As director of Quality and Compliance, Teresa ensure the safety and well-being of our residential consumers.
Compliance: It’s what we do, because the state requires it for the safety and well-being of the people we serve. Quality: It’s what we do, because it is central to who we are as an agency and a team.” Indeed, quality is at the heart of our mission, vision, and credo: “[to] achieve full societal participation for all people with disabilities,” and in so doing, cultivate “an unrivaled reputation for excellence, caring, and innovation.” To lead this critical effort is Teresa Snyder, Director of Quality & Compliance. With her are Jennie Ash, Quality Assurance Specialist; Margilene Dorcent, Coordinator, Quality & Compliance.
“My vision for Quality is to inspire a culture of quality improvement and excellence within the context of integrated healthcare management,” says Teresa Snyder, Director of Quality and Compliance, referring to the first element of her team’s function. As for Compliance, she seeks “to ensure that the agency adheres to all state regulations and agency standards.” This includes maintaining accreditation and provide consultation and support to all team members of the agency, as is needed.
In fact, Teresa has identified training as an important challenge in her new position. She cites the need to ensure that all Residential staff have the computer and critical-thinking skills they need to serve consumers effectively. In some cases, language barriers pose a challenge. “The key is to try and figure out how we all can help staff acquire the tools they need to be successful in their positions.” In addition, staff turnover is also a huge challenge in the social services field overall.
A Varied Background
Quality & Compliance oversees the well-being of residential consumers, with the help of house team members.
Teresa comes to Advancing Opportunities with 13 years of experience in Quality Assurance. At other organizations, she served as Auditor and Director. Her job responsibilities included developing and overseeing quality, compliance, and risk protocols, as well as auditing, analyzing incident reports, identifying interventions to reduce risk and liability, and maintaining accreditations.
Teresa has worked with people with disabilities for 17 years, with experience as a direct-care professional and residential manager. She is also a licensed health care administrator.
Teresa will play a critical role in the agency’s credo, “First and foremost, we believe in ensuring the health and safety of our consumers….” Says Teresa, “I am happy to be a part of an organization that believes in teamwork and takes great pride in providing services to people with developmental disabilities.”
