Author Archives: josh cordora

Meet The Team, PyxisCare’s Shannon H.

“Students and families deserve an equitable education. It’s my goal to
ensure each student has every opportunity to succeed.”

— Shannon H., PyxisCare Special Education Advocate

Shannon Howell has a comprehensive background in education and advocacy, with a focus on special education. She holds a bachelor’s degree in rehabilitation studies and a master’s degree in special education, with an emphasis on emotional and behavioral disorders. With over 22 years of experience, she’s worked extensively as a classroom teacher, special education teacher, and school counselor across various educational levels. Currently, she serves as a district specialist, providing support to students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and overseeing compliance with the 504 programs.

 

Shannon’s decision to pursue advocacy aligns with her lifelong commitment to
supporting students with special needs. Recognizing the importance of ensuring educational
equity, she emphasizes the legal and ethical obligations schools have to provide services
outlined in IEPs and 504 plans. Drawing from personal experiences and familial connections to
special education, she highlights the necessity of leveling the playing field for all students,
regardless of their challenges or disabilities. Her expertise and passion drive her advocacy
efforts, aiming to bridge the gap between policy mandates and practical implementation in
educational settings.

Shannon underscores the critical role advocates play in navigating the complexities of
special education systems. She stresses the significance of advocacy in holding schools
accountable for meeting legal obligations and ensuring that students receive appropriate
support and accommodations. Shannon explains “Students and families deserve an equitable
education. It’s my goal to ensure each student has every opportunity to succeed.” Through her
work, she aims to empower parents by providing them with the necessary knowledge and
support to advocate effectively for their children. Her dedication to staying informed about
evolving laws and regulations reflects her commitment to advocating for the rights of students
with special needs. Overall, her tireless efforts contribute significantly to improving the
educational experiences and outcomes of students with disabilities.

MEET THE TEAM, Anna C.

“Healthcare is such an important part of people’s lives, but with that, it can be an incredibly overwhelming time. Our team ensures that unparalleled care is provided for all individuals and their families; my job is to help ease the burden so that clients can focus on healing.”

–Anna C., Relationship Manager

Anna Crone is a dedicated and dynamic professional serving as a Relationship Manager for PyxisCare Management. Armed with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Texas Christian University, Anna brings a unique blend of marketing acumen and a passion for healthcare to her role. Her journey with PyxisCare Management began in May 2023 when she joined as an intern, and she has since made a seamless transition into the realm of customer management.

Driven by the belief that healthcare is a vital aspect of people’s lives, Anna is committed to alleviating the complex challenges individuals and their families face during such critical times. She succinctly captures her mission with the quote, “Healthcare is such an important part of people’s lives, but with that, it can be an incredibly overwhelming time. Our team ensures that unparalleled care is provided for all individuals and their families; my job is to help ease the burden so that clients can focus on getting better.”

In her role as a Relationship Manager, Anna serves as the linchpin between individual clients and the dedicated team of licensed nurses and care coordinators at PyxisCare Management. Her responsibilities include guiding clients in making informed decisions about the most suitable plans based on their wants and needs. Anna excels in her role as a point of contact throughout the duration of the services provided by PyxisCare Management, fostering an efficient and supportive experience for clients.

Anna’s educational background in marketing, coupled with her hands-on experience at PyxisCare Management, equips her with a holistic understanding of the healthcare industry and the nuanced needs of clients. Her commitment to providing unequalled care and her adeptness in navigating the intricacies of healthcare make Anna an invaluable asset to PyxisCare Management and a compassionate advocate for those in need of quality healthcare services.

PYXISCARE LAUNCHES SPECIAL NEEDS ADVOCACY PLANNING

SNAP Launched to Serve Growing Demand for Specialized Educational Services and Programs                            

Dallas/Fort Worth, Tx., January 2024 – Texas-based PyxisCare Management announced the launch of its Special Needs Advocacy Planning (SNAP) to serve families and trusts in search of services, programs and accommodations to support a child’s individual educational needs.

“As a leader in the care coordination industry, we have experienced a sharp increase in the need for specialized support for children in learning environments,“ said Mindy Jones, Founding Principal of PyxisCare Management.  “As people become increasingly aware of their options for educational accommodations, many of them see hope ahead for the challenges they have been experiencing, drowning in paperwork and concerned about their children meeting their full potential. It’s been a pleasure to play a part in giving these kids the services they need to develop and thrive.”

PyxisCare SNAP advocates shepherd families through the complex world of education advocacy, including but not limited to the following:

  • Interpret reports and evaluations related to Section 504 – the US Department of Education’s statute that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities.

o   FIE (Full Individual and Initial valuation)

o   IEP (Individual Education Plan)

o   BIP (Behavior Intervention Plan)

o   IEE (Independent Educational Evaluation)

  • Build proposals for IEP goals, accommodations and schedule of services
  • Accommodation tracking and data collection of IEP goals for reporting
  • Attend ARD (Admission, Review and Dismissal) meetings to advocate for eligibility
  • Offer guidance related to IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act), FAPE (Free and Appropriate Public Education), including procedural safeguards and transition planning
  • Advise parents and guardians on their case, options and due process, including:

o   Waiver program enrollment

o   Benefits enrollment

o   Guardianship timeline and referral

o   Ancillary program placement (therapies, job training and placement)

The PyxisCare SNAP process begins with an initial assessment with the student, family, a special educational professional and RN. The RN team stays involved in medically fragile cases. The assessment builds the basis for further actions and next steps in the advocacy process.

Contact Nicky Haynes at PyxisCare for additional information on SNAP at Nicky.Haynes@Pyxiscare.com  To speak to one of our experts or schedule a consultation, contact Mindy Jones at mljones@Pyxiscare.com

Mindy Blog: 2024, New Year, New Resilience 

Typically at this time of the year, my messages have been advocating self-care, wellness and tips to achieve both of those things. This year, my mind is focused on RESILIENCE. Because life is happening right now and it’s just a wonderful and complicated as ever.

My husband and children are healthy, but we are all caring for an ailing parent/grandparent and we’re worried about our loved one. It’s causing stress, on top of the stress of having a home construction project that’s now nearly a year behind. And last week, my car was rear-ended but I am so grateful that no one was hurt.

Keep in mind, I’m not complaining.  I’m sharing how life has been happening to me and my loved ones over the past few months. As our parents age, my kids grow older and the years pass, life can get more complicated. My team and I work every day with families who are grappling with life and death situations. We are counseling employers on how to ensure their teams get the best care possible, especially those who have extraordinary health and wellness challenges.

I only need to look as far as our clients to learn resilience. PyxisCare is helping them and guiding them, but our clients are a constant reminder that people are smart, strong and resilient, even in the face of complex challenges.

My goal in 2024 is to lean on my resilience and be present with my family as we experience another year of transitions, beauty and growth. My wish for you is that if you or loved ones should encounter challenges, that you will also have the relationships and support you need.

So happy new year to you, PyxisCare friends, and thank you for being part of my network of friends and colleagues.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

Our PyxisCare team wishes you a season of celebrations, joy and peace this holiday!

We celebrate with our community the mystery and beauty of Christmas, the reaffirmation and festivity of Hanukkah, the heritage of Kwanzaa, the restoration that a New Year brings and many other traditions that bind friends and families together.

We also keep in mind that for every celebration and gathering, there are those among us that have suffered the loss of loved ones, medical and emotional challenges, and other life changes that have introduced hardship. Many of our friends and clients have leaned on us this year, and we are eternally grateful to have been brought into your confidence, into your hospital rooms and into your homes.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me personally if you need anything this holiday. On behalf of our team, we wish you peace of mind, we wish goodwill towards all, and we wish you the comfort and joy of a New Year’s renewal.