Core Services of Northeast Tennessee is a non-profit organization supporting people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities in the greater Johnson City area. We offer a range of services involving supported living, employment, technology, respite, personal assistance, funds management, nursing, and more. Core Services of Northeast Tennessee is licensed by the State of Tennessee Department of Health and Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (DIDD).
The agency has completed Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities requirements for designation as a “Person-Centered Organization” and is an “Enabling Technology Transformation Agency”. Previously a provider mentor through the DIDD Tennessee Employment First Leadership Initiative (TEFLI), in 2024 Core Services is completing requirements for the DIDD Employment First Education & Accreditation Pilot Program. In 2024 the agency is also a Medicaid Alternative Pathways to Independence (MAPs) provider. MAPs is a program that will set people with intellectual and developmental disabilities on a path to learn skills to help them work, live independently, learn about their neighborhoods.
CQL | The Council on Quality and Leadership offers accreditation, training, certification, research, and consultation services. Core Services holds Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation with Distinction through CQL|The Council on Quality and Leadership. There are only a handful of organizations that have achieved CQL’s Person-Centered Excellence Accreditation, With Distinction. In 2021 Core Services of Northeast Tennessee joined this exclusive group of providers that are aligning with the most rigorous standards in human services. Core Services of Northeast Tennessee was also a recipient of a 2017 CQL Award of Excellence, acknowledging successes in reducing rights restrictions. The Executive Director of Core Services was selected as the recipient of the first ever 2022 CQL Presidents Award for innovative leadership in the disability services sector.
Core Services of Northeast Tennessee was one of two winners for the 2022 Moving Mountains Award. Through the Moving Mountains Award, the Institute on Community Integration, the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals, and ANCOR recognize organizations using leading practices in direct support workforce development that result in improved outcomes for people with disabilities. Core Services was recognized for a DSP Retention Initiative result!
In 2021 Core Services of Northeast Tennessee became one of the first provider agencies in Tennessee to achieve SHIFT Technology First Accreditation and in 2024 earned a second term of Technology First Reaccreditation. According to Shift, the Technology First Organization Accreditation is, “an unbiased process that evaluates and recognizes an organization’s transformation to a person-centered technology first culture. The accreditation certifies that at all levels of the organization, standardized best practices are applied to the integration of enabling technology to support self-determination and independence”.
MEET THE CORE SERVICES TEAM!
Click on the photo for an email link
Susan Arwood, Executive Director
Susan found her dream job when she joined the Core team in 2014 after a 30+ year career with the TN Division of Rehab Services. She holds a BS degree from the University of TN and an M.S. degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Susan holds SHIFT ETIS Specialization certification, SHIFT Employment First Job Developer and Leadership certification, is a Certified Employment Support Professional CESP and holds NADSP Credentials as DSP-III and Frontline Supervisor FLS. Susan lives in Greeneville with her husband Mike. She loves spending time with her husband, daughter Casey and grandson Levi.
Nick Filarelli, Program Director
Nick has worked in the IDD field for almost 15 years. He came to Core Services in 2015 and has been the leading force in the development and growth of the agency’s Enabling Technology Program. Nick holds NADSP Certification as a DSP III and Frontline Supervisor FLS. Nick also holds SHIFT Enabling Technology and SHIFT Employment First Leadership certification. In addition to holding the position of Program Director, Nick is also a Technology Champion and an accomplished public speaker.
Rachel Gosnell, Nursing Director
Rachel joined Core Services in 2022. Rachel obtained her ASN at Walters State CC in 2018 and obtained her BSN at King University in 2021. She has a professional background in supporting people with IDD for more than 10 years. Rachel holds DSP III certification through NADSP. Rachel has two incredible little girls, Kendall and Kennedy as well as two ridiculously adorable pups named Lottie and Charlie. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her family and traveling.
Angie Cobble, Workforce Specialist
Angie came to Core Services in 2018 after a career with the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. Angie has 37 years of experience in the IDD field. She is a certified CPI Instructor, CPR/First Aide Instructor, Person Centered Thinking trainer and a certified Personal Outcome Measures Trainer and Interviewer. Angie holds the NADSP certified credentials of DSP-III and Frontline Supervisor, as well as SHIFT Employment First Leadership certication.
Jessie Dunn, Case Manager
Jessie holds an Associate of Science in General Studies from Walters State C.C. and has 13 years of experience working with people with IDD. She joined the Core Services team in 2014. Jessie is world famous for the “Core Services selfie” photos and starred in a film with a leading role as Mrs. Doubtfire. Jessie holds the NADSP certified credentials of DSP III and Frontline Supervisor. Jessie is a Certified Employment Support Professional CESP. She also holds SHIFT Technology certification and SHIFT Leadership and Job Developer certification.
Brian Kennedy, Employment Coordinator
Brian Kennedy holds a Masters degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Kentucky. He joined the Core Services team in 2016 after a 22 year career with the TN Division of Rehabilitation Counselor. Brian is a Certified Person Centered Thinking Trainer, Certified Employment Support Professional CESP and Certified Personal Outcome Measures Interviewer. Brian also holds SHIFT Employment First Job Developed and Leadership certification, as well as NADSP DSP I certifications. Brian is passionate about employment for people with disabilities and their valuable contributions to the workforce.
Adam Gothard, Technology Coordinator
Adam studied Computer Science at Walters State C.C. He joined the Core Services team in 2019. He has worked with people with IDD for over 19 years. Adam has worked with computer technology for over 25 years. Adam hold SHIFT Enabling Technology certification as well as NADSP certification as a DSP III and Frontline Supervisor. His favorite author is Michael Crichton. Adam is an accomplished film producer well known for the following films; We Are Core, Core to the Future, Terror to the Core. He also enjoys collecting Vintage Star Wars. Father of a redbone coonhound named Tiberius.
Alyssa Shoun, Finance Specialist
Alyssa has 12 years of experience working with individuals with IDD. Alyssa is a recipient of the 2017 Tennessee ANCOR DSP of the Year award. Alyssa is a certified Personal Outcome Measure Interviewer and holds NADSP Credentials as DSP-III and Frontline Supervisor FLS.
Susan Heiser, Lead Program Supervisor
Susan joined the Core Team in 2015. She has over 13 years of experience working with adults with IDD. Susan’s three children, eight grandchildren and dog Gracie are the center of her life. Susan holds the NADSP certified credentials of DSP-1 and Frontline Supervisor.
Krista Meadows, Financial Independence Liaison
Krista is originally from Indiana where she attended Purdue University and majored in Special Education. She has over 15 years experience working with IDD individuals and over 20+ years working in the classroom. Krista has two amazing daughters. Carli, a senior at Lander University and Kennedy, a senior at Science Hill High School.
Anita Warren, Healthcare Specialist
Anita joined the Core team in 2021 after almost 20 years in this field. She holds a BS degree in Psychology from East Tennessee State University. Anita lives with her husband Jim and her cat Bobby in Johnson City.
Linda Evans, Pre-Employment Transition Services Coordinator
Linda joined the Core Services team in 2019 after a 35 year career with the State of Tennessee. Linda managed the start-up of the agency’s Pre-Employment Transitions Services program. Despite a pandemic, under her leadership the agency is providing Pre-ETS services to over 500 students in seven counties at over 21 high schools and middle schools.
Aspen Harris, Program Assistant
Aspen joined the Core Services team in 2017 and since that time has held the position of Direct Support Professional, Healthcare Specialist and Program Assistant. Aspen holds DSP II certification through NADSP. Aspen is dog mom to Jypsy. She is passionate about anything Halloween or horror.
Larry Lauff, Program Supervisor
Larry Lauff is the newest member of the Core Services team joining in 2024. Larry is relocating from the Knoxville area where he worked with children with intellectual disabilities and autism.
Pam Weaver, DSP, Job Coach, NADSP DSP III
Pam has been a Direct Support Professional/Job Coach and Technology Champion at Core Services since 2018. During her tenure at Core, Pam was Employee of the Month (Sept 2019), received national recognition as the ANCOR Tennessee DSP of the year (2020), earned nationally recognized credentials as a DSP III by the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (2021) and achieved SHIFT Tech First Certification (2021). Pam also serves as DSP Mentor supporting new employees in the outboarding process. Pam enjoys spending time with her family and her spoiled shih-tzu Sophie. Pam's hobby is working on diamond art in her spare time.
Glenda Gonzales, Job Coach, NADSP DSP III
Glenda has been employed at Core Services since 2004. Her twin sister Carolyn found Core first and Glenda followed a year later. Glenda has assumed many roles at Core including DSP, Personal Assistant, House Manager, Team Leader, Residential Team Manager and most recently Job Coach. Glenda has achieved the highest national credentials through NADSP as a DSP III and has achieved SHIFT Certification. Glenda states that working with adults with IDD has taught her more about life, than life ever has. Glenda lives with her husband Tommy and has a house full of fur babies.
Allen Selby, DSP/Job Coach, NADSP DSP III
Allen has been employed at Core Services since 2013. Allen has had four roles at Core Services through his years including DSP, Personal Assistant, House Manager and Job Coach. Allen has achieved the highest national credentials through NADSP as a DSP III and also holds SHIFT Certification. He was the Core Services Employee of the Year in 2016. He was the ANCOR Tennessee DSP of the Year in 2019 accepting his award at the 2019 ANCOR Conference in Portland, Oregon. Allen states that his biggest accomplishment has been supporting Carl in living his best life. Allen is also a local wrestler on the side.
Terry Miller, DSP-2, NADSP DSP III
Terry Miller joined the Core Services family 2001. In 2018 Terry won the ANCOR American Network of Community Options and Resources's, Tennessee DSP of the Year receiving his award in New Orleans, LA. In 2020 Terry joined the ranks of an elite group of 18 DSP in Canada and United States who earned the highest credentials, DSP III, through the NADSP Portfolio credential program. The portfolio system of credentialing was closed in 2021 due to the difficulty level of the program and was replaced with the new NADSP eBadge Academy. Terry is the vacation master of Core Services. He has personally been responsible for countless people supported and employees achieving vacation dreams!
Anthony Grindstaff, DSP, NADSP III
Anthony has been a DSP for 16 years, 14 years with Core Services. Anthony has earned nationally recognized credentials as DSP III by the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals and also holds SHIFT Certification. Anthony is a e-Badge Reviewer for NADSP. During his tenure at Core, Anthony was Employee of the Month for February 2022. Anthony has assumed different roles at Core including DSP, House Manager, Team Leader, and Job Coach. Anthony enjoys spending time with his family and friends.
Board of Directors (Click on the name for an email link)
Joan Angelopoulos
James Bowman, Chairperson
Steve Box
Shirley Casson
Teressa Dobbs
Judy Fowler
Karen Leffel, Treasurer
Lori Marks, Vice-Chair
Cathy Muse
HISTORY
In the mid 1960’s a private non-profit organization was formed by caring and concerned parents and community leaders.
The agency was to be known as The ARC of Washington County, later known as Washington County Community Residential Services, Inc. Services provided initially were those of support to parents and families of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Soon thereafter, a residential group home for females was established, The Wacarca League Home for Ladies. In 1984 the charter was established for Washington County Community Residential Services.
In 1986, a group home was established with the support of HUD for the ladies of the Wacarca home.
A residence which was established for 8 men in the 1980’s, was later converted to a HUD group home in 1996. In 1997, a ruling came about that an agency receiving federal funding through the Department of Mental Retardation could not provide both case management and residential services under the same corporation name. Therefore, on March 1, 1997, residential services was removed from the Arc of Washington County and placed under the old corporate name of Washington County Community Residential Services, Inc.
After approximately 10 years of utilizing the corporate name of Washington County Community Residential Services, Inc.,
the Board of Directors approved a name that fits more appropriately and a logo that is used as an identifier. Often times the old corporate name was associated with Washington County as a county service provider. With all of the above being confusing, we took on a new name of “Core Services of Northeast Tennessee”. Our logo, a home with an open heart, portrays an agency willing to provide a variety of support services to individuals who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Core Services is the public name we use as a d.b.a. under the corporate name of Washington County Community Residential Services, Inc.