2018 Q3 Newsletter

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NADR 2019 APRIL 3-6, 2019 San Antonio, TX HILTON PALACIO DEL RIO National Association of Disability Representatives 4 Talklist 2.0 by eva sirman, cae 5 NADR THANKS OUR OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS 8 NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT : CARRIE BENCHICH THIRD QUARTER 2018

IN THIS ISSUE:

9 ADR SPOTLIGHT : FREDDIE NEAL 10 CRACKS IN THE SYSTEM : GINNY CAMPBELL 11 VETERAN MEMBER SPOTLIGHT : GINNY CAMPBELL 12 REGRESSION AND OTHER IMPLICATIONS OF LONG-TERM TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY SURVIVAL 17 NADR 2019 : SAN ANTONIO, APRIL 3-6, 2019 18 WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS 20 NADR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NADR NEWSLETTER THIRD QUARTER 2018

IN THIS ISSUE 3 A NOTE FROM THE PRESIDENT : philip litteral 4 Talklist 2.0 by eva sirman, cae 5 NADR THANKS OUR OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS 8 NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT : CARRIE BENCHICH

CONTENTS

9 ADR SPOTLIGHT : FREDDIE NEAL 10 CRACKS IN THE SYSTEM by GINNY CAMPBELL 11 VETERAN MEMBER SPOTLIGHT : GINNY CAMPBELL 15 REGRESSION AND OTHER IMPLICATIONS OF LONG-TERM TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY SURVIVAL 17 NADR 2019 : SAN ANTONIO, APRIL 3-6, 2019 18 WELCOME NEW BOARD MEMBERS 20 NADR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

a Note from the President Tempest in a Crockpot Lucia, EO’s, New Rules – Oh My! What’s an advocate to do? Lots of “stuff” flying around our profession these days. Absolutely no teapot in sight. Seems some of you may occasionally share my penchant for hunkering down and waiting for the cyclones to pass.

But alas, our clients await. And they depend on us to carry on, representing their interests in the most immediate and competent means we can muster. We can’t simply run or hide.

Here’s where your NADR Membership will come in especially handy!

For this scenario, I’ll stay with the issue of “New Rep Rules”, although this same formula can be applied to the other topics above and just about any systemwide question or problem you have regarding SSA disability representation. On 7/2/2018 SSA published in the Federal Register the new “Rules of Conduct and Standards of Responsibilities for Appointed Representatives”, [see Federal Register]. The new rules took effect on 8/1/18. Almost at once the NADR Talklist and many email accounts exploded with questions about the new rules and with quite a few doomsday hypotheticals. Rightfully so! And much good information was shared on Talklist among our Members, (NADR Benefit #1).

But NADR has made no official response to the questions surrounding implementation of the rules.

That’s because there are no clear, agency-wide interpretations yet. On 10/17/2016 NADR President Skinner submitted a formal set of comments to the (then proposed) new rules by way of a letter to (then Acting) Commissioner Colvin, [see NADR comments].

As you can see, we pointed out many of the same

problems and questions our Members have raised. On 12/22/2016 our Public Policy Advisor, Jeanne Morin, joined our NOSCCR counterparts in a meeting with OMB to express concerns about the proposed rules. Then again, earlier this year, we met with OMB when SSA sent the final rules to them, once again urging them to withdraw or modify the rules.

Of course, with only a few modifications, SSA published anyway. You’ll have that sometimes! But not all hope is lost, because (NADR Benefit #2) – lobbying continues!

We are collecting and organizing your questions (and ours) and preparing presentations for SSA – both in writing and in person. Plans are underway for a trip to Q1 2019, where we will address all outstanding “new rule” questions and bring back some clear and logical answers. (Well, OK – some answers, anyway).

I would point out, though, that after we posted requests for your questions we only got TWO! So, if you have questions and you haven’t already submitted them, please send us an email using “New Rep Rules” as the subject to cmm@hssmd.com. I have the Talklist threads on this, so we only need questions not already posted to the list-serve. We will publish all SSA responses we receive.

Shelters from the storm: Education of Members; Lobbying for Members.

Keep calm and carry on.

Philip Litteral, NADR President

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Talklist 2.0 eva sirman, cae As many of you may have heard, NADR has been contemplating, researching, and testing forum replacements for the Talklist for more than two years now. When a member benefit rises to the level of “I wouldn’t have a job without the Talklist” or “I would have been forced to close my doors without this resource” or better still, “the Talklist is why I joined NADR” - the leadership and admin team knew we had to get it right!

We couldn’t force our members to move away from a reliable, albeit outdated, listserv, unless we planned to bring to the table something bigger, better, and more user-friendly. So, here is the scoop…

What won’t change:  You can still send an email if that’s your preference; both to initiate dialogue and to respond to a post.  You will still be able to select your notification preference - you can receive messages real-time or request a daily digest.  The Talklist Forum will still be searchable - only MORE searchable - meaning you can search keywords from a post and it will find any post with that keyword and then allow you to search through those posts by the name of the original poster.  You will still be able to access more than 10 years of archived Talklist posts.  When we launch the new Talklist Forum, we will only offer one main Talklist Forum discussion thread. As everyone acclimates to our new engagement platform, we will add the VA Talklist Forum.

What will change:  The new Talklist Forum will be integrated with our website for single sign on; meaning you can sign into your NADR profile and access the Talklist Forum from there.  If you don’t want to post your question or response via email, you can make your posts directly to the Talklist Forum (keeping in mind that if you do want 4

THIRDQUARTER QUARTER2018 2018 NADR NEWS | THIRD

to communicate via email, that’s an option as well!)  If you choose not receive the emailed posts, you can have the Talklist Forum up on your desktop while you work and check in directly - saving lots of space in your email inbox!  The email address for the Talklist Forum will be different than talklist@talklist.nadr.org and we will make sure everyone knows that new email by the time it’s launched.  Within the Talklist Forum we will have a Resource section, so members can post templates, documents, etc. directly within the Talklist Forum. You’ll access both the discussion threads and the resource page from one place. (This Resource Center will replace the Members Only Resources on the current website.

It should be much more user-friendly!)  Once you’re a member of NADR, you’ll be automatically signed up for the Talklist Forum. No more special requests to be added.

Please know that the admin team has spent close to a year on due diligence. We have had demos with multiple forum providers and have spent countless hours researching, asking questions, testing, and working with focus groups of members to help guide our recommendation to the Board. In the end, we chose Higher Logic as the best solution for our members needs. But don’t worry - because of the single sign on feature, you won’t ever have to remember Higher Logic’s name. We will officially launch the Talklist Forum in Providence at the Networking Weekend and offer a demo to the attendees. If you can’t make it to Providence, stay tuned for future demonstrations!

Eva Sirman, CAE NADR Association Manager

NADR THANKS OUR OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS While we are excited about our new board members that just took office, we want to express our thanks to the three outgoing Board Members: Barbara Manna, Randy Persad, and Mary Wilcox-Perry. These members have made invaluable contributions to NADR during

their board service and we are thankful they will all continue to contribute in other ways. Read President Phil Litteral’s comments below about each, and be sure to thank them at the next conference!

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NADR THANKS OUR OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS CONTINUED

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NADR NEWS | THIRD QUARTER 2018

NADR THANKS OUR OUTGOING BOARD MEMBERS CONTINUED

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NEW MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Carrie Benchich What is your vocational background prior to representation?

I am a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Work Incentive Practitioner (Benefits Planner). My employers have been a hospital, vocational school, non-profit and case management company. During these 20 years I have assisted individuals to adjust to their disability, find work, apply for state and federal benefits and understand how working affects their benefits.

Becoming a non-attorney legal representative is another avenue to assist individuals with disabilities.

How long have you been a representative?

Since I was notified I passed the test this summer.

My first hearing is October 25. Wish me luck!

How did you get involved in representation?

ago. Being a non-attorney legal rep is a natural continuum in my career and also a personal challenge for me.

What made you decide to become an NADR member?

Karen Starr and Shirley Jenks encouraged me to join when I was first hired. Reading the talk list has been a valuable learning tool from the start. The EPDNA study session provided structure and the tools I needed to pass the test.

What do you hope to get out of your NADR membership?

I am looking forward to the conference. There is so much more to learn!

I became involved through my employer, Starr Disability Advocates when I was hired one year

Automatic Download and PDF Conversion of Disability Files.

Atlasware, LLC 1616 San Pedro Ave. San Antonio, TX 78212 210.923-1234 210.822-4595 www.atlasware.com support@atlasware.com

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NADR NEWS | THIRD QUARTER 2018

NOT AN ATLASWARE USER? YOU’RE MISSING OUT! JUST ASK YOUR COLLEAGUES ABOUT US

ADR SPOTLIGHT freddie neal Tell us about your representative business (size, client load, areas of focus, etc…)?

I represent with Randy Adams at Adams & Associates in Clayton, Georgia. Our business is small with five employees (including Randy and myself). We serve just under 600 clients (on average) from initial application to hearing and beyond. Our office focuses on both SSI and SSDI claims. We represent clients from Northeast Georgia, Western North Carolina and Northwest South Carolina.

How long have you been an ADR? I have been an ADR since June 10, 2016.

Why did you choose to pursue an Accredited Disability Representative designation?

I came from a corporate career of 20 plus years to work with Randy at Adams & Associates.

Designations of professional commitment and development were signs of accomplishment and dedication that were familiar to me. I sincerely appreciate NADR’s atmosphere of actively sharing resources, information and expertise. I see the ADR designation as a professional commitment to the highest ideals that NADR represents. Bringing our best representation to each client’s case and committing to each other that we know our actions and efforts are a reflection of the collective membership to which we belong. I wanted to be a part of the reputation that NADR continues to build. The ADR designation was one of the more tangible ways to demonstrate that desire.

How has the ADR designation benefited you? How has it impacted your professional growth?

a successful organization, and that I am charged with upholding and building our collective reputation.

In what ways do you display/use your ADR designation?

The ADR designation is used in any correspondence with Social Security where my name is attached.

It is included on every pre-hearing, post-hearing and AC brief I submit. The framed certificate and letter of ADR designation hangs in my office as a constant reminder of the expectation and respect that NADR has extended to me with this designation.

Tell us about one positive aspect of being an ADR that you would stress for members considering the designation?

The most positive aspect of being an ADR would have to be the recognition from others that you belong to something greater than yourself and have requested the responsibility of representing them well. I have had multiple ALJ’s ask me about the ADR designation they see on my brief. When I explain how the ADR designation is not just a recognition from the national organization but also a commitment from myself as a representative to bring the best representation for my client, supported by the collective expertise of that organization, the inquiring ALJ normally responds with a positive impression. Without the ADR designation my representation of clients was not communicated in that, more favorable, context.

The ADR designation provides a reminder that I am not alone in this profession, that I am a part of

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Cracks in the System

by Ginny Campbell © 2009 This glass and wood assemblage depicts one person’s journey through a disability appeal process. But the story starts long before that.

Able-bodied people do not simply decide one day to become ‘disabled’. Many who are healthy enough to work do not realize this could change. People with health limitations often give up everything else in their lives before they stop working. They give away their dog, stop going to church, lose their friends and family before they’ll admit they can no longer work. The journey from health to disability can be a slow, day-by-day process that saps a person’s vitality and robs them of what makes life worth living, including employment.

It is at this stage, then, that a person applies for disability benefits.

Some find the process confusing and give up. Many are denied and do not file an appeal. Most do not understand how important it is to keep going. As I see it, my job as a claimant’s Representative is to explain the process, provide reassurance, ensure people don’t give up, and try to obtain benefits for my clients. My job is to convey the medical, vocational and legal aspects of a claim while also communicating the human aspect: the story of a person’s journey from health to disability.

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As a Representative, I immerse myself in a person’s story. After two decades of listening, I made this piece. The person applying for benefits is depicted by a single crack in the clear glass that overlays the colored glass. This starts in the teal area, doubles back over the center and heads up to the orange.

This conveys the long winding path a person takes as they move through the appeal process. The vulnerability of the individual is meant to be viewed in contrast to the organized cohesion of the colored glass disability ‘system’.

The rest of the piece depicts the bureaucratic system. Rules that govern claims are called a ‘framework for decision-making’ so I used an old window frame. I used glass because it is like the decision making process: weighty, transparent, fragile and unyielding. I used colored and textured glass to symbolize the unique aspects that every case presents. No two cases have ever been the same.

Numbers on the glass mirror are those used to identify the rules.

Cracks in the System CONTINUED Every tale has two sides, and client stories are not the only ones I’ve listened to. The small central shards of color represent workers caught in the system- decision makers, support staff and claimant’s representatives.

The shards are hemmed in by the dense, outer blocks.

Their movements seem random- not synchronous.

The glass is broken, as the system can sometimes seem. As light moves through the piece it constantly changes. The people in the system also change, as the system itself continues to adapt and change through the years.

The piece is interactive. If you stand close, when sunlight streams through it bands of color wash over you. So do I share each person’s life journey during the months I help them with a disability claim. Their stories, their pain, their humanity and transcendence have washed over me and colored my perspective and my own life. And I thank them for it.

Artwork and content copyright protected. All rights reserved.

May not be reproduced without permission of the artist.

VETERAN MEMBER SPOTLIGHT GINNY campbell What did you do before you became a representative?

I am a LPC- licensed professional counselor and an ATR-BC; board certified art therapist. I worked as a mental health therapist before handling disability claims.

How long have you been representing clients?

I’ve handled disability claims for 28 years and specialize in mental health cases.

What do you enjoy most about this profession?

I enjoy winning claims. I enjoy helping people who would not be able to navigate the system on their own. The ones who give up after the first denial.

The ones who can’t read. The ones who are too afraid to open the envelope from SSA that comes in the mail. The ones who call the office just because they haven’t spoken to another human being in a week.

How long have you been involved in NADR and how has it impacted your professional goals?

I’ve been a NADR member since I opened my own business in 2006. I wouldn’t be able to operate without it. The Talklist is invaluable. Other viewpoints, new ideas and legislative updates enable me to work by myself.

What legislative issue or membership benefit would you like to see NADR focus on/offer in the next few years?

I’d like NADR to see what can be done to stop the erosion of representative credibility and autonomy.

The new rules of conduct and rules for submission of evidence make me feel like SSA doesn’t trust me to do my job properly anymore.

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Regression and Other Implications of Long-Term Traumatic Brain Injury Survival When I first began my vocational counseling practice in the mid 70’s, I literally had no TBI claimants on my caseload. They frankly just didn’t survive their accidents, or if they did, they were permanently admitted into long term care facilities. Going into the late 80’s and early 90’s my team and I began to see TBI survivors come in to our program. We were admittedly ill prepared to deal with this particular disability group and their unique challenges. As advances continued in accident scene, emergency room, and acute care treatment of TBI survivors, we saw a larger portion of our caseloads directed towards TBI claimants, and at the time I left my full time practice 3 years ago, 75% of my caseload was comprised of TBI survivors.

These current long term survival rates have now allowed researchers the ability to conduct long term studies of TBI survivors and document many new challenges facing them. Long term complications of TBI survival now include regression, as well as later onset of other disabilities including; depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, and most recently identified-Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

The neurologists and physical medicine specialist with whom I worked agreed since the early 2000’s that symptom improvement in adult TBI patients followed a typical pattern, with the most improvement coming within the first two years postaccident. Thomas Novack, PhD, and Tamers Bushnik, PHD, publishing for the Model System Knowledge Transition Center Handbook, confirm that the most improvement post injury is in the first six months.

Improvement continues, but at a slower pace for the next six months to two years. Improvement slows substantially after that.

Regression Long term studies have now confirmed that most long term TBI survivors will eventually experience 12

NADR NEWS | THIRD QUARTER 2018

regression, an actual backtracking of the gains made immediately post-accident.

Reporting in the Archives of Physical Medicine Rehabilitation, December 2008, Drs Cloella, Verwegen and Green studied the post recovery decline in adults with TBI 5 years post injury. They confirmed significant decline in verbal fluency and delayed recall. In addition, an article in The Lancet Neurology, Volume 11, No.12, December 2012, authored by Drs Laura Moretti, Irene Chrisofari, and Jordan Grafman, confirms a significant decline in cognitive functioning in older adults with a history of TBI. In a very interesting study reported in The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation: July/August 2018, Drs. O’Neil-Pirozzi, Ketchum, Hammond, and others compared a group of individuals who died at more than 1-year post- TBI with a matched group of survivors. The deceased group demonstrated significantly poor global functioning on all physical, cognitive, and psychological functioning variables at their most recent follow up visit prior to death.

Obsessive Compulsive Disorder In an article for the publication Very Well Mind dated June 22, 2017, Owen Kelly, PhD, reports that while symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder can occur immediately after injury, there have been confirmation of TBI-induced OCD months after the initial injury.

Drs Berthier, Kulisevsky, Gironell and Lopez reported in The Journal of Neuropsychiatry, Neuropsychology, and Behavioral Neurology, Vol. 14, No. 1, that 6 of the 10 patients they studied developed OCD after suffering mild TBI, most of them with no pre-morbid or family history of OCD.

Anxiety Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Depression Development of anxiety disorder post TBI has also been documented. An article authored by Michelle Albicini and Audrey McKinlay, PhD, Journal of Head

Regression and Other Implications CONTINUED Trauma Rehabilitation, May/June 2008, Vol 33, No 3., studied anxiety disorder in adults with childhood traumatic TBI. They studied 95 males and 74 females and found that adult survivors experienced persistent anxiety, panic attacks, specific phobias and depression, some more than 13 years post injury. Another study in the same journal in their January/February 2018 issue, authored by Drs Osborn, Mathias, Fairwether-Schmidt and Anstey, followed groups of young, middle aged, and older adult TBI survivors and confirmed a significant association between sustaining a TBI and developing clinically significant depression.

There also now appears to be a clear link between TBI and post-traumatic stress disorder. In an article published by UCLA Life Scientists in their Science Daily Newsletter, February 15, 2012, they confirm a causal link between TBI and an increase susceptibility to posttraumatic stress disorder, as well as well as anxiety disorder. A similar article published in Frontiers in Neuroscience, 2016 confirmed similar findings.

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia A more dramatic development is research showing a link between TBI and the development of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The previously cited research in the Lancet Neurology study also found a link to these conditions for long term TBI survivors. In a follow up study in The Lancet Psychiatry, April 10, 2018, Drs Fann and Pedersen identified a significant increase in incidents of dementia compared to non-TBI adults the same age. Another study published in The Lancet Psychiatry reported on by U.S. News and World Report, studied 2.8 million patient records and found a significant risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s’ disease.

The study found that a single severe head injury increased the risk for dementia by 35%. People in the study who suffered two or more mild to moderate TBI’s had a 33% increased chance. People who suffered four or more TBI’s had a 61% increased chance. The conclusion of the study was that people who suffer NADR NEWS | THIRD QUARTER 2018

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Social Security Disability Claim Denied?   

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DAVID F. CHERMOL, ESQ.

NADR NEWS | THIRD QUARTER 2018

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Regression and Other Implications of Long-Term Traumatic Brain Injury Survival CONTINUED a TBI in their 20’s are 60% more likely to develop dementia or Alzheimer’s disease in their 50’s.

Case Study - Rocky I worked with this claimant for over 20 years, and I got to see firsthand some of the challenges he faced through the aging process. Rocky was 19 years old when he was in a major car accident and almost did not survive. He was in a coma for almost a week and sustained a severe TBI, resulting in cognitive deficits including impaired memory, short attention span, problem solving issues, problems with judgement, difficulty in information processing, anger management, and significant motor deficits on his right side for both his arm and leg. Although he was a high school graduate, neuropsychological testing post injury placed him at the grade school level in reading, spelling and math. After a lengthy in-patient stay he was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital for continued treatment and eventually transferred to a residential community-based facility with significant supervision. Over the first 5 years post injury Rocky made remarkable progress in all areas, eventually transferring to a residential step program with the goal of independent apartment living with help from community living aides. He became employed in the community and was functioning at a high enough level to maintain a job and arrange for public transportation for work and social events, without the assistance of his community care team.

At a team meeting about 15 years post-accident, his community care team reported problems Rocky was starting to have remembering how to arrange for transportation, taking his medications on time, and completing his job duties. A repeat neuropsychological evaluation confirmed that his scores in several domains of cognitive functioning had declined, when compared to the previous neuropsychological evaluation five years earlier. We eventually needed more community care team hours to give Rocky the extra assistance he now needed to continue living semi-independently.

Rocky also developed OCD about 5 years post injury, with his parents reporting no pre-injury symptoms.

He was especially obsessed with cleanliness and orderliness and joined a supported employment janitorial crew. He was eventually competitively employed as a busser for a local restaurant. When the restaurant closed he was hired by a local nursing home in the laundry department.

Also about 5 years post injury Rocky developed a form of seasonal bipolar disorder. Again, his parents said there were no pre-injury issues with this. He was more manic at the start of daylight savings time and into the summer months. He had issues with depression during the fall and winter months. The treatment team adjusted his medication regimen accordingly each season after he was diagnosed.

The implications in representing TBI survivors are obvious. In the current climate, higher functioning TBI’s are often denied at the application and the hearing level. Representatives should not assume that the TBI itself is the only disabling condition and should work hard to identify and document any of these other conditions that can co-exist with the more typical TBI symptoms. In addition, with the lengthy appeal process or in the situation where the claimant has applied, been denied, and is re-applying, as the process literally drags on, representatives should keep contact with the client and treating professionals, as these co-existing conditions can develop and be identified at any time during the application and appeal process. It may also be that claimants can be denied during the period of the most symptom improvement, the first 2-years post-injury. This is especially true for younger claimants who can see dramatic improvement initially post-injury, but who may meet or equal a listing as these other conditions are diagnosed as the client ages.

Janine Holloman, MA, CRC, LPC, CBIS, EDPNA

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nADr MentorInG GUIDe (For Mento r

s and Ment

ees)

Board of Director s 2014-2015 President Robert McDowell Elizabethtown, KY Vice President Steve Skinner Redding, CA Secretary Philip Litteral Ashland, KY Treasurer Michael Wener Memphis, TN Directors-at-Large Karen Starr Grand Rapids, MI

Marchand, and the following folks on her Committee for their hard work on the production of the NADR Mentoring Guide.

Please consider signing uptio as a Mentor or a NADR Na

Patty Sexton Wauna, WA

Mentee after

NADR National Offi ce Administrators Eva Sirman 202-822-2155 eva@nadr.org Julie Phelps 202-822-2155 admin@nadr.or g

NADR PO Box 96503 Washington, DC 20090-6503 Phone: (202) 822 -2155 Fax (972) 245-67 01 Web Site: www.n adr.org

NADR NEWS | THIRD QUARTER 2018

Mentor Guide Sub-Committee, Earline

Greg Cates Memphis, TN

Barbara Manna Pittsburgh, PA

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NADR would like to thank the chair of the

nal Office PO Box 96503 #3 0550 Washithrough reading the guidelines. ngton, DC 2009 0-6503

We are hopeful that this will be another invalualbe NADR member benefit.

Mentor Guide Sub-Committee Earline D. Marchand Carol Balderee Sherrell Rodgers Steven Gragg Brandy Bowdry Dedra Wood

NADR 2019 NADR NEWS | THIRD QUARTER 2018

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Welcome

NEW BOARD MEMBERS

KAREN SKINNER My name is Karen Skinner and I live in Redding, California.

I am married and have four awesome, adult children with 7 grandchildren. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and have worked in various aspects of that degree primarily due to the fact that I was the spouse of an active duty military member. That meant that every time my husband received a new assignment, I in turn, moved to a new position. During our eight years in Japan, I worked for Department of Defense Schools Regional Headquarters in their Accounting and Information Technology Divisions. I have managed million-dollar budgets and assisted in the design and installation of fiber optic LAN systems in 33 schools throughout Korea, Okinawa, and Japan. In North Dakota, I had the privilege of being the secretary of the Mission Support Base Commander. This position required a

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top-secret security clearance as we were responsible for all active duty and civilian human resource aspects for the base.

For the past 15 years, I have been the co-owner and business manager of Skinner and Associates, and am knowledgeable in most aspects of Social Security disability. Most recently, I have developed a Representative Payee Organization, Shasta Money Management. I have contracted with a California State agency to be the representative payee organization for individuals who have been disabled prior to the age of 18. Because of this contract, these clients pay no fee for our services!

My involvement with NADR began in 2005, and I have learned so much from the organization and its’ members. I believe that NADR has been one of the key assets in the success of our businesses, and I am excited about serving on the NADR board as Secretary.

KELLY BLAD Kelly Blad has an undergraduate degree in Psychology and master’s degree in Public Administration. She was hired on as a Disability Representative at Disability Specialists in September, 2007, and passed the direct pay exam in May, 2008. She has been a NADR member since the start of her career and is the current Chief Executive Officer of Disability Specialists, a company in Minnesota with about 42 employees; 7 reps and 35 office support personnel.

The Disability Representatives at Disability Specialists perform about 25 hearings per month on average.

Kelly has served on the legislative committee and the business contract review committee in the past.

Kelly has two children, Taylor (20), a nursing student at the University of Milwaukee in Wisconsin and Katie (17), a senior in high school. Together they reside in Minneapolis. Kelly enjoys travel and adventure, biking, running, kick-boxing, and strength training; and just about anything outdoors.

Kelly is looking forward to helping make improvements in the disability system and protect the interests of the members and the clients we serve.

Kelly E. Blad, CEO Disability Representative, EDPNA Disability Specialists

Melissa Smith Melissa has been a disability advocate with Advantage 2000 Consultants for over 16 years and a NADR member for more than a decade. Her Social Security career started in 1994 when she began working as an Office Automation Clerk for the Creve Coeur hearing office. In 1995 she was promoted to Hearing Office Clerk and transferred to the St. Louis hearing office where she recorded hearings, secured pre and post hearing development and scheduled hearings for several ALJ’s. In addition, she served as the St. Louis area AFGE Union Steward until she left the government to pursue a career in the private sector.

She became an EDPNA representative in 2007 and an ADR in 2017. For more than 16 years she has represented claimants from initial claim level through Appeals Council review. Melissa served as Networking Coordinator for the 2018 NADR Conference and will fill that role again in 2019. As Networking Coordinator she plans and organizes

the conference community service projectsand networking events. From 2015 to 2017 Melissa served as Recording Secretary for the Midwest Claim Association and Co-Chaired the 2017 Midwest Claims Conference. For more than a decade she has presented Social Security Disability training and leadership seminars at multiple claims conferences and insurance industry symposiums.

In addition to her work within the SSA community, Melissa has raised funds, volunteered and brought awareness to multiple nonprofits including Paraquad, an organization dedicated to supporting the disabled community, H.I.S. K.I.D.S., a summer camp for children with cancer, the Gateway MS Society, Marine Toys for Tots and March of Dimes. She has volunteered as a hospice patient care attendant, grief counseling group moderator and a victim’s advocate for the YWCA’s Sexual Assault Response Team.

Melissa believes the work that Social Security representatives perform is critical to bringing dignity and independence to the disabled community. As Director at Large, she hopes to serve NADR by providing its members with support to improve their lives and the lives of the claimants they serve.

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a Sirman 2-822-2155 a@nadr.org

lie Phelps 2-822-2155 min@nadr.org

ADR

Box 96503 ashington, DC 20090-6503 one: (202) 822-2155 x (972) 245-6701 eb Site: www.nadr.org

Board of Directors 2018 - 2019

President Philip Litteral, ADR Ashland, KY

Vice President C. Greg Cates, EdD., ADR Memphis, TN

Secretary Karen Skinner, ADR Redding, CA

Treasurer Christopher Mazzulli, ADR Baltimore, MD

Director At Large Clifford Berkley, ADR Fullerton, CA

Director At Large Marilyn Hamilton, Esq. Atlanta, GA

Director At Large Michael Wener, ADR Memphis, TN

Director At Large Kelly Blad, ADR Cook, MN

Director At Large Melissa Smith, ADR St. Louis, MO

NADR News is published by NADR and is the property of the National Association of Disability Representatives. Copyright 2016, NADR. The articles appearing in the NADR News do not necessarily reflect the opinions of NADR. The accuracy and content of each article is the responsibility of the individual writer.

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