Executive Staff

The Aging and Disability Services Division (ADSD) helps all of Nevada's elders and adults and children with disabilities or special health care needs to live independent, meaningful and dignified lives in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs.

Administrator

Dena Schmidt
Administrator Aging and Disability Services
Dena Schmidt serves as the Administrator for ADSD and is responsible for oversight of Lifespan Services to ensure the provision of effective supports and services to meet the needs of individuals and families.
Dena began her career with the state in 2001. She has held various positions within the Department including Medicaid Program Specialist, during the implementation of the Health Care reform, Chief of Supportive Services for the Division of Aging and Disability Services, and Deputy Director where she was responsible for managing the Director’s office programs, Department legislative coordination and oversight of health policy and program coordination across the Department’s five divisions.
Dena is a fourth generation Nevadan and graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Relations. Dena serves as a member of Governor Sandoval’s Interagency Council on Homelessness, Council on Developmental Disabilities, and has been actively involved in creating the Health Information Technology and Data Analytics team to improve data driven decision making across the Department.

Deputy Administrators

Deputy of Children's Services Unit
Jill Berntson
Deputy of Aging and Disability Services
As an ADSD deputy administrator, Jill Berntson is responsible for oversight of programs that provide community-level resources to assist seniors and people with severe disabilities and their families in helping them to live as independently as possible. Prior to her appointment as deputy administrator, Jill has worked for DHHS as a social worker for child protective services and elder protective services and providing case management for recipients of community-based care services; as social work supervisor and social services manager; and most recently as the social services chief for the Elder Rights Program. During her tenure with DHHS, Jill has worked with national experts to develop best practices related to elder protective services and the advocacy for older adults. Her experience working with older adults spans over 21 years. Jill holds Bachelor’s degrees in social work and psychology from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Lisa Sherych
Deputy of Aging and Disability Services
Rique Robb
Deputy of Aging and Disability Services

Executive Staff

Homa Woodrum
Advocacy Attorney

 

Homa Sayyar Woodrum serves as Advocacy Attorney for the ADSD, where she specializes in elder and disability rights.  Homa has been licensed to practice law in the State of Nevada since October of 2007. Homa graduated from the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada Las Vegas in May of 2007 with her Juris Doctorate. Prior to law school she earned her BSBA in International Business at UNLV and has lived in Nevada since July 2000 after relocating from Wasilla, Alaska.

 

Elder law practice found Homa as a law clerk and later as an associate attorney. Prior to joining ADSD, she represented protected persons, guardians, family members, and more in guardianship as well as probate courts. Though the State Bar of Nevada does not certify any attorney as an expert, Homa's past cases include numerous matters involving financial exploitation, physical abuse, and isolation of older persons in the civil arena, including trials. Her legal background also includes time as an adjunct professor at UNLV's William S. Boyd School of Law, recognition for extensive pro bono service, as well as a history of disability rights advocacy and public speaking.

 

Homa relocated to Northern Nevada and left private practice to assume the role of Chief Advocacy Attorney at ADSD in January of 2017. Her goals include balancing current protective measures and services with lifespan advocacy to ensure self-determination and autonomy as well as access to justice for Nevadans served by ADSD and those who care about and for them.

 

 

Public Information Officer / Health Information Director