CCS LEADERSHIP

Empowering independence through housing, benefits planning, and expert consultation.

Barbara Tate

Chief Executive Officer, CCS & RISE Services | Senior Benefits Planner | CARF Surveyor

Barbara Tate is a seasoned human services executive and Senior Benefits Planner with more than 20 years of experience advancing employment services, benefits planning, and organizational leadership within disability and workforce systems. She serves as Chief Executive Officer of CCS and RISE Services (RISES), where she provides strategic leadership, operational oversight, and systems development across both organizations.

Barbara is a Human Services–Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP), a credential she has held since 2015, demonstrating advanced competency and adherence to rigorous professional standards in the human services field.

She holds multiple specialized credentials from Cornell University, including:

These credentials support her expertise in complex Social Security benefits planning for transition-age youth, veterans, and adults with disabilities pursuing competitive integrated employment.

Barbara previously held the Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP) credential through APSE.

Accreditation & Systems Leadership

Barbara also serves as a CARF Surveyor, conducting accreditation surveys nationally and supporting organizations in strengthening quality, compliance, and service outcomes. She is known for her systems-level thinking, regulatory fluency, and practical implementation strategies.

Throughout her career, she has served in roles including:

Her executive leadership spans multi-state expansion strategy, accreditation readiness, workforce development, compliance infrastructure, and employment-first implementation

Education

Barbara earned a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice from George Mason University and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Behavior Analysis from Saint Joseph’s University.

Professional Focus

Barbara’s work centers on:

Employment-first systems development
Social Security work incentives and high-level benefits planning
Organizational accreditation and regulatory compliance
Leadership development within human services organizations
Expanding equitable access to competitive integrated employment

She resides in Northern Virginia with her sons and remains committed to advancing inclusive employment and community-based services across the region and beyond.

Heather Jones

Chief Operating Officer, RISE Services & Consulting Connection Services (CCS)

Credentialed Work Incentive Practitioner | Special Education & Human Services Executive

Heather Jones serves as Chief Operating Officer of RISE Services (RISES) and Consulting Connection Services (CCS), where she leads multi-state operations, program development, and organizational infrastructure. She is responsible for ensuring operational excellence, regulatory compliance, service quality, and sustainable growth across both organizations.
Heather plays a critical role in translating strategic vision into measurable outcomes. Her leadership spans program design, workforce development, Medicaid waiver implementation, cross-state expansion, and systems optimization to ensure that services remain person-centered, compliant, and scalable.

Operational & Systems Leadership

Heather has been instrumental in:

Developing and launching new Medicaid waiver and employment service programs
Expanding CCS and RISE Services into additional states
Building interdisciplinary teams focused on measurable, person-centered outcomes
Designing internal compliance systems aligned with Medicaid, SSA, and CARF standards
Strengthening quality assurance processes and long-term sustainability frameworks

Her operational approach integrates data-driven decision-making with mission-centered leadership, ensuring both regulatory integrity and meaningful impact for individuals served.

Expertise in Special Education & Person-Centered Planning

With a foundational background in special education, Heather brings deep expertise in individualized assessment, instructional design, and behavioral supports. She has extensive experience developing:

Her dual background in education and human services allows her to bridge systems effectively, particularly during school-to-work and benefits-to-employment transitions.

Professional Credentials

Heather is a credentialed Work Incentive Practitioner through Cornell University. This certification equips her to provide comprehensive Social Security benefits planning to individuals pursuing employment, ensuring informed decision-making and financial stability during workforce transitions. Her ability to integrate employment services with benefits planning enhances organizational capacity and improves client outcomes across programs.

Education & Early Career

Heather earned a Bachelor of Arts in Special Education from Michigan State University, with a focus on Learning Disabilities. She later completed a Master of Arts in Special Education with a concentration in Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Her career began in elementary special education classrooms, where she developed expertise in differentiated instruction and individualized intervention. After relocating to Virginia in 2017, she transitioned into supported employment services as a Job Coach, where she discovered her passion for adult services and workforce development.
Since that time, she has held progressive leadership roles, contributing to the design and expansion of innovative employment and community-based programs.

Leadership Philosophy

Heather is known for her steady, collaborative leadership style and her commitment to dignity, independence, and equitable access to opportunity. She builds high-performing teams grounded in accountability, empathy, and excellence, ensuring that organizational growth never outpaces service quality. She resides in western Virginia near Winchester with her three children and remains deeply committed to strengthening inclusive employment and community-based systems.