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Our Staff

Executive Team

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Terre Lewis
ICHNJ Project Director, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DHS) has worked with individuals with disabilities for over twenty years, including helping individuals to transition out of long-term care and, more recently, in supporting individuals in the community through self-direction and person-centered planning. Her extensive experience championing choice and self-direction in both institutions and community settings is an incredible asset to the ICH/MFP project.
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Alisa Mead
ICHNJ Associate Project Director, Division of Aging Services, has worked with individuals with physical disabilities and complex medical needs in the home care and case management arena since 1986. Before joining the ICHNJ team she transitioned individuals with cognitive and physical disabilities onto community waivers for the Division of Disability Services. Her experience and commitment to home care is a valuable asset to the ICHNJ project.
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Amy Brown
ICHNJ Director of Outreach and Advocacy, Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly (OOIE) - is an advocate specializing in issues affecting institutionalized elders - including residents' rights, improper discharges and transfers, and end-of-life ethical conflicts. Before joining the ICH team as the Director of Outreach and Advocacy, Amy worked as a Staff Attorney in the Ombudsman's Office, advocating on behalf of residents seeking to assert their civil and human rights.
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Laurie Brewer
ICHNJ Press/Media Specialist - Office of the Ombudsman for the Institutionalized Elderly (OOIE) - provides administrative support for I Choose Home NJ in the areas of human resources, budget, procurement and information technology, and oversees marketing, public relations and advertising for the program. A former newspaper reporter, Ms. Brewer has more than 20 years of communications experience in the government and non-profit sectors, including her tenure as Director of Communications for the NJ Department of the Public Advocate and Director of Public Affairs for the NJ Department of Human Services.
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Emily Florio
I Choose Home Financial Coordinator, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DHS)- responsible for developing, preparing and executing the ICH/MFP projected budget. Emily works with all divisions involved in the project to ensure the best use of available funds to enhance home and community based services.
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Beulah (Bee) Warren
Statewide Housing Coordinator, is a housing advocate with more than 25 years of experience in administering affordable housing to low income individuals. Bee served in various positions in the Department of Community Affairs, Housing Assistance Program, and is an expert in voucher programs and other affordable/accessible housing resources. With the I Choose Home NJ Program, she serves as the point person to develop strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to increase access to safe, decent, affordable housing for program participants.
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Allison Perschke
ICHNJ Quality Assurance Specialist, Long Term Care Ombudsman Office - provides support to ICHNJ participants by developing and completing quality follow up surveys to identify and help resolve challenges in pursuit of successful community transitions. Allison comes to ICHNJ with over ten years in direct support roles at non-profits, as well as three years in quality improvement, using data to identify areas of need and improve outcomes for those receiving services.

Outreach and Advocacy Team

OOIE's outreach team educates nursing facility staff, residents, and their families about I Choose Home, the basic eligibility requirements, and potential services offered. Outreach Coordinators attend professional and community events to spread the I Choose Home - NJ message that "A Nursing Home May Not be the Only Option."

We work closely with the Department of Human Services to identify individuals in nursing homes who are interested in transitioning home and following up on those referrals. OOIE is also playing a larger role to ensure that Section Q (a section of a resident's assessment indicating that s/he wants more information about community-based options) are properly filled out and transmitted to the appropriate agency.

If you are interested in a presentation for your community/professional organization, please call us at 1-855-HOME-005.

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Monique Turner
ICHNJ Supervisor of the Outreach and Advocacy Team of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Office. Monique leads the Outreach Team to identify and advocate for residents living in long term care to transition back to the community with appropriate services and support. The team also works to increase public awareness of the ICHNJ program and provide resident focused advocacy. Monique brings over twenty years of long term care experience to the program, having previously worked as a Social Worker and Licensed Nursing Home Administrator.
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Nikiah Nixon-King
Outreach Coordinator, holds a B.S. in sociology and has worked for the past fifteen years for the Division of Mental Health Advocacy and the Office of the Ombudsman in various capacities, including advocating on behalf of elderly individuals who face eviction from long-term care facilities. Nikiah enjoys community speaking and involving stakeholders in the ICHNJ development process to ensure consumer input and participation.
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Elibeth (Ellie) Arroyo
Elibeth (Ellie) Arroyo, Outreach Coordinator, is responsible for identifying and advocating for residents living in long term care with the desire to transition back to the community. Ellie holds a B.S. in Therapeutic and Leisure Management and has worked in long term care for 15+ years. Ellie's focus is on caring and advocating for older nursing home residents with cognitive deficits and/or serious illness.

NJ Transition Team

The Transition Team is made up of highly experienced licensed nurses from the Department of Human Services and is responsible for identifying and transitioning individuals who are eligible for I Choose Home-NJ.

They provide counseling about community-based options, assess the person's clinical transition needs, and help put in place all community services through a transitional plan of care. This plan is developed at the individual's interdisciplinary team meeting to ensure the participant's safety when s/he goes out back to the community. In some cases, the Transition Team identifies necessary home modification, helps to search for housing, and even buys furniture and other furnishings the participant may need to transition safely to the community.

The Transition Team works hard to ensure that all individuals who meet the ICH-NJ criteria and want to go home will be enrolled in the program and safely transition to an appropriate home environment.


(Northern Region)

Kathleen Filippone, RN, BSN, ICH/MFP Nurse Liaison, Department of Human Services, has worked in the Northern OCCO office prior to joining the ICH/MFP team at its inception. Prior to this, Kathleen practiced for fifteen years in community health home care, where she supervised a multi-disciplinary care team. She is experienced in the areas of oncology, long-term care, and substance abuse rehabilitation, and is very passionate about quality assurance and patient advocacy. She is an original member of the ICH/MFP team.;

Ellen Klose, RN, ICH/MFP Nurse Liaison, worked for over 15 years as a regional staff nurse prior to joining the MFP team. Ellen's career in long term care started when she was a teenager. Ellen is a strong patient advocate and firmly believes in her clients' right to make choices. She has developed strong relationships with many local and statewide agencies and is a subject matter expert in building housing relationships.

Tricia Ayers, RN, ICH/MFP Nurse Liaison. Tricia worked for over 8 years as a regional staff nurse prior to joining the MFP team. She has worked most of her career in long term care and home care including nursing director, public health nurse and care management with the ADRC. Trisha strongly believes that consumers should choose where they want to live.


(Southern Region)

Thorbjorg Thorisdottir, RN, ICH/MFP Nurse Liaison. Thorbjorg has extensive experience working with individuals in long-term and acute care settings in the USA and Norway. She worked as a Community Choice Options Counselor before joining the MFP team in 2015. Prior to becoming a nurse she worked as a Direct Service Worker, primarily with geriatric patients. As a mother caring for a son with physical and mental challenges, Thorbjorg has a deeply personal commitment to physically and developmentally disabled people living in the community. It gives her great satisfaction to help her clients achieve a smooth and successful transition back home.

Emmanuel Cajulao, BSN, RN, has worked for the Department of Human Services as a Community Choice Counselor since 2001. Prior to this, he worked for several years in various units and departments in NJ hospitals. In his current role, he is committed to coordinating transitions with nursing homes and managed care organization to assist nursing home residents return to the community with adequate supports and services.


Vineland Developmental Center Transition Team:

Lori Watson is the Olmstead supervisor for community planning and transitioning activities at Vineland and Woodbine developmental centers since September 2011 and November 2012 respectively. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech pathology and Audiology. For 29 years prior to joining the Olmstead Unit, her experience includes addressing the needs, of individuals within the developmental center, as the speech therapist, the behavior support specialist, habilitation planning coordinator, and lastly as the acting executive assistant/Olmstead point person. Lori finds the work more and more rewarding each time an individual moves from a center into his/her chosen home in the community.

Shelley Ayers is a Transitional Case Manager at Vineland Developmental Center. She has a B.A. in Psychology. She has worked with the Developmental Disabled population for twelve years with the Division of Developmental Disabilities at Woodbridge and at Vineland Developmental Center. She has been working in the Olmstead Unit transitioning individuals into the community since 2011. Shelley is passionate about helping consumers reach their full potential by living in the community. She has successfully transitioned many individuals to the community under Olmstead.

Beatrice Darby, BS, CSW, HPC, is a Transitional Case Manager in the Olmstead office at Vineland Developmental Center since September 2011. She has worked with the intellectually disabled population for the past 23 years and has extensive training in behavior modification, secular and Christian counseling, and meditation. Beatrice has transitioned many ladies into community living arrangements under the Olmstead Initiative.


Woodbine Developmental Center Transition Team:

Denise Bradley has been a Transitional Case Manager (TCM) since July 2013, however she brings more than ten years of experience to her TCM role. She has worked as a direct care worker, as a group home manager and a habilitation plan coordinator. Denise reported that she is �very motivated about moving our men from the Woodbine Developmental Center into the community.

Melinda Formento, RN, is a Transitional Case Manager at Woodbine Developmental Center since early 2012. She brings over 20 years' experience working with individuals with intellectual disabilities. She is passionate about her new role in assisting individuals to integrate into community living.

Helen Guice has a Master of Arts degree in Psychology and has been a Transitional Case Manager (TCM) since March 2012 but brings over 25 years of experience working with individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Working as a TCM, Helen advocates for individuals living in Woodbine Developmental Center to transition from an institutional to a community living environment. Helen reported that she likes �seeing how the people react when they move into their new homes and the progress that they make after moving. �I really feel like I'm making a difference in their lives and they are all very grateful�.


North Jersey Developmental Center Transition Team:

Michelle Whitmore is the Assistant Unit Director of the Olmstead Unit. She has a B.A. in Psychology and a Masters in Business Administration. Michelle has worked with the Developmental and Intellectually Disabled population for fourteen years. She has been employed with the Division of Developmental Disabilities for five years. Michelle has worked in the Olmstead Unit supervising the transitioning of individuals into the community since 2012. She is passionate about identifying resources in the community to meet the needs of individuals served.

Stephanie Halstead is a Transitional Case Manager at North Jersey Developmental Center. She has a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology. Stephanie has a Masters in Counseling Psychology. She has worked with the Developmental and Intellectually Disabled population for fifteen years. Stephanie has been employed with the Division of Developmental Disabilities for eleven years. She has been working in the Olmstead Unit transitioning individuals into the community since 2012. Stephanie is passionate about helping consumers live successfully in the community.

Kenneth Eley is a Transitional Case Manager at North Jersey Developmental Center. He has a B.A. in Forensic Psychology and minored in Criminal Justice. He has a Certificate in Human Services. Kenneth has worked with the Developmental and Intellectually Disabled population for eight years. He has been employed with the Division of Developmental Disabilities for six years. Kenneth has been working in the Olmstead Unit transitioning individuals into the community since 2012. Kenneth is passionate about improving the quality of life for service recipients. He has successfully transitioned many individuals to the community under Olmstead.

Savita Persaud is a Transitional Case Manager at North Jersey Developmental Center. She has a B.A. in Psychology and Biology. She has a Masters in Psychology. Savita has worked with the Developmental and Intellectually Disabled population for nine years. She has been employed with the Division of Developmental Disabilities for seven years. Savita has worked in the Olmstead Unit transitioning individuals into the community since 2012. She is passionate about assisting individuals with maintaining their independence. Savita has successfully transitioned many individuals to the community under Olmstead.


New Lisbon Developmental Center Transition Team:

Noel Kerr MSW, has worked with the Division of Developmental Disabilities Olmsted unit since January 2008, as both a Transitional Case Manager and a Unit Supervisor. Over the past 20 years she has worked in both institutional and community settings for individuals with developmental disabilities, as a direct care worker, behaviorist, case manager, and supervisor. She currently supervises the transfer of individuals into the community from the following facilities: Greenbrook Regional Center, Hunterdon Developmental Center, New Lisbon Developmental Center and Woodbridge Developmental Center.

Joanne Smyth, Transitional Case Manager, New Lisbon Developmental Center and has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education. She has worked for the Division of Developmental Disabilities for the past 23 years. Joanne began as a Home Developer for Monmouth County, then became an Ocean County Case Manager and held the position for 17 years. The past 3 years she has been assigned to New Lisbon coordinating the transfer of individuals from institutional living to community living.


Hunterdon/Greenbrook Developmental Center Transition Team:

Emira Roman, has been employed by the Division of Developmental Disabilities since 2006 and has worked in both the Developmental Center setting and in Community Services. Her experience has led to the development and growth of individuals to enhance their lives by gaining greater independence. Currently, she is a Habilitation Plan Coordinator/ Transitional Case Manager with the Olmstead Unit. She is responsible for orchestrating the transition process for individuals approved for placement, which includes recommending and monitoring placement plans for individuals leaving the State's Developmental Centers. The emphasis of the planning process is on ensuring that the individuals are receiving the adequate care that they need to lead a healthy, safe and successful life.


Woodbridge Developmental Center Transition Team:

Michael D. Staples is a Disabled Veteran of the Unites States Army, who served in Operations Desert Shield & Desert Storm. He began working in the field of Human Services in 1993, at the New Lisbon Developmental Center, working in several positions including a direct care staff, Cottage Training Supervisor and as a Behavior Support Technician. In April 2012 he began working as a Transitional Case Manager at the Woodbridge Developmental Center and assisted in transitioning individuals from the developmental center into different community settings and ensuring that all proper supports are in place.

Donna Shields began her career in Human Services in 1981 after graduation from college with a Bachelor's of Arts from Moravian College in Clinical-Counseling and Industrial-Organizational Psychology. While in college, she volunteered with United Cerebral Palsy Association and worked as an intern with the Center for Humanistic Change. Donna worked in group homes for several years with developmentally disabled individuals. In 1987, she began working for the Department of Human Services at Hunterdon Developmental Center and later transferred to Woodbridge Developmental Center. She worked as a Behavior Modification Technician and as a Habilitation Plan Coordinator. She then transferred into DDD/Community services as a community case manager for eight years before


Last Updated: Monday, 01/08/24