DEBORAH A. WESTVOLD, M.S.W., L.I.S.W.

e-mail: [email protected]

 

EDUCATION

Master of Social Work                        University of Iowa-May, 1979

Bachelor of Science               University of Iowa-May, 1973

                                                Major:  Psychology

 

WORK EXPERIENCE:

Targeted Case Management Manager, University of Iowa/CDD.  (July 1, 2011 - Present)

In this position, I manage the Targeted Case Management Contract with the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS).  In this capacity I am responsible for developing delivering, and coordinating training and quality assurance services to DHS-TCM staff.  Responsibilities include:  preparing and managing a $550,000 budget; assuring delivery of contracted deliverables; supervise professional Quality Assurance and Training staff; and coordinate all efforts with the DHS Targeted Case Management Program.  Other responsibilities include approving all contract-related expenditures; completing monthly and weekly reports; developing and delivering training; reviewing materials produced by staff for accuracy and completeness; reviewing targeted case management consumer records to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations; developing assessment tools and conducting research on validity and reliability; developing evidence-based curricula as directed by TCM; and other duties essential to making sure all federal and state policies and procedures are followed and completed in a timely manner. 

 

 

Targeted Case Management Supervisor, Iowa State University.  (November, 2010 - June 30, 2011)

In this position, I manage the Targeted Case Management Contract with the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS).  In this capacity I am responsible for developing delivering, and coordinating training and quality assurance services to DHS-TCM staff.  Responsibilities include:  preparing and managing a $318,000 budget; assuring delivery of contracted deliverables; supervise professional Quality Assurance and Training staff; and coordinate all efforts with the DHS Targeted Case Management Program.  Other responsibilities include approving all contract-related expenditures; completing monthly and weekly reports; developing and delivering training; reviewing materials produced by staff for accuracy and completeness; reviewing targeted case management consumer records to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations; developing assessment tools and conducting research on validity and reliability; developing evidence-based curricula as directed by TCM; and other duties essential to making sure all federal and state policies and procedures are followed and completed in a timely manner. 

 

Consultant, Westvold Consulting, LLC. (October, 2007 - October, 2010).  

Self-employed consultant specializing in planning, training, system advocacy, and project management activities in the human services area.  Recent projects include: Special projects for the DHS Targeted Case Management program to assist in implementing changes due to changes in federal and state regulations.  Activities include developing a comprehensive risk assessment for consumers;  revising the TCM Administrative Handbook and training material.  In addition, I have had a contracts with Iowans for Social and Economic Development (ISED) Ventures to  establish and staff a statewide coalition to expand the number of low income individuals filing for the federal and state Earned Income Tax Credits and utilizing the free Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites; and with the Governor's Developmental Disability Council to increase awareness of the EITC among persons with disabilities and to identify asset building strategies specific to persons with disabilities. I also developed and implementing a strategic planning process for the Iowa Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW); and coordinating the Fatherhood Matters Too conference for the Polk County Fathers and Families  Coalition and the Child Support Recovery Unit of the Iowa Department of Human services.

                       

Director, County Case Management Services, Iowa State Association of Counties.  (March, 1992 to November, 2007)

Responsibilities:

•1.      Management of the County Case Management Services program (CCMS).  CCMS provides training, technical assistance, and advocacy services to counties that provide Medicaid case management services to persons with chronic mental illness, mental retardation, or a developmental disability for the purpose of helping these counties provide quality, cost-effective case management programs. Services include assistance in the development of quality improvement plans, as well as supports to assist case managers develop and improve the knowledge and skills in working with consumers.  CCMS is an independent, intergovernmental organization established under Chapter 28E of the Iowa Code and has a policy making Board of Directors comprised of county supervisors from eleven of the 66 counties that participate in the program. 

•·         The job responsibilities include directly supervising four professional staff and providing technical assistance and training to over 300 county case management staff in the 66 participating counties.

•·         Managing a budget of $550,000. 

•·         Directly providing the following advocacy services to members: working with the Department of Human Services and others on the development and interpretation of Administrative Rules, assistance with legal questions, such as guardianship issues, HIPAA compliance, confidentiality, and financial accountability. Working with the CCMS members to monitor and interpret legislation and participate in the development of legislative priorities and strategies.

•·         Designing and implementing a training and technical assistance program to assure consistency in the provision of case management services at the county level and to assure compliance with all state and federal rules and regulations.

•·         Directly provide technical assistance and training on the preparation of the Targeted Case Management cost report for Medicaid.

•·         Direct responsibility to the CCMS Board of Directors,

•·         Maintaining a good working relationship with the Department of Human Services and other state agencies to address issues pertaining to case management and the disability system. 

•2.      Management of the County Rate Information System.  The County Rate Information System (CRIS) program is another intergovernmental 28E organization that has developed and implemented a uniform cost report process for providers with county contracts.  The purpose of the programs is to provide consistent information to assist counties negotiate provider rates for county funded services.  Major job responsibilities:

•·         Staff support to the CRIS Board of Directors,

•·         Oversight of the contract with the accounting firm that performs the cost report analysis,

•·         Coordination with the counties that participate in this program.

•3.      Intergovernmental Relations.  Responsibilities included working with the county officials on steering committees to identify issues and develop legislative priorities and policy statements in the areas of human services, health and the environment.  Significant legislative accomplishments included serving as a primary resource to represent the county perspective to legislators, DHS, and county officials on the development and implementation of the landmark legislation that created the county Central Point of Coordination and the State County Management Committee.  Co-staff the State County Management Committee with the Administrator of the MH/DD Division and responsible for facilitating the development of legislative recommendations and oversight of the work groups developed to implement the legislation.

 

Coordinator, Polk County Decategorization Project (August, 1989 to March, 1992)

Responsibilities: To manage the implementation of the project to decategorize funding for children and family services in Polk County.  The goal of the project was to increase the availability of non-institutional community resources and reduce the need for placement in group care facilities.  This was one of two projects initially authorized to test the feasibility of utilizing a flexible funding approach to redesign the child welfare system.  The coordinator was responsible for establishing and maintaining linkages with agencies and individuals in the community who were stakeholders in the child welfare system.  A highlight of the project was the development of a "wrap-around" planning process to individualize treatment plans and approaches for at-risk children and families.

 

Planner/Evaluator, Polk County Health Services (January, 1985 to August, 1989) 

Responsibilities.  Lobbying the legislature on issues pertaining to persons with disabilities.  Planning, program evaluation, contracting, and monitoring of mental health, mental retardation, and substance abuse services.  Planning activities involved working with a broad spectrum of community activists in the development of on-going, strategic plans and budgets for county funding of MH/MR/SA services.  Program evaluation activities included assessing the management of agencies under contract with Polk County and assessing the ability of the agency to meet the established goals and objectives in a cost-effective manner.  Major project accomplishments included development of a plan that returned the majority of individuals from Polk County who were residing at the Woodward State Hospital School (a state ICF/MR) to small community facilities in Polk County.

 

Legislative Fiscal and Program Analyst, Legislative Fiscal Bureau, State of Iowa (August, 1979 through December, 1984)

Responsibilities: Staffing appropriations subcommittees, in the areas of Human Resources, Corrections, and Mental Health and drafting the Appropriations bills for those areas.  Analysis of the fiscal and program impact of proposed legislation in mental health, corrections, and other human service areas. Conducting program evaluations of state programs as requested by the legislature, including data collection, analysis, and authoring reports for presentation to the legislature.

 

Planning and Allocation Staff, United of Greater Des Moines (August, 1978 through August, 1979)

Responsibilities: Facilitated the allocation decisions of two panels of United Way volunteers.  Worked on a number of special projected including program evaluations, development of taxonomy of services, and facilitating community planning bodies.

 

Social Work Associate, Veterans Administration Hospital/Des Moines (May, 1975 through August, 1978)

Responsibilities: Medical social work activities including, assessment, advocacy and referral to needed services.  Worked with persons with psychiatric diagnoses, as well as persons with medical and nursing care needs.

 

Assistant Casework Supervisor, ADAPT, Inc., Des Moines (May, 1973 through May, 1975)

Responsibilities: Maintaining records and monitoring the status of all clients receive substance abuse treatment services.  Co-facilitated a therapy group of youthful substance abusers.

 

CIVIC AND PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT

•§  National Association of Social Workers Board of Directors-2006 to present.

•§  Dialogues on Behavioral Health Care Conference.  Executive Committee-1988 to Present.  Positions held: President, 1993, 1999, Secretary/Treasurer, FY 1994-1997; Treasurer, 2003-Present.

•§  National Association of County Behavioral Health Directors (NACBHD)-Member of the Board of Directors, 1995 to 2000.  Positions held: Program Chair, 1999.

•§  American Business Women's Association (1991 to 1997)

•§  Iowa Correctional Institution for Women Advisory Committee (1986 to 1991).  Positions held: Chair for two terms.

•§  Sex Offender Treatment Steering Committee.  Positions held: Chair.

•§  Board Member, Iowa Coalition Against Sexual Assault.  Positions held: Treasurer.

•§  Volunteer, Community Telephone Counseling.  (1978-1984). Positions held: Consultant 1982 to 1984; Volunteer counselor: 1978-1982.

 

PROJECT ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

•§  Developed a Comprehensive Assessment for persons on Targeted Case Management that was adopted by the Iowa Medicaid Enterprise to serve as the Assessment for all Targeted Case Management Programs in the state.

•§  Oversaw the development of a statewide coalition to educate targeted population groups about the Earned Income Tax Credit refund and Asset Building strategies.

•§  Served as the project coordinator to organize the Fathers Matter Too Conference in April, 2008. 

•§  In partnership with the Administrator of the MH/DD Division of the Iowa Department of Human Services, staffed the State County Management Committee.  Established and oversaw numerous workgroups of stakeholders in the disability community to make recommendations to the Committee. 

•§  Developed a training program for county officials to assist them in complying with HIPAA privacy and security issues. 

•§  Coordinated the development of the Electronic Transaction Consortium to implement HIPAA requirements for county funded services

•§  Developed and managed the County Rate Information System to develop a uniform rate setting methodology for county funded disability services.  Duties included development of the Request For Proposals for CPA services and managing the selection process.

•§  Served on the negotiating team representing county officials regarding legislation that created the County Central Point of Coordination position. 

•§  Partnered with the Iowa Department of Human Services to develop an orientation and on-going training curriculum for county management staff. 

•§  Developed and managed the County Case Management Services program for 15 years.

•§  Managed the Polk County Child Welfare Decategorization Project for the 3 years.  Wrote grants for additional funding through Annie E. Casey Foundation.  Spoke at Child Welfare League of America national conferences regarding the success of the project.

•§  Coordinated the Community Planning process to move individuals from the Woodward Resource Center for Persons with Mental Retardation to the community.

•§  Conducted a number of program evaluations of state agencies.

•§  Staffed the Iowa Legislature's Sentencing Guidelines Committee.

•§  Staffed a Committee appointed by the legislature comprised of legislators, and community members to conduct hearings and develop a plan for alternative uses of state prisons, juvenile facilities and state mental health hospitals.

•§  Worked with Legislators and State Agency Staff to rewrite the Iowa Code to create the Department of Corrections, thus eliminating the Division of Corrections within the Department of Human Services.  This involved analyzing the fiscal impact, and assuring that all Code references were addressed.

•§  Conducted a needs assessment for the Polk County Domestic Violence Shelter for inclusion in grant applications from various funding sources.

•·      Conducted a Human Services Needs Assessment of Polk County and developed a comprehensive service inventory and taxonomy of services.

 

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