New Hope Names New Director of PQI Department

Rock Hill, S.C., May 13, 2024 –New Hope Treatment Center’s is rapidly growing and evolving as an organization, adding new services, new programs and new territories.

As that growth occurs and there’s expansion on the program side, it’s critical that the support departments grow and evolve as well. One of the most important support departments is Performance and Quality Improvement. Their job is to ensure that everything New Hope does is meeting the highest quality standards and meeting all regulations that govern our work. They drive changes and initiatives that make us better. They spearhead audits, accreditations, and work with state and local officials to make sure New Hope is always up to date and operating by best practice standards.

“One of the biggest risks to any organization as it grows is that it loses the focus on fundamental quality practices that made it great in the first place,” said COO Matt Simon, MA, LMFT. “It slips. It drifts. So, as it grows, its foundation gets weaker, and it becomes a house of cards. That will never be New Hope. As we grow as an organization, we will not lose our commitment to quality standards. In fact, we should be able to use the resources that come from our growth to raise the bar on our quality standards and double down on systems that drive quality. So, with that, we’ve made some changes and made some decisions that I wanted you all to know.”

That change comes in the form of a newly created Director of Performance and Quality Improvement position that will focus solely on New Hope Carolinas PRTF and will operate out of the PRTF. The facility in Rock Hill is our largest program and will likely remain that for decades to come. Creating a PQI infrastructure that could support that operation and remain focused solely on it, even as we expand other programs, was vital.

It is with great pleasure that we name Joey Funderburk, LMSW, LCSW-A, RHIT the full-time Director of Performance and Quality. Joey will have two full-time PQI Specialist roles on his team to support the day-to-day needs of the facility. Sitina Digby was tabbed one of the specialists last month. Additionally, we are recruiting for a Senior Director of PQI to join our corporate office at New Hope Treatment Centers. This person will provide guidance, strategy, and oversight over the entire organization’s commitment to quality and compliance across all our states, locations, and services. As these additional states and services grow out, we will add additional PQI Specialists in those regions when the time is right.

Joey joined New Hope in April of 2015 as a residential counselor before working his way to an administrative assistant role in the Health Information Office. He received both his bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from Winthrop University, as well as his Associates of Science in Health Information Management from Herzin. Joey is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in the State of South Carolina, as well as a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT). He also served as Admissions Coordinator and Health Information Manager.

“The expansion of the Performance and Quality Improvement (PQI) department represents a pivotal moment for our organization,” said Funderburk. “By investing in this area, we are not only acknowledging the importance of continuous improvement, but also positioning ourselves for long-term success and sustainability. We recognize in today’s dynamic and competitive landscape, it’s no longer sufficient to simply meet expectations; we must consistently exceed them. By dedicating more resources to the PQI Department, we are demonstrating our unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional services to our residents. The expansion of the PQI department will bring about a culture shift within the organization. Quality and performance will no longer be viewed as isolated components, but rather as integral aspects of our day-to-day operations. Every team member, regardless of their role, will be empowered to contribute to the ongoing improvement efforts, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability.”

“We’ve made a lot of strides at NHC but we also have a long way to go,” said Simon. “Getting into monthly single digit restraints and consistently getting 85% or better marks on all our youth satisfaction scores are just a couple goals that Joey and his team have for us. This investment in additional quality positions and oversight just underscores New Hope’s commitment to being the best behavioral health provider in the country. Our kids deserve nothing less. Again, congratulations Joey. The future of NHC-PRTF and future of New Hope as an organization has never been brighter.”

“As the new Director, I am excited to continue to lead New Hope Carolinas towards a culture of excellence and continuous improvement. I am grateful to those that have mentored me, especially Elaine S. Waz, the previous Director of Performance Improvement, as well as colleagues that have supported me since my first day as a residential counselor. Shout out to Curtis Barnes for taking a chance on me nine years ago. Special thanks to Dolly Williams, Rebecca Spanberg, Tashina Stout, Tabitha Bramblett and Matt Simon for their unwavering support, coaching and development. Without those and countless others, I wouldn’t be here”.