Latashia Williams-Evans

Chino, California ***** · 213-***-**** · adll3r@r.postjobfree.com

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY:

Multidimensional and detail-oriented leader with extensive experience in providing outreach and support for military Veterans. Skilled in applying resourcefulness and innovation to improve operational efficiency, productivity, and overall effectiveness. Well-known for exceptional interpersonal abilities; distinguished record of collaborating with leaders, colleagues, subordinates, and community partners from all cultures and backgrounds. Masterful communicator and presenter, providing clear, concise, and relevant information for diverse audiences. Adept at decision-making and multi-tasking during fast-paced, stressful situations. Motivating supervisor, leader, advisor, and mentor; sets high performance standards to exceed organizational goals while maintaining a cohesive, loyal, and results-driven team.

Analyzing Claims Applying Benefit Law Examining Evidence Making Determinations Best Practice Regulatory Compliance

Entitlements Eligibility of Claimants Compensation and Pensions Quantitative Reasoning Data Analysis Program Improvement

EXPERIENCE:

Department of Veteran Affairs

02/01/2011 to 02/28/2013

San Diego, CA United States

$62,451 per year

Military Service Coordinator, GS-11

Average hours per week: 40

Supervisor: Andre Kirk

Phone: 813-***-****

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

As Military Service Coordinator, served as a key member of the Public Contact Outreach Team within the San Diego Veterans Service Center; specialized in the management and administration of the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) and Pre-Discharge programs. Performed counseling/intake, data collection, medical exam coordination, and procedural functions related to Veteran benefits prior to retirement or discharge. Provided claims intake to transitioning active duty, reservists and guard members as well as to Veterans throughout the community during Outreach programs and events.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT: Consistently exercised sound, equitable judgment in applying stated laws, regulations, policies and procedures to ensure accurate information was disseminated. Resolved discrepancies, clarified issues and made final decisions for initial and post-entitlement for benefits and payments; adjudicated and authorized entitlement or disallowance actions at all levels of difficulty and complexity under programs administered by The Veteran Affairs.

BENEFIT ENTITLEMENT ASSISTANCE OUTREACH: Conducted group and individual counseling sessions as necessary, advising service members of available Veteran Affairs and ancillary benefit programs. Explained benefit programs and entitlement criteria, conducted interviews, identified issue, gathers relevant evidence, and inputted data necessary to properly develop claims, to include the ordering and scheduling of VA examinations.

COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION: Act as a primary liaison between the Department of Veterans Affairs and military commands; expertly led the Transitioning Assistance programs and effectively partner with Veterans Services organizations. Drafted and produced pertinent documentation and reporting to convey program activities with stakeholders. Incorporated exceptional communication abilities to conduct detailed discharge briefings to large groups of servicemen/servicewomen and spouses at point of military separation; provided essential information regarding benefits available for veterans and family members.

VETERAN BENEFITS PROGRAM GUIDANCE, SUPPORT, AND COORDINATION: Aided disabled veterans with designated employment assistance eligibility as well as medical evaluation board (MEB) procedures for individuals separated for medical reasons. Guided and advised service members participating in the Benefits Delivery at Discharge (BDD) program with an array of VA claims, including compensation claims, combat related special pay (CRSP), and vocational rehabilitation.

PROCEDURAL DEVELOPMENT AND DECISION MAKING: Develop and recommended internal Standard Operating Procedures (SOP); resolve policy problems and clarify conflicting regulations. Developed technical data, estimates, statistics, and other information for use in determining program goals and objectives. Gathered, organized, adjudicated or investigated claims; and evaluated pertinent retirement and dependency information prior to submitting claims to the Regional Office of Jurisdiction.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Commended for evaluating benefit programs at other locations to assess the integrity and quality of operations, effectively identified problems, recommended changes to command policies and improvements to processes and services provided to military service members and families.

Department of Veteran Affairs

06/01/2009 to 02/01/2011

Fort Carson, Colorado United States

$53,994 per year

Military Service Coordinator, GS-10

Average hours per week: 40

Supervisor: Andre Kirk

Phone: 813-***-****

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

Provided veterans benefit service and support for Peterson Air Force Base and numerous dependent organizations as a member of the Veteran Affairs Benefits Administration (VBA) team at the Fort Carson Veteran Benefits Administration (VBA) Pre-Discharge Program Team for over 5000 Soldiers and their families.

COMMUNICATION AND COLLOBARATION: Utilized strong communication abilities to lead discharge briefings for large groups of servicemen/servicewomen and spouses; provided essential information regarding benefits available for veterans and family members. Established collaborative relationships and performed public contact functions with military command, Army Career Alumni Program, Transition Assistance Program, and service organization staff associated with the Soldier Family Assistance Center (SFAC) facility.

COUNSELING AND INTAKE: Facilitated scheduled and unscheduled personal client assessment interviews; offered crucial information used by disabled veterans to gain an understanding of specially designated employment assistance for individuals being separated from the military for medical reasons. Counseled military personnel, retirees, and the families of those being processed through the Army Physical Disability Evaluation System (APDES) on their rights, privileges, and obligations. Provided comprehensive reports of program activities for the Veteran Regional Office (VARO).

PROCEDURAL DEVELOPMENT AND DECISION MAKING: Instituted internal SOP; resolved policy problems and clarified conflicting regulations. Applied professional, technical, and administrative abilities to make recommendations and decisions, overcoming the lack of guidelines and precedents. Provided in-depth technical analysis and interpretation in the creation of concrete plans; conveyed informed logistical recommendations to senior leaders.

VETERAN PROGRAM GUIDANCE, SUPPORT, AND COORDINATION: Organized and scheduled required examinations with VA Medical Center staff; performed in-depth reviews of exam reports. Submitted claims and supporting data to the VARO for adjudication and rating action prior to acquiring medical evidence, retirement information, and dependency documents. Assisted members participating in program with a variety of VA claims, to include compensation and claims processing. Evaluated and assessed rating with service members to obtain concurrence and aid veterans with rating disagreements.

OPERATIONAL ANALYSIS: Partnered with the Team Coach to develop program objectives and practices utilized to meet common goals. Determined problems and recommend changes to command policies and improvements to processes and services provided to service military members. Evaluated, analyzed, and reviewed operational processes; integrated complex metrics to measure performance. Conducted troubleshooting and diagnosis of business/program operational deficiencies; recommended corrective actions to senior leaders.

PROBLEM SOLVING: Resolved discrepancies, clarified issues and made final decisions for initial and post-entitlement for benefits and payments to Soldiers/Veterans and family members; adjudicated and authorize entitlement or disallowance actions at all levels of difficulty and complexity under programs administered by Veteran Affairs Benefits Administration; and use state of-the-art technology to access and update claims information.

AUTOMATED DATA PROCESSING SECURITY: Secured printed and electronic files containing sensitive information in compliance with the Privacy Act of 1974, applicable laws, federal regulations, VA statutes and policies, and VBA policies. Ensured data protection from unauthorized release, loss, alteration, and unauthorized deletion. Maintained strict adherence with the computer access agreement, limiting access to computerized files, access codes, and passwords.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Formally praised by Commanding General for sincere dedication to Wounded Warriors.

Designed and instituted Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for a nonexistent DES program.

Assumed role as Causality Assistance Officer (CAO); represented the Regional Office for the State of Colorado to provide survivor benefits for widows of combat veterans.

Department of Veteran Affairs

06/01/2008 to 06/01/2009

Fort Carson, Colorado United States

$47,448 per year

Veteran Service Representative, GS 07-09

Average hours per week: 40

Supervisor: Lauren Pierce

Phone: 303-***-****

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

Functioned as a counselor/advocate for VA claimants, legal technician, decision makers, and computer system users. The Veterans Service Representative (VSR) explaining benefit programs and entitlement criteria, analyzed claims material, identified issues, gathered relevant evidence, conducted interviews to adjudicate claims and inputted data necessary to generate the benefit award and notification letter to the veteran describing the benefit decision results.

VETERAN AFFAIRS ADVOCACY: Provided information regarding veteran’s benefits and services; gathered key evidence from medical, military, community and additional sources. Weighed evidence and applied controlling laws and regulations; inputted data to generate accurate benefit payments for veterans. Controlled pending issues and scheduled future actions; released complete and accurate notifications of benefits determinations.

CLAIMS PROCESSING and COORDINATION: Requested examinations, re-examinations or opinions to evaluate disabilities of veteran clients resulting from diseases or injuries due to military service. Reviewed claims cases to assure all issues have been addressed, applied and interpreted VA laws, including veterans' case law, existing statutes and procedures, precedent rulings and state law in the adjudication process. Utilized various electronic data processing (EDP) systems to input data for processing claims and generating automated correspondence.

COUNSELING AND INTAKE: Conducted interviews in person or by phone with veterans, representatives and advocates to explain the full range of VA benefits and related programs

DECISION MAKING: Made determinations as to the eligibility for the type of benefit sought to include questions relating to adequacy of military service, medical evidence and the evaluation of evidence of income, employability, dependence and relationship. Prepared and release correspondence for use by other federal, state and local agencies

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Gathered and evaluated supporting evidence to determine benefit eligibility for more than 200 clients monthly

Fostered an enthusiastic spirit among wounded veterans, enabling a seamless implementation of recommended processes

Pikes Peak Mental Health

01/10/2002 to 09/28/2007

Colorado Springs, Colorado United States

$29,000 per year

Clinician I/Housing Coordinator

Average hours per week: 40

Supervisor: Kurin Dimarzo

Phone: 719-***-****

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

As Clinician Housing Coordinator Housing Specialist, I implemented and supported the permanent supportive housing program. I worked collaboratively with staff, agencies and services providers to develop and provide stable, affordable, and long-term independent housing opportunities through short and long-term subsidies such as the Housing Choice Voucher program or other types of permanent housing.

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT: Received and processed applicants for affordable housing. Reviewed applications for accuracy and completeness and entered data into organizational automated data system. Interviewed applicants and determined eligibility for quarters and priority for assignment or placement on appropriate housing referral list. Counsels applicants regarding perspective housing assignment. Explains procedures, policies and responsibilities of occupancy.

INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: Provided housing assistance to ensure successful execution of a subsidy contract and to maintain current information about individual’s benefits to ensure that subsidy amounts are accurate with regard to the individual’s income. Provided housing advocacy and other support services to individuals as needed. Performed special inspections of the housing area for client safety and occupant violations of affordable housing.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Prepared reports which may include demographic information, services provided to individuals, and appointments with individuals, landlords, property managers, housing subsidy administrators, and marketing efforts.

Established appropriate individual service plans designed for the individual needs of each client.

United States Army

04/20/1992 to 10/18/1996

Fort Carson, Colorado United States

$16,000 per year

Administrative Specialist – Human Resources

Average hours per week: 40

Supervisor: Alex Kelley

Phone: 931-***-****

Duties, Accomplishments and Related Skills:

Performed Human Resources Personnel Administration duties operations in support of 300 military members. Compiled and kept personnel records, recorded data for each employee, such as address, payroll data, benefits, leave and absences, evaluation reports, and date of and reason for termination. Prepared reports for employment records, file employment records, or search employee files and furnish information to authorized persons. Reviewed consolidated reports and statistical data on strength (gains and losses) of personnel. Developed company personnel policies, standard operating procedures and employee handbooks.

HUMAN RESOURCES SUPPORT: Ensured prompt and accurate processing of enlisted evaluations, awards, decorations, personnel and finance actions, benefits, leaves sponsorships letters, and newcomer programs. Administered and monitored requests for promotions and arranged for promotion ceremony; managed promotion declinations, reconsideration for promotions, and arranged for reduction and removal boards for soldiers on local promotion standing lists. Processed Noncommissioned Officer Evaluation Reports, Suspension of Favorable Actions, Brigade level reports, Leaves and Passes and finance actions. Systematically prepared finance actions for processing in the Battalion, including Authorizations for Housing Allowance, Allotments, Travel Pay, Travel Vouchers and Requests for leave. Consolidated and updated staff slides for the department.

BENEFIT COUNSELING: Educated and advised employees on group health plans, voluntary benefits and 401(k) (TSP – Thrift Savings Plan) retirement plans. Monitored and supervised the lower graded S-1 staff members during Soldier Readiness Program SRP, ensuring effective updates of Soldiers DD Form 93 Record of Emergency data, Servicemembers Group Life Insurance SGLI and Authorization to start, stop or change Basic Allowance for Housing BAH, DA Form 5960.Submits, processes and tracks soldier personnel related actions through the Human Resources Packet Accountability Site HRPAS. Educated and advised employees on group health plans, voluntary benefits and 401(k) retirement plans.

ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Supervised the accurate and timely processing of more than 100 finance actions with zero late transactions

Well-known for forging collaborative working relationships with Human Resource (HR) team member peers

Serves as a Human Resources Personnel Non-Commissioned O"cer PSNCO in the Battalion Sta# S-1 department.

Responsible for the timely and accurate eMILPO transaction submissions and strength reporting.

Ensures the health, welfare, training and supervision of four Soldiers.

Processes transactions for Battalion soldiers on RLAS, eMILPO, IPERMS and HRPAS with 98% accuracy.

Performed the daily Personnel Status PERSTAT report during Battle Assemblies, and when on orders for the Battalion.

Developed company personnel policies, standard operating procedures and employee handbooks.

EDUCATION:

University of Southern Colorado

Major: Social Work

Pueblo, Colorado United States

GPA: 3.8

Bachelor of Arts

126 Semester Credits Earned

Completion Date: 12/2002

OTHER:

Job Related Training:

01/2010 Casualty Assistance Officer Training, Department of the Army, 32 hours

10/2008 Ethics Most Wanted Training, Department of Veteran Affairs, 12 hours

10/2008 VA Privacy Awareness Training, Department of Veteran Affairs, 12 hours

10/2008 VA Information Security Awareness, Department of Veteran Affairs, 12 hours

09/2008 CP Public Contact VA TAP Benefits, Department of Veteran Affairs, 12 hours

06/2009 Military Service Coordinator Challenge -2009, Department of Veteran Affairs, 32 hours

10/2007 Veteran Service Representative Challenge -2007, Department of Veteran Affairs, 80 hours

Additional Information:

AWARDS:

*Certificate of Appreciation, United States Army, 09/ 2010

*Certificate of Appreciation, United States Army, 08/2010

*Certificate of Appreciation, Department of Veteran Affairs, 10/2008

*Certificate of Appreciation, Department of Veteran Affairs, 03/2008

*Customer Service Award, Pikes Peak Mental Health, 02/2003

*Dean’s List, University of Southern Colorado, 02/2001

*Army Good Conduct Medal, United States Army, 08/1995

*Honorable Discharge, United States Army, 10/1997

SPECIFIC QUALIFICATIONS:

Software: Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook

Networks: Department of Veteran Affairs

Databases: SHARE, CAPRI, DES DATA BASE, Veterans Tracking Application, VTA, Virtual VA, MAP –D, VACOLS, Microsoft, and DoD Shared Encryption E-mail

Operating Systems: Microsoft Windows 7, COVERS, BDN, ETA, and VBA Intranet

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