People Helping People
We’re expanding!
Our expansion will help us provide comprehensive residential, day and clinical services to individuals with developmental disabilities throughout Colorado. To learn more, join us for a webinar on Tuesday, February 26th at 11am. RSVP today!
RSVP– supportinc.com/calendar
We also have the Zoom link below to access the webinar on February 26th.
December ushers in the holiday season including Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah and the New Year. This is often a time of reflection as we contemplate our successes and challenges over the last year. If we could sum up 2024 in a few words, it would be a ‘year of change’. Services for people with IDD went through large scale changes in this last year.
As we look ahead to 2025, our system will have a few more large-scale changes.
There was a lot of change this last year and our system is slated for more changes in 2025. Thank you for supporting the people we serve through all these changes. If you have questions or need assistance don’t hesitate to reach out, we are here to support you.
Kenny recently took a fun weekend trip to the Georgetown loop railroad and had a blast! This has been a goal of his for about three years, so he was ecstatic that he was finally able to go. According to Kenny his love for trains started when he was a kid. He has always enjoyed watching movies that have trains because they look really cool. Kenny also usually likes to spend time watching YouTube videos on trains as well. HHP knew this was a goal of Kenny’s for a while and was able to take him up for the weekend. He even took some awesome pictures with Santa!
Please join us in congratulating Nancy for Host Home Provider of the Month! The following details were provided by her Residential Program Coordinator-
I would like to nominate Nancy Rogers-Fleming for host home provider of the month! I have been working with Nancy for about three years now, and it’s truly been a privilege! I remember my first time meeting Nancy and PRS Amy, was while I was shadowing another RPC. It had been maybe the 2nd or 3rd visit I had shadowed, and I was nervous jumping into my new role. Nancy, however, was very quick to make me feel comfortable and welcome. She took the time to tell me little details about Amy, the things she liked, disliked, activities she was participating in, shared photos, etc. This was especially important to me, because it allowed me to get to know Amy who’s nonverbal a lot quicker than I could have ever imagined, but also gave me a glimpse into the type of provider Nancy is.
Nancy has been a provider to Amy for 12 years, and as you can imagine Amy is a very important and loved member of Nancy’s family. This is very evident through the family tradition they have started together. One of my favorite traditions they’ve shared with me has been raising caterpillars every year and releasing butterflies on Mother’s Day. Amy looks forward to this every year and it’s a very special moment her and Nancy share together.
Nancy does a phenomenal job making sure Amy is heard and her needs are met. Whether that be through encouraging her to communicate through her DynaVox, ASL, or simply her body language and facial expressions. Nancy always ensures she advocates for Amy and provides unconditional love, support, and quality care. She is a provider that genuinely cares for the PRS in her home. Nancy has also assisted DM2 with respite needs have been very difficult to fill. Allowing other HHPs to receive much needed breaks, all the while providing excellent care for the PRS. Nancy has provided an individual she frequently respites for with an additional home he feels comfortable in, which has not been an easy task. We truly appreciate her dedication and hard work, thank you for being such an amazing provider and someone we know we can count on!
When SH decided to find a therapist for personal counseling last fall, she knew that finding a counselor with disabilities was important to a good fit. She looked for months, through various avenues like her medical providers, her insurance, friends and family, but could not find a single therapist with disabilities. Rather than giving up, SH decided that she would fill that role and become a therapist for others with disabilities, even if she has to be the first one.
She is enrolled at Arapahoe Community College to start her studies in the Spring 2025 semester. This step is just one example of the way she lives her life in determined advocacy for herself and others with disabilities. With the persistence she floods into pursuing her goals, we feel certain SH is going to better the field she studies and we wish her much success. Thank you SH for inspiring us to be the change we want to see in the world!
Person Receiving Services, Greg, recently voted and was so excited for the opportunity after originally feeling like he couldn’t due to a recent change in address. He also started a new job at Ross. His team is SO proud of him!
Michael’s recent renovation has been deemed a success! Michael was happy to share his story with his team, Nate and Samantha.
Michael got some awesome home renovations this year! He got his cabinets and countertops remodeled. He advocated for his preferences and got exactly what he envisioned. With these renovations, Mike achieved one of his biggest home improvement goals!
Here are a few before and after photos!
Before:
And after:
Ray has had an eventful couple of months working towards two big goals. He got his driver’s license and a new job as a crossing guard.
Rays’ mom reports that he looks proud and happy in his bright crossing guard vest as he gets to work around one of his favorite things in the world- buses. He enjoys helping the kids cross the street, getting to be part of one of the most important public transportation systems in America, and having a flexible schedule to make it to his Smash Bros tournaments. When asked he said he wouldn’t rule out being a bus driver one day – especially now that he has his license.
Getting his license was the easy part he says, passing his mom’s driving lessons was not. Although he can drive himself now, he is not done with buses. His dream car would be for everyone to use the public transportation system so that it can expand and be taken everywhere. (If he had to pick it would be an RV because of the nice amenities). He especially likes the MAX bus in Fort Collins.
Congrats again, Ray, for reaching these major milestones!!
The Loveland Team would like to nominate Brianna Yakovee for Provider of the Month!
Brianna is an experienced caregiver and provider who has dedicated much of her life to enriching the lives of those around her. From troubled teens to adults in the IDD community, she extends her compassion to any who need it. Recently, she opened her home to one of our PRS, Baylee. It was Baylee’s personal goal to find an HHP to move in with by the end of the year, and she sure found the right fit with Brianna and her home.
From the second Baylee gave her stamp of approval, Brianna started prepping her home. Being blind, there are some extra useful tools that help Baylee use the space around her. Brianna put sticky dots on the microwave for Baylee to be able to independently heat up her food – as well as on the washer and dryer to help her complete laundry. Arguably the coolest thing, though, is also a sound machine that sits outside of Brianna’s bedroom door, across the hall from Baylee’s room, that runs constantly, allowing Baylee to use it a sound locator throughout the house.
Their first weekend together was a girls weekend on the town. The ladies went shopping, had some yummy food and even enjoyed a movie showing together. Even on short notice, Brianna made sure Baylee and her roommate were able to attend our Loveland Halloween party. Brianna is constantly ensuring that Baylee (and her roommates) has access to the activities she enjoys doing while helping to promote independence and safety. Thank you for supporting those who lean on you, Bri. You’re a rockstar!
Hello and thanks for reading from the Intake Team! As mentioned in the newsletter, the Intake Team still consists of Brian, Cindy, Kristin and Cathy. This is the most seniored team at the agency. Cindy has been with us for 23 years, Kristin 22 years, Cathy 7 years and Brian 5 years. We’re excited to share some updates and plans for the upcoming year!
First, the team wants to get reconnected to case managers, as turnover in 2024 reached an all-time high. We Look forward to building new relationships and partnering with Case Managers in 2025. As you know, relationships in the field are so important. We are eager to meet some new faces and learn from other folks that have been in the field as long as we have!
We also continue to attend provider fairs. We had great success the last few months, getting to know new families on the DD waiver. We love connecting with community partners and learning more about new Case Management Agency (CMA) Processes and procedures.
On this note, did you know that Cathy recently joined the Community Advisory Committee for the Weld County CMA? She meets quarterly with the team to review complaints, review and improve processes and procedures regarding Weld County Case Management and to ensure that waiver transfers from one county to the next have been expedited in a smooth and seamless manner.
Last but not least, Cathy also implemented billboards in Greeley, Fort Morgan and Sterling. Keep an eye out for our advertising! And feel free to let us know if you’ve seen our materials anywhere recently!
We thank you again for choosing us as your agency. Please continue to keep us in mind for DD placement needs by emailing Intake@supportinc.com with any potential leads.
Thanks again and take care.