to change or redirect program acti
vities, expanded successful programs, targeted areas that need improvement and d
eveloped action plans that will eventually improve employee performance therefor
e providing effective customer service.
07/07-05/08 Program Specialist, Medical Evaluation Unit- Maintained State of Ten
nessee, Dept. of Human Services (DHS) client/customer case files; requested medi
cal records from providers by use of Microsoft Word; and prepared case files for
RN to determine customers' Incapacity. Contacted State of Tennessee county offi
ces for additional information on clients and to inform them on MEU RN's decisio
n regarding clients' Incapacity. Documented case decision in Accent, (DHS Statew
ide database); maintained client database in Microsoft Access; and authorized cl
aims for payment for medical providers.
02/07-06/07 Program Specialist, Closure Review Unit- Ensured that the policies a
nd procedures for closing Families First cases were followed by completing the c
losure review within a 10-day period of adverse action. Researched cases by revi
ewing the following systems: Tennessee Child Support Enforcement System (TCSES),
Jobs Training Partnership Act (JTPA), Automated Client Certification Eligibilit
y Network of Tennessee (ACCENT), and the Closure Review database. In addition, t
his position contacted county program staff, when necessary, to clarify case doc
umentation; reopened incorrectly closed cases and documented the Closure Review
database as to the determined outcome of the closure.
METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT - DEPT. of SOCIAL SERVICES, NUTRITION DIVISION, Nashvi
lle, TN (11/92-07/05) Funded in part by Federal and State funds and governed by
the State of Tennessee, Commission on Aging and the Greater Nashville Regional C
ouncil/Area Aging on Aging and Disability (GNRC/AAAD), the Nutrition Division de
livers services to 1500+ seniors and disabled customers per year of the Metropol
itan Nashville/Davidson County which includes 350,000+ meals, 15 congregate site
s, 23 home delivered meal routes and over 10k cases of liquid supplements annual
ly.
Program Manager (5/02-7/05) - Managed the Nutrition Division which included but
was not limited to establishing, implementing and modifying policies and procedu
res; $1.6m budget management; grant proposal writing and evaluating contract ren
ewals; database management; and compiling data for State monitored statistical r
eports. Supervised 25+ employees, which included interviewing, hiring, coordina
ting staff trainings, and performing employee evaluations; Quarterly menu planni
ng, food service contract monitoring, 250+ volunteer coordination, and new proje
ct developments that enhanced customer participation in congregate meal programs
. Planned and coordinated special events, attended in-service trainings, worksho
ps, seminars and community functions to embark on innovative paths to broaden th
e total concept of community and social services. Also, instrumental in the $10k
yearly increase of contributions to the Nutrition program due to the establishm
ent of sound awareness and procedures for customers and the community.
*August 2004 thru June 2005, acquired the supervision, vehicle maintenance and f
inal transition of the MSS Transportation Division to MTA Access Ride, which bro
adened transportation alternatives for inner-city customers to congregate nutrit
ion sites, doctor's appointments, shopping trips, and etc.
*Computer proficient in Microsoft Office, Word, Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoi
nt, the Internet, Fastnet, and the State monitored Service Accounting Management
System (SAMS).
Social Work Associate (11/93-5/02) - Maximized the independence and autonomy of
700+ seniors and disabled persons yearly of Metropolitan Nashville/Davidson Coun
ty and surrounding areas by providing in-home case management and determining el
igibility for the Nutrition Program and other community resources by using estab
lished policies and guidelines. Coordinated 23 home delivered meal routes: perfo
rmed computer database management of client referrals, recertifications, and cli
ent assessments; demonstrated the ability in the provision of client and staff s
upport services by resolving critical issues and problems in a timely manner. Al
so, actively explored customers' needs and pursued creative solutions to satisfy
those needs.
Clerk/Typist III (11/92-11/93) - Performed administrative duties assisting Progr
am Director in all aspects of office management such as obtaining client referra
ls from health care professionals, preparing home delivered meal calendar schedu
les for 250+ volunteers, and coordinating 11 volunteer and 12 paid driver home d
elivered meal routes. Also, maintained the sales and inventory of liquid supple
ments, typed client correspondence and vouchers for payment; prepared daily meal
count, payroll and congregate site rosters; implemented computer database syste
m for client referrals and certifications.
EDUCATION
Capella University 2009 - present
Currently pursuing PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
University of Phoenix online -2009
Coursework towards DM in Management & Organizational Leadership
M.A. Counseling/Psychology - 1999
Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, TN
B.A. Management and Human Relations - 1994
Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, TN
A.A.S. Business Management - 1991
Nashville State Technical Institute, Nashville, TN