Specializing in policy analysis, stakeholder engagement, technical assistance and project management, Community Bridges Consulting Group works with government, nonprofit, and private organizations devoted to the supports, issues, and rights of individuals with disabilities. Community Bridges focuses on emerging issues in the fields of intellectual and developmental disabilities. Our focus is on innovation, quality, stakeholder involvement, and other technical aspects to create sound solutions that promote community participation and inclusion for all citizens.

Specializing in policy analysis, project management, and stakeholder engagement, Catalyst Consulting works with government, non-profit, and private organizations devoted to the needs, issues, and rights of individuals with disabilities. Our focus is on innovation, quality, stakeholder involvement, and other technical aspects to create sound solutions that promote community participation and inclusion for all citizens.

• Oversee the strategic planning and program implementation of 1.5 million dollars of Council-funded initiatives annually.• Develops and maintains effective relationships with various state agencies, legislative bodies, advocacy groups, providers, and relevant community organizations such as the Developmental Disabilities Consortium, the DHHS Leadership Team, Disability Rights NC, and the Association of Self-Advocates of NC. • Responsible for maintaining subject matter expertise by reviewing latest I/DD research, monitoring legislative changes and translating complex concepts into accessible and understandable formats for a wide variety of audiences. • Supports the development and annual revision of Council’s 5-year state plan by coordinating and assessing the needs of various stakeholders and community partners.• Recruited and developed an exceptional team of three Systems Change Managers, training them in the areas of grant management, outreach, and Council-related activities.

• Performed a range of grant management activities, including development of initiatives, compliance monitoring, providing technical assistance to grantees, and evaluating outcomes.• Extensively collaborated with policy makers, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family members and advocacy organizations during design, implementation, and close out of grants.

• Improved quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of service delivery by providing quality assurance technical assistance for an adult day training company that served 800+ individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in five cities.• Formulated continuous quality improvement plans for each program through on-site visits, meetings with staff and individuals and reviewing client records. • Evaluated performance outcomes and barriers to implementation of expectations for programming related issues such as student scheduling, behavior management, health & safety, staff training, and development of age appropriate and normalized skill module curriculum.• Proposed and helped implement statewide systems improvements designed to provide consistent quality of care, while eliminating inefficient systems. • Developed a comprehensive public relations and fundraising strategy.

• Reviewed, assessed, and processed deliverables for the state-wide developmental services quality assurance contract (Delmarva) such as quarterly reports and special studies, training material and participation data. • Developed protocol and implemented Quality Assurance procedures for monitoring Delmarva contract for compliance. Oversaw monitoring processes for the Delmarva contract and followed-up on requests made by AHCA and APD.• Developed and administered the Invitation to Negotiate process for the next Developmental Services Quality Assurance Contract. Researched and incorporated best practice Quality Assurance procedures into upcoming ITN contract. Negotiated the specific requirements of the contract and ensure that ITN Workgroup (comprised of representatives from the Agency for Person’s with Disabilities, Agency for Health Care Administration, and inter-agency Quality Council) expectations were adequately understood and captured in the ITN.• Ensured that DS QA ITN contract meets the standard and minimum programmatic requirements required by Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services. • Developed waiver procedures and protocol for Familial Dysautonomia waiver.• Developed and implemented quality management and improvement strategies for the Familial Dysautonomia Waiver which meets the Center for Medicaid and Medicare’s requirements.

• Reviewed all relevant historical documentation, assessments, behavioral plans, nursing notes, physician orders and plans regarding the individual's service needs and the cost plan.• Determined if the individual's services meet the health and welfare requirements on the Developmental Services Waiver Coverage and Limitations Handbook. • Determined medical necessity in accordance with Florida Administrative Code Section 59G-1.010(166).• Determined that the services are within the coverage and specified in the agreed upon procedure for limitations and exclusions.• Communicated with the District/Region the conclusion of the client’s service authorization review.• Provided expert assistance and testimony for any reconsiderations or hearings.

• Reviewed all relevant historical documentation, assessments, behavioral plans, nursing notes, physician orders and plans regarding the individual's service needs and the cost plan.• Determined if the individual's services met the health and welfare requirements on the Developmental Services Waiver Coverage and Limitations Handbook. • Determined medical necessity in accordance with Florida Administrative Code Section 59G-1.010(166).• Determined whether the services were within the coverage and specified in the agreed upon procedure for limitations and exclusions.• Communicated with the District/Region the conclusion of the client’s service authorization review.• Provided expert assistance and testimony for reconsideration requests and hearings.