Chief Residential Officer

On October 1, 2007, Darla J. Lynn was promoted to the position of Chief Residential Officer as a result of the consolidation of UCP/CLASS’s two residential divisions. Ms. Lynn has been employed with the agency for twenty-seven years starting as a direct support residential staff person and then moving to the position of Transitional Living Specialist which she held prior to her promotion to Director of Residential Supports East in 1985. During her tenure as Director of Residential Supports East, Darla has been instrumental in developing an innovative residential supports system which include the construction/purchasing of three homes that are owned by individuals receiving supports; the securing of Section 811 funds that built two fully accessible homes in Penn Hills and the building of a SMART home in 2007 which includes updated technology features which further enhance individuals abilities to live more independently in their home. As a result of these efforts, individuals; many of whom lived in institutional settings since childhood, have been provided the opportunity to determine where and with whom they want to live. It is as a result of such innovative, person centered endeavors that CLASS’s residential programs are rated as one of the highest quality programs in the region.

Darla has a Bachelors of Science from California State College and previous to her employment with UCP/CLASS worked as a Volunteer In Service To America, counseling abused women. In addition, she worked in a crisis shelter for women and children as well as working as an Assistant Director of the McKeesport YWCA’s day care center.