Administrative Services
Clif Messerschmidt. MHA, QDDP, CPGC (Agency Co-Director) is an accomplished long term care consultant and client advocate. In addition to being a certified professional guardian, he has over 8 years as a long-term care consultant specializing in the needs of developmentally disabled nursing home residents and 15 years experience providing case management, program management and oversight to organizations providing support to the elderly and/or individuals with developmental disabilities.
His background also includes six years experience as a Supported Living Evaluator with DSHS/Division of Residential Care Services and the Developmental Disabilities Administration. Clif earned a Masters in Health Administration degree from Chapman University in 2004. He has been a certified professional guardian/conservator (CPGC) since January 2007.
Clif oversees all aspects of the operation of the agency, and provides feedback and decision making on complex matters.
Melissa McDermott, CPGC (Agency Co-Director/ Financial Manager) became a certified professional guardian in August 2019 after working as a Financial Manager with Able Guardianship Services for 5 years. Previously Melissa had ten years experience as a finance technician providing representative payee serves to 100+ clients. Melissa supervises the activities of all team members to ensure the day to day needs of each client are met. She manages the financial affairs for our guardianship and fiduciary clients–working with DSHS, the Veteran’s Administration, Social Security, tribal governments, private and public pension and insurance agencies to ensure all eligibility requirements are met. She also ensures payment of individuals’ bills, Social Security representative payee reporting and VA accountings are complete and accurate. She also handles emergency medical matters, complex care decisions and end of life arrangements.
Financial & Office Support Services
Melissa McDermott, CPGC, coordinates the financial affairs of individuals subject to conservatorship, manage financial correspondence, billing statements, receipts, paying bills, reconcile bank statements, confers with healthcare, insurance and other vendors, prepare spending plans and budgets, complete annual rep payee reports, DSHS eligibility reviews and other financial documents, and communicate with individuals and their family members about changes in finances. Client Advocates also assist with financial matters as directed.
Patrick Brownlee, Kevin Caldwell & George Higby (Administrative Assistants) provide office support services to the Agency Co-Directors, and other professional staff, with all aspects of the agency’s operations. They help maintain the electronic filing system, conduct quality assurance audits, and assist with special projects.
Client Advocates
Michelle Holt, Erik Simonson, & Sam Thompson assist Melissa McDermott, CPGC to meet the care needs for individuals subject to guardianship, regularly visits with individuals, reviews medical records and confers with healthcare professionals, participates in care conferences, documents individuals’ access to necessary medical care/treatment, researches residential options, medical or care professionals, social services, recreational opportunities, and personal needs resources, and communicates with clients and family members on the status and changes in health and wellness.
Michelle Ewert, CPGC, & Zoe Cornell, CPGC also perform routine client wellness checks.
