TEAM / LEADERSHIP
Elizabeth “Liz” Lewis, MA, QDDP, QMHP
Partner and Executive Director
Elizabeth “Liz” Lewis, MA, QDDP, QMHP received her Bachelor of Science in Human Services from Old Dominion University in 2011. She received her Master of Art Human Services Counseling with a concentration in Business from Liberty University in 2017. Liz has 24 years of personal and work-related experience working with the developmentally disabled (DD) population. She began her career as a caregiver to a disabled sibling. She served as an Intensive In-Home counselor and mentor working with DD youth as well as adolescence necessitating mental health support. Liz eventually took a position with Eggleston Services in 2009 and this is where her love blossomed for the DD adult population. There, she worked as a job coach and liaison, often facilitating, communicating, etc. between the DD population, groups, and other organizations. Liz enjoyed the population so much that she decided to further her career in the field of Human Services. At Eggleston, she completed a managerial internship working the evening shift and weekends at various group homes located on the Sarah Bonwell Hudgins Campus. Following four years with the agency, Liz made a career transition to Hampton Newport News Community Services Board (HNNCSB) as an Adult Support Coordinator where she remained 7+ years. Although Liz adored her career, she aspired to make a greater impact and contribute more. In the midst of building Laugh & Live, Liz decided to employ as a DD Auditor with a private sector assisting other providers with ensuring compliance with healthcare regulations and standards. Succeeding two years of aiding providers, Liz ended her career as a reviewer to attend to Laugh & Live exclusively.
Liz’s area of proficiency includes policies & procedures, finance, behavioral interventions, Individual Support Plans (ISP), Person Centered Planning (PCP), advocacy, legal knowledge, public benefits, housing supports, Medicaid programs, etc.
Aside from Liz’s professional journey, she finds an immense joy in pursing various hobbies that shape her identity. When not immersed in the DD world, she often find pleasure in crafting, sewing, gardening, traveling, and spending time with family and friends.
LaWanda Jones, MSW, QDDP
Co-Owner and Program Director
LaWanda Jones, MSW, QDDP obtained her BA in Psychology from Norfolk State University in 2006. She later returned to NSU to obtain her MSW with a focus in military and completed in 2020. LaWanda has over 15 years in client service and case management. She began her career with the City of Newport News Parks & Recreation program servicing children with disabilities. She went on to work with at risk youth as an Intensive In-Home Counselor in which she enjoyed.
Shortly after she began her career at Hampton-Newport News Community services board as an Adult Support Coordinator and was promoted 7 years to a Child & Adolescent DD Clinical Supervisor. While supervising she wanted to focus on school and stepped down and began mentoring with the agency. After finishing he studies at NSU she was promoted to a Child & Adolescent Clinical Mental Health Supervisor in the Youth & Family Services Division.
LaWanda ended her career at HNNCSB late 2022 but her passion for the youth is still with her. Her area of expertise includes public benefits, housing support, and Medicaid funded programs for those with MH, DD, and other disabilities. She especially enjoys working with the DD population and joined forces with her business partner to extend services to those in need.
In addition, LaWanda has served as a Board Member for Pink Collar Cares, LLC since 2021. She has also worked alongside her mentor helping with Hired 2 Help, LLC. And has worked on many community projects for the non-profit 501(3)(c) organizations. In addition, she currently services as a volunteer on the City of Newport News Public School Committee Advisory Board.
