IPAS Commission
The Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission (IPAS), our governing authority, has the responsibility to assure adequate legal and advocacy services for the protection, promotion and empowerment of the rights and interests of individuals with disabilities throughout Indiana.
The IPAS Commission provides direction and advice on the agency's activities, goals, and policies.
Federal law requires that the Commission be composed of members who broadly represent or are knowledgeable about the needs of the individuals served by the Protection and Advocacy system.
Membership must include individuals with developmental disabilities who are eligible for services or have received or are receiving services, or parents, family members, guardians, advocates, or authorized representatives of such individuals. In addition, the Chair of the Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Mental Illness Advisory Council (MIAC) automatically is a member of the IPAS Commission.
No more than one-third of the members of the Commission may be appointed by the governor (42 USCA 6042). The Commission appoints the remaining nine members. Members serve three-year terms and may not serve more than five consecutive terms.
Serving on the IPAS Commission in an advisory, non-voting capacity is one member of the Indiana Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and one member of the Indiana House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
IPAS Current Commission Members
Kristie M. Carter of Marion Co. — Chairperson
Gubernatorial Appointment
Kristie Carter, Chair of the Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services Commission, has served six years as a member of the organization. As chair, Kristie heads Commission meetings, orchestrates the appeals process, and designates members for committees.
As a school psychologist for Indianapolis Public Schools, Kristie primarily assesses children to address their learning needs and eligibility for special education services.
She is a member of numerous associations, including: Indiana Association of School Psychologists, National Association of School Psychologists, the Indianapolis Educators Association, the Indiana State Teachers Association and the National Education Association.
Kristie holds a bachelor's degree in music from Ball State University and a master's degree in education from Indiana State University. She also earned an education master's and educational specialist's degrees in school psychology.
Veronica Macy of Hamilton Co. — Vice Chairperson
Gubernatorial Appointment
Veronica Macy is currently serving as the Vice-Chairman, and has been a member of the Commission for two years.
Veronica is actively involved in recovery and education programs for people who have mental illnesses. She is certified in several National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) programs, is a master level trainer of the national recovery education program Wellness Recovery Action Plan (W.R.A.P.), and is certified as a trainer in an evidence-based practice, Illness Management Recovery (IMR).
In the past, Veronica has worked for several local mental health centers integrating consumer run support groups. She has also served on the boards of NAMI Indianapolis, and the Office of the Consumer and Family Affairs with Indiana’s Division of Mental Health and Addictions, and as vice-chairman of NAMI’s National Consumer Council.
Veronica owns Recovery Network Unlimited, a company that provides services that encourage hope, self-determination and a sense of purpose to individuals who live with mental illness.
Veronica Conlin of Clark Co. — Secretary
Commission Appointment
Vicki Conlin has been a member of the Commission since 2001. She has been a consumer and advocate for the mentally ill since 1982.
Vicki works for Wellstone Regional Hospital, and has pursued numerous community and civic involvements. As part of this effort, she has served eight years on the Jeffersonville City Council, and is in her first term serving on the Clark County Council.
She has also been a part of the Clark County Jail Holding Corporation; involved with Jeffersonville National Alliance for the Mentally Ill; the Southern Indiana 2020 Task Force; Southern Indiana Economic Development Council; and the Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
Lisa A. Floyd of Madison Co.
Commission Appointment
Lisa Floyd is a 15-year member of the IPAS Commission. Her long-term participation has allowed her to see the effects of advocacy and the changes it has enabled over the years.
Lisa works as a program officer for the Madison County Community Foundation, managing all Lilly Endowment student scholarships for Madison County, and working with other organizations in Madison County to make change in the community.
Lisa extends her work as a member of the Community Impact Committee for the United Way of Madison County.
Lisa has a bachelor's degree in special education and master's degree in executive development in public service from Ball State University. She holds a Certificate in fundraising management from the Indiana University School of Philanthropy.
Alan Spalding of Blackford Co.
Commission Appointment
Alan Spaulding is serving his second term on the IPAS Commission.
Alan works as a self-proclaimed "crack-filler." In this capacity, Alan has volunteered in numerous community programs to assist the disabled and people with special needs, including working with independent living centers. "There is always a program with some cracks in it, and I help make sure no one falls through those cracks," he explained.
Alan serves on the Board of Directors for Attain Inc. and on the board of Muncie Independent Living Centers, Future Choices where he helped build adaptive housing in Muncie. He also served on the board of the Council of Volunteers for Hoosiers with Disabilities.
In 1996, Alan helped pass a Cruelty to Service Animals bill that not only increased the penalty for harming a service animal, but also restricted the sale of dogs to laboratories.
With the help of Vocational Rehabilitation, Alan received his GED in 1992, and has since received college credit through other training. He is a Partners in Policymaking graduate.
Patricia Anderson of Lake Co.
Gubernatorial Appointment
Patricia Andersen is serving her second term with the organization.
Patricia serves on the Prevent Child Abuse Lake County Board. She is a volunteer with the Mental Health Association of Indiana and also donates her time to Key Consumer Inc.
Patricia earned a bachelor's degree in industrial psychology from Purdue University-Calumet. She has completed one year of graduate school at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology in Chicago.
Melanie Motsinger of Allen Co.
Commission Appointment
Melanie Motsinger first served on the IPAS Mental Illness Advisory Board for four years before becoming a Commission member in 2001.
Melanie's commitment to helping others started early in her life. As a teen she worked with childrenwith disabilities at a local summer program and has also volunteered with the Christian Appalachian Project where she trained to work at a summer camp for children with hearing impairments and oter disabilities. She has previously served on the board for the local National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) affiliate.
"I would like to encourage people to make a difference in the lives of others. The opportunities to do so are boundless – whether helping to care for someone who is ill, supporting care providers, working to remedy injustices, or simply sharing a smile – caring makes a difference in your life as well as theirs."
In addition to attending conferences, workshops, and seminars on topics such as Multiple Sclerosis, Autism, and Mental Illness, Melanie is working toward a bachelor’s degree at a local university.
Gary May of Warrick Co.
Commission Appointment
Gary May, member of the IPAS Commission, has served the organization since 2002.
Gary is an associate professor of social work for the University of Southern Indiana. Gary also performs private practice social work for Ireland & Luzio Behavioral Health in Evansville, Ind., and has conducted numerous workshops for professional, government, and business groups on a variety of topics including PTSD, Disability Issues, Team Building, Stress Management, Vietnam Veteran Issues, Divorce/Marital Conflict and Effective Communication. His previous employment included work with State agencies such as Indiana Department of Human Services and the Indiana Department of Veteran Affairs.
He serves on numerous boards, including the Southern Indiana Rehabilitation Services Board of Directors and the Governor's Planning Council for People with Disabilities, and has won multiple awards for his service.
Gary holds a Masters degree in clinical social work from the University of Tennessee, and earned a Bachelors degree in sociology and psychology from the University of Evansville.
Kathy L. Osborn of Marion Co.
Commission Appointment
Kathy Osborn has been an IPAS Commission member since 2002. As a litigation attorney with Baker & Daniels, she does pro bono work on behalf of people with disabilities.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Kathy worked for 11 years for Indiana University's Institute for Disability and Community. She helped to develop and was the coordinator for Indiana's Transition System Change grant (the Indiana Transition Initiative); was a research associate and consultant for Indiana's Supported Employment Systems Change grant (the Indiana Employment Initiative); facilitated person centered plans/PATHS and trained person centered planning facilitators; conducted research and training on organizational change and inclusion; and supported schools and community organizations to include people with disabilities.
Kathy participates in numerous community organizations, including the Youth Job Preparedness Program (Board President, 2000-Present); Indiana Association for Persons in Supported Employment (1990-2000, Board Member and Past President); and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of South Central Indiana (1988-2000, Recipient of Big Sister of the Year Award).
Dr. William Riggs of Hancock Co.
Commission Appointment
Bill Riggs has been a member of the Commission for two years.
As superintendent of the Mount Vernon Community School Corporation, Bill has long been an advocate for children. His 34 years in education include teaching in alternative schools in Marion, Ind., and working with children who have had problems adjusting to the system.
Bill serves on the Hancock County Mental Health Board, the Leadership Hancock County Board, and the Boys and Girls Club of Hancock County Board.
Bill has a doctorate in educational administration from Indiana State University.
Sarah E. Emerson of Vigo Co.
Gubernatorial Appointment
Sarah Emerson has been a Commission member for one year.
Sarah has performed advocacy her whole life to help people who have been left out, she says. Her efforts are not limited to persons with disabilities, but also extend to working for inclusiveness in race and ethnicity.
Sarah is retired from the university system, where she taught for many years. She also worked in public health, and psychology and mental health.
Over the years, Sarah sat on numerous civic boards in communities in Indiana, Illinois and Michigan. She was also the first woman elected to a school board in a small Illinois town—a position she held for two terms. She is currently a volunteer for Gleaners Food Bank of Central Indiana.
Sarah holds a master's degree in community health nursing and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction.
To contact one of the Commissioners, please send your comments to IPAS in care of the Executive Director:
Mr. Thomas Gallagher, Executive Director
Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services
4701 N. Keystone Ave., Suite 222
Indianapolis, IN 46205
e-mail tgallagher@ipas.IN.gov
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