Carrie Kontis serves as the Barber National Institute’s Chief Officer of Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Day Services. Her scope of responsibility covers statewide day and employment services, as well as project search, agency with choice, family support services, and lifesharing services.  

Carrie began her career at the Barber National Institute in 1983 as a Direct Support Professional in the position of live-in manager of a residential group home. During her over 40 years of service, she has held various positions such as a residential manager of an Intermediate Care Facility, program specialist, residential coordinator, associate director, director, vice president of Intellectual Disabilities Services and chief officer Intellectual Disabilities Services.  Carrie has helped to lead various projects such as assisting to return individuals to their home community during several State Center dispersals, opening the first waiver residential homes, transitioning from Intermediate Care Facility service to the community RCH group homes, and previous programs such as children’s homes, transitional and enhanced supported living services. She assisted in bringing Barber’s services to Philadelphia and Allegheny counties.  In addition, Carrie initiated and developed Lifesharing services at Barber as well as led the development of Barber services in the counties of Bedford, Somerset, and Warren.

Carrie earned a Master of Science in Health Services Administration from Gannon University, a certificate of behavior management from Edinboro University, and a Bachelor of Science in Education from Lock Haven University.

Carrie is active on various state committees and advocates for individuals, families, staff, and provider agencies. She co-chairs the Pennsylvania Association Resources Committee on Community Participation and is a member of the Lifesharing State Coalition Leadership team as well as the Regional Lead for the Western Region Lifesharing group. 

Why I like best about Barber

Carrie says she works for Barber because she is devoted to assisting others to live person centered lives, make positive changes, and to quote Emerson “leave the world a bit better”.