Alnita Whitt

• Acts as the subject matter expert on Veterans benefits providing crucial interpretations of federal and VA laws, regulations, and medical information to staff, veterans, and their dependents, while staying updated on legislative changes impacting Veteran benefits.
• Provide leadership and direction, including staff supervision and performance evaluation, while fostering team cohesion through regular meetings and trainings in support of staff development.
• Develop, establish and enforce standard operational procedures for the Veterans Services Office and ensure compliance.
• Develop strategic plans, setting clear objectives and achievable milestones for the team.
• Manage cross-functional teams for successful project completion within deadlines and budgets.
• Oversee and manage daily operations of the main office and satellite locations, while monitoring and improving office work flows for enhanced efficiency. Identify and pursue grant opportunities to enhance services to Orange County Veterans.
• Build and maintain relationships with local veteran organizations, nonprofits, government agencies, and community partners at local, state and national levels. Represent the office at local, regional, state and national level veteran events, conferences and forums.
• Establish, coordinate, and participate in community outreach events, including but not limited to resource fairs, veteran town halls, and commemorative ceremonies.

• Evaluated employees' strengths and assigned tasks based upon experience and training.
• Maximized performance by monitoring daily activities and mentoring team members.
• Onboarded new employees with training and new hire documentation.
• Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
• Established and updated work schedules to account for changing staff levels and expected workloads.
• Approved regular payroll submissions for employees.
• Applied customer feedback to develop process improvements and support long-term program needs.
• Established positive and effective communication among team members and organization leadership, reducing miscommunications and missed deadlines.
• Identified and resolved unauthorized, unsafe or ineffective practices.
• Set, enforced and optimized internal policies to maintain responsiveness to demands.
• Trained new employees on proper protocols and customer service standards.
• Assisted in recruiting, hiring and training of team members.
• Tracked employee attendance and punctuality, addressing repeat problems quickly to prevent long-term habits.
• Observed each team member's individual strengths and initiated mentoring program to improve areas of weakness.
• Managed, trained and motivated team members to continuously improve knowledge and abilities in Veteran benefits delivery.
• Interacted well with community partners and agencies to build connections and relationships.
• Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.

* Interviewed and assessed an average of 65 clients per week

* Presented benefit briefings to local civic organizations

* Engaged in and was proactive in the resolution of unique issues

* Performed case management throughout the processes of assessment, researching information, compiling reports, filing claims, and obtaining benefits

* Advised clients of documentation required to support claim

* Interpreted laws, rules,regulations and procedures

* Made referrals to other agencies and resources

* Collaborated with Dallas County Veterans Drug court Program designed to rehabilitate veterans

* Developed claims utilizing knowledge of medical terminology and medical conditions including causes and nature of illnesses and diseases

* Assisted clients in dealing with US Department of veterans Affairs Debt Management Agency by preparing financial reports to support client requests for waivers, postponements, compromise, or repayment plans

* Established and maintained relationships with local congressional offices, private and public sector employers, community service providers, community colleges, universities and advocacy groups

* Developed safety policies for Dallas County and Perry County Veterans Offices to reduce and eliminate incidents

Collaborated with the local Habitat for Humanity to secure homes for homeless veterans and families

* Provided education counseling and assistance applying for state and federal education benefits

* Managed two county Veteran Affairs offices and provided itinerant coverage to three additional counties as needed

* Utilized US Department of Veteran Affairs programs and systems