In 2019, NCAPPS received 45 applications for technical assistance with requests for support to enhance staff competencies, engage stakeholders, strengthen quality improvement, and build cross-system consistency for person-centered thinking, planning, and practice. In this webinar, representatives from four of the 15 NCAPPS states will showcase their achievements and share what they’ve learned and what they plan to do next. The panel will then be engaged in a discussion facilitated by people with lived experience who’ll provide insights into why engaging people who use services is essential for person-centered systems change. The webinar will close with information about how to apply for the next round of NCAPPS Technical Assistance.
Mary Bishop believes every social work position in her career prepared her to be Texas Health and Human Services’ Person-Centered Practices Team Lead. She has partnered with those living in Intermediate Care Facilities in Michigan, Iowa, and Texas; directed a children’s shelter, nursing communities, hospice, home health, and elders needing behavioral health supports. She owned a social service agency and works with the State of Texas in various rights and advocacy roles for 20+ years.
Saska Rajcevic, MPA currently works as a Policy Specialist for the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) and serves as the lead for Utah’s NCAPPS technical assistance grant. In her role, she focuses on the implementation of person-centered practices, systemic change, stakeholder engagement, and compliance with the Settings Rule. Her background is in the field of disability advocacy with an emphasis on public policy.
Patricia Richardson is currently serving as the Statewide Aging and Disability Resource Coordinator for the Department of Aging and Disability Services, State Unit on Aging. Patricia has been involved in the state’s development of the No Wrong Door system for long-term services and supports through the Administration for Community Living No Wrong Door grants to Connecticut. She is the state lead on the NCAPPS committee to work on Person Centered Thinking and Planning in CT.
Jonas Schwartz is a Program Manager for the Vocational Rehabilitation Division at the Texas Workforce Commission. Jonas has worked for the past 25 years on public policy issues that impact people with disabilities in Texas. More specifically, he has worked on employment, housing, transportation and ensuring that Medicaid Long Term Services and Supports are available to people who need them.
Thom Snyder has worked in the field of aging since 1986. He currently serves as an Aging Services Coordinator at the Georgia Division of Aging Services, with responsibilities for community-based Case Management, grant writing, program performance measurements, and is Team Lead for the Caregiver Specialist, Senior Community Service Employment Program Coordinator, and the Evidence-Based Services Program Coordinator. He also serves as the Division liaison for Coordinated Transportation and Behavioral Health services. He holds B.A. from Mercer University, and a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Michaela I. Fissel is a person in long-term recovery and enjoys backpacking, yoga, dancing, gardening, spending time with her three children and hanging out with their chickens. Michaela is Executive Director at Advocacy Unlimited, Inc. – a peer-run organization, and has worked in the behavioral health field as a community researcher, activist, and non-profit administrator for nearly 15 years.
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NCAPPS is an initiative from the Administration for Community Living and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to help States, Tribes, and Territories to implement person-centered practices. NCAPPS webinars are open to the public, and are geared toward human services administrators, providers, and people who use long-term services and supports. All NCAPPS webinars will be recorded and archived at https://ncapps.acl.gov.