Ms. Bridget Cain,

LCSW-A, LCAS, CSI

Executive Director,

October Road Inc.

Bridget joined October Road in 2017 after working for several years in Medication Assisted Treatment and Opioid Treatment Programs. She initially coordinated October Road’s Medication Assisted Treatment program until transitioning to Program Director of MAT and OTP services. Currently, Bridget is the Executive Director of October Road, Asheville, where she directs daily operations for all services and programs. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker Associate, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, and Clinical Supervisor Intern. Bridget holds a Master's of Social Work from Louisiana State University.

Why do you want to serve on the NCPC Board?

 “I would like to sit on the board to have a voice to advocate for change that supports providers, increases access to services and improves the quality of services. The goal is to support and serve the residents of North Carolina.”

Ms. Stacy M. Garnett, MBA

Chief Financial Officer / President,

Skill Creations Incorporated

Stacy holds a BS degree in Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy and Administration from the University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from East Carolina University. Stacy has been employed with Skill Creations for over 27 years in various progressive direct care and administrative positions advocating for consumers with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As such, she has extensive first-hand Provider experience from both clinical and financial perspectives. Stacy has experience working with all six MCOs across the state. The most recent work involved implementing Electronic Visit Verification and assisting MCOs with their Tailored Plan Testing. She is also a Rubicon Trusted Advisor, an active member of the NC Tide Conference Planning Committee, and a member of the NCPC Regulatory Committee. Her hobbies include Pinterest DIY home decorating projects and all things related to cruising.

Why do you want to serve on the NCPC Board?

“I have been a participating member of the NCPC for several years. As such, I have seen the positive impact the Council has had on Providers and those whom we serve. The past two years were unprecedented for IDD and Behavioral health providers. NCPC was instrumental in providing information, direction, and support for Providers during some of the most difficult times most of us had ever experienced. With over 27 years of experience as an IDD Provider, I believe I have a skill set that would be beneficial to the Board as it navigates future uncertainties in the state of North Carolina.”

Ms. Sara Huffman,

MSW, LCSW, LCAS

Central NC Regional Director,

RHA Health Services

Sara is a graduate of the ECU School of Social Work and has held both clinical and operational oversight of behavioral health programming. She has developed public programming for Behavioral Health Urgent Care Centers, Peer Support Services, Transitional to Community Living Services, Outpatient Services,  Medication Assisted Treatment, and other Community-Based Behavioral Health Treatment programs. She has led projects with County government and community stakeholders to create public/private funded programs for Hospital Peer Bridger Programs, Law Enforcement Co-Responder and Quick Response Teams, Detention Center Behavioral Health Teams, and Family Justice Center Behavioral Health Programming. Sara has been a North Carolina Providers Council board member since 2021 and currently serves as the NCPC Board Secretary and as the Co-Chair of the Mental Health / Substance Use Disorder Committee. 

Why do you want to serve on the NCPC Board?

“It has been my honor to be a member of the NC Providers Council’s Board for the last 2 years. I chose to serve on the NCPC Board to advocate for the MH/SUD/IDD provider community and quality services for North Carolina citizens. It would be my honor to continue to be an NCPC Board member and if elected, look forward to the work ahead in supporting provider needs.”

Ms. Kelly Husn

Division Director,

Bayada Home Health Care

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to potentially serve on the NCPC Board of Directors. I have been representing BAYADA Habilitation for NCPC since 2010. BAYADA Habilitation provides Home and Community Based Periodic services to Individuals with I/DD on the Innovations Waiver. We are contracted with all six MCOs and provide services to 600 individuals across North Carolina. We work to provide quality services to individuals in their homes and community, while also building connections and relationships in their communities. We are statewide sponsors for the Special Olympics of NC and have many local connections as well. I have been in the I/DD field for 20 years, but have loved this population my whole life. While I have been focusing on HCBS services for the past 15 years, I have also had experience in residential services. 

Why do you want to serve on the NCPC Board?

“I feel that I would be a beneficial addition to our current Board of Directors, not only because of my passion for the I/DD population, but also because I am skilled at listening to others, gathering information and data, and making sound decisions when needed. I feel that I am a collaborator and put a lot of attention into creating supportive, trusting relationships. I would be honored to support and represent the NCPC as a member of the Board of Directors!”

Ms. Dee Pankey Thompson, MSL

Chief Quality Officer,

GHA Autism Supports

As Chief Quality Officer, I am a member of the Executive Team and it is my responsibility to provide oversight to our agency’s quality services, lead advanced professional and cultural competency trainings, provide oversight to contract management, and support community connections and services development expansion. I am a 1998 graduate of Catawba College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Information Systems, with a Minor in Sociology. In 2010, I earned my Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Change from Pfeiffer University. I am currently a board member of Trillium’s Global Quality Committee, a member of Pfeiffer University’s Occupational Therapy Advisory Board, an Albemarle Rotary Club board member, previous Board Chair of the Stanly County Family YMCA and previous chair of the Cardinal Innovations Cultural Competence Sub-Committee. In my leisure, I am a wife, mother of three, and travel/fun enthusiast! (See me if you need some JOY!!)

Why do you want to serve on the NCPC Board?

“I have worked in the field of developmental disabilities for over 26 years and I believe I would bring a wealth of knowledge, expertise, and willingness to support a wonderfully, well-established, committee. GHA Autism Supports has a long-standing partnership with the North Carolina Providers Council, and I am humbly honored for the nomination.”

Mr. Christopher White

Chief Operating Officer,

LIFESPAN Services

Christopher has worked in the Behavioral Health sector for over 25 years and has been with LIFESPAN for 20 years. LIFESPAN provides services to both children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, ages ranging from 6 weeks old to seniors. LIFESPAN supports people as far west as Cherokee County and as far east as Alamance County. In the role of Chief Operating Officer at LIFESPAN, he is responsible for ensuring all programs are operating to meet all standards from a compliance standpoint. This role requires that he make sure each program is financially sustainable. He also is responsible for all Business Development and growth opportunities. This has given him the ability to develop and maintain close relationships with other Providers, LME/MCOs and State representatives, and stakeholder groups. These relationships are important to him because he feels it takes all of us to empower people to become the Best Version of Themselves.

Why do you want to serve on the NCPC Board?

“Being a part of the North Carolina Providers Council Board is exciting to me because I am given an opportunity to be a part of workgroups that affect change at a policy level within our state.” They say once you find your passion you never work another day. I have not worked in years. I have truly found my passion supporting people to be the Best Version of Themselves. There is nothing more powerful than walking through life with a person and watching them get their 1st job, get their 1st apartment, take their 1st steps, cook their 1st meal, etc. Where else can you be in life and see so many different 1st time events!!!!”