Barbara Tate - Chief Executive Officer

Barbara Tate

Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP), CESP, Work Incentive Practitioner
Director | Consultant | Advocate

Barbara Tate is a seasoned human services professional with a deep commitment to empowering individuals through employment, benefits planning, and systems-level consulting. She has been a Human Services–Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP) since 2015, demonstrating her expertise through a combination of advanced education, practical knowledge, and professional experience.

Barbara holds multiple specialized credentials from Cornell University, including:

• Work Incentive Practitioner

• Veterans Work Incentive Practitioner

• Youth Work Incentive Practitioner

These certifications allow Barbara to deliver comprehensive benefits planning services for individuals receiving Social Security benefits who are exploring a return to work.

She is also a Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP)through the Association of People Supporting Employment First (APSE), a credential she has proudly maintained since 2014.

Accreditation & Leadership

Barbara currently serves as a CARF Surveyor, leveraging her extensive experience with CARF standards to support organizations in achieving accreditation. In 2023 alone, she conducted 10 formal CARF surveysacross the country. Known for her consultative and solutions-oriented approach, Barbara consistently receives positive feedback from the programs she surveys and supports.

Education & Background

A native of Northern Virginia, Barbara earned a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice from George Mason University, followed by a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Behavior Analysis from St. Joseph’s University.

She brings more than two decades of experience in the human services field, having served in a wide range of roles, including:

• Support Coordinator

• Case Manager

• Program Director

• CEO (8 years)

Community Involvement

Barbara is deeply committed to service, both professionally and personally. She currently serves on the Boards of Directors for NABWIS and New Creatures-in-Christ Ministries. She previously served on the Prince William County Disability Services Board (DSB)after being appointed by then-Supervisor Pete Candland.

Barbara lives in Prince William County, Virginia, with her sons, Nathan & Kingston. She continues to champion equitable access to employment and community-based services across the region and beyond.

Heather Jones - Chief Operating Officer

Chief Operating Officer | Credentialed Work Incentive Practitioner | Special Education & Human Services Leader

As Chief Operating Officer, Heather Jones plays a central role in shaping the strategic direction and operational excellence of both Consulting Connection Services (CCS) and its sister organization, RISE Services. With a unique blend of experience in special education, human services, and benefits planning, Heather leads the oversight and expansion of service delivery across multiple states.

Heather has been instrumental in:

• Developing new Medicaid waiver programs

• Expanding CCS and RISE Services into new states

• Building interdisciplinary teams focused on person-centered outcomes

• Improving internal systems to ensure compliance, quality, and long-term sustainability

Compassionate Leadership & Person-Centered Planning

Heather is known for her compassionate, hands-on leadership style, and her ability to form strong, collaborative relationships with individuals, families, and support teams. Her background in education equips her with the tools to identify unique learning and support needs, and her work in human services enables her to respond with meaningful, individualized solutions.

She is widely recognized for her expertise in creating:

• Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) for students with varying learning needs

• Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for adults requiring varying levels of care

Heather’s passion lies in empowering individuals to overcome daily challenges and live with dignity, independence, and purpose.

Professional Credentials & Specialized Training

Heather is a credentialed Work Incentive Practitioner, certified through Cornell University, which enables her to provide benefits planning services to individuals receiving Social Security who are exploring employment options. This expertise adds another layer of support for clients transitioning to work while maintaining essential benefits.

Education & Early Career

Born and raised in Michigan, Heather earned her Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from Michigan State University, with a focus on Learning Disabilities. Her early teaching career included working in elementary special education classrooms, where she discovered her calling while teaching a young student with Autism who had been previously written off by others.

Motivated by that powerful experience, she pursued her Master of Arts in Special Education with a concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorder, deepening her knowledge and strengthening her approach to individualized learning and support.

Life in Virginia

In 2017, Heather relocated to Virginia, where she discovered her love for human services while working as a Job Coachin a Supported Employment program. Since then, she has held numerous leadership positions and helped design and scale innovative programs that change lives every day.

Heather now resides in the western part of Virginia, near Winchester, where she enjoys life with her three wonderful children. She continues to champion high-quality, inclusive services while building teams that value equity, empathy, and excellence.