Case Manager of the Month: February

Feb 06, 2020

Billie Woods was nominated for this award by the parent of an individual that Billie serves. In her nomination, the parent wrote, "Billie has worked with my daughter for years and has been such a help to us. When we started working with Billie, my daughter was very young - one of the youngest in the waiver program in this area at that time so we were really dealing with a lot of unknowns... The consistency we've had with Billie has made a big difference; I can rest assured that Billie knows my daughter's history, her services and providers and needs, and my daughter herself.

"Anytime we've had questions, requests, or problems, Billie has always been very accessible and works quickly to find answers. She has also been very proactive in suggesting changes or opportunities that would be beneficial for my daughter or events that might be of interest. As the parent of two teens with special needs, my plate is overly full with trying to keep up with the day to day care of my children, so it's very reassuring to be able to trust Billie to watch my back when it comes to the waiver program.

"Billie connected so well with my daughter and me from the beginning. I've always appreciated how she talks directly to my daughter and wants to hear from my daughter about her needs, wants, and how things are going. My daughter has recently started attending our quarterly meetings, at her own request, and I feel certain it's because Billie and the rest of her team have let her know through their actions that she matters and they want to hear from her. She will even contact Billie directly if she needs to talk to her!

"Besides being a great case manager for us, Billie has consistently been actively involved in the special needs community in our area. She has been a regular volunteer at our local Buddy Walk® for many years, and has organized a group of volunteers from IPMG to offer extra help prior to the walk. She has also helped with numerous other events and activities, letting our family and so many others see firsthand that the people with special needs in our community truly matter to her.

"With all the changes that happen in the waiver program, it's great to have someone like Billie who can help us navigate the changes and guide us in the right direction. I hope that we will continue to have Billie on our team for many years to come!"

Billie writes, "What a thrill it was to learn I had been nominated for Case Manager of the Month. I realize how busy everyone’s lives can be and for someone to take the time to do that means a great deal to me.

"I have been a case manager with IPMG since 2013, after working in the field for nearly 20 years in residential waiver services. I was convinced to become a case manager by two employees of IPMG who thought it would be a good fit for me. Boy, were they right…I really love it. I probably should have listened a lot sooner, but I was hesitant to leave folks behind that I had cared about for so long. Fortunately, however, I was able to continue working with a lot of the individuals I had supported for years, so it was a win-win for me! I now have the good fortune of spending time with waiver participants in Monroe, Lawrence, Owen and Greene Counties.

"A lifelong resident of Monroe County myself, I share a home with my boyfriend and our kitty. When I am not case managing, I love spending time with family and friends. I am happy hanging out at home, but I also like to travel…I basically get a kick out of doing just about anything. I try my best not to take life too seriously, and generally just enjoy whatever comes along."

Nominate your IPMG Case Manager here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G5CGD96