“After 30 years, the people we serve continue to teach me things,” says Blake West of Dungarvin Colorado. Blake is a Program Director for the Colorado Springs location and has proudly been a member of our team for the last seven years. We are so thankful for team members like Blake who continue to learn and grow with us! Get to know him and what he values through ‘5 questions with Blake West:’
1. Why do you have a passion for this work?
I stumbled into this line of work, having a good friend hire me to work in a group home he managed when I needed a full-time job. I was immediately drawn to the personalities I got to work with and the life lessons they taught me. After 30 years, the people we serve continue to teach me things. I love it!
2. What do you most value in a friend or co-worker?
Honesty and timeliness. I see punctuality as a respect issue. If we agreed to a time, then I need to honor that time you’ve made for me during your day. If I’m more than a couple of minutes late, and I have not given you a heads up, move on with your day because something goofy happened (probably on me!), and I’m not making it to the appointment.
3. What characteristic – or adjective – would people use to describe you?
As per above, punctual…to a fault. I may be in your neighborhood for 15 minutes, but if our appointment is at 10, then I’m ringing the doorbell at 10. I’m grouchy when I’m late for the rest of the day.
4. Who are the heroes in your life?
My mom and dad are my heroes. Everything they did was for their children. I hope I’m as successful of a parent as they were/are.
5. What do you most value about the Dungarvin team with whom you work?
I couldn’t name just one thing because our team is so diverse in experience and personalities. I love that we automatically support each other. In this office, you usually don’t even have to ask for help when you need it, you just receive it. What an intuitive and caring bunch of individuals we have in the Colorado Springs office.
This year, Dungarvin is scheduled to open a new program that will better support the needs of Wisconsin communities. Early this year, Dungarvin will introduce a High Acuity program in Dane County. High Acuity individuals are persons who have been identified as needing specialized housing and supports. The supports needed are often intense in nature due to the behavioral challenges these individuals experience. Homes for High Acuity individuals are usually modified to allow the individual supported to live in community yet still have the personal space to work through their behavioral challenges. Often, individuals with these needs come directly from a family home, where their family members can no longer assist with their behaviors, or sometimes from mental health institutes, where they may be mentally stable but not behaviorally stable, or from other placements where providers can no longer safely support them.
Each individual in these programs have Behavior Support Plans detailed to that person’s individual needs. “Dungarvin’s philosophy is to support individuals in their homes from staff who receive a tremendous amount of training on both the Behavior Support Plan as well as any diagnoses of each person,” says Stephen Good, Dungarvin Area Director. “We seek first to understand the Support Plans to identify each individual’s unique needs. This is accomplished in the least restrictive manner using verbal de-escalation, body positioning, and other trained response techniques that do not rely on physical interventions,” offers Francie Tuescher, State Director (WI).
Homes for individuals with behavioral challenges can present physical differences from other residential services. While the environment is first and foremost the individual’s home, certain safety measures are put in place for that person’s protection and well-being. Examples might include protective coverings for windows, televisions, and other easily breakable household items. Magnetic door locks may be appropriate to assist with behaviors like a history of elopement or running away.
“The need for these supports has grown over the years,” believes Karin Stockwell, Central Regional Director. “There are individuals who have intense behavior challenges who can live – and thrive – in the community, with the right amount of support. Our first priority is to ensure that the individual has the opportunity to live and experience his/her community like anyone else. Over time, we have seen individuals experience tremendous success, moving into a ‘step-down program.’ This can mean living in apartments or homes with less staff and modifications when individuals are doing extremely well. Such success is only realized through hard work and the partnership of staff and the individuals supported.”
In the Chippewa Valley area, Dungarvin Wisconsin offers a crisis home that serves four individuals. Coming to Dane County in early 2024 will be a High Acuity program supporting two more individuals with similar needs. “Our goal is to stabilize individuals, working towards less restrictive measures and settings with positive supports,” says Stockwell. “We meet the individual where they are, working with and alongside them understanding their unique talents and needs. At Dungarvin, we seek to understand the individual behavioral responses building more positive replacement responses to stresses and life experiences.”
If you are a current resident of Wisconsin and are interested in these services please contact our Area Director of Development, Tom DuBois at (920) 980-2177 or tdubois@dungarvin.com.
North Carolina Director of IDD (Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities) Services, Kia Dark, first joined this industry in 1995 working at a group home. This October, she will celebrate 19 years with Dungarvin. Family means a lot to Kia, both at home and in the workplace. “Many of us have worked together for 15 years, migrating together from other agencies,” said Dark of her close-knit team. Get to know more about her through ‘5 questions with Kia Dark:’
1. Why do you have a passion for this work?
I love interacting with people in general and hopefully making a positive impact in their life, even if in a small way. I have maintained contact with some of the same families that I first started providing periodic services to back in 1999. It’s important for me to remember those times to remain humble. One of my favorite songs has a line, “if I can help somebody as I pass along…then my living will not be in vain.”
2. What do you most value in a friend or a co-worker?
I really value genuineness. We can laugh with or at each other, or even give constructive criticism to one another while still recognizing it’s from a place of love.
3. What would you most like to see happen in your state to better serve people with disabilities?
One of the things I would like to see happen is happening: Direct Care wage increases! By paying people a livable wage in NC, we will be able to better retain staff as well as maintain the high standard of care we aim to provide at ACI-Dungarvin.
4. What do you most value about the Dungarvin team with whom you work?
Our closeness — we are a family! Many of us have worked together for 15 plus years, migrating together from other agencies. We’ve been together through marriages, children, job changes, good times and bad times, and we still rock for each other!
5. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Our children. They mean the world to me! My prayer is that I have been the best mom for them that I can be — teaching them humility, how to love and be loved and how speak up for themselves respectfully.
It’s time for our 2nd Annual Dungarvin 2024 Art Exhibition! Last year, we experienced such great success in participation from persons supported across our 15 states that we decided to do it again! This year, we have a few surprises in store for participating artists…
The 2024 Art Exhibition theme is: Be inspired by your happy place 😊 We encourage artists supported by Dungarvin to interpret this as they wish. Whether it be painting scenery of home, or visualizing what makes individuals feel happy and secure, we look forward to seeing all the creative submissions.
As pictured in above graphic, we are happy to introduce 6 new categories this year! These categories will allow Dungarvin to honor and highlight more artists on social media. These new categories include:
- Most colorful!
- Most creative!
- Most innovative use of medium!
- Most classic design!
- Most modern!
- Crowd favorite!
In recognition of artist creativity, we plan to feature highlighted artists in a 12-month calendar, as well as designated 2025 promotional items!
We can’t wait to see all of the creative happy places of our persons’ supported share with us as part of Dungarvin’s 2024 Art Exhibition! #2024DungarvinArtExhibition
Nichole Payne has been a Housing Case Manager for Compass Career Solutions, a Dungarvin company, for the past 2 years. Her favorite part of her role is, “helping individuals achieve their goals and dreams and supporting them to know it’s possible.” You’re an inspiration, Nichole! Thank you for bringing your all each and every day. Get to know her better through ‘5 Questions with Nichole Payne:’
1. What do you most value in a friend or a co-worker?
I value honesty, even when they tell me something I don’t want to hear. Humor, and someone who can listen.
2. What characteristic – or adjective – would people use to describe you?
Some people would describe me as kind, compassionate, honest, a problem solver, and quick on my feet.
3. What would you most like to see happen in your state to better serve people in need of supports?
More resources for chronically homeless individuals, such as low-income housing and price caps for housing rentals.
4. Who are your heroes in life and why?
My dad is my hero, he is the best father anyone could ask for, be is my strongest support, and I have never known anyone as wonderful as him. He has taught me everything I know about how to be a friend, spouse, parent, and employee. He sets a high bar for what a hero looks like, and superman doesn’t hold a candle to him!
5. What do you most value about the Dungarvin team with whom you work?
I most appreciate the teamwork within my office. If someone is struggling with something, we can all pull together and problem solve, plan, and collaborate to make sure that our clients are getting the best services possible. Everyone comes together with ideas, experience, and opinions and that is helpful for the office, and that makes for a supportive work environment.
National HR Operations Director, Debi Allsup, just celebrated 30 years with Dungarvin. Her work ethic, accessibility to everyone and collaborative personality are just a few of the many reasons we feel fortunate to have her tremendous leadership. Get to know Debi’s big heart through ‘5 questions with Debi Allsup:’
1. Why do you have a passion for this work?
I have a heart for helping people, and I’ve always wanted to work for a company that made a difference. Some of my fondest memories have been at company events like picnics where I had the chance to laugh, dance and joke around with persons served or at award ceremonies to honor the staff who support the people we serve. It made enough of an impact that I served for several years in our church program caring for children with various special needs while their parents attended service. My daughters joined me and now our oldest daughter is a pediatric occupational therapist in Arizona and our youngest daughter helps out with a theatre group for people with I/DD at her church. Dungarvin’s mission has definitely influenced my family!
2. What is your most treasured possession?
I have to say my family. My Cavapoo, JD (stands for “Just Dog” but “Jasper David” when he’s in trouble) is pretty special, too. If we are talking objects, my scrapbooks would be right up there. I probably have about 40. Not only do they capture special memories of travel and celebrations in our lives, I’ve made a lot of great memories putting them together!
3. Who are your heroes in life and why?
One of my “career” heroes is Dave Toeniskoetter, who previously served as Dungarvin’s CEO. I had the privilege to work with Dave for several years. He is a leader with integrity who engenders trust through his compassion & communication. I observed him forge long-standing partnerships & relationships where there was mutual appreciation & respect. His approach left a powerful imprint on me and I strive every day to lead more like him.
4. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Raising two daughters who are responsible and fun adults is probably my greatest achievement. I’m very proud of them!
5. What do you most value about the Dungarvin team with whom you work?
My team is an incredible group of people who are dedicated, strive for excellence and are willing to help out however they can. I so appreciate that spirit of camaraderie. It makes coming to work so much easier when you are surrounded by people you truly enjoy working with.
Program Technology Manager, Jeni Kenyon, remembers volunteering for the Special Olympics in college. In that moment, she “knew she wanted to make a career out of working with this community.” She has worked for Dungarvin for almost 20 years, and we’ve been grateful each day as a result! Get to know her a little more through, ‘5 Questions with Jeni Kenyon:’
1. What do you most value in a friend or a co-worker?
I most value authenticity in my friends and co-workers. My very best friend & I have been friends for over 40 years. We are complete opposites in many aspects, yet both have genuine hearts and are down-to-earth.
2. What would you most like to see happen in your state to better serve people with disabilities?
I’d like to see more funding for assistive technology. This could increase confidence and independence for the people we support, with the potential of decreasing resources.
3. Who are your heroes in life and why?
My 98-year-old grandma is one of my heroes. My grandpa passed away when I was a baby so I’ve only known my grandma to be fiercely independent.
4. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
I am a mom of two beautiful children – Jakston is 13 & Jade is 10, and a very sweet boy named Bernard who is 14.
5. What do you most value about the Dungarvin team with whom you work?
I have always considered Dungarvin an extended family to me. I value that we are a group of folks who generally care about others and want to make an impact!
