Ensures agency addresses the health and safety needs and quality of life for adults with disabilities in accordance with applicable state/federal laws and CARF regulations. Works directly with team, conducting internal investigations, submitting incidents on PCIS2, monitor and follow up on agency responses to critical incidents to ensure effective and appropriate resolution. Develops and implements Agency Quality Assurance Plan for 2015.Conducts file reviews, site visits, and maintain appropriate review records.Reviews service plans to assure goals are measurable, reflect individuals input, and adequately point toward individual’s strengths & needs.Responsible for conducting unannounced visits to programs sites to perform observations. Extensive knowledge of Federal and State laws, regulations, policies and procedures related to adults with long-term support needs and their families, including Medicaid home and Community-based Services Waiver; community services and their delivery

Managed all operational phases of Kennedy Institute's Residential Program serving 135 adults with developmental disabilities while supervising and evaluating five managers and 93 counselors. Developed policy and procedures, ensuring regulatory compliance with Maryland State and Federal regulations, CARF accreditation and implementation of new program initiatives. Maintained a working knowledge and compliance with regulatory agencies, funding sources, and accreditation standards. Oversight of Individual Program Plan (IP) to ensure they were “Person Centered” and included reliable data on personal outcomes, support, progress, services, quality improvement measures, Reviewed Behavior plan and decreased the need of written Behavior Plans by over 50%. Reviewed Incidence Reports and grievances and actively engaging in problem solving seeking solutions.

Chaired and coordinated annual Individual Planning (IP) meetings and monitored their compliance with the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) guidelines. Assisted individual’s with obtaining the best quality and most appropriate service and support. Responsible to individuals, their families and team members ensuring needs and preferences were recognized and addressed while advocating for personal satisfaction.

Case management included assessing needs, providing information, referrals, crisis intervention, as well as advocating for individual needs. Attended Individual Planning (IP) meetings annually and provided resource to the team.Created and hosted festive social community events for residents. Reviewed the new Medicaid policies and made changes to the benefits that best met the medical needs of each resident.

Oversight of sixty dual diagnosed individual’s living in 47 locations throughout Montgomery County, Maryland. Coordinated annual (IP) Individual Plan meetings encouraging team members to consider novel approaches, arranging/finding unique resources, leading to innovative goals and service plans. Monitored monthly budgets for forty-five individuals. Supervised twelve staff, providing resource management and training: on the parameters of social role valorization, normalization, and the importance of maintaining community norms and relationships between individuals and their neighbors. Encouraged staff to look for and assist participants with developing relationships in their community. Worked jointly with Housing Opportunity Commission to obtain affordable housing through the Section VIII voucher program and joined with others in the community to develop and maintain affordable housing options. Partnered with the Housing Opportunity Commission (HOC), Home Ownership Program to establish an environment that fostered mutual respect leading to financial assistance for two first time homebuyers. Along with the Director, started a self-advocacy group (STAND TOGETHER) encouraging self-advocates to lead their IP (Individual Planning meeting) and participant in the training of new staff. Actively advocated for individuals to use their “own system” with adaptations in order to function successfully in their environment. Encouraged individuals to maintain and find relationships, manage day-to-day responsibilities such as household management, nutrition, hygiene, laundry, grocery shopping and mediation. Set up adaptations at individual work sites in order to learn job skills and develop relationships with supervisors and coworkers. Obtained and coordinated resources through the Department of Social Services, Social Security, HUD housing, medical providers, Community Psychiatric Clinic, Medical Assistance, Food Banks, DORS and vocational programs.