Haley came to our team in 2023 as a Program Coordinator for the Physically Disabled (PD) and the Brain Injury (TBI) Waivers. If you call the Topeka Office, you will hear her voice on the phone and she will help direct your call.
Haley comes with 18 years of experience as a paraprofessional with the Topeka Public Schools and has worked 20 years in the service industry. Haley's experience provides great service to all our families.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR QUALITY IN-HOME SUPPORTS
KRISTEN GERDEL, New Participant Relations
DEBBIE PETERS, Program Coordinator
Laura started working in this industry in February of 2015. She does an amazing job helping people understand services when language is a barrier for Spanish Speaking families on all waivers and all MCO's. Life Patterns Inc. is a large provider for Spanish speaking families, and it is made possible by having Laura here to help with communication.
Laura had worked for a local school district as a paraprofessional, helping children with disabilities.
Trudy has worked at Life Patterns Inc. since 2023 and works with those on the UHC Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) waiver, billing and other task in the SW Office.
Trudy worked as a CNA and as a paraprofessional locally before coming to Life Patterns Inc. Her love of children and quiet nature is a delight. She helps with billing hours to Medicaid and also will be directing calls in the office.
NANCY HEINRICHS, Program Coordinator
Nancy starting in January 2022 and works with those on the Physically Disabled waiver (PD) with all MCO's. She also helps with any of the day to day tasks in the office.
Nancy has a passion for helping those with disabilities. Those with Down Syndrome carry and special place in her heart as she has a loved one with the condition. She has also worked with children as a paraprofessional and as a bank teller. Her experience is a great fit and she is always willing to help.
Kristen is the New Participants Relations Manager (NPRM) for Life Patterns, Inc. and overlooks all new on-boarding families. Kristen graduated with a bachelor's degree in Recreation from Emporia State University. She was previously employed as Office Manager for Connor Wealth Management before joining the Life Patterns administrative team.
Having a family member with a disability, Kristen shares a desire to support the families and individuals whom we assist. She manages many of our day-to-day functions, including setting up new enrollments and general assistance.
JON GERDEL, CEO of Life Patterns
LIFE PATTERNS, INC.
Eva has worked in the industry since 2013. She came in with an associate's degree in accounting and was looking for a fit for herself after moving to Montezuma. She started as the Employment Coordinator and then moved on to processing payroll and management of staff.
She worked for Payroll Plus of Kansas and then in 2018 she started with Life Patterns Inc. Her goal is to make sure that all services provided will encourage greater independence for our families.
Hire' is our most recent hire at Life Patterns, Inc. She is processing new hire paperwork and running background checks constantly. She is always happy to help employees and families with the daunting task of paperwork. Her enthusiasm and diligence make her an excellent and valued member of our team.
Hire' worked as a paraprofessional at the Topeka High School and in the service industry for over 25 years. She has also volunteered for the Special Olympics working with those in need.
HALEY PATE, Program Coordinator
CRISTINA ENNS, Employment Coordinator
Shannon joined Life Patterns in September, 2014 as Chief Financial Officer. As Life Patterns has grown, so has the need for accounting knowledge. Shannon holds a Bachelor's in Accounting from Washburn University. She is a CPA, CIA, & CFE. She was employed as an accountant at Blue Cross/Blue Shield for 5 years and an accountant/auditor at Security Benefit for 15 years.
Shannon also brings years of experience as a Direct Support Worker and para-professional for the Topeka 501 School District. Throughout her college years she held two jobs, one of which was working with a young man with a disability. Her accounting experience, coupled with a desire to hold a position in which she could make a difference for individuals with disabilities, brought her to our team.
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Robyn joined our time in February of 2022 and oversees accounts receivable and payable. She also helps in the office with great problem-solving skills and insight.
She graduated from Washburn University with a degree in accounting and spent 26 years working for a CPA firm that focused on the Healthcare Industry. Her Experience and Knowledge is highly valued at Life Patterns Inc.
The purpose of Life Patterns is to promote quality life styles for persons with a disability through the provision of service administration and individualized planning. The overall philosophy of Life Patterns is to emphasize opportunities of choice, person-centered planning, independence, integration, and inclusion into the community for persons with a disability.
Life Patterns provides Financial Management Services for medicaid waivers and Limited License businesses. Life Patterns withholds all applicable Federal, State and Social Security taxes for the individual worker as well as providing worker's compensation insurance, liability and unemployment insurance as required by law.
Life Patterns is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit corporation in the state of Kansas assisting individuals with a disability and their parent or guardian who have chosen Medicaid Recipient Directed Care* as their service delivery system.
Before joining our office team, Bailey worked through Life Patterns as a personal care attendant for four years for her cousin and in January 2016 as a Program Coordinator for Individuals covered on the Intellectual and Developmental Disability (IDD) waiver and Technolgy Assisted (TA) waiver.
Bailey graduated with a Pharmaceutical associate's degree in 2015 from Allen County Community College. Knowing first-hand how to take care of a loved one has given Bailey the special ability to relate to the families we work with.
HIRE' TAYLOR, Employment Coordinator
Debbie came to us in 2023 and she is working with TBI, TA, FE, and IDD Sunflower members. She helps with directing calls and answering questions at the Southwest office. She is a great member of our team and works hard for our families.
Debbie got her CNA license 2020 and worked in a nursing facility during the COVID-19 pandemic. She has worked with elderly people and continues to work some nights and weekends, along with helping our members during the day.
Jon joined the administrative team at Life Patterns in 2004. His background includes a variety of experiences that benefit the individuals we assist. As a teenager, Jon led Sibling Sessions at Families Together Family Enrichment Weekends. He went on to become a para-professional for the Topeka 501 School District, allowing him to gain knowledge and understanding about all types of disabilities.
His brother, Keith, has Cerebral Palsy which has given Jon great appreciation for the challenges presented to families that include a person with a disability. Jon holds a Bachelor's degree in Recreation from Emporia State University.
Cristina has worked in her role since 2017, starting with Payroll Plus of Kansas and then for Life Pattern Inc. in 2018. She has worked in a varies roles since, including accounts receivable, and now the Employment Coordinator for the SW office. She is always working with folks helping them with paperwork for new employees.
Cristina started her career as a CNA and worked at a local nursing facility for several years, giving her an understanding of HCBS services.
Sarah joined Life Patterns in June 2017 as a Program Coordinator for individuals on the IDD waiver who are covered by Sunflower Health Plan, as well as those on the Frail and Elderly (FE) and the new Autism (AUT) waviers through all the MCOs.
Sarah studied social services at both Washburn University and Emporia State University, and spent years volunteering with Families Together, Inc, at their annual Family Enrichment Weekends. Having a family member with a disability amplifies her desire to assist in any way she can with the families we serve.
EVA L MARTENS, SW Office Manager
BAILEY GREENE, Program Coordinator
TRUDY DYCK, Program Coordinator
ROBYN PUGH, Accounts Receivable & Payable
LAURA LEYVA, Spanish Translator & Program Coordinator
SHANNON WAGNER, Chief Financial Officer
SARAH LAING, Program Coordinator