From Awareness to Acceptance: Autism Acceptance Month

In 1972, the Autism Society launched the first-ever annual National Autistic Children’s week, which later became known as Autism Acceptance Month, a nation wide effort to promote awareness and understanding for people with Autism. This year, the Autism Society of America, the nation’s oldest leading grassroots autism organization, is proud to celebrate Autism Acceptance Month in April 2021 with its “Celebrate Differences” campaign, as they join with other local, state, and national disability organizations to shift focus from awareness to acceptance.

This shift comes in response to the autism community feeling that acceptance is a growing need within the community as autistic individuals continue to face challenges when looking for employment, housing, and affordable health care.
The goal for Autism Acceptance Month per the Autism Society of America, is to “further increase awareness about autism signs, symptoms and opportunities through: information and referrals, events, printable and digital resources, and community partnerships with businesses and organizations dedicated to building inclusive experiences.”

By shifting the focus, the goal is to promote acceptance and celebration of autistic people (many of whom prefer identity-first language to people-first language). According to the Autistic Self Advocacy Network’s article on Autism Acceptance Month, “Autism is a natural variation of the human experience, and we can all create a world which values, includes, and celebrates all kinds of minds.” By focusing on acceptance, the goal is to improve support and opportunities across all aspects of life, including education, employment, and health care.

While every day is a celebration of autism for The Coordinating Center’s Autism Waiver Services Team, this month, the team will be meeting to discuss the importance of this shift, as well as to review perspectives from autistic persons about symbols, language, and inclusivity.

By Sheri Weissman
Director Autism Waiver Services
The Coordinating Center

Becoming START Certified

The START program model was established in 1988 by Dr. Joan B. Beasley and her team to provide community-based crisis intervention for individuals with intellectual/ developmental disabilities (IDD) and mental health needs. START is a comprehensive model of service supports that optimizes independence, treatment and community living. The model is person-centered, solutions-focused approach that employs positive psychology and other evidence-based practices.

In November 2020, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) announced its plans to implement a START pilot in the Central Region. The pilot aims to provide the development and implementation of a community based tertiary care crisis intervention for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities and behavioral health care needs. Training and technical support to be provided by the Center for START Services.

In January 2021, The Coordinating Center was selected by the DDA to participate in the 12-month pilot. The Center has three Supports Planners who are currently participating in six hours of START training per week with The Center for START Services. “We are delighted to be a part of this innovative pilot as there is a significant need for cross systems crisis prevention and intervention planning. Participation in START will enable The Center to better serve our constituents with IDD and behavioral health care needs,” said Dr. Pamula Mills, Director, Coordination of Community Services (CCS) at The Center.

CenterFlix Gala Fundraiser Goes Virtual

The Coordinating Center is pleased to announce that this year’s CenterFlix Gala Fundraiser will be held virtually on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. CenterFlix will feature inspirational client stories, a live/silent auction, and optional catering. Join us from the comfort of your own home, as we celebrate the lives of people with disabilities and complex medical and social needs.

CenterFlix proceeds benefit The Center’s Family Resource Fund, which is used as a last resort when no other funding is available to support critical needs (i.e., rapid rehousing, home modifications and medical items not fully funded by Medicaid) and other items that can help improve a person’s quality of life (i.e., respite, summer camp, adaptive equipment and assistive technology).

To date we have raised a total of $82,000, which we could not have done without the help of all of our generous sponsors and donors. Special thanks to our Corporate Sponsors:

To learn more about how to be apart our event and to purchase tickets please visit our website at the link below.

https://www.coordinatingcenter.org/centerflix/centerflix-2020-tickets/

Khuzaima Pirbhai CPA, MBA, FCCA, named Chief Financial Officer of The Coordinating Center

Millersville, Maryland—The Coordinating Center, Maryland’s statewide, premier nonprofit care coordination organization for children and adults with disabilities and complex needs, is excited to announce Khuzaima Pirbhai, CPA, MBA, FCCA, as its next Chief Financial Officer.

Mr. Pirbhai joins The Center with 25+ years’ experience in accounting, finance, and management. Prior to joining The Center, he served as Laureate Education Inc.’s Executive Director of Strategic Finance, where he completed Strategic Acquisitions and Divestitures in excess of $7B and helped execute Laureate’s Initial Public Offering (IPO) in 2017. During Mr. Pirbhai’s tenure at Laureate, he managed the budgeting, forecasting and long-range planning process, capital investment (Capital Expenditures and Mergers and Acquisitions) decision making process from development through board approval. Mr. Pirbhai established various Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and analytics to support Laureate’s C-Suite and Board in decision making. Prior to Laureate, Mr. Pirbhai was the Director of Corporate Accounting at Autogrill Inc, where he led various technology implementation and process improvement projects. Throughout Mr. Pirbhai’s career, he has been fortunate to work for global companies like Best Western, KPMG and Ernst & Young. Mr. Pirbhai resides in Ellicott City Maryland, where he lives with his wife and two kids.

The Coordinating Center announces Pamula Mills, PhD, as its Director, Coordination of Community Services (CCS), a program of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

Millersville – Maryland – The Coordinating Center, Maryland’s statewide, premier nonprofit care coordination organization for children and adults with disabilities and complex needs is excited to announce that The Center is accepting referrals from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration’s (DDA) Coordination of Community Services (CCS) Program in the Central and Southern Region of Maryland. The DDA is the primary State agency that funds community-based services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the CCS program enables participants and their families to gain access to critical resources and Medicaid Waiver services that encourage self-sufficiency, health and safety and real community participation.

Pamula Mills, PhD. joins The Coordinating Center as its new Director, Coordination of Community Services. Dr. Mills is a clinical psychologist who is passionate about mental health and supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Prior to coming to The Center, Dr. Mills was the Program Director of a nonprofit, Valentine Community Services in Washington, DC, responsible for the management of supported living, day habitation, and companion services for individuals with intellectual disabilities and psychiatric disorders. Dr. Mills is skilled in program development and execution, quality oversight, training, and compliance.

“We are thrilled to join the DDA community in providing CCS services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Coordinating Center is deeply committed to conflict-free case management services, person- and family-centered care, and its mission, which is to partner with our clients and those who support them in the community to achieve their aspirations for independence, health and meaningful community life,” said Teresa Titus-Howard, PhD, MHA, MSW, President/CEO of The Coordinating Center.

The Coordinating Center is now licensed as a provider of Coordination of Community Services (CCS) for the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA)

Millersville – Maryland – The Coordinating Center, Maryland’s statewide, premier nonprofit care coordination organization for children and adults with disabilities and complex needs is excited to announce that The Center is now accepting referrals from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration’s (DDA) Coordination of Community Services (CCS) Program in the Central and Southern Region of Maryland. The DDA is the primary State agency that funds community-based services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and the CCS program enables participants and their families to gain access to critical resources and Medicaid Waiver services that encourage self-sufficiency, health and safety and real community participation.

“We are thrilled to join the DDA community in providing CCS services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Coordinating Center is deeply committed to conflict-free case management services, person- and family-centered care, and its mission, which is to partner with our clients and those who support them in the community to achieve their aspirations for independence, health and meaningful community life,” said Teresa Titus-Howard, PhD, MHA, MSW, President/CEO of The Coordinating Center.

Octavia Peterson Promoted to Director of Community First Programs

Millersville, Maryland—The Coordinating Center is excited to announce that Octavia Peterson, MSA, MPH from Prince George’s County has been promoted to Director, Community First Programs (CFP). As CFP Director, Ms. Peterson will provide oversight of The Center’s supports planning services for more than 3,500 Marylanders statewide, enrolled in one of Maryland Medicaid’s Home and Community Based Services Programs (HCBS) and/or Waiver. HCBS enable people with disabilities and older adults to live at home and/or transition from nursing homes to homes in the community.

Previously, Ms. Peterson served as Director, Wellness and Independence for Seniors at Home (WISH) program, which aimed to reduce avoidable hospital use for adults 65+ living in Montgomery and parts of Prince George’s County. The Center was contracted by the Nexus Montgomery Regional Partnership initiative, to provide coaching and care coordination services for WISH participants. The program recently ended in June due to lack of funding.

Ms. Peterson has more than 10 years of Public Health and management experience. Prior to the joining The Center, Ms. Peterson served as the Director of Population and Community Health with MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital, Health Educator Manager for Inova Juniper Program with PA/mid-Atlantic AIDS Education and Training Center, and held other positions in public health with several agencies, such as the Maryland Department of Health, American Nurses Association, and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

“Ms. Peterson’s passion for the mission, commitment to person-centered care and proven track record of excellence in community based services will continue to position The Center as a leader in home and community based services” Teresa Titus-Howard, President and CEO.

The Coordinating Center Promotes R. Colby Bearch to Chief Operating Officer, Jennifer Sears to Chief Information Officer, and Renée Dain to Sr. Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs

Millersville, Maryland—The Coordinating Center, Maryland’s statewide, premier nonprofit care coordination organization for children and adults with disabilities and complex needs, is excited to announce

Mr. R. Colby Bearch, BA, MA-SF, MA-M, RN, CDONA, has been promoted from Senior Vice President, Quality and Outcomes Management to Chief Operating Officer (COO). Mr. Bearch brings more than 20 years of experience in healthcare administration and has been with The Coordinating Center since 2011. As COO, Mr. Bearch will continue to oversee The Coordinating Center’s Quality Improvement and Outcomes Management Division and serve as the Corporate Compliance Officer. Mr. Bearch will lead The Center’s Corporate Compliance Program, ensure on-going organizational adherence to contract and regulatory standards, lead the First-Impressions Team, and manage facilities. Mr. Bearch has substantial clinical management experiences in critical care, acute care, subacute care, long-term care and population health arenas in the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. Mr. Bearch has a Master’s Degree in Management, and is a certified Director of Nursing Administration/Long-term care (CDONA), The National Association of Directors of Nursing Administration in Long Term Care.

Ms. Jennifer Sears, MS, has been promoted from Vice President, Project Management & Communications to Chief Information Officer (CIO). Ms. Sears brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofits, healthcare organizations and information technology and has been with The Coordinating Center since 2013. Ms. Sears will continue to direct, manage and execute senior level project management services related to new business, technologies, and infrastructure. As CIO and the Corporate Security Officer, Ms. Sears will oversee The Center’s Information Services (IS) Division, providing oversight of The Center’s information technology and computer systems, as well as manage all related subcontracts. Ms. Sears has her Master’s Degree in Applied Information Technology, and has participated in Georgetown University’s Nonprofit Management Executive Certificate Program.

Ms. Renée Dain, MSW, MA-AS has been promoted from Vice President, Business Development and Social Innovation to Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs. Ms. Dain brings more than 15 years of nonprofit management experience related to health and human services. As the Sr. Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and External Affairs, Ms. Dain works closely with The Center’s President/CEO on all aspects of The Coordinating Center’s business development and fundraising efforts, and serves as the Board of Directors Liaison. Presently, The Center is expanding care coordination services for people with developmental disabilities, and will soon be a provider of Coordination of Community Services for the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration. Ms. Dain also leads The Center’s Marketing and Communications Team, and supports The Center’s legislative and public policy agenda. Ms. Dain has a Master’s Degree in Social Work and a Master’s Degree in Management of Aging Services.

All three of these highly talented individuals have an exceptional record at succeeding in whatever they are asked to do. I know they will do just as exceptionally well in their new roles. I am so pleased and fortunate to work with such a strong leadership team at TCC that is committed to our mission, vision and values as an organization every day, commented Teresa Titus-Howard, PhD, MHA, MSW, President and CEO of TCC.

 

Teresa Titus-Howard Named President/CEO of The Coordinating Center

Millersville, Maryland—The Coordinating Center, Maryland’s statewide, premier nonprofit care coordination organization for children and adults with disabilities and complex needs, is excited to announce Teresa Titus-Howard, PhD, MHA, MSW, as its next President/CEO. Dr. Titus-Howard will succeed Karen-Ann Lichtenstein, who retired at the end of May after 35 years with the organization.

Dr. Titus-Howard joins The Coordinating Center with more than 25 years of health care delivery experience, with extensive expertise in consumer advocacy, public-private partnerships, policy, payment reform, clinical expertise, and compliance oversight. Recently, Dr. Titus Howard was Vice President, Federal Health Management and Solutions at Telligen, Inc., where she oversaw federal health contracts for the organization.  She is a well-respected leader in the areas of performance measurement and quality improvement, learning and action networks, and healthcare innovation drawing from her prior experience with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) where she co-founded the Learning and Diffusion Group for CMS Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation Center (CMMI) and led the reorganization of the Quality Innovation Network Quality Improvement Organization (QIN-QIO) program for CMS Center for Clinical Standards and Quality Improvement Group.

“After a comprehensive search process and thorough succession plan, the Board of Directors is pleased to have chosen the best individual to assume leadership of The Coordinating Center,” said Tom H. Hall, chairman of The Coordinating Center’s Board of Directors. “Teresa has a proven track record of advancing the health care delivery experience, with strong leadership in advancing public-private partnership. This combined with her dedication to community, quality and outcomes management make Teresa uniquely qualified to lead The Coordinating Center successfully into the future.”

Photo courtesy of Jason Putsche Photography.

The Coordinating Center Appoints New Board Members

The Coordinating Center is pleased to announce the appointments of Dr. Andrey Ostrovsky, Carole Lowe-Nedab, and Naftali Rabinowitz to its Board of Directors.

Dr. Andrey Ostrovsky is a practicing physician at Children’s National Health System, a health policy leader, and social entrepreneur. Dr. Ostrovsky has held prominent positions including Chief Medical Officer of CMS and CHIP Services, and has led teams at the World Health Organization, United States Senate, and San Francisco Health Department toward strengthening health systems through technology. Dr. Ostrovsky has contributed to legislation at the local and national level to advance care delivery for vulnerable populations. Dr. Ostrovsky is a published researcher in public health informatics, quality improvement, healthcare innovation, social entrepreneurship, and care coordination.

Carole Lowe-Nedab is a Budget Manager in the Office of Management and Budget for Prince George’s County. She serves as the lead for the County’s Enterprise Resource Planning Program implementation. As a parent of two children, one of whom had special healthcare needs, Ms. Lowe-Nedab understands the importance of care coordination services for children and their families.  In memory of her daughter, Kendal Sophia Nedab, she established the KSN Foundation.  Because of her compassion for others, the foundation will provide support to those seeking to develop the character of youth beyond academics.

Naftali Rabinowitz, our consumer representative, is a passionate advocate for children with special healthcare needs. Mr. Rabinowitz currently studies Jewish Rabbinic Law at Ner Israel Rabbinical College in Baltimore and during his free time volunteers for Kids of Courage, a nonprofit organization that helps children with chronic disabilities to have the opportunity to travel. As a young adult born with Spina Bifida, Naftali is passionate in helping  children achieve their goals.

The Coordinating Center’s board members serve a three-year term.