Senior Support Coordinators join with Private Utah Medicaid Waiver Provider

PR Log (Press Release) – Sep 19, 2009 – Lara Woods joins Superior Support Services, LLC (SSS) after working as a Utah Department of Human Services/Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DHS/DSPD) Support Coordinator since 2004. Prior to starting with DSPD, Lara worked with the State of Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services as a Protective Payee. She received her BS degree in Social Work, from BYU.  Lara has been recognized for developing a training program for police officers on how to interview and interact with people with disabilities, helping train cadets at the P.O.S.T. as well as training officers through various police departments.  Lara has knowledge and use of the Court System, Social Security, and Mental Health. Lara is dedicated about helping individuals with disabilities and their families through monthly visits, monitoring the behavioral supports and human rights restrictions as well as monitoring provider contact services.

Lissa Johnson, is also starting October 1, 2009 as a Senior Support Coordinator. Lissa started with DSPD in 2000 with a unit specializing in Family Supports.  She became the DHS/DSPD Central Region’s Outplacement Specialist and worked with individuals needing a Protective Payee. Before joining DSPD she was a lead worker and DCFS Supervisor.   Lissa graduated from Westminster College with a BS is Psychology.  She loves working with people with special needs helping them reach their goals and potential.

Superior Support Services, LLC started offering service in June 2009. Owner and mentor Pam Smith is passionate about providing exceptional support coordination services for individuals and families receiving Medicaid Waiver Services. They also offer a stable and flexible working environment for Support Coordinators-External, and foster an atmosphere of open communication, mentoring, and support.

As Utah State DHS/DSPD moves to privatize services allowing for more individual choice in Support Coordination Services, SSS will be there to be a strong advocate for the people they serve.

Private support coordination in Utah will allow for more stability by allowing individuals and families to choose and keep their Support Coordinator or change Support Coordinators if they wish.

There is no cost to the individual and family or decrease in services by choosing a private support coordinator, who are contracted to coordinate the delivery of supports to persons receiving services, monitor the health and safety of those persons and report to Utah DHS/DSPD.

If you have question visit the Utah DSPD website at www.dspd.utah.gov or Superior Support Services, LLC website www.utssw.com.