Tennessee Division of Developmental Disabilities is Four-Star Agency

 Frontier Health’s Tennessee Division of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities services received a Four-Star Agency designation for 2010-11 by the Tennessee Division of Intellectual Disabilities Services for the agency’s exceptional performance regarding quality management of services and client support, achieving its highest rating of compliance.

   Only four agencies similar to  Frontier Health received the Four-Star designation.
The award recognizes Frontier Health’s role in helping people with developmental disabilities achieve healthy, secure, and meaningful lives. “The staff at Frontier Health should feel a much deserved sense of accomplishment,” said Deputy Commission James R. Finch, Ed.D.
   Senior Vice President of Tennessee Developmental Disabilities and Vocational Rehabilitation Services Sharon Good said, “Our team has worked hard to provide the best quality service. We are proud to be known as a Four Star Agency and we want our families and those we serve to know we truly care that much.”
   E. Douglas Varney, President and CEO of Frontier Health said the recognition reflects the quality Frontier Health’s clients receive in the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Division at Frontier Health, “The commitment of our staff ensures adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities receive the supports they need to achieve their full potential and greatest level of independence.”
   The Tennessee Division of Intellectual Disabilities Services established a comprehensive quality management system to measure the quality of services and supports provided by community-based providers.

   The system now has four complete years of survey results for day, residential, clinical, and support coordination agencies. Throughout this process, Frontier Health ranked as a Four Star agency achieving a 100 percent ranking this year.
   More than 250 community-based providers statewide were reviewed through outcome-based quality assurance survey tools, including health, opportunities for work, quality homes, qualified staff and safety.

Employee Receives Statewide Recognition

   Christy Collins-McFadden, A.C.S.W., B.C.D., L.C.S.W., was presented the Joshua S. Collins Award of Excellence at the May Virginia NAMI convention in Weyers Cave, Va., for her work with mental health recovery, advocacy and NAMI support groups, including establishing a local affiliate alongside her mother in the Norton area where they live.
   The Joshua S. Collins Award recognizes excellence in the mental health community, celebrates exceptional work, commitment, advocacy and creativity of those who make notable contributions to people who suffer with a brain disorder.
   Collins-McFadden is a therapist at Wise County Behavioral Health Services. She is a frequent presenter at community workshops, where she often shares her recovery and personal battles with mental illness. In December, she presented, “Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Wellness,” at the Virginia Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association Conference.
She has master’s degrees in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University, Special Education from East Tennessee State University, and Counseling from Lindsey Wilson College. Along with her plaque, the award included a $500 check payable to a non-profit organization that helps people with mental illness and their family members.