DDD - Central Office Staff

Administration

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Tonya Piephoff Director Serves as the Director of the Division of Developmental Disabilities.
Meg Cooch (Headquarters in Chicago) Chief of Staff Serves as the Chief of Staff for the Division of Developmental Disabilities. Oversees the Bureau of Reimbursement, the Program Development/Appeals Unit, Fraud Unit, Grant Program Management Unit, and Human Resources.
Alicia Robinson(Headquarters in Chicago) Deputy Director of Community Services Programs Serves as the Deputy Director of Community Services Programs. Oversees Community Services, Quality Management and Enhancement, and the Waiver Management Unit.
Jennifer Gentile (Headquarters in Chicago) Deputy Director of Clinical Services Serves as the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Clinical Services. Oversees Community Nursing, Medical and Psychology services, and Support Service Teams/Short-Term Stabilization Homes.
Kimberly Jones-Oparah  (Headquarters at Ludeman) Interim Deputy Director of State Operated Developmental Centers Serves as the Deputy Director of the State Operated Developmental Centers.
Joy Decker (Headquarters in Chicago) Deputy Director of Policy, Strategic Planning, and Licensure.  Serves as the Deputy Director of Policy, Strategic Planning, and Licensure, including implementation of the Ligas Consent Decree. Oversees the Strategic Planning and Supportive Employment Units, and the Bureau of Accreditation, Licensure, and Certification.
Kelsey Bryant Human Resources Liaison Serves as the Human Resources Liaison between DDD Central Office and Central DHS HR.
Megan Brennan Administrative Assistant Serves at the main contact for the Director and provides general administrative support, including arranging meetings.
Frances Ward Administrative Assistant Serves as the main contact for the Chief of Staff and provides general administrative support, including arranging meetings.

Fraud Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Terri Smith Fraud Unit Manager Organizes, plans, and executes the statewide responsibility of fraud investigations for the Division.

Bureau of Grant Programs Management

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Derek Hedges Grant Programs Administrator Serves as the Administrator of the Bureau of Grant Programs Management.

Grant Management Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Erica O'Neal Public Service Administrator Serves as the Grant Management Unit supervisor.
Nathan Painter Grant Strategy Analyst Performs grant programmatic operations and contractual obligations. Develops risk profiles for use in the mitigation of potential fraud, waste, and abuse.
Amanda Woodworth Grant Fiscal Analyst Performs grant program management operations and reviews grant budget submissions for accuracy and completeness.

Bureau of Reimbursement and Program Support (BRPS)

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Janice Marvel Administrator of Reimbursement and Program Support Serves as the Administrator of the Bureau BRPS.
Regena Wilson Executive II Monitors the analytical operations of the Bureau and provides project assistance to all units.
VACANT Accountant Advanced Performs professional accounting and auditing work for the Division.
Emily Hughes Administrative Assistant Provides administrative support for BRPS.

Program Support Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Nikki Carnes-Peter Public Service Administrator Serves as the Program Support Unit Supervisor. Handles contracts, grants, fiscal management, staff training, reimbursements, and Court of Claims processing. 
Justin Hatfield Management Operations Analyst II Responsible for contracts, grants, fiscal management, staff training, reimbursements, Court of Claims processing, and processing grant payments.
Celia Weatherford Management Operations Analyst II Responsible for contracts, grants, fiscal management, staff training, reimbursements, Court of Claims processing, and processing grant payments.

Data Support Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
VACANT Public Service Administrator Serves as the Information Systems, Technology, and Data Support Unit Supervisor.
Carolyn Wells Management Operations Analyst II Responsible for Information Systems and Technology.

Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) Rates Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Mike Vespa Public Service Administrator Serves as the CILA Rates Unit Supervisor.
Diane Garbin Management Operations Analyst II Specializes in CILA Rates.
Andrea Standley Management Operations Analyst II Specializes in CILA Rates.
Maria Prewitt Management Operations Analyst II Specializes in CILA Rates.

Purchase of Service (POS), Home Based Services (HBS), and Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF/DD) Rates Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
VACANT Public Service Administrator Serves as the POS/HBS/ICFDD Rates Unit Supervisor.
VACANT Management Operations Analyst II Specializes in POS/HBS Rates.
Erica Rivera Management Operations Analyst II Specializes in ICFDD Rates.

Program Development Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Ashley Kjos Public Service Administrator Serves as the Program Development/Appeals Unit Supervisor.
David Donner Social Service Program Planner III Responsible for appeal cases and Ligas Consent Decree compliance.
Dara German Social Service Program Planner III Responsible for appeal cases and Ligas Consent Decree compliance.
Yetunde Uwajeh-Adeoye Social Service Program Planner III Maintains Access database reports for service issues. Responsible for appeal cases and Ligas Consent Decree compliance.
Rosanna Walker Social Service Program Planner III Maintains Access database reports for service issues. Responsible for appeal cases and Ligas Consent Decree compliance.
Trevelyn Florence-Thomas Social Service Program Planner III Responsible for appeal cases and Ligas Consent Decree compliance.

Bureau of Clinical Services

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Dr. Dennis Beedle (Headquarters in Chicago) Medical Director Serves as the Medical Director of Clinical Services for the Division. In conjunction with SODC Directors, provides clinical oversight to the medical directors at each DD Center.
Dr. Geunyeong Pyo Psychological Service Coordinator Serves as the statewide coordinator of clinical and psychological policy development for state-operated developmental centers.
Anne Fitz Statewide Nursing Coordinator Serves as the Clinical Services nursing coordinator. Provides training for RN-Trainers in community agencies. Maintains DHS-Approved RN Trainer database.
Savayna Everley Administrative Assistant Provides administrative support for the Bureau of Clinical Services.

Nursing

Name of Staff Title  Duty/Assignment
Michele Beavers (Headquarters in Park Forest) Health Facilities Surveillance Nurse Conducts Rule 116 Reviews at Community Agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.
Clark Cunningham Health Facilities Surveillance Nurse Conducts Rule 116 Reviews at Community Agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.
Belinda Hunt (Headquarters in Park Forest) Health Facilities Surveillance Nurse Conducts Rule 116 Reviews at Community Agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.
Danielle Pedigo Health Facilities Surveillance Nurse Conducts Rule 116 Reviews at Community Agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.
Jennifer Kissner Health Facilities Surveillance Nurse Conducts Rule 116 Reviews at Community Agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.
Ariel Pastor Health Facilities Surveillance Nurse Conducts Rule 116 Reviews at Community Agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.
Amanda Gallas Health Facilities Surveillance Nurse Conducts Rule 116 Reviews at Community Agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.
Paige Beaty Health Facilities Surveillance Nurse Conducts Rule 116 Reviews at Community Agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.
Angela Lupton Health Facilities Surveillance Nurse Conducts Rule 116 Reviews at Community Agencies that serve individuals with developmental disabilities.

Supportive Service Teams (SST)/Short-Term Stabilization Homes (SSH) Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Danielle Harsy (Headquarters at Shapiro) Social Service Program Planner IV Tracks and provides oversight of quality indicators for services provided to individuals by SST/SSH.
Judith Sokolowski (Headquarters at Shapiro) Social Service Program Planner III Tracks and provides oversight of quality indicators for services provided to individuals by SST/SSH.

Bureau of Ligas Consent Decree

Strategic Planning Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Andrea Medley Public Service Administrator Serves as the Strategic Planning Unit Supervisor.
Brad Cowan Management Operations Analyst II Involved in rule review, Ligas Consent Decree compliance, and statewide transition planning.
Melissa Willis Social Service Program Planner III Involved in rule review, Ligas Consent Decree compliance, statewide transition planning, and PUNS e-mail inquiries.

Supported Employment Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Casey Burke (Headquarters in Chicago) Supported Employment Administrator Serves as the Division's Administrator for supported employment.

Bureau of Accreditation, Licensure, & Certification (BALC)

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Rodney Harris (Headquarters in Chicago) Accreditation, Licensure, & Certification Administrator Serves as the BALC Administrator.
Valarie Knighten (Headquarters in Chicago) Administrative Assistant Provides administrative support for BALC.
VACANT Executive II Provides policy consultation and recommendations to the BALC Administrator for management of processes of the Bureau's community-based services initiatives.

Northern Survey & Training Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Angela Johnson (Headquarters in Chicago) Public Service Administrator Serves as the Northern Survey and Training Unit Manager.
Jovan Johnson (Headquarters in Chicago) Social Service Program Planner IV Conceptualizes, designs, plans, and coordinates on-site monitoring of social service programs for specified community agencies related to services provided to recipients with either mental illness or developmental disabilities.
VACANT Social Service Program Planner IV Conceptualizes, designs, plans, and coordinates on-site monitoring of social service programs for specified community agencies related to services provided to recipients with either mental illness or developmental disabilities.
Eugenia Reese (Headquarters in Chicago) Social Service Program Planner IV Conceptualizes, designs, plans, and coordinates on-site monitoring of social service programs for specified community agencies related to services provided to recipients with either mental illness or developmental disabilities.
Veronica Richardson (Headquarters in Chicago) Social Service Program Planner IV Conceptualizes, designs, plans, and coordinates on-site monitoring of social service programs for specified community agencies related to services provided to recipients with either mental illness or developmental disabilities.
Celeste Haynes (headquarters in Chicago) Social Service Program Planner III Performs technical tasks in designing, analyzing, and implementing the survey review process to verify community-based agencies are providing services in compliance with state and federal requirements.
Toya Johnson (Headquarters in Chicago) Social Service Program Planner III Performs technical tasks in designing, analyzing, and implementing the survey review process to verify community-based agencies are providing services in compliance with state and federal requirements.
Jacqueline Harris (Headquarters in Chicago) Social Service Program Planner III Performs technical tasks in designing, analyzing, and implementing the survey review process to verify community-based agencies are providing services in compliance with state and federal requirements.
Quentin Smith (Headquarters in Chicago) Social Service Program Planner III Performs technical tasks in designing, analyzing, and implementing the survey review process to verify community-based agencies are providing services in compliance with state and federal requirements.
VACANT Social Service Program Planner III Performs technical tasks in designing, analyzing, and implementing the survey review process to verify community-based agencies are providing services in compliance with state and federal requirements.

Southern Survey & Training Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Charlene Brown Public Service Administrator Serves as the Northern Survey and Training Unit Manager.
Jennifer Resch (Headquarters at Murray) Social Service Program Planner IV Conceptualizes, designs, plans, and coordinates on-site monitoring of social service programs for specified community agencies related to services provided to recipients with either mental illness or developmental disabilities.
Katie Farrance Social Service Program Planner IV Conceptualizes, designs, plans, and coordinates on-site monitoring of social service programs for specified community agencies related to services provided to recipients with either mental illness or developmental disabilities.
Matthew Bohan  Social Service Program Planner III Performs technical tasks in designing, analyzing, and implementing the survey review process to verify community-based agencies are providing services in compliance with state and federal requirements.
Courtney Evans Social Service Program Planner III Performs technical tasks in designing, analyzing, and implementing the survey review process to verify community-based agencies are providing services in compliance with state and federal requirements.
Lawrence Naas (Headquarters in Murphysboro) Social Service Program Planner III Performs technical tasks in designing, analyzing, and implementing the survey review process to verify community-based agencies are providing services in compliance with state and federal requirements.
Julie Gomez (Headquarters in Macomb) Social Service Program Planner III Performs technical tasks in designing, analyzing, and implementing the survey review process to verify community-based agencies are providing services in compliance with state and federal requirements.
Damieon Shaw (Headquarters in Bloomington) Social Service Program Planner III Performs technical tasks in designing, analyzing, and implementing the survey review process to verify community-based agencies are providing services in compliance with state and federal requirements.

Compliance Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Lynette Pangburn (Headquarters in Chicago) Public Service Administrator Serves as Compliance Unit Manager.
Debra Alexander Social Service Program Planner IV Specialist team member in designing and coordinating on-site monitoring of the most complex social service programs for specified community agencies.
Shane Malin Management Operations Analyst II Determines policy effectiveness, performance deviations, staffing needs or problems, system improvements or developments needed for BALC.
Jacqueline Powell (Headquarters in Chicago) Management Operations Analyst II Determines policy effectiveness, performance deviations, staffing needs or problems, system improvements or developments needed for BALC.
Mia Morris-Catalan (Headquarters in Chicago) Management Operations Analyst II Determines policy effectiveness, performance deviations, staffing needs or problems, system improvements or developments needed for BALC.
Luke Figge Management Operations Analyst II Determines policy effectiveness, performance deviations, staffing needs or problems, system improvements or developments needed for BALC.

Bureau of Community Services Programs

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Tarrah Zallar (Headquarters in Chicago) Administrator of Community/Regional Services Serves as the Administrator of the Community/Regional Services Units.
Josh Westrich Administrative Assistant Provides administrative support for the Bureau of Community Services Programs.
VACANT Administrative Assistant Provides Administrative support for the Community Services, Regional Services, and Transitional Services Units.

Technical Assistance Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
VACANT Social Service Program Planner IV Serves as the Operations Specialist for Technical Assistance. Monitors, assigns, and oversees the operations of technical assistance.
Bernice O'Brien (Headquarters at Ludeman) Social Service Program Planner IV Serves as the Operations Specialist for Technical Assistance. Monitors, assigns, and oversees the operations of waiver support and technical assistance for adults and children who are served through HCBS.

Regional Services

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Rebecca Cook Health Facilities Surveillance Nurse Responsible for nursing services reviews and exceptional care SNF/Ped reviews.
Jeanne Haege Public Service Administrator Serves as the Region Representatives Supervisor. Covers Northwest, North Central, Central and Southern Regions.
VACANT Public Service Administrator Serves as the Region Representatives Supervisor. Covers North Suburban, City of Chicago (Cook County), and South Suburb Regions.
Kevin Byrd Region Representative

Handles waiver services requests, individual/family inquires, provider inquiries, Independent Service Coordination agency inquiries. Covers Northwest Region. 

Counties: Boone, Carroll, Dekalb, Jo Daviess, Lee, McHenry, Ogle, Stephenson, Whiteside, Winnebago

Dorothy Schwartzkopf Region Representative

Handles waiver services requests, individual/family inquires, provider inquiries, Independent Service Coordination agency inquiries. Covers North Central Region. 

Counties: Bureau, Champaign, Ford, Iroquois, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, Mason, McLean, Putnam, Tazewell, Vermillion, Woodford

Tameka Tyson Region Representative

Handles waiver services requests, individual/family inquires, provider inquiries, Independent Service Coordination agency inquiries. Covers North Central Region. 

Counties: Fulton, Henderson, Henry, Knox, Mercer, McDonough, Peoria, Rock Island, Stark, Warren

Nichole Bolton Region Representative

Handles waiver services requests, individual/family inquires, provider inquiries, Independent Service Coordination agency inquiries. Covers Central Region. 

Counties: Adams, Brown, Calhoun, Cass, Christian, Clark, Coles, Cumberland, DeWitt, Douglas, Edgar, Effingham, Greene, Hancock, Jersey, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Moultrie, Piatt, Pike, Sangamon, Schuyler, Scott, Shelby

Roberta Driver Region Representative

Handles waiver services requests, individual/family inquires, provider inquiries, Independent Service Coordination agency inquiries. Covers Southern Region. 

Counties:  Madison and St. Clair

Derek York Region Representative

Handles waiver services requests, individual/family inquires, provider inquiries, Independent Service Coordination agency inquiries. Covers Southern Region. 

Counties:  Alexander, Bond, Clay, Clinton, Crawford, Edwards, Fayette, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jasper, Jefferson, Johnson, Lawrence, Marion, Massac, Monroe, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Randolph, Richland, Saline, Union, Wabash, Washington, Wayne, White, Williamson

Layuna Hayes-Cooper (Headquarters in Chicago) Region Representative

Handles waiver services requests, individual/family inquires, provider inquiries, Independent Service Coordination agency inquiries. Covers North Suburban Region. 

Counties:  Suburban Cook and Lake

LaShawnta' Milton (Headquarters in Chicago) Region Representative

Handles waiver services requests, individual/family inquires, provider inquiries, Independent Service Coordination agency inquiries. Covers North Suburban Region. 

Counties: DuPage, Kane, Kendal.

Tammie Benjamin-Asare (Headquarters in Elgin) Interim Northern Region Supervisor/Region Representative

Handles waiver services requests, individual/family inquires, provider inquiries, Independent Service Coordination agency inquiries. Covers City of Chicago Region. 

Counties:  Cook (South of Madison, i.e., South side of Chicago).

Audrey Harris Palmer (Headquarters in Chicago) Region Representative

Handles waiver services requests, individual/family inquires, provider inquiries, Independent Service Coordination agency inquiries. Covers City of Chicago Region. 

Counties: Cook (North of Madison, i.e., North side of Chicago).

Bernice Gray (Headquarters in Chicago) Region Representative

Handles waiver services requests, individual/family inquires, provider inquiries, Independent Service Coordination agency inquiries. Covers South Suburban Region. 

Counties:  Service providers A-L in Suburban Cook, Will, Kankakee, Grundy.

Cleola Atkins-Lee (Headquarters in Chicago) Region Representative

Handles waiver services requests, individual/family inquires, provider inquiries, Independent Service Coordination agency inquiries. Covers the South Suburban Region. 

Counties:  Service providers M-Z in Suburban Cook, Will, Kankakee, Grundy. 

Transitional Services Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Melissa Reynolds (Headquarters in Dixon) Public Service Administrator Serves as the Supervisor of the Transitional Services Unit.
Shu Mei Lien Social Service Program Planner III Serves as the Short-Term Stabilization Homes and DCFS Transition Coordinator.
VACANT SODC Representative- Murray, Shapiro, and Choate Facilitates community based transition opportunities. 
VACANT SODC Representative- Kiley, Mabley, and Fox Facilitates community based transition opportunities. 
Dannellerojea Pope SODC Representative- Shapiro Facilitates community-based transition opportunities.
Eddie Jones SODC Representative- Ludeman Facilitates community-based transition opportunities.
Doug Bone Community Services Representative Facilitates community-based transition opportunities.
VACANT Adult Protective Services Representative Facilitates community-based transition opportunities.

Bureau of Quality Management (BQM)

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Gary Holman Quality Management Administrator Serves as the Bureau Chief of BQM, including the CIRAS Unit, Quality Review Unit, and Quality Enhancement Unit.
Sandra Ross Assistant Quality Management Administrator Serves as the Assistant Quality Management Administrator of BQM.
VACANT Administrative Assistant Provides administrative support for BQM.

Critical Incident Reporting and Analysis System (CIRAS) Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Robert Mangold Management Operations Analyst II Specializes in CIRAS.
Jenny Spraggs Management Operations Analyst II Specializes in CIRAS.

Quality Review Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Blake Ivers Quality Review Specialist and OIG Liaison Conducts follow-up reviews related to OIG written responses and other duties associated with the Inspector General.
UNIT A
Jennifer Elders Public Service Administrator Serves as the Quality Review Unit Supervisor. Primary contact for the systematic quality issues related to agencies in central or the southern part of the state.
Thomas Taylor Quality Review Specialist Lead Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
Charlon Thomas Quality Review Specialist Lead Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
Angela Murphy Quality Review Specialist Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
Molly Hardwick Quality Review Specialist Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
Joy Hodgson Quality Review Specialist Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
Roxanne Casey Quality Review Specialist Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
Amy Curtis Quality Review Specialist Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
VACANT Quality Review Specialist Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
VACANT Quality Review Specialist Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
UNIT B
Sandy Nickel Public Service Administrator Serves as the Quality Review Unit Supervisor. Primary contact for systematic quality issues related to agencies in the metro Chicago area or northern part of the state.
Matt Hoffman Quality Review Specialist Lead Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
Kim Thomas Quality Review Specialist Lead Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
Amy Mizeur Quality Review Specialist Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
Stacy McIntyre Quality Review Specialist Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
Kate Ashmore-Watson Quality Review Specialist Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
Alissa Herron-Dozier Quality Review Specialist Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
Chris Bourn Quality Review Specialist Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.
Marcelle Taylor Quality Review Specialist Conducts quality review for agencies that provide services to those who have developmental disabilities.

 Quality Enhancement Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Kristin Semanik Public Service Administrator Serves as the Quality Enhancement Unit Supervisor.
Gary Tucker Quality Enhancement Training Coordinator Provides training for QIDPs and maintains a database for those that meet qualifications. Primary contact for all QIDP questions. Personal Outcome Measures Trainer.
Anne Godman Executive I Provides webinars/resources for training needs for DDD and those we serve. Primary contact for DSP Training.

Medicaid Administration Unit

Name of Staff Title Duty/Assignment
Linda McCluskey Public Service Administrator Serves as the Medicaid Administration Unit Supervisor.
Heather Lovgren Social Service Program Planner III Responsible for policy research and development.
Jay Bohn Management Operations Analyst II Specializes in Medicaid eligibility issues and rejected claims.
Janene VanBebber Management Operations Analyst II Responsible for transfers between waiver programs and rejected claims.
Sherry Hinds Management Operations Analyst II Responsible for Capacity Database/17D Aging Out.
Pat Moreno Management Operations Analyst II Responsible for Performance Measures for Quality Management Committee.
Brent Miller Management Operations Analyst II Specializes in provider enrollment/IMPACT.
Kathy Kindred Management Operations Analyst II Specializes in provider enrollment/IMPACT.