Dynamix

I have worked in the field of human and social services since graduating college in the early 2000s. I started in upstate New York and eventually made my way to Chicago. My first job involved working one-on-one with a child with autism, supporting them with homework and navigating social situations in the community. From there, I transitioned to working as a direct support professional in several group home residential sites. These facilities ranged from those providing extensive medical assistance to community-based homes with varying degrees of independence and supervision.

When I moved to Chicago, I worked for many years at a couple of different agencies. My roles included managing group homes and supported living programs, providing case management, counseling, and skill-building services for people with disabilities living in their own apartments. It was during this time that I discovered my passion: helping people achieve the highest level of independence possible. While doing this work, I noticed a significant gap in options for individuals who were either truly independent or had the potential to become so.

The state of Illinois had a supported living arrangement grant that was dissolved in late 2009. This grant allowed agencies to offer individually tailored skill-building and support services for people who were independent and didn’t require supervised group living. Those meeting the state-mandated criteria could receive intermittent residential programming if agencies provided it. Unfortunately, from my experience, some individuals were dropped from services because they didn’t meet the financial or insurance requirements. Others found that the intermittent programming didn’t provide the same level of support necessary for living independently.

After several years, I decided to address this gap by creating an approach modeled after the long-defunct program. I began working privately with a few individuals who I knew could benefit from a customized independent living program. For example, I worked with one person who lacked family support and didn’t want the restrictions of traditional agency rules. Together, we secured an apartment in their preferred location, found them a full-time job, and developed strategies for managing finances, healthcare, social connections, and personal relationships. Another person I worked with needed support with daily activities, such as scheduling appointments, having a trusted person to call during moments of frustration, and occasional assistance with errands.

Being able to help people grow and thrive in the areas of life they find most important drives me personally. This is why I decided to start my own agency: to help individuals with developmental or intellectual disabilities live independently in the community. Everyone has a unique definition of independence and specific goals they wish to achieve. Tailoring the type and level of support to each person’s needs is essential to their success. By providing the flexibility to choose the kind of support they require, I believe we can empower individuals to reach their fullest potential.