Thomas J Carson, currently the Executive Director at Victory House, has been nominated by Executive Tara Zrinski to lead Northampton County's newly created Continuum of Care Director at the newly created Continuum of Care Department. The position, which was just approved by County Council on June 18, has a starting salary of $109,632. With benefits, it amounts to $148,249. The position is "exempt," meaning that Carson will be serving at the pleasure of whomever is Executive.
Victory House, which Carson has led for a little over four years, is considered a safe haven for homeless men, especially veterans. According to the 990 filed by that nonprofit for 2024, Carson's combined salary and benefits there was $102,442. So he's looking at a very nice pay raise if confirmed.
This nonprofit operates on an annual budget of about $1.8 million, with its financials posted on the website in a reassuring sign of transparency. The lion's share of its revenue coming in the form of payment for program services. which include transitional housing, Those run the gamut from transitional housing to recovery, mental health and employment assistance.
Carson has been employed there about 10 years. He has a bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation.
In response to tough questioning from Council member Nadeem Qayyum, Carson conceded he has no experience or education in nursing, labor relations or as an Administrator. He said he would provide an open line of communication with front-line workers and "building a culture in which people can express their opinions ... ." He said he views a continuum of care as a big umbrella that can provide help to those who most need it.
According to the job description approved by County Council, the Continuum of Care Director provides executive leadership for the development and integration of a comprehensive continuum that includes skilled nursing care, personal care services, behavioral health services, affordable housing, supportive housing, tiny home communities, and other innovative housing and service models. The Director will lead long-term planning, project development, intergovernmental coordination, and funding strategies to support sustainable growth and high-quality services for residents across the continuum." He must have a bachelor's degree in public administration, healthcare administration or a related field. He must have 7-10 years of senior or administrative experience in those areas and be experienced in managing large programs or facilities.
Council member Dave Holland told Carson that he was unperturbed by Carson's inexperience in nursing or nursing home administration, adding that is why there is a separate administrator. He said Carson does have experience "in everything that we want this continuum of care to be. "Most of it looks like veteran-related, ... but that comes along with the other components we're looking at - the mental health, substance use developmental disabilities ... ."
Holland concluded with the observation that Carson has a passion for serving the underserved.
Carson agreed, saying that he works with the homeless, the mentally ill, the addicted, those with PTSD or just those who've fallen on hard times.
Carson told Council that he would like to work with them to make the continuum of care a success.
Council member Jason Boulette advised Carson that he will be able to do that with the newly created Gracedale Oversight Committee.
Northampton County Council will vote on Carson's appointment tonight. Unless a candidate has character issues or is unqualified, Council historically has deferred to the Executive on cabinet appointments.
17 comments:
Another sad joke on the citizens
I’m not so sure he has the administrative experience required for this job.
Mr. Carson really should consider whether or not it’s worth the risk to take this job. Now a third administrative person with a TR degree. The job description is as fuzzy as has been the financial reports on Gracedale. I’d stay put if I was him at Victory House. I’m not understanding how NOT having long term care experience is a plus or not a requirement but hey, look at who Tara has hired or recommended so far (including her support of the present administrator who has Gracedale at one star/provisional license II).Education is important, degrees are necessary but someone will have to understand LTC Apparently no one does at Gracedale. Holland disappoints on this one.
If you look at the "minimum qualifications" set forth in the job description (I linked to it in my post), I could understand the argument that he fails to meet that minimum. I think he does, but barely. If you look at everything that is preferred, the county is looking for the Wizard of Oz, which they'll never get for what amounts to a political hire. The questions Qayyum asked were tough, but good. I also thought Carson held up well and did not get defensive or arrogant in his replies. Holland's support is important. He is someone with a nursing education, who actually teaches psychiatric nursing and has experience as an administrator of nursing homes. In his very brief tenure on Council, Holland has impressed me with his understanding of nursing homes and he has ideas that could help turn things around (like Premier did) at the home. He appears to know Carson from his work with veterans and the two seem to have a good rapport.
If it’s a Tara pick, it will not stick.
I’ve worked with Tom. He’s a great guy and a stellar member of our community. However, this appointment could not be more wrong for the county, gracedale and the community. He does not have even close to the experience or background needed for this type of role. There are so many talented and much more experienced people in the community and right within DHS staff. We’re all passionate about our work and the people. Passion alone is not a qualifier for a role like this. If you want gracedale to succeed this is not the direction to go in. This is a significant mistake. Case aids go through a more rigorous vetting process than this. Were there other candidates? How was he picked? What was the vetting process? Cozying up to the county executive should not be the way to get such a critical position at such a critical time for gracedale. Meeting someone in the hallway and having a conversation should not be the decision factor in voting yes to this. This is a mistake. I would encourage all members of county council to rethink approving this appointment.
All good points. If you asked me who on Council was going to ask the most relevant questions, Qayyum would have been my last choice! It pains me to say it, but he did a good job lol. I think this guys heart is in the right place, but I’m not convinced he’s got the skill set to take on the Gracedale debacle.
I agree with you one hundred percent but it would appear that this appointment and idea both will just have to fail (and Gracedale along with it). Tara keeps trying to make Gracedale like Cedarbrook. They are both county homes in the Lehigh Valley. They both have a census capacity of 600 plus. It is there that the similarities stop and the differences begin. Gracedale - one star - Provisional II license. Cedarbrook - five stars overall - no provisional license. End of story. Fix the present and imminent dangers facing Gracedale instead of throwing shiny objects out to council and the public(new QAPI non nurse position, Gracedale Oversight Committee, new continuum of care candidate with no LTC experience). So what happens if there is another elopement with another Immediate Jeopardy citation in the meantime or citations of any other type from DOH at Gracedale?
Was the questioning done by Nadeem Qayyum/Taiba Sultana tough because they required complex answer or were they tough because they barely can speak English?
A little bit of both, lol.
Lots of people see a six-figure salary and think it’s a lot, but bringing in good people for $100,000 to $150,000 is not that easy.
Consider the much higher salaries paid for poor results at Channel 39, Da Vinci and som private businesses.
The guy’s credentials do look a bit thin though he handled Council well, and was polite and as you note, not defensive.
More government bullshit that is just we need.
I am certain that Mr. Carson is a good noble man just based on what he does for a living. I admire him wanting to take on this challenge. Respectfully however the need is for a much more knowledgeable person for this position as noted above.
He asked the questions we all should ask as taxpayers, and that the council should want to know. He answered NO experience in nearly all basic aspects of the job. At a time when there is such scrutiny on fraud, waste, and abuse, why would the council vote to approve this appointment?
Watched this meeting on You Tube. Nice guy but no clue about what actually is going on at Gracedale and what the challenges are there. He still talks in the language of his present job (thanks David for telling us what D-DEP is). It would be doing Gracedale and Mr. Carson a disservice to hire him.
All politicians want to do is tax, spend and create new positions
How do taxpayers know if there is a better candidate? Does Tara even know there is a better candidate? This whole thing is a huge waste of or money.
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