Shannon Burns has nearly 20 years of experience working in public sector programs. Shannon is the Associate Director of Program Implementation & Provider Network at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Commonwealth Medicine, in the department of Disability Community Services.
Currently, Shannon oversees community-based and long-term care services for complex populations for the states of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. She directs and manages the clinical operations for the Acquired Brain Injury and Money Follows the Person Waivers in Massachusetts, and the Choices for Independence Waiver in New Hampshire. In addition, she oversees the provider network for Massachusetts waiver programs and the Clinical Operations for the New Hampshire Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) program.
Throughout her career, she has worked on programs, projects, and/or policies to meet the needs of elders and persons with disabilities to maximize their independence and lessen the reliance on institutional programming.
Such activities have been:
- Project Manager for the Massachusetts Community First Olmstead Plan, which is the roadmap and action plan to ensure that people with disabilities have access to community-living opportunities and supports.
- Developed and implemented a cross agency pilot care management program called One Family, One Plan for children concurrently being served by MassHealth, Department of Children & Families, Department of Transitional Assistance, and Department of Youth Services.
- Designed and implemented the credentialing and claims process for the Acquired Brain Injury Waivers and Money Follows the Person Waivers.
- Facilitated the transition and ongoing operations of the New Hampshire PASRR office to UMass.
Shannon holds a master’s degree in public administration with a concentration in community human services from Clark University, and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Worcester State University. She lives in Dudley with her husband and daughter.