Today we’d like to introduce you to Teresa Berdoll.
Hi Teresa, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to help people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. In 2010, I moved from Miami to Tallahassee and began my career in state government. Two years later, I joined the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health at the Florida Department of Children and Families, where I worked for over 10 years.
During my time there, I held several roles, including managing substance abuse licensure, supporting policy development, and various grant roles. Through this work, I learned that strong grant management involves more than monitoring and compliance. From a funder’s point of view, key priorities include compliance, accountability, and making sure funds are used effectively. I noticed that many organizations across the state had strong missions but struggled with grant writing, outcome reporting, compliance, and capacity. This required hands-on technical assistance and consistent support for organizations. Ultimately, we want grant subrecipients to succeed because if they do, those being served also benefit.
In 2024, I left state service and founded The Standards Group, LLC., to help close this gap and support organizations in building long-term success. In this capacity, I continue helping vulnerable individuals by strengthening the organizations that serve them.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My path was not an easy one. I chose a less traditional route, but that journey gave me knowledge and perspective that can’t be learned in a classroom or from books. It came from real-life experience.
As a teenager, my family and I were impacted by mental health and substance use challenges in one form or another. Later, I dropped out of college and moved to Europe, where I lived for a couple of years. When I eventually moved to Tallahassee, I was 28 years old, a single mother to a two-year-old, with no family nearby and only one friend in the area. I worked full-time while struggling to pay bills and attended community college to earn my degree.
When I began my role at the Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, I started as an administrative assistant on a grant-funded OPS position without benefits. Also, if my son were sick or out of school, I would bring him to the office because I couldn’t afford a babysitter or miss a day of work.
These experiences motivated me to work extremely hard, often during evenings and weekends. I was lucky to have supportive leaders who recognized my dedication and provided opportunities for growth and advancement.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At The Standards Group, we offer comprehensive grant consulting services to help organizations identify, secure, manage, and comply with public and private grants. Our services include grant writing, grant management, performance improvement strategies, technical assistance, and customized solutions designed to improve program outcomes and ensure compliance.
We are headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and serve organizations of various sizes across the United States. Our team of experienced consultants brings strong knowledge of both the public and nonprofit sectors. We have specialized experience with grants that support vulnerable populations, including mental health and substance use disorders, supported employment, and homelessness.
We provide tailored solutions that produce measurable results and strengthen overall organizational performance.
How do you think about luck?
I can’t point to a single role that defines my journey, as every experience — the good and the bad — has shaped who I am today. I believe that when we learn from our experiences, remain resilient in the face of challenges, and continue to seek solutions, there are no limits to what we can achieve.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TheStandardsConsulting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_standards_group
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568081587338
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thestandardsgroup/
