Aaryce Hayes, L.C.S.W.

Ms. Hayes currently serves Disability Rights Texas as Policy Specialist. The Policy Specialist serves as the “resident expert” of policy and issue specialties, developing and presenting expert problem analysis information for the staff, volunteers, other organizations and public agencies and officials. The Specialist coordinates program planning, reporting and development of organizational priorities and positions and routinely analyzes state and federal legislation.

Previously she worked for The Mandt System, Inc. from 2008 to 2017 as Senior Vice President of Operations and on the National Training Faculty. Her responsibilities as VP of Operations included management of financial operations; development of quality assurance protocols; and development of a system to gather, analyze and store all training faculty evaluations. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, she was responsible for the efficient operation of the organization, set policy, and provided input to company direction and strategic decision-making.

Ms. Hayes served as National Training Faculty (2008 to 2017). She traveled throughout the United States and Canada performing five-day training events teaching caregivers how to work with individuals with disabilities. The training focused on relational, conceptual and technical (physical) skill building.

From 1990 to 2008, Ms. Hayes worked for Advocacy, Inc., in Texas as Mental Illness Policy Specialist/PAIMI Coordinator/OBRA Program Specialist. She coordinated program planning, reporting and development of organizational priorities and positions. Routinely analyzed state and federal legislation as well as agency rules and policies. As PAIMI Coordinator she implemented the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Program and served as liaison to SAMHSA providing annual federal reports to ensure accountability with funding stream requirements. As OBRA Program Specialist and Manager of Special Projects she insured expert technical assistance, training and resource support of the Policy Services Unit to intake and regional office units. She monitored the implementation of Pre-Admission Screening and Annual Resident Review in Texas and facilitated stakeholder involvement with the various state agencies and responded to OBRA intake calls.

Ms. Hayes has benefited from personal experience as an advocate for a sibling and parent both diagnosed with a serious mental illness. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.