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Service: Strategic planning

Deb Crowley

Deb originally earned a degree in Elementary Education and has continued her education over the years earning additional certificates.  She has 38+ years of experience in the medical industry managing both psychiatric and medical surgical hospitals, physicians’ private practice, and substance use disorder facilities.

She spent many years working for hospital corporations that purchased failing facilities and through reorganization and training of staff, turned these locations into well managed facilities that could fully sustain their operations in both the profit and not for profit sectors. 

Deb began working with Substance Use Disorder facilities 20+ years ago as an accreditation specialist to obtain and maintain accreditation for the facilities within her charge.  She has both reorganized facilities and assisted in licensing and opening new facilities in several states.

She assisted in establishing the Tennessee Providers Group “TPOD” serving as their president for the first 2 years.  In November 2013 the “TPOD” was accepted as a member of the America Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependance “AATOD” and Deb served for 3 years as the Tennessee Board Delegate.

Deb is a Certified CARF Surveyor and has traveled throughout the United States for 15+ years completing accreditation surveys for organizations seeking accreditation to ensure a high standard of care for all patients enrolled in Medication Assisted Treatment and Behavioral Health Facilities.  All of the facilities have received 3-year accreditations.

She has been committed to the underserved populations suffering from substance use disorder and alcoholism.  She believes in Medicated Assisted Treatment and planting seeds of recovery and hope with all patients served.  Second chances are a cornerstone of her recovery beliefs and has seen many patients’ recover and thrive over the years.

In addition, she owns her own company DJE Enterprises, LLC assisting facilities with their accreditation needs and has worked with the National Advocates for Pregnant Women “NAPW” now called Pregnancy Justice to ensure fair treatment for pregnant women seeking treatment for substance abuse.

Deb is deeply spiritual, comes from a service/military family and is married to her husband Ed, a retired police officer and firefighter.  Deb is blessed with a loving husband, 2 sons, 2 stepsons, 1 stepdaughter, 13 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.  She is also a pet lover with 2 German Shorthair Pointers and 5 cats who have adopted her over the years.

Life is good!

Marie Dennis Cooter

Marie is a well-respected professional who combines knowledge, skills, and abilities to provide superior service to her clients.  She holds an MSW from Adelphi University and MS from Chapman University and is a Certified Risk Manager with 35+ years’ experience as a clinician and administrator.

From 2005 to the present, she completed over 250 CARF surveys across the US and Canada as a Survey Team Leader. Her reviews improved effectiveness of service delivery and promoted efficient business practices for clients ranging from large organizations to community-based facilities.

For the past ten years, she provided results-oriented consultancy to organizations seeking CARF accreditation. Her collaborative hands-on approach focuses on areas of improvement, enhancing existing strengths, and ensuring positive changes at all organizational levels.

Carol Sherer

Carol has 32 years of experience doing CARF surveys. Her work experience includes working with persons with developmental disabilities, persons who experienced Traumatic brain injury, and severe orthopedic injuries. Carol also has knowledge and experience with special populations to include Autism and Dementia. Carol had worked within the foster care system, designed behavioral health program for those with co-occurring diagnosis, early intervention, employment services, and aging service.

In addition, to the areas Carol has a vast knowledge of emergency response for general and catastrophic emergencies. She is FEMA trained and has done FEMA training for first responders in the area of Special Need Populations. Carol has background and expertise in Home and Community based programs for those with disabilities and those who are aged. Carol also has experience in the area of case management. In total Carol has worked more than fifty years in the industry. Her Masters Degree is in the areas of Therapeutic Recreation and Community (non-profit) development.

Warren Helfrich, Ph.D, RCC

Dr. Warren Helfrich is a human services researcher, consultant and trainer focused on the areas of performance measurement and evaluation, strategic planning, governance, and human services accreditation. Warren has more than fifteen years of consulting experience in the health and human services sector working with both public and private organizations across Canada, the US, the Middle East and Central America. He has helped dozens of organizations to successfully complete their CARF accreditation and to develop internal systems/process that support accreditation. He has been directly involved in diverse initiatives aimed at improving service delivery, including Community Living BC’s ‘Quality of Life’ Initiative and the Ministry of Children and Family Development’s province-wide review of residential services for children and youth in BC. Based out of Penticton BC, Warren has been a surveyor and trainer for the accrediting body CARF for more than a decade. He is also a Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) and a Certified Daring Way Facilitator. He holds a Masters of Social Work from the University of Toronto and a PhD from the University of Calgary. His dissertation research focused on the impact of leadership on client outcomes within human service organizations.

 

John Collins, II, MPH

John T. Collins, II, MPH, has been a consultant since 1984, providing management and quality assurance consulting services to health and human services providers. John’s consultant practice focuses on assisting organizations prepare for CARF Accreditation. To date, every organization that has used John’s services for CARF accreditation preparation has received the coveted three-year accreditation outcome.

As part of his consulting practice, he has provided interim executive services to organization’s serving homeless veterans and people with disabilities. As an active CARF Surveyor for almost 25 years, he has conducted more than 140 CARF Surveys. Mr. Collins has held positions in both the private and non-profit sectors.

John was employed as Senior Vice President of Workforce Development and Rehabilitation Services for Goodwill Industries of Santa Cruz, Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties from 1987 to 2015. The programs he led served more than 17,000 people a year. He was also responsible for the company’s strategic planning efforts and Community Relations efforts. Prior to his career at Goodwill, Mr. Collins was a Program Director for Dominican Hospital and helped start the Employee Assistance Program and a 28-day Alcohol and Drug Treatment Program. While serving in the US Army, Mr. Collins was in charge of the Army Navy Transplant Service at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.

As Senior Vice President, Mr. Collins was very active in the support and implementation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, The Workforce Investment Act and many educational strategies. He was part of a national team selected by Goodwill Industries International to provide business and program assistance to the United Arab Emirates. He provided technical assistance to the UAE Ministry of Rehabilitation on CARF Accreditation and quality standards.

Mr. Collins is very active in community and national affairs. He served on the Workforce Investment Boards of Santa Cruz and San Luis Obispo Counties as well as having served on The Monterey County Tourist and Travel Alliance, the Board of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce and Monterey County Hospitality Boards of Directors. He was elected and completed ten years as a Trustee and past president of the board of Santa Cruz City Schools.