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Virginia Health Care Association | Virginia Center for Assisted Living

DSS Spotlight: Q&A with Missy Currier

DSS Spotlight: Q&A with Missy Currier

Missy Currier joined the Adult Licensing Division as the Associate Director at the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS) in March.  She shared with us her thoughts on what she hopes to accomplish at DSS in her role supervising the licensing administrators and field operations, as well as her advice for assisted living providers.

Currier will join Tara Davis-Ragland, DSS Division Director for Adult Licensing Programs, as a presenter at the July 25 Assisted Living Symposium.

Tell us about yourself—how did you get to DSS?

I began working for the Virginia Department of Health Professions (DHP) in 2008 for three regulatory boards:  physical therapy, funeral directors and embalmers, and long term care administrators.  The Long Term Care Administrator’s Board was always very near and dear to my heart.

As Deputy Executive Director, I was fortunate enough to work under Lisa Hahn, Director, who allowed me great opportunities to grow in my role.  Some of which included involvement in stakeholder groups such as the Nursing Facility Advisory Council (NFAC) and the ALF Stakeholder Group.  I traveled and gave presentations across the state about board activities and regulations. I also became familiar with other state agencies, including DSS and Adult Protective Services.  We all worked together with the common goal to protect and keep our elderly and vulnerable populations safe.

When I became aware that DSS had posted a position for the Associate Director of Adult Licensing, I was immediately interested.  I wanted to broaden my experience from working only with administrators at DHP, to be able to work on the facility-side of the profession.   I thought my experience and skills would greatly benefit the agency and allow me to help DSS reach their goals.

What is your main responsibility at DSS?

I’m responsible for providing supervision of licensing administrators and field operations statewide, developing and implementing regulations, as well as consistent inspection and investigative functions for adult programs.   We license on average 560 ALF facilities. My goal is to provide continuity with the inspection process so providers don’t get mixed messages.  Of course, we must ensure the health, safety and welfare of residents at all times.

How have you been spending your work days?

Since day one I have been working full force!  I have visited the Central and Eastern Regions and will soon be in the Northern and Southwestern Regions.  I’ve been on inspections to observe the process. I’ve attended several of the training classes that we provide.    I’ve created a new inspection protocol group which includes a representative from each of our eight regional offices.  This group will be tasked to develop inspection protocols to ensure fairness, consistency, and best practices.  We are also revamping the ISP training to ensure consistency with the standards, make it more understandable, and ensure that all regions are using the same training.  Believe it or not, I have already been on the road with Tara Davis-Ragland giving presentations to associations.  We share a common goal of ensuring open lines of communication between providers and DSS staff.

What has surprised you most about working with AL providers/DSS?

I am so pleased everyone is so passionate about what they do—you can feel and sense that.  It is such a great feeling to know everyone is here for a reason and we all have the same mission.

What are you most passionate about professionally?

Having the policies and procedures in place to ensure the safety and well-being of our adult community.

What do you see as the biggest challenges/opportunities facing assisted living providers?

I think we’ve all seen an increase in higher acuity levels of residents.  We have to be prepared for this and make sure we have the financial means to provide the level of care that they need.  We understand providers face financial issues, but they need to make sure that the resident is in the right environment for the level of care they require.

What advice do you have for VHCA-VCAL members?

Be active, be involved, listen, watch, read, and stay current.  Volunteer for association or agency task forces to discuss issues facing the profession.  Go to the VHCA-VCAL conferences to be exposed to the sessions.  Be an active member AND use the resources provided with your membership.

What can’t you stop talking about?

I am always talking about my family, especially my two grandsons, three-year old Noah and Ryan, a newborn.  They are my life outside of my job. I am also very proud of our two daughters and their husbands.

If you weren’t doing what you do today, what other job would you have?

I think I’d be selling luxury homes in a tropical locale.  I love HGTV—they make it look easy.  (By the way, I do hold a real estate license, so I have my own hands-on knowledge of keeping up with education and regulations, albeit in a different professional capacity.  I understand what it’s like to keep your license and keep current with laws and regs.)

Is there anything else you’d like to tell VCAL members about yourself?

Don’t be afraid to talk to me about issues.  I have an open mind and am solutions driven.  Give me a problem and I want to fix it.