Our committees offer an opportunity for membership inclusion to craft the policies and positions of the Providers’ Council, network with colleagues and advance the mission of the Council. Committees are comprised of individuals from provider member agencies selected based on expertise, experience and interest. If you are a provider member and are interested in joining a committee, please contact the Providers' Council staff member associated with that committee for more information.

Audit Committee oversees the audit process for the Providers’ Council. In addition to engaging an independent auditor, it supports the review and discussion of the annual audit with the board and staff. The committee ensures that proper audit procedures are in place and relevant findings are shared with board, staff and members the Providers’ Council. Staff Member: Tracy Jordan.

Best Practices Committee assesses members’ understanding and incorporation of best practices. The Committee researches, develops and disseminates tools, policies, and practices that improve the capacity of our organizations to meet the needs of their clients and consumers.Staff Member: Ruth Perry

Business Practices Committee focuses on the Providers’ Council’s overarching goal of improving the business regulations, policies and practices of the Commonwealth and the federal government that directly impact the operations of contract human service providers. It tracks the practices, recommendations, and reforms of the Executive/Administrative branch of state government and provides recommendations and interventions to establish fair, reasonable and equitable business practices. In addition, it monitors developments at the federal level that affect the ability of our organizations to function efficiently and effectively. Staff Member: Michael Ripple.

Communications and Media Committee discusses ways for the Council and its members to engage the media and discuss the sector, its needs and what is required to fulfill legislative mandates to deliver quality serves. Committee members also assist the Council with media strategy, discuss potential new media initiatives and work to determine the best way to approach issues in the media. The committee also assists the Council with the Two Penny Project, a project designed around the reframing of messages. Staff Members: Michael Ripple and Bill Yelenak.

Education and Convention Committee directs the Council’s education and training agenda and helps determine the shape of the Annual Convention. An essential element for improving the workforce is promoting relevant and affordable education and training opportunities. The Providers’ Council coordinates trainings, tuition remission, graduate level certificate programs, seminars and webinars to professionalize the workforce; committee input is a critical addition. Committee members assist in developing the convention theme and the array of workshops at the annual convention for the popular networking and professional development attended by 1000 participants from across the state and region. Staff Member: Kevin Gilnack, Sara Morrison Neil, Christine Power.

Legislative (Public Policy) Committee monitors any legislation that might impact the sector, and designs campaigns to pass such legislation or to amend or work against legislation at odds with our mission. Public policy initiatives and advocacy are at the core of the Providers’ Council’s mission. By creating and/or working to pass state and federal legislation that can advance and protect sector, the activity of this committee requires dedicated participation. Our voter engagement and education activities are an important element of this committee’s work.Staff Member: Michael Ripple.

Member Benefits Committee develops partnership programs with vendors that are responsive to member needs while also earning non-dues revenue for the Council. Providing members with value added products and services that helps them either save money or increase their effectiveness is an objective of this committee. Staff Members: Kevin Gilnack and Christine Power.

Vocational Services Committee reviews policies and issues that affect the ability of our programs to maximize the potential of participants in vocational programs. Vocational needs of clients are a vital element to the sector. Staff Member: Michael Ripple.

Workforce Committee seeks to create solutions to recruiting and retaining human service employees, develop the workforce through education and training, and improve the image of human service workers. This committee spearheads the Human Services Credentialing Program/Providers’ eAcademy® and develops reports with the Donahue Institute of the University of Massachusetts. Staff Member: Christine Power.

Ad Hoc Siting Committee works to complete reports and create other necessary materials to clearly present the position of the community-based human service sector with respect to siting human service programs in the cities and towns of Massachusetts in accordance with all state and federal laws, and to clarify the rights of all individuals to live in these communities free of any discriminatory policies or other obstacles. The integration and siting of our programs in communities is a substantial right of the people we serve. Staff Member: Michael Ripple.