The following individuals successfully completed two-year service terms as members of the Medicaid Client Voice Council.

Kristen Arnold

Kristen Arnold lives in Conway (Area 3) with her husband, three boys under 10 and is a sister/guardian over her 24-year-old adult brother Lawrence, who was adopted through the foster care system and was diagnosed with Autism at age 3. Kristen has spent over 17 years working with children/adults with disabilities. She is entering her fifth year with Empower Healthcare Solutions where she currently works as an Adult Behavioral Health Care Coordinator Supervisor. She has a Bachelor’s in Psychology from The University of Central Arkansas and a Master’s in Developmental Therapy from Henderson State University. Kristen is eager to help as many Arkansans as possible get the most out of the many Medicaid programs.

Deandriea Bass-Carrigan

Dr. Deandriea Bass-Carrigan lives in Conway (Area 3) with her husband and two children. Deandriea is a Licensed Professional Counselor and owns Driven by Concepts Therapy in Conway. She has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Arkansas, a Master of Science from the University of Arkansas- Little Rock, and a Doctorate in human services from Capella University. Her son was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at six-months of age, sparking her interest in social services. Deandriea spent over a decade working at Arkansas Rehabilitation Services, helping find employment for people with disabilities. She serves as Behavioral Science Chair and Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Central Baptist College.

Alison Caballero

Alison Caballero and her husband live in Little Rock (Area 6), and she is a Little Rock native. The youngest of their two children has a rare chromosomal abnormality. Alison earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Public Health from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Alison has worked in healthcare and public health for more than 20 years. She directs a health literacy center, where she leads a team of staff who conduct research and provide services designed to ensure health information is easy for everyone to read, understand, and use. This is especially useful for Medicaid families. Alison enjoys cooking with her adult daughter, hosting gatherings, and exercising outdoors.

Naythan Dyke

At 23, Naythan Dyke was the youngest member to serve on the Council. Naythan is a 2018 graduate of Alma high school. He works as a substitute teacher in Alma and the surrounding area. Naythan lives in Fort Smith (Area 1), where he attended UA-Fort Smith for two years and was elected homecoming king in 2019. He hopes to return soon to finish his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and eventually obtain a doctorate in psychology and one day practice psychology. Disabled from birth, Naythan has experience with at least eight Medicaid-funded programs and is looking forward to using that experience to help improve services. He enjoys listening to music in his free time.

Brittany Gilmore

Brittany Gilmore was born and raised in DeQueen (Area 4), a city she still calls home. After spending several years in active addiction, Brittany emerged from the battle to start a non-profit with her mother to help others in addiction. “Breaking the Ties that Bind” helps connect at-risk youth and adults with mental health, behavioral health, and substance abuse resources. Her four years of long-term recovery helps her serve as a Peer Recovery Specialist. Brittany attended Purdue University Northwest and is mother to a teenage daughter. Her hobbies include developing pilot programs, taking deep dives into true crime rabbit holes, cooking, and spending time with her loved ones.

Frank Hellmer

Frank Hellmer lives in Little Rock (Area 6) and works as a data analyst for a major health insurer. Frank is autistic and has an increased attention to detail. He believes this skillset, along with accounting knowledge and computer programming skills he learned while earning a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business data analytics from Arkansas Tech University, benefits his colleagues and employer. Frank receives services through the
Community and Employment Supports waiver program and Workers with Disabilities Medicaid, which help him live on his own with support. Frank is a Christian who enjoys listening to sermons from John MacArthur and R.C. Sproul, among others, while he plays video games.

Gale Hollaway

Gale Mathis Hollaway was born and raised in Jonesboro and now lives near Hardy (Area 2) with her husband Randy on a 300-acre cattle farm. A three-time graduate of Arkansas State University (BSE, MSE, and EdS), Gale is a retired educator who taught in the Nettleton, Osceola, and Pocahontas school districts before teaching at her alma mater, ASU. Gale received numerous awards and recognitions during her teaching career. Following the death of their daughter Ashley Elizabeth, the Hollaway’s became foster parents, eventually adopting three children who were raised along with their biological son. Gale says all their children (and now two grandchildren) have an array of abilities and disabilities. The family spends leisure time at their Mountain Lodge in Baxter County.

Kevin Hoover

Gary “Kevin” Hoover was born and raised in Eureka Springs, but he now calls Greenbrier (Area 3) home. In high school Kevin became an accomplished percussionist and was offered a full scholarship but instead chose to pursue his first musical love: the banjo! Kevin played for two years in Branson at Silver Dollar City before touring with several country bands that opened for acts like Marty Haggard and the Kentucky Headhunters. Like many musicians, he had a 9 to 5 job too. Kevin owned a transmission repair shop until 2008, when an accident while working on a car left him partially paralyzed. That began his Medicaid education and Kevin looks forward to using what he has learned to help others.

Michele Lappin

Michele Lappin is a wife and mother to three children with a variety of disabilities and mental health needs who have benefited from Medicaid programs. Michele and her family (including their cats, Angel and Tails, and her goldfish) live in White County (Area 3). She wants to work to improve access to Medicaid services, particularly in rural areas and for children with disabilities. Michele serves as the media and technology coordinator for The Center for Exceptional Families, which gives support to caregivers and schools in meeting the needs of children with disabilities. Michele moved to Arkansas in 2018 after being a Louisianan most of her life.

Bradley Ledgerwood

Bradley Ledgerwood has long been an advocate for the disabled, starting when he was picked to be the poster child for UCP in 1990. Ledgerwood lives in the small town of Cash (Area 2), just outside of Jonesboro. While his physical limitations prevented Bradley from attending ASU, his family fought to make sure accommodations were made so that he could get a public-school education. And Bradley may not be able to walk, but he talks just fine! He serves on the Cash city council and regularly shares his ideas with elected officials. The AR Choices program has made a huge difference in Bradley’s life, and he looks forward to helping the Council improve the lives of other Medicaid recipients.

Michelle Pedro

Michelle Pedro lives in Springdale (Area 1) with her family of eight. Michelle is Policy Director and Communications Specialist at the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese. She has a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from the University of Phoenix. Michelle has a background serving vulnerable populations such as at-risk youth, IDD individuals, people facing homelessness, and victims of abuse. She has served her community for well over a decade and continues to do so in her capacity at the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese. When she is not working she is spending time with her family or volunteering.

Betty Raiford

Betty Raiford lives in Pine Bluff (Area 5) with her husband and their adult son Daniel who has Down Syndrome. Another son, Derek is a registered nurse in Little Rock. Betty is a Program Manager for Toxicology Pathology Associates, Inc. at the National Center for Toxicological Research in Jefferson, Arkansas. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree from UA-Pine Bluff and is a certified Histology Technician from the American Society of Clinical Pathology. Advocating for Daniel led Betty to serve on several statewide boards and commissions, and she hopes that experience will be valuable to the Medicaid Client Voice Council.”

Amanda Sanders

Amanda hails from Mountain Home (Area 1), where she is a mother to an adult son with autism and two additional teenagers. She has been married since 1995. She is completing a bachelor’s degree in psychology and will begin graduate school in the fall to obtain her master’s degree in social work. Amanda has been an advocate and volunteer for over two decades, serving in church, food pantries, women’s shelters, schools, the Conway Human Development Center, and a crisis pregnancy center. She loves to play golf, but not as much as she loves to drive the golf cart. She has spent the last three years trying to convince her English bulldog the shower curtain is not dangerous. She has yet to succeed.

Reba Shipley

Reba Shipley has been a resident of Jonesboro (Area 2) since 1997. Reba is mother to nine children, ranging in age from adulthood to elementary school. Seven of her children are adopted, and some of them have special needs. Reba wants to work to improve the lives of Arkansans, whether it be through adoption advocacy or improving Medicaid programs and the accessibility of those programs. She looks forward to walking beside parents and helping them equip their children for a brighter future. Reba also enjoys crunching numbers and has worked in the accounting field for the past eight years. Prior to that, she had an in-home childcare program for 19 years.

Yolanda Traylor

Yolanda Traylor lives in Little Rock (Area 6) with her two children and her dad. She has served in the Early Childhood Education field for over two decades. She is currently the director of Day School at First Church in Maumelle. Yolanda earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Philander Smith College and her Master of Science degree in Early Childhood Services from Arkansas State University. When Yolanda is not working, you will find her helping in the community through Mission Mini Serve and her sorority, advocating for mental health and spending time with her family and friends.

Jerry Watson

Jerry Watson grew up “out in the swamp” near Brinkley in “abject poverty.” A University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff education and a career in engineering/computer-related fields helped him escape those conditions. Jerry lived and worked in the Portland, Oregon, area for 25 years. His marketing, data analysis, and consulting skills helped private companies like IBM, Nike, and Intel as well as the Portland public schools, where he taught computer. Jerry returned to Arkansas in 2009 and lives in Pine Bluff (Area 5) near his two sisters. Jerry is a caregiver to his younger sister, who is on Medicaid. Jerry has had some health problems in recent years but still loves politics and chess. He is also a licensed minister.

Daronda Elaine Williams

Daronda Elaine Williams lives in Prescott (Area 4). She and her husband raised three sons who are all college graduates and married with children. Daronda has an associate degree in early childhood from Henderson State University, an associate degree in art from Southern Arkansas University, and a bachelor’s in psychology from Phoenix University. She has worked in a day program that provides services for people with developmental disabilities and autism for over 25 years. Daronda is a community advocate who serves on other boards. She is also a certified first responder. Several relatives and community members have benefited from Daronda’s advocacy. In her free time, she likes to read, fish, cook, travel, sightsee, and spend time in her garden.