TARCOG Employee of the Month – August 2024
Name: Melissa Brinkley
Title: Medicaid Waiver Program Manager
How long have you been at TARCOG and what do you do? I’ve been here for 12 years.
Currently, I am the program manager for the Home and Community Based Waivers Program. I manage the day-to-day operations of the Elderly & Disabled Waivers, Technology Assisted Waivers, Alabama Community Transition Waivers, Gateway, and Hospital to Home Waivers. I am also a liaison with stakeholders — Alabama Select Network, Alabama Medicaid and Alabama Department of Senior Services. Additionally, I am a credentialed Person-Centered Thinking Trainer. I train case managers across the state monthly on person centered practices.
What did you want to be when you grew up? Police officer.
What do you hope to accomplish within the next year? Continue to grow as a person through self-development. Life is short and I plan to travel and enjoy family more.
Who is your hero and why? I don’t’ have a specific hero however, I have tremendous respect for anyone that stands up and fights on behalf of another person or a group of people for rights, dignity, and equality.
If you could choose to do anything for a day, what would it be? SPA day with friends and good food!
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you? It was in regard to raising my daughter — I was super worried about her going to school because of my fear kids would bully her because of a disability. However, a very wise woman told me that if I didn’t allow her to go to school with other kids, I would be pulling her out of life experiences forever. That advice changed my perspective and really affected how I raised my daughter and son. My daughter is a computer engineer now and if I didn’t adhere to that advice, I am not sure how her life would have been negatively affected.
What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done? Rappelled off a 40-foot tower — backwards.
Who knows you the best? My husband.
What would you do if you won the lottery? Share with my kids, buy investment properties, and save the rest.
Congratulations, Melissa! Thank you for all that you do!