About Us
About VCOPPA
Historical Overview
In 1994-95 it became obvious that public policy concerning children and families was taking a new direction with little organized input from the private sector. There were individuals and associations who were active, but there was no common “voice” representing the private providers and the children we serve. Ron Herring, CEO of Lutheran Family Services, recognized the need for providers to come together in a unified force to impact public policy and advocate for the children and families we serve. In the spring of 1995, Ron organized an exploratory meeting, inviting representatives from all associations in the Commonwealth who worked with children funded through the Comprehensive Services Act (CSA). At that first meeting, a decision was made to formalize the group into a coalition of associations. The Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations (VCOPPA) was developed.
The group focused on developing relationships with governing agencies in order to have a voice in policy development and funding trends. Input was given at the state level regarding the implementation of Virginia’s CSA, availability of Medicaid as a funding source, and other issues regarding services for children and their families.
In 1998, a management firm was hired to manage the day-to-day administrative affairs of the Coalition as well as represent the group in legislative matters. Shortly thereafter, the Coalition undertook an extensive strategic planning process, resulting in identifying the group’s mission as “to serve as the unified voice for private providers to advocate for a quality system of services for children and families with special needs and challenges.”
The Coalition established two committees to assist in carrying out this mission:
- The Governmental Affairs Committee was established to create and implement a broad based legislative agenda, to develop a well-defined platform and to increase representation on and relationships with statewide entities.
- The Membership Committee was established to develop an effective process for obtaining input and disseminating information among Coalition members on issues of importance and attend to relationships between the Coalition, its constituent associations, their member agencies, and the regional coalitions.
The Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations has become a recognized and respected voice at both the state and local levels. From speaking before the Virginia State Legislature on issues of importance to providers and those they serve, to hosting local luncheons for private providers and local governmental agencies, VCOPPA has remained active and influential in furthering the availability of services for Virginia’s children and families.
Board of Directors
The current VCOPPA Board of Directors consists of the following individuals:
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
President
Nancy Toscano, President & CEO Shineforth Child & Family Services
Vice President
Claiborne Warner, President & CEO Virginia Home for Boys & Girls
Treasurer
Tara Tice, Health Connect America
Immediate Past President
Michael Triggs, Group CEO/Managing Director Poplar Springs Hospital
Government Affairs Committee Chair
Nina Marino, Vice President, Program Innovation & External Affairs Shineforth Child & Family Services
Membership Committee Chair
Vassi Griffis, Vice President of Business Development
Community Alternatives, Inc.
ASSOCIATION REPRESENTATIVES
(appointed by individual associations)
FFTA-VA - Kelley Willis, President
VALCPA – Christopher Campbell, President
VAISEF - Valerie Fleck, Board Member
NOVACO – Vassi Griffis, President
OTHER BOARD MEMBERS
CSA State Executive Council Private Provider Representatives (Current Term: July 2024-June 2027)
Carl Street, Youth For Tomorrow
CSA State and Local Advisory Team Representatives
Shannon Updike, HopeTree Family Services
Ronnie Gehring, StepStone Youth (Alternate)
At-Large Directors
Vanessa Lane, CAO, Grafton
Laura Easter, CEO, Elk Hill
Biographies
President
Nancy Toscano, President and CEO of Shineforth Child & Family Services (formerly UMFS), Nancy is known for her strengths as both a clinical therapist and effective nonprofit leader, Nancy Toscano never wavers in her compassion and pursuit of life-changing solutions for vulnerable children and families in Virginia. She believes every child deserves to be loved, protected and empowered, and that caring families come in many varieties.
Nancy was named President & Chief Executive Officer of Shineforth in April 2021 and has been with the organization since 2007. She’s committed to upholding Shineforth’s resources in service to its mission, striving to elevate awareness, engage and build support in the Central Virginia community.
A licensed clinical social worker with extensive experience in organizational behavior and culture, metrics analysis, and strategic thinking, Nancy has been highly sought after as both a thought leader and practitioner in the family services realm. Her work has taken her to many different locations around the world, including California, New York, Malaysia and England.
In 2018, Nancy was invited by Virginia’s Office of Children’s Services and the Secretary of Health and Human Resources to facilitate strategic planning for the State Executive Council. She’s President of the Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations (VCOPPA), President of the Virginia Nonprofit Leadership Council (VNLC), and past- Chair of Richmond City’s Community, Planning and Management team.
Originally from Long Island, New York, Nancy earned her Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration with a concentration in nonprofit leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Siena College and her master’s degree from New York University, both in the field of social work.
Nancy enjoys exploring nature and spending time with her husband, John, and their son, Jack.
Vice President
Claiborne Warner, President & CEO of Virginia Home for Boys and Girls (VHBG) brings over 30 years of experience in business management to Virginia Home for Boys and Girls and has extensive experience as a marketing consultant to for-profit and nonprofit organizations.
She has served on a number of local nonprofit boards including The Children’s Museum of Richmond, The Powell Foundation for Economic Literacy, and Gateway Homes, and served as interim CEO of United Way of Greater Richmond and Petersburg.
Claiborne currently serves on the board of Hanover County’s Community Policy and Management Team (CPMT). She is a member of the Virginia Nonprofit Leadership Council and the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF).
She is Vice President of the Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations (VCOPPA), whose mission is to serve as the unified voice for private providers to advocate for a quality system of services for children and families with special needs and challenges. She holds a BA in Economics from Davidson College.
Treasurer
Tara Tice is the Treasurer for the VCOPPA Board of Directors and previously served as Membership Chair. She is the Director of Operations for First Home Care and has more than 20 years of experience serving children and families in Virginia's foster care system. Tara is committed to strengthening child welfare services through collaborative leadership, operational excellence, and advocacy for foster families and the professionals who support them.
Immediate Past-President
Michael Triggs is CEO/Managing Director of Poplar Springs Hospital in Petersburg and is responsible for the day-to-day operations at both the Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility and the Acute Psychiatric Hospital. He arrived at Poplar Springs in January 2021 and has been working with individuals with special needs since 1995. Over that time, he has worked in many different capacities for different organizations across the Commonwealth of Virginia. Immediately prior to coming to Poplar Springs, he was the CEO of the Hughes Center for Exceptional Children in Danville. He has a Masters of Science in Strategic Leadership and a Bachelors of Science in Political Science, with a minor in Economics. He also serves as Previous President of the Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Associations (VCOPPA), as well as First Vice President of the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Educational Facilities (VAISEF).
Government Affairs Committee
Nina Marino, MSW, LCSW is the Vice President of Program Innovation & External Affairs at Shineforth Child & Family Services, (formerly UMFS). She also serves as the Government Affairs Chair of the Virginia Coalition of Private Provider Assocations (VCOPPA)
Nina comes to Shineforth with extensive experience in mental health and child welfare, specializing in state-level program implementation and public policy administration. As Director of the Office of Child and Family Services at the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, she led initiatives including expanding school-based mental health through public-private partnerships, strengthening the mobile crisis workforce, advancing adolescent substance use treatment and recovery services, expanding youth-focused evidence-based practices, and building the Virginia Mental Health Access Program.
She also served as a national consultant with the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Child Welfare Strategy Group, improving permanency outcomes for older youth in child welfare and juvenile justice systems, and has held non-profit leadership roles building trauma-informed case management programs and supervising statewide teams in treatment foster care, and adoption-competent mental health services.
She started her career as a therapist providing trauma-focused services to children and adolescents in a community mental health center, and holds a Master of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University; she is a licensed clinical social worker.
Membership Committee
Vassanthi (Vassi) Griffis is a dynamic business development and marketing executive with more than 15 years of experience driving strategic growth, brand visibility, and partnership expansion across healthcare and human services sectors. As Vice President of Business Development at Community Alternatives, Inc., she leads initiatives that strengthen organizational presence, expand referral networks, and enhance profitability through data-driven strategies.
Her leadership has consistently delivered measurable results—achieving referral growth of up to 90%, expanding market reach across multiple states, and increasing recruitment and brand engagement by over 50%. Previously, she served as Director of Business Development at Hallmark Youthcare and held key roles with New Hope Carolinas and Childhelp, where she advanced business operations and developed innovative outreach programs addressing emerging community needs.
Vassi holds an MBA from Frostburg State University and a Bachelor’s in Psychology from the University of Maryland. She is an active leader in several statewide associations, including serving as President of the Northern Virginia Coalition of Private Providers Association (NOVACO-PPA). Known for her collaborative leadership style and passion for service, Vassi continues to champion initiatives that empower organizations, strengthen partnerships, and make a lasting impact in the community.
FFTA
Kelley Willis, LCSW, has dedicated her career to helping children and families thrive by empowering the professionals who walk alongside them. As Chief Executive Officer of For Children’s Sake of Virginia, she leads with the belief that lasting change begins with strong relationships, compassionate leadership, and a team of dedicated professionals empowered to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
With more than 20 years of experience in child welfare, Kelley has spent her career strengthening families, supporting children, and advancing high-quality behavioral health and therapeutic foster care services throughout Virginia. She discovered her passion for therapeutic foster care while completing her graduate internship—an experience that sparked a lifelong commitment to serving children and families. Since joining For Children’s Sake of Virginia in 2006, she has served in roles ranging from case manager and supervisor to director and now Chief Executive Officer, providing her with a deep understanding of both the families served and the professionals who walk alongside them.
Kelley believes that when organizations invest in their people, those professionals are better equipped to transform the lives of children and families. She is committed to fostering a culture where staff feel supported, valued, and inspired to do their best work while ensuring every family receives compassionate, high-quality care.
In addition to leading For Children’s Sake, Kelley has been an adjunct faculty member at George Mason University for more than 15 years, where she has the privilege of preparing the next generation of social workers for careers rooted in service, advocacy, and ethical practice. She also serves as Virginia Chapter Chair for the Foster Family Treatment Association (FFTA), collaborating with providers across the Commonwealth to strengthen therapeutic foster care and improve outcomes for children and families.
Kelley earned her Bachelor’s degree from George Mason University and her Master of Social Work degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), she remains committed to lifelong learning, collaborative leadership, and advancing best practices that strengthen children, families, and communities.
Outside of work, Kelley enjoys traveling, staying active, spending time outdoors, listening to music, and making memories with her husband, three children, family, and friends.
VALCPA
Christopher Campbell was drawn to VHBG for its unique, person-centered approach—one that feels more home-like than a program facility. It’s a place where care takes priority over funding, and the focus is on stability, connection, and individualized support.
“At VHBG, being a young person means staying connected—to family, school, and community. It should feel like the kind of place we’d want our own kids to be.”
Christopher helps guide VHBG’s mission by creating spaces where young people feel safe, seen, and empowered. He believes in meeting people where they are, fostering trust, and finding teachable moments that promote real growth. At VHBG, lasting impact and advocacy—and not numbers—drives the work.
He thrives in the advocacy space, building strong relationships with providers, families, legislators, and policy leaders. Christopher represents VHBG across Virginia through involvement in over 20 youth and state-level groups like the Governor’s Safe and Sound Task Force, Virginia DSS’s Child Welfare Advisory Committee, and Chesterfield County’s Community Policy and Management Team. As President of VALCPA, he helps shape statewide policy for youth and families.
With over 30 years of experience—including leadership at UMFS and as Director of Group Homes at VHBG—Christopher is known for his authentic leadership and deep-rooted commitment to social justice.
VAISEF
Valerie Fleck brings more than two decades of experience in social work, business development, and educational services. She began her career with Dominion Care in 2003 and currently serves as the Director of Education for Dominion Academy and TEC, providing strategic and operational oversight for two campuses in Richmond and Tidewater.
In addition to her work at Dominion Care, Valerie serves on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Association of Independent Specialized Education Facilities (VAISEF) and is a Co‑Chair of the Government Affairs Committee. Her leadership in this role supports statewide advocacy efforts and strengthens partnerships across the education and human services community. Valerie’s passion for private day education and community engagement continues to drive innovative, student‑centered solutions that support meaningful progress for Virginia’s youth.
CSA State and Local Advisory Team Representatives
Shannon Updike, LCSW, CHP, has dedicated more than 20 years to advancing the well-being of Virginia's children, families, and communities through leadership in behavioral health, child welfare, and human services. She serves as Chief Compliance Officer for HopeTree Family Services, where she leads the organization's compliance, risk management, quality improvement, and accreditation programs. Throughout her career, Ms. Updike has held positions spanning direct service, clinical practice, program administration, and executive leadership, providing her with a broad perspective on the opportunities and challenges facing Virginia's human services system and private provider community. She currently serves on Virginia's State and Local Advisory Team (SLAT) as the Private Provider Representative, contributing to statewide efforts to strengthen collaboration, accountability, and quality across systems of care. Through her leadership and advocacy, she remains committed to supporting policies and practices that improve outcomes for children, families, and communities throughout the Commonwealth.
At-Large Directors
Vanessa Lane is the Chief Administrative Officer at Grafton Integrated Health Network. Vanessa has oversight of the revenue cycle, contracting, the data warehouse, the Quality and Compliance team, Risk Management, Information Technology and Facilities. Vanessa also works closely with various state leaders to improve care for those with disabilities.
Vanessa has over thirty years of experience in the healthcare field. She has experience managing the entire revenue cycle, accounts receivable, contracting, admissions, authorizations and front desk functions in a healthcare setting. She also has extensive experience in healthcare compliance and has worked with multiple state Medicaid systems to develop and implement policy changes. Additionally, she has participated in multiple teams in the selection, implementation, and use of multiple Electronic Health Record Systems.
Prior to working at Grafton, Vanessa had oversight of the revenue cycle for the Center for Behavioral Health at Centerstone. In this position, she managed the revenue cycle through multiple Electronic Health Record Implementations and several mergers between Non-Profit CMHCs.
Vanessa received her MBA with a Healthcare Administration focus from Indiana Wesleyan University.
At-Large Directors
Laura Easter is the Chief Executive Officer for Elk Hill, a non-profit that provides residential, mental/behavioral health and special education services to children and families in Central Virgina. With over twenty-five years of experience in the mental health field as a therapist working with children and teens, an adjunct professor, and a clinical supervisor, Laura founded Elk Hill’s community-based services and served as the program’s director for 10 years before serving as Chief Operating Officer for six years. She is a licensed professional counselor and has a doctorate in counselor education from the University of Virgina.