ALTCEW Staff
Our experienced team brings together a wide range of talents and perspectives. We do this work because we are passionate about our communities and helping to improve the lives of older adults and adults living with disabilities in our region. For Eastern Washington to reach its full potential, everyone needs access to services that support their unique needs.
Meet some of the staff members that help ALTCEW fulfill our mission!
Ally Mershon, Case Manager
Ally has been working as a Case Manager at ALTCEW since 2022. Ally finds the work to be meaningful as she can contribute to the community, which reflects her personal and professional values. “I think the work is also important as it has an impact on so many people, families, and offers crucial supports for our community systems.” Ally loves working at ALTCEW because of the supportive working environment. “I think the organization truly takes into account our quality of life and work life balance, and offers so many options for career growth, training, and support so that we can have the tools and the confidence to do good work.” She sees that a diverse workplace helps create “opportunities for learning” and “bridging gaps of inequality.” It allows for employees and clients to be included and represented, which helps our services “reach further into communities.”
Ashley Waggoner, Case Manager
Ashley has been a part of the Case Management team since 2023. “I love making a difference in my community, and my work as a Case Manager allows me to do that. I get to help people who may otherwise be overlooked or be unable to advocate for themselves, and I get to assist families with finding the best care and resources for their aging family members.” Ashley likes working at ALTCEW as the agency promotes fun! “Whenever we get together as a group, there is always laughter and at least one fun activity.” She also really values that the leadership is so inclusive. “I appreciate that I can talk openly about my family and that everyone is open minded and supportive. I also really enjoy having the opportunity to learn more about different cultures, and receiving training so that I can be an informed and sensitive community member.”
Breianna Alcorn, Case Manager
Breianna or “Brei” is a Case Manager at Aging & Long Term Care. She joined the team in 2024 as she wanted to “help others and advocate for them.” Her favorite part of her job is working with our clients, speaking to her nature. Brei embraces others as this creates room for individual growth.
Chris Jackson, Options Counselor/ Housing Support Specialist
Chris has worked with Aging & Long Term Care as an Options Counselor and Housing Support Specialist in the Community Living Connections program since 2021. Chris finds his work at ALTCEW to be meaningful because he can assist and find solutions for our ageing population and those with disabilities. “It also makes me feel like I have done things with a positive result in the end helping people find housing or stay in their houses longer.” He likes working at ALTCEW because of the support that is offered from co-workers, supervisors and directors. “ALTCEW actually cares for its workers and our people we serve.” Chris sees that people from diverse parts of society to be vital to improve understanding and collaboration, helping to make sure everyone is being treated fairly.
Deanna Mogan, Options Counselor
Deanna has been working as an Options Counselor with the Community Living Connections department since 2023. “Working at ALTCEW is important to me. Helping our senior population and those with disabilities secure stable housing, where they feel safe and valued, is a job I feel proud of.” Deanna enjoys the people that she works with, and specifically likes the schedule, environment, and culture. Working with people who have different backgrounds is important for Deanna as “Every person has something to teach another, we learn through our differences.”
Deborah Breen, Lead Information and Benefit Enrollment Specialist
Debbie has been with ALTCEW since 2020, working in the Community Living Connections program. She enjoys working at ALTCEW because of the company culture and the services the agency provides. “Working at ALTCEW is important to me because I am able to assist those in need and utilize my skills and knowledge to do so.” It is also essential to Debbie when considering her aging family members and her own self aging. “Knowing that ALTCEW is there to help and is ever expanding to assist those in need is very important to me.” Debbie finds diversity in the workplace to be important because it leads to changes and “helps to grow and expand an organization.”
Faran Soheili-Richards, Operations Data Analyst
Faran has been working at Aging & Long Term Care for 23 years, most recently in the Contacts Department. Faran enjoys working at ALTCEW because our mission of promoting well-being, independence, dignity and choice for all older persons and individuals needing long term care aligns with her own personal beliefs. Faran is a firm believer that “prejudice is the result of fear of unknown, and fear is the result of lack of knowledge.”
Jeannie Robinson, Supportive Housing Specialist
Jeannie has been working for ALTCEW since 2015, and currently works for Supportive Housing Program. She enjoys the ability to offer a helping hand to those who need support in our community and assisting clients in any way she can. “Not only giving emotional support but also concrete help… That means a lot to them and me.” Jeannie appreciates that ALTCEW is “making conscious efforts to have staff with diverse backgrounds in age, training, culture, and skills. I keep learning from all of our staff. I’m happy to be working here and hope to pass on some of my experiences.”
Jennifer Lichorobiec, Case Management Director
Jennifer has been working with Aging & Long Term Care for over 25 years in the Case Management Department. She believes that working at ALTCEW is important because we are “able to make a difference in the lives of seniors, those with disabilities and their caregivers and family.” Jennifer likes working at ALTCEW because of the caring leadership, employee engagement, and learning about community needs. Jennifer especially appreciates the ability to support other Case Managers in carrying out our agency’s mission. Jennifer believes that diversity positively contributes to a range of perspectives, cultures, and languages that enhance our life experiences.
Kamal Dhital, Case Manager I
Kamal has been working in the Case Management department at Aging & Long Term Care since 2017. Kamal finds that working with ageing and disabled clients to be important because it leads to personal growth and insight. “The everyday practice to serve the vulnerable leads to greater self-understanding and fulfillment.” Kamal believes that everyone’s unique differences have a positive impact on the world and everyday life.
Kari Stevens, Community Living Connections Director
Kari is the Director of the Community Living Connections (CLC) program at Aging & Long Term Care. Kari has been working with vulnerable and marginalized populations within the Spokane community for over a decade. “Working at ALTCEW has provided an opportunity to continue focusing on our aging and disabled populations and ensuring equitable access to resources they need to remain safely in their homes as long as possible.” Kari believes that working with diverse cultures provides a broader picture of our world and what we need to accomplish to ensure inclusion. “Our community is a diverse environment, and all of our community members deserve equitable access to assistance.”
Khristina Scheideler, Executive Assistant
Khristina has been working with the agency since 2015 in the Administrative Department. “My position allows me to serve both internal and external customers and our staff are wonderful to work with. The work that ALTCEW does is important to me because we provide vital services to some of the most vulnerable members of our community.” Khristina believes in the unique opportunity to see the world from various perspectives. “I believe that we grow as individuals through experiences and having the opportunity to meet, work with, serve, and learn from others that have different backgrounds and experiences from our own.”
Lori Krahn, Supportive Housing Specialist
Lori has been working in the Care Services Department since 2022. Working at ALTCEW is important to her because she is able to help people who are struggling and enjoys “working with people that need assistance that are unable to work with housing.”
Lydell Gorski, Care Coordinator
Lydell has worked in the Health Homes program as a Care Coordinator since 2022. The work he does at ALTCEW allows him to help people every day, which is aligned with his career and spiritual objectives. “Doing my work at ALTCEW makes me feel connected and of service to my community. The challenges I face at work daily spur personal and professional growth.” Lydell likes working at the agency because he appreciates the “friendliness and professionalism of the staff, the resources for success in the work performed, the pay, the benefits, and my supervisor is awesome.” Lydell believes that no matter our differences, we are all human and deserve respect. “I follow MLK’s vision for culture and color-blind society that judges others solely by the content of their character.”
Maxine Miles, Case Manager Assistant
Maxine has been in the Case Management department since 2019. Maxine wanted to make a difference in the community through her social work degree, “it was only once I started at ALTCEW, that I truly understood how I can really make a difference.” Aging & Long Term Care is important to Maxine for many reasons, but the biggest is the different connections that help provide a variety of services far beyond what she expected. “The work at ALTCEW opens so many doors for those in need, and what is more important than helping those in need.” Since working at ALTCEW, Maxine has found many reasons to love the agency. “ALTCEW is not only great for the community, but ALTCEW is great for their employees.” Maxine believes in opening the door to new experiences, knowledge, and understanding. “We can all learn something from each other, and we all need help from time to time.”
Michael Dalich, SHIBA Customer Service Specialist
Michael or “Mike” works helping clients in the SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors) program at Aging & Long Term Care. He sees that the work he does “benefits the community” which is very important to him. He enjoys working at ALTCEW because of the work-life balance and believes that diversity provides different perspectives that matter.
Milena Pointer – Care Coordinator
Milena is a Care Coordinator in the Health Homes program at Aging & Long Term Care. She’s been with the agency since 2018. Milena chose to work at ALTCEW because she believes serving the vulnerable community is important work. She appreciates the opportunity to serve a diverse community through her work with clients. “I am grateful for the support I receive from coworkers and the leadership team at ALTCEW. I feel valued, encouraged and respected as an ALTCEW member, which helps me to do my job well.”
Molly Bies, Case Manager I/VDHS Care Coordinator
Molly has been working with the agency since 2017 in the Case Management department. She believes the work she does is important because she can develop personal relationships with clients and offer support to those who have little to no other options in the area. Molly celebrates different perspectives as they “expand your world view and belief systems. From the idea that there is power in belonging, I would love to see more diversity so all can feel celebrated, and no one feels isolated in their experiences.”
Monique Guillen, Human Resources Manager
Monique has been working as the HR Manager at Aging and Long Term Care since 2023. Working at ALTCEW is important to her because the organizations focus is on empowering older adults and people with disabilities, which reflects a dedication to improving access to essential services and creating inclusive communities. She enjoys working at ALTCEW because she finds it to be fulfilling to be a part of a team dedicated to enhancing quality of life through advocacy, support, and resources. Monique believes diversity enriches perspectives, fosters innovation, and promotes a more inclusive and equitable environment.
Nathanael Smith, Case Manager
Nathanael has been working on the Case Management team since 2022. He selected this position as he wanted to work with our community and community resources officers. Nathanael appreciates working at Aging & Long Term Care as “the leadership knows their job well and care for the individuals on their team.” Nathanael also noted an important theme at our agency and for himself, “every person matters.”
Patricia Breidt, Contracts Monitor II
Patricia has been working since 2021 as a Contracts Monitor 2 in Aging & Long Term Care’s Contracts Department. In this position, she monitors the quality-of-service delivery and service performance by ALTCEW sub-contractors. Patricia finds this work valuable as she believes “in the vision of ATLCEW to provide the best home and community-based services to support healthy living and aging in place.” She likes working at ALTCEW because “leadership recognizes each individual’s strengths and talents and gives each individual a chance to shine.” In our work, Patricia believes that “being around people who are different from us makes us more creative, diligent, and hard-working.”
Savannah Reams-Taylor, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator
Savannah works in the Planning & Resource Department as the Marketing & Outreach Coordinator. She enjoys working at ALTCEW because she feels that the agency greatly supports its staff, promotes a healthy work environment, and “does important work in the community to help all older adults and adults living with disabilities access available resources and supports.” Savannah hopes to continue expanding on her thoughts, opinions and experiences by surrounding herself with others who have different backgrounds and perspectives on life. “Being surrounded by different world views can offer a wealth of experiences I would not otherwise encounter.”
Sheila Prugh, RN Supervisor
Sheila is an Aging & Long Term Care RN Supervisor. She has been working at Aging & Long Term Care since 2014. Working at ALTCEW is important to Sheila as she has dedicated most of her professional career to helping those who need assistance with their healthcare needs. “ALTCEW’s Mission and Vision align with my personal beliefs and goals.” Sheila feels that the work environment is supportive, and that “everyone works cohesively as a team to meet the needs of our client base and provide the best services possible.” Diversity is important to Sheila for personal growth and to encourage learning.
Sheri Riehl, Benefits Enrollment Specialist
Sheri Riehl is a Benefits Enrollment Specialist in the Community Living Connections Department. She has worked at Aging & Long Term Care since 2013. Working at Aging & Long Term Care has provided Sheri with the sense of community impact. “I am making a difference in the lives of individuals who need assistance to stay at home. ALTCEW is helping our community members with areas in their lives that can be frustrating by providing caring professional staff who really want to make a difference and help people find answers.” Sheri believes that ALTCEW cares about their staff members and provides a flexible work schedule that enhances her ability to do her job. “Our team cares.”
Stacey Bush, Case Manager
Stacey has worked on the Case Management team since April of 2024. She joined the team as she believes it is important to care for those in our community as they age. “I love helping people connect with resources.” At Aging & Long Term Care, she has found that the work environment is supportive and helpful which she appreciates. In her position, Stacey enjoys learning about other people and their backgrounds, “I love to see how we all come together.”
Susan Stokes, Options Counselor
Susan or “Susie” has been working in the Community Living Connections department as an Option Counselor since 2019. She enjoys working at Aging & Long Term Care to ensure that seniors and people who are living with disabilities have access to support services regardless of their income. She also likes the flexible hours, the option to work independently, and the good benefits. Working at Aging & Long Term Care, Susie is glad that our agency is “actively recruiting people of different backgrounds and circumstances to work with us and/or to seek help from us.”
Terresa Smith, Case Manager
Terresa has been working at Aging & Long Term Care since 2013 as a Case Manager. “I enjoy the people I work with and the flexibility. Also, I am proud of ALTCEW as we help thousands of people to live their best lives in their homes.” The staff, the programs, and inclusivity are all important aspects of the agency for Terresa. “I get to work with people of all ages, and different cultural backgrounds. ALTCEW accepts all people and that is why we are such a great workplace!”
Terri Garpestad, RN Consultant
Terri has been with ALTCEW since 2011 in the Care Services Department. Terri sees the work we do as an agency for clients as needed and appreciated. “Helping others is very important to me. It makes me happy.” She enjoys working at ALTCEW because of its staff members who are always willing to help. “We are a caring and giving group of people and I am proud to be part of the ALTCEW team.” No matter how different people are, she believes everyone is important and they always need to be treated that way.
Wendi Dunlap, Case Manager
Wendi has been working at ALTCEW since 2016 as a Case Manager. The work ALTCEW does is important because the agency provides many resources and services to the ageing and disabled population in order for them to have a “good ageing experience.” She appreciates the option to work remotely, which leads to a good work life balance. Wendi believes that having a diverse workforce creates a better environment and leads to useful “ideas of how to approach the community.”