Elizabeth Sandblom
Scituate,MA
Summary
Experienced leader skilled in managing diverse teams and overseeing operations. Strong communicator and problem solver with a proven track record of implementing new policies to enhance the experiences of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Assistant Commissioner
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
06.2020 - Current
- Provides strong leadership and communication in the Operations Unit within Central Office.
- Provides support regarding key initiatives and services to Area and Regional Staff.
- Provides written guidance, manuals, policy updates, and communication to DDS Leadership and Stakeholders.
- Responsible for oversight of Statewide Directors of Community, Life, Engagement, Family Support/DESE Program, Director of Self-Direction Models, and Client Assessment Systems.
- Has a dotted line supervisory relationship with Regional Leadership staff for Self-Direction, Family Support, and DESE Program.
- Works collaboratively with EHS sister agencies, including MassHealth, MRC, DESE, and DMH, as well as other states.
- Develops, reviews, and qualifies services through the RFR process.
- Works on topics including regulation development, waiver development, budget and finance, contracts and rate setting, quality assurance, and training and development.
- Provide annual employee reviews, address human resource issues, identify and provide trainings to staff, and run staff meetings.
Area Director
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
02.2016 - 06.2020
- Manage office of 83 employees
- Work with fifty vendor agencies on collaborating services for adults and children with intellectual disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Budget and contract for $150+ million dollars in state contracts annually, this includes new development, self-direction and agency with choice
- Ensure that funding is allocated and utilized within DDS and Chapter 257 laws
- Address changing needs of individuals through contracts, identifying additional support needs, locating more appropriate placements and collaborating with provider agencies through regular meetings
- Work with sister state agencies including DMH, MRC, various public schools, state hospitals and local emergency personnel
- Provide annual employee reviews, address human resource issues, identify and provide trainings to staff and run bi-weekly staff meetings
- Participated on statewide ALTR work group
- Join together with Office of Quality Enhancement and follow up with provider agencies on recommendations
- Review and develop DPPC complaints and action plans
- Maintain a Compliance Resolution Team
- Determine priorities for service for those in need and requesting changes
- Coordinate monthly Citizen Advisory Board meeting which includes community members, family members and self-advocates
Deputy Area Director
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
07.2014 - 02.2016
- Worked collaboratively as part of GBAO management team
- Responsible for family support contracts and allocations across seven family support agencies including our linguistically diverse agencies
- Worked with day and residential provider agencies in programming, crisis management and contracting, and new development of T22 homes utilizing ALTR and Chapter 257 funding guidelines
- Participated in internal coordination meetings, prioritization meetings, risk meetings, clinical meetings and other as needed
- Developed system for Plans of Care
- Identified new staff needs and hired fiscal and waiver liaison, developed job description and training to new staff
- Worked with 'sister' state agencies to collaborate on services to young women parenting children
- Collaborated with Regional contracts office to ensure accurate rosters, crosswalks, utilization and funding amounts
- Hired and trained Assistant Area Director
- Participated in monthly Citizen Advisory Board Meetings
- Participated on city wide Boston Community Justice Project
Assistant Area Director
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
01.2013 - 07.2014
- Managed team of four Supervisors, one Service Coordinator and two Program Coordinators
- Coordinated waiver applications, developed Plan of Care documents, reviewed and approved ISP documents, rotated off hour on-call responsibilities
- Worked collaboratively with the Area Director, Deputy Area Director and GBAO management in dealing with crisis management, office wide systems and new program development
- Responsible for the hiring process of all new HSC and HSCS positions
- Worked with employment and day provider agencies in programming, crisis management and contracting
- Participated in internal coordination meetings, MassCap and prioritization meetings, risk meetings, clinical meetings and other meetings as needed
- Worked with 'sister' state agencies to collaborate on services to young women parenting children
- Managed and trained new staff on waiver information and data bases
- Worked collaboratively with the Greater Boston Employment Collaborative and sit on the HCSIS ISP statewide committee
Service Coordinator Supervisor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
09.2003 - 01.2013
- Managed team of eight Service Coordinators
- Reviewed and approved annual service plans
- Worked directly with vendor agencies to coordinate an array of services for individuals with Developmental Disabilities including Deaf Services
- Interviewed, hired, and trained new staff
- Managed various data bases
- Coordinated and implemented MassCap guidelines, worked on statewide committee to revise MassCap guidelines
- Participated in rollout of the EMR system
Service Coordinator
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
08.1994 - 09.2003
- Coordinated services for individuals on my caseload
- Specialized in working with Deaf individuals and support staff
- Developed Individual Service Plans
- Completed program visits and oversight
Education
BA - Psychology
Northeastern University
05.1992
Skills
- Effective Team Management
- Skilled in Collaborative Work
- Skilled Verbal Communicator
- In-Depth Understanding of State Funded Programs
- Proficient in American Sign Language
- Ambassador for Lifecourse Initiatives
Accomplishments
- 2020, Completed Ambassador series for Massachusetts Community of Practice (UMKC)
- 2013-2016, Nurses Care for Haitian Children: Fundraising Committee 2103-2015, President 2016
- 2013, EOHHS Mentoring Program (Mentor)
- 2011, South East Mentor Program (Mentor)
- 2009, EOHHS Supervisor Certificate Program
- 2004, South East Mentor Program (Mentor)
Timeline
Deputy Assistant Commissioner
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
06.2020 - Current
Area Director
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
02.2016 - 06.2020
Deputy Area Director
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
07.2014 - 02.2016
Assistant Area Director
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
01.2013 - 07.2014
Service Coordinator Supervisor
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
09.2003 - 01.2013
Service Coordinator
Commonwealth of Massachusetts
08.1994 - 09.2003
BA - Psychology
Northeastern University
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