The Compliance Department  at Wildwood is part of our overall quality assurance programing  and it is an important part of supporting the agency’s overall success. The compliance department helps Wildwood to be able to commit our resources to our mission. 

“Far from being a mere bureaucratic exercise, compliance is a vital tool that helps us minimize fraud, waste, and abuse – ultimately allowing us to direct more resources towards the programs and staff that are at the heart of our mission,” Missy Remington says. Missy is Wildwood’s director of compliance.

One of the key ways compliance makes a difference is by identifying and addressing issues before they snowball into major problems. Many of the direct care positions at Wildwood require quite a bit of documentation and that documentation is required for the agency to receive reimbursement. As you might guess, there are a lot of rules and regulations that surround documentation.

“Through routine audits, reviews, and investigations, we’re able to catch small missteps early on – things like improper timekeeping, backdated documentation, or misuse of agency funds. While these may seem like minor infractions, they can quickly add up, forcing us to divert precious resources towards paybacks and corrections,” Missy says.

When mistakes are caught early the agency is able to keep more of our funding where it belongs – supporting the vital work our staff does every day. This means more money for staff salaries, program enhancements, and the resources our participants need to thrive. 

“It’s really a win-win that strengthens our organization from the inside out. Of course, compliance isn’t just about catching mistakes; it’s also about proactively finding ways to operate more efficiently. Our team is constantly on the lookout for opportunities to streamline processes, leverage technology, and take advantage of cost-saving measures,” Missy says.

Wildwood spends a large amount of resources on day-to-day living expenses that includes groceries, office supplies, auto maintenance and building upkeep. There are areas in which looking at efficiencies can save a considerable amount of money.

 “Whether it’s negotiating better vendor contracts, optimizing our purchasing strategies, or shifting maintenance work in-house, these efforts add up to significant savings that can be reinvested into our core services. Importantly, our compliance approach is not about heavy-handed enforcement, but rather a collaborative partnership with our programs,” Missy says. “We see ourselves as allies, working side-by-side with staff to identify solutions and provide the training and support needed to stay on track.”

 By fostering this spirit of teamwork, the department is  able to create a culture of accountability that empowers everyone to be good stewards of our resources. At the end of the day, compliance isn’t just about rules and regulations – it’s about protecting the integrity of our mission and ensuring we’re making the most of every dollar entrusted to us. By staying vigilant, thinking creatively, and maintaining open lines of communication, we can unlock new possibilities for supporting the individuals and communities we serve. That’s the true power of compliance.