“Many organizations have a mission statement, but day in and day out I see our case management department actually lead with and live out that mission,” shared Emily Neuzil, Assistant Department Supervisor. Emily, born and raised in Minnesota, has been with Dungarvin a little over three years but has been supporting others in similar ways since she was 17. Get to know this dedicated individual better through ‘5 questions with Emily Neuzil:’

1. Why do you have a passion for this work?

My brother has Autism and that is from where my passion to work in the human service field stems. I have seen my mom navigate my brother’s waivered services, and I always knew I wanted to help others navigating these needed services and supports. My passion is to lead and support people in doing the hard work so others can live out their life independently and the way that they want to live.

2. What characteristic – or adjective – would people use to describe you?

As my mom would say, “you never give up on doing the right thing – it’s your perseverance in life that has gotten you to where you are today.”

3. How long have you worked at Dungarvin; in the IDD industry?

I have been with Dungarvin for three years. I have been in the field since I was 17 working as a Personal Care Assistant, which I still do to this day. After college, I worked at a crisis nursery for kiddo’s ages 0-6 where our mission was about ending child abuse. After five years, I decided to explore my passion for disability services as a Care Coordinator at a 245D agency where I oversaw staff and group homes for more than two years. This is the job that allowed me to learn more about Case Management, which is when I ultimately made the switch to managing waivered services. I am truly blessed to have been able to find my career with Dungarvin!

4. What would you most like to see happen in your state to better serve people with disabilities?

Continued improvement on access to disability services. Also, restructuring the appeal process that individuals and their families must go through when advocating for their disability services. The current process is often complicating, time-consuming and can be highly defeating to the individual.

5. Who are your heroes in life and why?

My mom is my hero – when my brother was diagnosed with Autism back in 1988, there was limited awareness about this diagnosis. She always made sure to be an advocate and still ensures that he has a voice that is heard and respected. Her style of advocacy is something I hope I always emulate when working with individuals and case managers in my career.

“I’ve had such a fulfilling career at Dungarvin because it comes naturally to me, cultivates some of my talents, and I’m able to assist wonderful humans who are also in the process of doing the same things for themselves!”

“These last 10 years being part of the Dungarvin organization has given me so many opportunities to grow not only professionally but personally as well. Working in payroll, with an amazing director and team, is rewarding as is knowing that I am helping support our employees so that they can continue to support the individuals we serve to live their lives to the fullest as well.”

Nicole Worman knows the drill. Having started her career as a direct support staff in 1997, she worked her way up to a Residential Program Coordinator. Then she spent approximately nine years as a Program Manager (known as an “OPD” – Operational Program Director – in Minnesota) before taking the next step to a new position, Operational Manager, in 2023. Now she oversees a tight-knit team of three Program Managers in Minneapolis. 

Recently, she introduced us to her team – and to the valuable role they play ensuring the highest level of service to the people Dungarvin supports. The responsibilities of these leaders are broad and varied and can include everything from covering an open shift themselves to approving payroll for the Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) on their teams. “OPDs are not just sitting in an office somewhere,” shares Nicole. “Our offices are often at the kitchen tables in Dungarvin (group) homes, working with the staff and individuals we support to ensure their independence and safety. Problem solving is actually what a typical day is all about, and that might include fixing housing issues, visiting those homes and always supporting teamwork to get the job done.” 

Get to know more about the critical role of a Program Manager in A Week in the Life with Nicole Worman:

Theresa Pruse is a Program Manager on my team. She supervises four programs with varying needs, from supporting individuals through complete care to those with high functioning mental health needs. Her duties change on daily – sometimes hourly – basis. Leading an annual team meeting; discussing ways to help a person served achieve their goals; driving individuals to Doctor’s appointments; ensuring staff training; completing payroll; taking calls at 10 pm because a staff member did not show up and having to cover that shift; to providing an ear to both persons served and staff alike. Building a strong team ensures the best possible care of the people that we serve. 

Me and staff from our home ‘Girard North’ at a memorial service for a person served. (Several of these staff attended this service on their day off from work.) These same staff along with some of their co-workers also planned a different service for another individual who sadly passed away just weeks earlier at this same home. I think it is important for supervisors to be there to support our staff, and the people we serve, in both good and hard times.

Theresa and I update on a weekly basis to ensure ongoing training and completion of time sensitive tasks. Being a daily support for those you supervise also helps to create an atmosphere of trust and support. While I meet with the program managers weekly, the program manager spends one day at each site weekly to create that same level of respect.

Program Manager Alex Trenary conducting a fit test for a N95 mask with a staff that will be working with a person served that tested positive for Covid. This required Alex to go in during the evening as well to ensure all staff on each shift were fit tested for the N95 masks. 

Celebrating staff marking their 10-year milestone working with Dungarvin. We are so grateful for our team members who demonstrate their commitment to our mission to respect and respond to the choices of those in need of supports.

Stopping in at our Dungarvin Minnesota headquarters in Mendota Heights for a recent team meeting with Program Managers Alex Trenary and Lonny Fabunmi.

Jumping online for a technology information meeting. Keeping informed on new and emerging technology options is important because it may help the individuals we serve live more independently.

And sometimes our responsibilities extend to setting up a room to warmly welcome a new person served!

If you are interested in joining the Dungarvin team, please see open career opportunities at Employment – Dungarvin.

“I love people and have enjoyed working with the people we support, as well as all my peers and mentors along the way,” shared Jeni. “Dungarvin is like an extended family to me, and I’m grateful to be a part of such an amazing organization!”