Staff Spotlight: Laura Vegas

1. In what ways does your role help support the work of NASDDDS members?

In my role at NASDDDS, I’m able to interact with and support the work of our members in a variety of ways. First, as the NASDDDS National Core Indicators® (NCI) lead, I’m able to support states in collecting, analyzing, and using data for quality improvement and data-driven policy decisions. As the lead for the National Community of Practice for Supporting Families (CoP), I work with states to help them understand the framework and values of the CoP, which is driven 100% by grassroots, family-driven efforts, and apply that to their policy and systems design so that families of people with IDD are better supported. I have the opportunity, in supporting our members, to examine their quality systems in general and share innovations for using Medicaid HCBS to promote person- and family-centered services and supports. Finally, I’m honored to support the work of the NASDDDS Research Committee, composed of NASDDDS members, which develops the Research Agenda priorities that serve as a rudder for the entire body of NASDDDS work.

2. What does a typical day look like for you as a member of the NASDDDS team?

One of the great things about being a NASDDDS team member is that every day is different. When I’m working in the office, my days generally consist of meetings with project partners and various state staff for the purposes of managing and leading the two national projects, NCI and CoP, and for providing technical assistance and support to our members. I do get the opportunity to travel frequently to our member states for the purposes of providing support and TA onsite. I spend quite a bit of time sharing NCI data, meeting with federal partners, and attending learning opportunities to sharpen my skills and stay on the cutting edge of our field in order to better support our members. There are also opportunities to strategize as the NASDDDS team and with external partners to continue looking to the future of NASDDDS and IDD services and to evolve as a member organization to better serve our members.

3. What aspects of your work bring you the most joy, and what do you enjoy most outside your professional life?

I’ve worked in this field for more than 35 years, and I have always gotten the greatest joy from supporting people with IDD and their families in any way I can to have a good life. Being a civil servant at heart, working and collaborating with our members in any capacity gives me joy. I enjoy being able to share ideas, innovations, and lessons learned with our members to support the work they are engaged in. It is very exciting to help states think about their DD systems in different and innovative ways and support them in making system changes for improvement. Every day I learn something from our members that helps me better support other member states, and I really enjoy that. Outside of my professional life, I enjoy spending time with my family, leisure travel, bass fishing with my honey, reading, and loving on my two Shih Tzus.