Community Navigation | Delaware | The Columbus Organization

Community Navigation in Delaware

Please join The Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS) and The Columbus Organization for a Delaware DDDS Family Virtual Update on COVID-19.

This virtual update will take place on Saturday April 18th, 2020 from 10:00am-10:30am.

Click the link below, to read more about the virtual update that will take place and find out how to join:

Delaware DDDS Family Virtual Update on COVID-19

Delaware DDDS Letter to Families, COVID-19 (Newest to Oldest):

4/6/2020 (Espanol) COVID Ltr to Families

3/23/2020 (Espanol) COVID Letter to Families SPL

3/23/2020 COVID Letter to Families_SPL

3/19/2020 (Espanol) COVID Letter to Families_SPL

3/19/2020 Letter to Families COVID-19

3/16/2020 (Espanol) COVID Letter to Families_SPL

3/16/2020 COVID Letter to Families_SPL

In Delaware, The Columbus Organization has recruited, hired and trained statewide staff as Community Navigators (Case Managers) to support the residents with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their caregivers.

Services

Families receive monthly contact with person-centered Community Navigators who:

Are knowledgeable about the individual’s history and changing needs
Respond promptly for questions and change requests
Listen to the individuals’ stories, concerns and feelings
Are strong advocates when requesting increased services from state agencies
Recognize dignity, worth and rights of loved ones while improving self-determination and empowerment for sustained, positive outcomes

The Columbus Organization Community Navigators are well-trained to identify community supports outside the scope of traditional service centers. They:

Are actively involved in crisis and triage
Recognize potential problems and proactively intervene before they escalate
Provide case management services and are involved in person-centered planning
Improve the family’s ability to communicate needs to providers
Access care and services across mental, behavioral, and physical healthcare delivery systems that leads to greater holistic and person-centered care

The Columbus Organization provides these services statewide to individuals under the Lifespan Waiver.

Resources

Contact Us

Shenika Kirby
Executive Director of Delaware Care Coordination
Main: 610.592.0292
E-mail: skirby@columbusorg.com

Click the link below to fill out our satisfaction survey!

The Columbus Organization Satisfaction Survey

The Columbus Organization Satisfaction Survey (Spanish)

Meet Our Delaware Team

Lisa: She recently joining the Columbus team in April 2019. Lisa has been in the field for 10 years and has a combined 25 years of experience in supervision/management and working with individuals with developmental disabilities. Prior to joining Columbus Lisa provided services and supports to individuals living in a residential setting. Since joining Columbus Lisa has enjoyed watching the outcomes of the case management services provided and how it has positively impacted the lives of her clients. Lisa enjoys spending time with her husband and three children.

Tiffany: Tiffany started working in this field started off in residential for about 5 years, been a part of Columbus Organization since April of 2019. Tiffany graduated from Christian Mantel College became a Career and Life Coach. Going to Wilmington University Majoring in Psychology Behavior & Science with the hopes of obtaining her Masters. She enjoys helping others. This mother of two enjoys traveling, shopping, working out and watching her children in their sports and activities.

Deborah: Recently joined the Columbus Organization in November 2019. Prior to joining the Columbus team, she contracted with the State of Delaware as a Youth Rehabilitation Counselor for the New Castle County Detention Center. Deborah enjoys shopping, vacationing and spending time with her two children.

Cassandra: Cassandra joined The Columbus Organization in October 2017. She obtained an Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services with a concentration in children and family welfare from Kaplan University. Cassandra enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, camping and attending sporting events.

Carlos: Carlos has been a Community Navigator for Columbus Organization since Columbus establish itself in Delaware, July 2017. Prior to becoming a Navigator Carlos was a Family Support with DDDS for 7 years. Carlos enjoys speaking at conferences nationwide and bringing awareness to the Latino community and the stigma of mental health. Carlo’s hobbies include Baseball, Soccer, Watersport & traveling.

Christine: Joined The Columbus Organization June 2018. Christine brings 15 years of experience working in the public school system, 12 years of experience in the medical field helping and advocating for a wide range of ages. She has worked extensively in her local communities and in various states counseling and advising many young and old. She will be a great asset to the Columbus team, advocating and educating individuals and families to focus on Person Centered Planning and thinking! Christine’s hobbies include, but are not limited to, her love for music. For the past 40 years, she has also been a Musician/Singer/Songwriter with main instruments being the Voice, Piano and Organ. She is also known for her Public Speaking abilities. Christine enjoys spending time with her family and recording songs in the studio. She shares “It’s a pleasure to be a part of Columbus!”

Eileen: Eileen has been with Columbus for two years. Prior to joining the Columbus team, she spent over 10 years working in the mental health field in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. She enjoy spending time with her husband and two children.

Ashley: Ashley has spent the last year as a case manager for the Columbus Organization. Ashley is committed to helping advocate for clients on her Columbus caseload. She’s passionate about individuals with disabilities. She enjoys spending time with her family. Ashley’s loves to crochet and loves to shop in her spare time.

Dan: Training Specialist Dan has been working in the ID/DD field since graduating Temple University in 2013, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology. He has worked with the Columbus Organization in Delaware since October 2018. Dan enjoys being able to educate his teammates and seeing them become successful in their positions as Community Navigators, and further improving the lives of the people Columbus serves. Dan’s hobbies include cooking, collecting comic books, participating in community theatre, and petting his cat.

Morgan: Morgan is a Delaware native with a bachelor’s degree in Social Work. She has over 10 years of customer service experience ranging from children and families, group home settings and day habilitation. Her background in case management includes assisting individuals with mental health as well as individuals with intellectual disabilities. Her passion has always been to help others in any capacity. She is a family-oriented driven and a woman of faith and fairness.

Suzanne: Community Navigator Suzanne has been with Columbus for over two years. Prior to Columbus, she was contracted with the State of Delaware as a Family Support Specialist for 5 years. Suzanne is dedicated to supporting her families and help navigating for services. Suzanne greatest passion is her husband of 20 years and her two boys. She enjoys being on the baseball field watching her boys play and just spending quality time with her family.

Lauren: Community Navigator Lauren started with the Columbus organization in September 2019. Lauren has her bachelors degree in Behavioral Science from Wilmington University and has prior experience working as a mobile Intensive Case Manager. Lauren has many years of experience working with insurance companies as well as working at Christiana Hospital as a Patient Relations Representative. She is well-versed in insurance related issues as well as working as an advocate for those who can’t advocate for themselves. Lauren is excited to be working with the Columbus Organization so she can help those with disabilities get the care they need and deserve. She enjoys spending time with her two dogs and friends and family.

Andrea: Andrea has a combined 15 years of hands-on working with adults, and children with physical and mental handicaps . She adores working with the individuals assigned to her caseload, and loves reaching a resolve for those individuals facing hardships and difficult times. Her biggest passion is advocating for those that cannot verbally advocate for themselves She loves attending Special Olympic events, especially the Polar Bear Plunge. Andrea’s hobbies include party planning, interior decorating, shopping, and vacationing. She also loves collecting frogs and elephants with their trunks up.

Devon: Devon brings over 20 years of Community Service experience and has had much success building, managing and leading teams over her career. These experiences include implementing policies and procedures, QA/QI and hiring, as well as training and working side by side with her colleagues. Devon enjoys interacting with her co-workers on a daily basis and celebrating their successes with the team. Devon was born and raised in Wilmington, DE where she resides currently with her husband, four children and two dogs. When not at work Devon loves to relax at the beach, by her pool or anywhere, as long as her family is with her! Devon is also active with her local fire department as an EMT and volunteering her time on various committees.

Jennifer: Community Navigator Jennifer has been a part of the IDD spectrum for 9 years, and has recently joined the Columbus team in August 2019. Prior to working full – time with Columbus, Jennifer was a live in caregiver at a residential group home. She is excited to be on the Columbus team and looks forwards to many years of learning and advocating for individuals served. Jennifer enjoys spending time with her animals and video gaming.

Briahna: Briahna is new to The Columbus Organization. Prior to devoting her work full-time to Columbus, Briahna earned her Associates of Criminal Justice at Delaware Technical Community College. Briahna enjoys being around her family and friends.

Naceirra: Community Navigator Naceirra has over 4 years of experience working with individuals with IDD. She enjoys and is passionate about advocating and case managing her caseload of individuals supported. Naceirra enjoys being a mother to her son and also teaches dance on the weekends. Naceirra Loves to read and do community service when she can.

Jennifer: Jennifer has spent the last year as a Community Navigator where she quickly moved into her current role as Community Navigator Supervisor at The Columbus Organization. Prior to devoting her work full-time to Columbus, Jennifer was a case manager for the Elwyn Senior Reflections Adult Day Program. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in health and exercise science from the University of Delaware. She began her career in the medical field with Christiana Care assisting individuals with extensive cardiac and pulmonary disease. Jennifer is a mother who enjoys fitness, coaching sports, and participating in outdoor activities with her family.

Corrine: Corinne has been with The Columbus Organization for over 2 years as a Community Navigator. She has 10 years of experience working hands on in the IDD spectrum and enjoys having the opportunity to work in this field. Corinne attended the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities at the University of Delaware and earned a Certificate of Demonstrated Leadership Ability. She also attended the 2-year Direct Support Professional Certificate Program at Del Tech Community College when working as a Program Coordinator in a day program. Corinne loves spending time with her 2 daughters, son-n-law and her 2 grandsons. She enjoys shopping, crafting, bowling and vacationing.

Sherri: Sherri is new to The Columbus Organization. She has a total of 21 years working with children and adults with disabilities. Sherri enjoys and is fully committed to advocating and providing case management for the individuals we support at Columbus. Sherri’s hobbies are dancing, reading, vacationing, and enjoying life.

Roslyn: Joined Columbus in 2017. Prior to joining The Columbus Organization Roslyn devoted 26 years in the nursing field as a Unit Coordinator, 3 years’ as a case management at the Department of Corrections as a Senior Addictions Counselor. Roslyn graduated with honors and earned an Associates and Bachelors’ degree of Criminal Justice at ITT Technical College in Richmond, VA. Roslyn is a proud mother of a Military Police Officer and college student majoring in Psychiatry. She is most proud of her newest title of, grandmother.

Benita: Benita comes with 7 years combined experience as both a Family Support Specialist and a Community Navigator. Benita has completed countless intakes and waiver applications, and provided case management for numerous individuals over the course of her career. Along with this experience, Benita had connected families and individuals with community resources that have assisted with meeting their needs and established goals.Benita was born and raised in Delaware and currently resides in Milford with her boyfriend, two beautiful children, and a cat! When she is not at work, she enjoys going for walks with her children, binge watch shows on Netflix (Stranger Things at the moment), and reading.

Ti’Kesha: Ti’Kesha has a combined two years as a case manager at the Columbus Organization. Prior to devoting her work full-time to Columbus, Ti’kesha earned her Associates in Human Services. Ti’kesha is a mother of a baby girl and she enjoys singing and being around her family during her off time. She is a great asset to the Columbus team. Ti’kesha takes great pride in advocating and educating individuals and families to focus on person centered planning and thinking.

Shannon: Shannon comes with thirteen years in the healthcare field and recently joined Columbus Organization October 2019. Shannon is looking forward to advocating and learning her Columbus caseloads. Shannon hobbies include crafting, going to the beach/vacationing,boating, spending time with her family and friends. Shannon is Pleased to be apart of the Columbus team.

Isheta: Isheta is a full time Community Navigator for Columbus Organization. She brings over 25 years of non-profit experiences in the areas of health and disabilities. She is devoted to serving this unique population and their families. Her hobbies are home gardening and community service.

Harriet: Harriet, Community Navigator brings 35 years of experience working in the healthcare field in case management with the combination of providing counseling, treatment, and didactic teaching, and hold several degrees, a wife, mother, and grandmother who enjoys living life, polished, cultured, the theatre, music, concerts, exotic foods and people, family functions and friends.

Victorine: Victorine is new to Columbus and a newlywed. For the past seven years, she was a State Accountant II for the State of Delaware, Office of Accounting. She recently retired with the State of Delaware, after 30 years of employment. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my daughter and husband.

Amanda: Community Navigator Amanda has a combined thirteen years in the Healthcare field and joined Columbus in June 2019. Prior to working at Columbus Amanda worked as an Office Assistant at Christiana Care Pulmonary as well as Delaware Medical Care Associates as a Medical Assistant and Pulmonary Technician. Amanda is fully committed to her role as Community Navigator and is diligent about advocating for her supported individuals. Amanda’s hobbies are scrap booking, attending baseball games for all three of her sons, crafting, spending time with her husband, children, family and friends and going to the beach. Amanda is very excited to be part of the Columbus Organization!

Shenika: Shenika comes with 6 years’ professional experience providing services and supports to individuals with mental, developmental, and intellectual disabilities in a variety of positions. Shenika started her career at Kent Sussex Industries as a Direct Support Professional. After 3 months she was promoted to a Program Manager and assisted in the oversight the daily operations and services and supports provided to over 100 individuals participated in their programs. In addition, Shenika carried a caseload of individuals whose behaviors created barriers to competitive employment. Shenika was responsible for identifying the targeted behaviors and strategizing with her team to overcome those barriers in order for the individuals to obtain their goals of employment. She later transitioned to the Admission Program Manager and provided oversight to the Acquired Brain Injury Program. Shenika joined The Columbus Organization in 2017 as a Community Navigator. As a Navigator she contributed to the implementation of Delaware’s Lifespan Waiver and development of the Person Centered Plan. Shenika was promoted to a Supervisor in March 2019 and during the transitions taking place in Delaware she assisted as the Interim Director. When Shenika is not working, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, three sons, and Fiancé.

Wanda: Wanda is new to The Columbus Organization. She is currently a bilingual Community Navigator serving those in New Castle County.

Helen: Helen has been working within Human Services and Mental Health for the last 16 years with majority of that experience being working with children and adults with Autism. Helen finds great fulfillment helping those in need often volunteering and helping at local Community Centers. When Helen is not working and volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her family, especially her daughter. Helen hobbies include reading, taking walks and salsa dancing.

Dedra: Dedra started working with individuals with disabilities in 2010. Her journey began by providing personal care for individuals in a residential setting at the Salvation Army Home. Dedra was eager to learn more. In 2012, She started working at Kent Sussex Industries as a direct support professional. Within her first six months of working she was given the staff of the quarter award and by the end of her first year of being a KSI employee she was awarded the Staff of the Year award. In 2015 Dedra was promoted to a KSI Program Manager in which her responsibilities included carrying a caseload of 45 plus individuals and being a direct supervisor for 4 staff. Dedra also managed paid contracts for participant employment training and was responsible for creating opportunities for employment for participants. Dedra enjoyed creating strategies and activities to build stamina and teach work skills as well as creating a daily schedule for supervisors and participants so that participants were able to attend volunteer sites and paid training opportunities. In 2017 Dedra joined the Columbus team as a community navigator. Her responsibilities include providing targeted case management to the individuals on her caseload. When Dedra is not working she enjoys spending time with her family and attending service at Crossroads Community Church.

Kendy: Kendy has been with The Columbus Organization since November 2017. She has earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree from Wilmington University and has a combined 15 + years in the human service field. Kendy was awarded the Direct Support Professional Community Excellence Award -2015 and is committed to helping her clients reach their vision for a good life. Kendy enjoys spending time with her family, going to the beach, being outdoors, and traveling.

Maria: Maria, goes by Lucy. She is a Bilingual Community Navigator in Sussex County with years of experience serving the IDD population.

Norman: Community Navigator Norman has a combined total of eight (8) years in the human services field. He had worked with an array of individuals ie; preschoolers, school agers, juveniles, mental health individuals, behavior health individuals, and individuals with developmental disabilities. Norman has a passion for helping individuals reach their full potential and loves seeing growth and development. In his spare time Norman enjoys Dj’ing, Motivational Speaking, and spending quality time with his family. Feel secure as you get to know Norman as your new Community navigator.

Samantha: While new to the field of Community Navigating, Samantha brings her experience as a DSP with her into this new career opportunity. This experience includes completing GER’s, T-Logs and ISP data using the THERAP system. Samantha is currently working towards her Human Services Degree at Delaware Technical Community College to further her education in the field. Samantha is originally from Dover Delaware where she grew up with her sister who has special needs, who she credits for giving her the passion to enter a career in this field. Samantha currently resides in Laurel Delaware with her boyfriend and her Silver Lab, Indie.

Makila: Recently joined Columbus Organization as a Community Navigator October 2019. Talented professional with more than 10 years of experience in Organizational and Management Skills. Prior to Joining Columbus I worked in Residential with individuals with intellectual disabilities. Relocated From New York to Delaware, where I worked housing homeless families. I enjoy meeting families and supporting their needs in the community.

Erin: Erin is new to the field of Community Navigating and has taken on this new position full force. She has found a LOVE for what she does each and every day by helping those in need 🙂 She look’s forward to continuing her growth in this company and shooting for the stars ! She is a wife of a very supportive husband and a mom of two little girls who complete her world. She is very outgoing and enjoys making others happy 🙂

Deborah: Deborah recently joined the Columbus team in April 2019, Deborah brings 25 plus years of dedicated experience in the Medical/Hospital Industry; specializing in Social Services and Case Management. Compassionate and loyal to family and friends; and fully committed to managing her Columbus caseload, advocating for individuals and their families. Has ALWAYS found comfort in helping others and ‘giving back’ to the special people in life.Cherishes spending quality time with friends and family; and all spare time is spent at or on the beach with family and friends. Lives by the golden rule: WORK HARD, PLAY HARD!

Elizabeth: Elizabeth has just recently joined the Columbus Organization in November of 2019 and comes with 15+ years of housing and non-profit professional experience working alongside policymakers, administrators and serving families of individuals with various Developmental Disabilities and differences. With the help of personal learning experiences from Pennsylvania based programs such as Parents as Parents in Professional Development (P3D), Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Competence and Confidence Partners in Policy-making (C2P2) and Pennsylvania’s Education Coalition for All (PEAC); Elizabeth continues to help parents and care-givers feel comfortable advocating, speaking and interacting with providers and professionals that surround and support their families. Elizabeth is a proud Nittany Lion/Penn State Alumni who is also an active wife and parent of three children. In her spare time, Elizabeth absolutely loves spending time with friends and family every chance she gets!

Hillary: Hillary joined The Columbus Organization in the role of Community Navigator in December 2019. Previously working as a Program Supervisor for a residential agency, Hillary brings 8 years of experience in case management and administrative skills. After pursuing her original career choice of Early Childhood Education, a part time job as a Direct Support Professional in a residential group home, led Hillary to her true passion- serving and advocating for the ID/DD population in all aspects. Since joining Columbus, Hillary has enjoyed forming meaningful relationships with the individuals and families that she serves. Hillary enjoys spending time with her daughter, reading, and shopping.

Tierney: Tierney started with the Columbus Organization in November 2019. Before that, she worked for Fellowship Health Resources on their Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Team. Tierney also has experience as a preschool teacher and has worked for the State of Delaware as a Senior Social Worker/Case Manager for DDDS in the Pathways to Employment Program. Tierney has 3 degrees in various fields, the most recent being her Bachelors in Psychology from Wilmington University. She has a passion for making the world a better place and has always felt helping people was her calling. Tierney resides in Frankford, DE where she lives with her best friend. In her free time, she enjoys trying new restaurants and watching Netflix.

Glen: Glen joined The Columbus Organization in December 2019. Glen comes to Columbus bringing more than 15 years’ work experience and background spanning multiple industries. Glen worked as a Certified Nurse Aid in a long-term care facility in Wisconsin. He also worked as a Direct Support Professional, then Program Manager and Mandt System® Instructor with a major day service provider here in Delaware. Glen then went on to work for a residential services provider as a Direct Support Staff, in a group home setting. This is in addition to various leadership and management roles he held in the retail sales industry. Glen believes in challenging established norms, looking at things from a personal perspective, and seeking to achieve small victories each day. Glen enjoys recreational fishing, the outdoors, video games, and science fiction.

Jasmine: Community Navigator Jasmine joined The Columbus Organization in October of 2019. Jasmine brings aboard 8+ years of experience in working with children and adults with special needs and disabilities. Through organizations such as Kent-Sussex Industries and Camp Lenape – United Cerebral Palsy of Delaware, Jasmine gained knowledge and insight on how to advocate for persons with special needs. Jasmine has supported persons with disabilities in an employment setting as a supervisor and assisted with helping persons focus on their capabilities as they aim to have a meaningful life in this world. When Jasmine is not working, she’s usually traveling, spending time with her loved ones or writing music/poetry.

Jose: Brings 16 yrs. of experience working as a Family Advocate / Case Manager. He Started his career working with at-risk juveniles, then as a corrections youth rehab counselor and family advocate. Jose main mission is to educate, guide and assist families to reach their life long goals. Jose always gives 110% and goes beyond and above the call of duty. Jose is a Military Veteran from the gulf War and has been in the military for 18 yrs. While in the military Jose went to many military schools and got promoted the Team leader and spent most of his military time training upcoming leaders. When Jose finishes his day job he goes to his second job which is a teacher ,ballroom Dance teacher and teaches on weeknights and weekends. When not teaching dance, you can find Jose at the beach surfing. Wants everybody to know that he is a New York GIANTS! football fan!

Tameka: Tameka has three years experience prior to being connected to The Columbus Organization, Tameka was self-employed as a Family Support Specialist for the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services (DDDS) Kent County. Her background includes case management for families that were connected with the Division of Family Services through the New Behavioral Network; where she became certified to teach the Positive Parenting Program (Triple P) for families. Tameka is a certified Para-Professional for the State of DE. Previously, she provided 10 years of service as a Substitute Teacher for Capital School District. She recently graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Behavioral Science with a certificate in Child Advocacy Studies. Pursuing a double Masters of Science in Management with concentrations in Organizational Leadership and Human Resources Management. When she is not working, she enjoy spending time with family/friends, baking and playing games.

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