Megan Bazzett, MS, CPRP, CFRP, Appointed Director, Community First Programs

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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 Megan Bazzett, MS, CPRP, CFRP from Harford County as its next Director, Community First Programs (CFP). As CFP Director, Ms. Bazzett will provide oversight of The Center’s supports planning services for more than 3,000 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. Bazzett served as Chief of Operations for a multi-jurisdiction community-based mental health provider offering comprehensive services to individuals across the lifespan. With 22 years of experience in behavioral healthcare and program management, Ms. Bazzett also has held leadership roles through two non-profit behavioral health organizations, serving as the Director, Community Outreach Programs and the Director, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Programs. Ms. Bazzett has a master’s degree in psychology from Walden University and holds the following certifications granted by the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association (PRA), formerly USPRA: Child and Family Resiliency Practitioner (CFRP,) and Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP).

“After a comprehensive search process, we found an accomplished professional, whose leadership philosophy and experience in behavioral health makes her the perfect fit for this position. Ms. Bazzett has a proven track record of success in program design and growth, as well as coworker cultivation and retention, critical skillsets, which will be leveraged to positively impact our Community First Programs team.” Sharyn King, SVP, Population Health, Care Management and Service Coordination.

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Founded in 1983 and headquartered in Millersville, Maryland, The Coordinating Center is a non-profit organization that provides care coordination for individuals with complex medical needs and disabilities and their families.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging:
At The Coordinating Center we aim to dismantle inequalities within our policies, systems, programs and services by embracing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEI&B) and leading with respect, acceptance and compassion. It’s what makes us exceptional in achieving our mission and drives us to deliver culturally competent and effective care coordination services. We believe we are stronger together.

Visit www.coordinatingcenter.org for more information.

Autism Awareness Month

Written by: Sheri Weissman

Article written by:
Sheri Weissman, LCSW, C-ASWCM
Director of Autism Services, The Coordinating Center

During Autism Awareness month, The Coordinating Center’s Autism Waiver Services team has been very busy helping families from the registry complete the application process while also assisting currently enrolled families with their varying needs.

The Maryland’s Home and Community Based Services Waiver for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (“Autism Waiver”), allows eligible children with Autism Spectrum Disorder to receive specific waiver services and certain Medicaid services to support them in their homes and communities. At present, there are approximately 5,300 individuals on the Waiver registry “waitlist,” with capacity to only serve up to a maximum of 1,200 individuals statewide.

The Coordinating Center (“The Center”) is contracted by local school systems to provide service coordination for more than 174 students on the Autism Waiver in Dorchester, Harford, Howard, and Worcester counties. The Center’s Autism Waiver Services team members frequently participate on committees and workgroups to help inform the Autism Waiver services, policies, and procedures. The team works collaboratively with other programs at The Center when they have clients with autism, and given the limited number of individuals served by the Waiver, the team also helps parents and caregivers who call in search of services and resources that they could access. Our Director of Autism Services, Sheri Weissman has participated in panel discussions for parents of newly enrolled Waiver participants.