Vanessa Barrera
Beaumont,TX
Summary
Mission-driven health and human services leader with over 20 years of experience advancing person-centered programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Expertise includes quality management, regulatory compliance, policy review and development, and departmental budgeting. Proven track record in directing multi-site teams, enhancing audit readiness, and achieving measurable improvements in service quality and documentation accuracy. Bilingual capabilities complement strong public speaking skills, interdepartmental collaboration, and proficiency in root cause analysis.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Director of Quality Management
Spindletop Center
02.2024 - 04.2026
- Lead the Quality Management department to ensure programs meet deliverables and targeted measures across service lines.
- Serve as a Compliance Investigator and primary liaison for HHSC audits, coordinating corrective actions and monitoring implementation.
- Review and interpret policies; draft updates and guidance to align operations with current state standards and agency procedures.
- Manage the departmental budget: develop annual budget plans, monitor expenditures, align resources with priorities, and prepare funding justifications.
- Produce concise reports, dashboards, and presentations to executive leadership on audit findings, trends, and performance indicators.
- Facilitate cross-functional work with clinical, residential, and business services to strengthen documentation, client protection, and service quality.
Unit Director
Texas Health & Human Services
03.2021 - 12.2023
- Directed day-to-day operations and supervised ~75 staff, ensuring residents’ safety, dignity, and emotional well-being.
- Managed competing priorities across staffing, training, and incident response while maintaining regulatory compliance.
- Led conflict resolution, coaching, and performance management; prepared operational reports and communicated with internal/external stakeholders.
QIDP Educator
Texas Health & Human Services
08.2017 - 02.2021
- Trained qualified IDD professionals on new state office policies; monitored documentation accuracy to uphold person-centered services.
- Developed procedures and job aids that improved consistency in assessments, progress notes, and service plans.
Program Coordinator
Texas Health & Human Services
04.2013 - 08.2017
- Wrote Skill Acquisition Plans, coordinated campus activities, managed educational classrooms, and supervised Active Treatment Staff and Classroom Instructors.
- Developed curricula and schedules; coordinated resources and materials to support therapeutic and educational objectives.
Adjunct Instructor (Sociology 1301)
Texas A&M University–Kingsville
08.2010 - 12.2013
- Taught introductory sociology; strengthened communication skills and public speaking.
QIDP
Texas Health & Human Services
06.2012 - 04.2013
- Monitored and coordinated delivery of active treatment programs; documented monthly reviews and annual integrated service plans.
Texas Works Advisor III
Texas Health & Human Services
03.2010 - 05.2012
- Determined eligibility for Medicaid, TANF, and SNAP; ensure accurate case documentation and adherence to policy.
Education
Master of Arts - Sociology
Texas A&M University–Kingsville
Kingsville05-2011
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi12-2007
Skills
- Team leadership
- Regulatory requirements
- Qualitative analysis
- Quality control management
- Continuous improvement techniques
- Accreditation processes
- Team development
- Microsoft Office proficiency
Core Competencies
- Quality Management & Compliance; HHSC Audit Readiness; Policy Review & Development; Program Investigations
- Department Budget Planning & Expenditure Monitoring; Funding Request Preparation
- Program Operations & Active Treatment; Person-Centered Planning; Staff Development
- Multi-Site Team Leadership; Conflict Resolution; Stakeholder & Family Engagement
- Data Analysis & Reporting (SPSS, Excel); Documentation Accuracy; Continuous Improvement
Languages
Spanish
Professional Working
Timeline
Director of Quality Management
Spindletop Center
02.2024 - 04.2026
Unit Director
Texas Health & Human Services
03.2021 - 12.2023
QIDP Educator
Texas Health & Human Services
08.2017 - 02.2021
Program Coordinator
Texas Health & Human Services
04.2013 - 08.2017
QIDP
Texas Health & Human Services
06.2012 - 04.2013
Adjunct Instructor (Sociology 1301)
Texas A&M University–Kingsville
08.2010 - 12.2013
Texas Works Advisor III
Texas Health & Human Services
03.2010 - 05.2012
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology
Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi
Master of Arts - Sociology
Texas A&M University–Kingsville