HSI Executive Team
President/C.E.O
Donald J. Dew
In June 1990, Donald J. Dew was selected from a field of over 150 candidates to fill the position of Executive Director of Habilitative Systems, Inc. (HSI), a vital west side human services organization which currently operates over 40 programs for thousands of children and families in need. Under his tenure, HSI's budget has increased from $6.5 million in 1989 to nearly $9 million in 2003, signaling a significant increase in services to Chicago area residents.
Mr. Dew is a west side native and has been employed at Habilitative Systems, Inc. since 1984 in varying positions including, Director of Case Coordination/Management, Director of Vocational Services, Director, Program Services and Acting Executive Director.
A sampling of his many accomplishments include: Contract procurement for assembly of 8,000 collector phones for the 1996 Democratic National Convention; development of Ameritech HSI Bill Payment Center now including both Western Union and Peoples Energy Co.; and securing funding totaling $6,000,000 from HUD and Chicago Department of Housing funding for 100 units of senior and disability housing.
Donald J. Dew brings to this position twenty-two years of professional experience and a vast knowledge of the programs and demands of Habilitative Systems, Inc. He received his Master of Social Work (M.S.W.) degree in 1980 from Jane Addams College of Social Work at the University of Illinois. Prior to employment with Habilitative Systems, Inc., Dew fine-tuned his social work skills by working in the Juvenile Court of Cook County from 1978-1979; at the Westside Veterans Administration Hospital from 1979-1980; at Mile Square Health Center, Inc. from 1980-1982; at the Community Mental Health Council from 1982-1984 and served as a consultant for the Institute of Community Health in Oak Park during the same period. He was a 1991-1992 Fellow in the Leadership Greater Chicago Program presented by die Chicago Community Trust and earned his Certification in Business Administration from the University of Illinois in 1992. He was also a Switzer Scholar in 1998.
He is the recipient of numerous awards and certificates including: 1984 Outstanding Young Men in America; 1991 Community Service Award presented by the Community Mental Health Council, Inc.; 1993 Positive Self Image Award presented by the Westside Center of Truth- 1994 Alpha Kappa Alpha Monarch Award for ]Public Service; 1995 Being Single Magazine Pinnacle Award, 1995 Northwest Austin Council Appreciation Award; 1997 National Association of Black Journalist Community Service Award; 1997 Lawndale Peoples Planning and Action Council Community Service Award; 1998 Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Social Service Award and in 1999 the Lewis University Outstanding Alumni Award-
Donald J. Dew is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, National Association of Black Social Workers and the Academy of Certified Social Workers. He is also currently the Chairman of the Westside CHAMP Advisory Board, an international model for the prevention of HIV, and past member of the CARF International Board of Trustees, and Schwab Board of Directors.
Chief Operating Officer
Karen D. Barbee-Dixon, Ed.D
Karen D. Barbee-Dixon has been employed for over 23 years at Habilitative Systems, Inc. She maintains a Doctoral Degree in Educational Psychology from Northern Illinois University, serves as the organization’s Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for day-to-day operations. The organization’s Systems’ Enhancement, Strategic planning, Quality Improvement, Internship Placements, Research, Evaluation and Education activities are also coordinated out of her office. Prior to her current role, Dr. Barbee-Dixon served as Deputy Executive Director for HSI’s program operations and Division Director for the agency’s special education, prevention and child care programs. Her 26-year management experience in the social services and academic arenas evolved from her early years in a Special Education school - based clinical and administrative capacity in Chicago Heights, Illinois.
Dr. Barbee- Dixon has a strong clinical background in the provision of programs to children, youth and their families. In 2004, she was selected for a two - year Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Illinois – Circle, Department of Psychiatry – Disruptive Behaviors Clinic. The clinic has a mission of designing, delivering, and developing state-of-the-art mental health interventions for children and families with externalizing disorders and co-morbid problems
Dr. Barbee-Dixon has played an integral role in leading the organization’s efforts to achieve International Accreditation from CARF- The Commission on the Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, since 1991. She serves as a Surveyor for CARF and offers consultant services in Organizational Leadership and Development, Accreditation Preparation, and Outcomes Management and Evaluation to other Social Service organizations across the Chicago land area. She is also a member of various national and local organizations, is an Advisory Board member for the University of Illinois at Circle, Institute for Juvenile Research, and serves as a current board member for Circle of Parents - Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Barbee-Dixon has received numerous honors for her work with Children and Families. Her current goals are to establish Habilitative Systems, Inc.’s internal research infrastructure, conduct community-based research and associated publications and directly influence increased agency collaborations with colleges and universities on both local and national levels
Vice President, External Relations
Richard D. Jackson, M.S.H.S.A
Has worked in the field of Human Services for 31 years. He holds a Bachelors of Arts. degree in Clinical Social Work & Substance Abuse from Northeastern Illinois University, and has since completed graduate studies in Counseling and Education at St Mary’s College in San Jose, Calif, and most recently received a Masters of Science Degree in Human Service Administration from Spertus College, Chicago. Through out his professional career he has established a track record as a Clinician, Clinical Supervisor, College Instructor, Trainer, Administrator, and Political Activist in the areas of Substance Abuse, Mental Health & Human Services. In 1994 he was recruited by the Director of the Illinois Department of Alcoholism and Substance to join their staff as a Senior Public Service Administrator, Northern Sector Manager. In April 1997, he joined Habilitative Systems Inc, as the Vice President of External Relations, where he is responsible for managing the coordination and negotiation of all human service agreements and contracts with various governmental funding sources and other endowment entities. In addition he serves as the liaison with governmental agencies, political entities, trade associations and community advocacy groups, and other such human service providers.
Chief Financial Officer
Joyce K. Wade
Joyce K. Wade has served as Vice President of Finance for Habilitative Systems, Inc. since April 1998. Prior to joining HSI, Ms. Wade served as Director, Section 8 Housing Programs for the Chicago Housing Authority; Financial Management Administrator of CHA’s Housing Management Operations Division; Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Community Bank of Lawndale; Director of the Small Business Development Center of the Women’s Business Development Center and as adjunct faculty for Spertus College, Chicago, teaching Budgeting and Financial Management in Human Service Organizations in its Masters in Human Service Administration curriculum. Ms. Wade also worked for the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Illinois Housing Development Authority.
Ms. Wade has also served on the boards of numerous not-for-profit organizations and governmental bodies.
She holds a B.S. in Education from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois and an MBA from the University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois.