Customer Support & Compliance Executive Leader
Resume:
RUTH A BENNETT
Covington, GA
️ruth1962bennett@gmail.com
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Visionary and results-driven Executive Leader with over 20 years of progressive experience in developmental disabilities program administration, behavioral health, special education liaison work, and multi-site facility operations. Demonstrates exceptional expertise in strategic planning, regional center compliance, Title 22 regulations, interdisciplinary team leadership, and person-centered case management. An established advocate skilled at navigating complex public systems—including regional centers, DCFS, LAUSD, and Medi-Cal—to optimize care quality, promote community inclusion, and advance outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), autism, and complex behavioral needs.
An established advocate and educator in public and private sectors, with a proven track record of navigating complex systems—such as DCFS, LAUSD, and Medi-Cal—while advancing outcomes in special education, community support programs, and trauma-informed care environments. Adept at building and managing high-performing teams, improving client outcomes, and maintaining full compliance with state and federal regulations, including Title 22, HIPAA, and OSHA standards. Recognized for spearheading initiatives that promote equity, inclusion, and empowerment, and for developing policies and programs that align with organizational goals and improve quality of care.
CORE COMPETENCIES & PROFESSIONAL EXPERTISE
Program Development & Administration
I/DD & Regional Center Compliance
Title 22, DDS, & CCL Regulations
Person-Centered Planning (ISP/PCP)
Trauma-Informed Behavioral Intervention
Staff Training, Scheduling, & Leadership
Budgeting & Fiscal Oversight ($10M+)
Crisis Management & De-Escalation (CPI)
IEP / 504 / Special Education Law
Cross-Functional Stakeholder Collaboration
Advocacy for At-Risk Youth & Foster Populations
Policy Implementation & Compliance
Performance Management & Staff Evaluation
Cross-System Case Coordination (DCFS, Courts, Schools)
Public Speaking & Training Delivery
Grant Writing & Program Evaluation
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Office & Productivity: Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Clinical & Case Tracking: Electronic Health Record (EHR) Systems, Data Analysis & Case Tracking Tools
Education Platforms: IEP Online, Special Education Information System (SEIS), FERPA & IDEA Compliance tools
Enterprise & Database: Salesforce, Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), eClinicalWorks (eCW) Platforms
CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES
Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI) – Certified
Direct Support Professional Year 1 (DSP1) – Completed & Passed
Direct Support Professional Year 2 (DSP2) – In Progress
Medication Administration Training – Written Component Completed (Practical Skills Check-off Pending)
STRTP Administrator – Certified (CareProvider.org)
ARF Facility Administrator – Certified
RBT in progress.
Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist – CalMHSA
Special Education – Certified
CPR & First Aid – Certified (Current)
EDUCATION
Doctorate in Human Services (Organizational Leadership & Management) Capella University – In Progress
Master of Science in Human Services Argosy University – Los Angeles, CA
Bachelor of Arts in Psychology Argosy University – Los Angeles, CA
Associate of Arts in Health Care Administration LA College International – Los Angeles, CA
Certificate in Special Education National University
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Program Manager / Facility Administrator ResCare Sevita / Bright Light Care – Simi Valley, CA
December 2025 – Present
Direct administrative operations and regulatory compliance for specialized residential facilities and community-based programs serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Supervise, mentor, and schedule a multidisciplinary team of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and lead staff, ensuring optimal shift coverage, strict policy adherence, and minimal turnover.
Oversaw the development, execution, and auditing of Individual Support Plans (ISPs) and Person-Centered Plans (PCPs), ensuring measurable goals align with state Department of Developmental Services (DDS) mandates.
Serve as primary liaison to Regional Centers, state service coordinators, families, and medical providers to advocate for consumer resources and streamline care transitions.
Manage program budgets, monitor facility expenditures, coordinate medication administration records (MARs), and maintain full readiness for community care licensing audits.
Behavior Consultant – School District Amergis HealthCare Staffing / Hawthorne School District – Los Angeles, CA
February 2023 – October 2025
Conducted in-depth Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) to identify behavioral triggers and root causes, leading to targeted interventions and improved student self-regulation.
Developed and implemented individualized Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) and Behavior Support Plans (BSPs) that resulted in measurable reductions in behavioral incidents and increased instructional engagement.
Collaborated closely with teachers, paraprofessionals, and support staff to implement interventions consistently, ensuring continuity across general and special education settings.
Delivered professional development and hands-on coaching to staff on positive behavior supports, classroom management, de-escalation techniques, and crisis response strategies.
Partnered with multidisciplinary teams, including school psychologists, counselors, administrators, and special education coordinators, to align behavioral support with students’ academic and social-emotional goals.
Utilized data-driven decision making by collecting and analyzing behavior data, tracking trends, and making evidence-based adjustments that improved outcomes and reduced referrals.
Served as an active member of IEP teams, providing behavioral expertise and recommendations to guide goal development, service delivery, and appropriate accommodations.
STRTP Facility Administrator Dimondale Adolescent Care Facility – Lancaster, CA
December 2022 – October 2025
Directed day-to-day operations of a licensed Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program (STRTP) for high-risk youth, ensuring absolute compliance with Title 22 and state regulations.
Supervised hiring, onboarding, training protocols, and performance evaluations of residential counselors and administrative staff.
Partnered with case managers, clinicians, and external county stakeholders to implement individualized treatment plans and trauma-informed behavioral interventions.
Conducted rigorous facility inspections, oversaw licensing renewals, and maintained an unblemished record during state compliance audits.
Program Director / Case Manager Supervisor Open Arms Community Health & Service Center – Los Angeles, CA
January 2019 – December 2022
Oversaw all community programming across SPA 4 and SPA 6, focusing on homelessness prevention, mental health integration, and housing stabilization.
Managed Enhanced Care Management (ECM) services; supervised peer specialists, social workers, and healthcare navigators.
Directed fiscal operations, including budgeting, resource allocation, and grant management.
Collaborated with CalAIM and Medi-Cal providers to streamline referrals, outreach, and care coordination.
Program Assistant / Executive Director / Education Liaison DPA & Assoc. / LA County DCFS / EDS4Kids – Los Angeles, CA
March 2015 – January 2019
Served as education advocate for foster youth across 80+ school districts, executing IEP, 504, SST, and SED team meetings.
Trained foster parents and conducted in-home education plans, ensuring compliance with IDEA and state mandates.
Represented DCFS interests in court hearings and coordinated legal, educational, and therapeutic services for wards of the court.
Behavioral Specialist & Education Liaison Intensive Behavior Intervention Consultants / LAUSD – Gardena, CA
July 2011 – March 2015
Delivered ABA-based interventions (DTT, PRT, token economies) to students presenting with autism and severe behavioral disorders.
Created and implemented individualized behavior support plans (BSPs) in both hospital and school settings.
Executive Regional Director, Memory Care & Senior Living Crown Point Senior Living – Omaha, NE
November 2007 – July 2011
Controlled operations for three senior living facilities, focusing on memory care compliance, staffing, and occupancy growth.
Managed annual operating budgets exceeding $10M and improved occupancy by 22% through strategic marketing programs.
Behavior Specialist / Facility Manager Augustus Hawkins Mental Health Center – Los Angeles, CA
September 2004 – November 2007
Managed multidisciplinary teams in a high-volume mental health facility; provided clinical oversight and crisis intervention.
Led CPI-informed behavioral de-escalation efforts; coordinated with law enforcement and psychiatric providers.
Lead and support staff while maintaining high-quality behavioral services.
Ensure person-centered care and adherence to individualized service plans.
Monitor client outcomes and operational performance.
Address behavioral crises while ensuring staff and client safety.
Maintain confidentiality and compliance with applicable regulations.
Build positive relationships with clients, families, community partners, and regulatory agencies.
Continuously improve facility operations and behavioral support practices.
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