1. What do you consider your greatest achievement?
The longevity of the people I have supervised. Many of them have reached their 10-year milestone at Dungarvin. I appreciate each one of them and do whatever I can to help them develop and ‘put tools in their toolbox’. I enjoy watching them work closely with the people they supervise and watching them move to new roles in the company. In my personal life, I have also raised a pretty great daughter!
2. What characteristic – or adjective – would people use to describe you?
I believe they would say that I’m dependable. I do what I say I’m going to do, and people know they can rely on me. As a social worker, I’m naturally caring and nurturing and I enjoy helping people. I’m also honest, even if I’m delivering hard news – my family always says that I’m “not Willy Wonka, because I don’t sugar-coat anything.”
3. Why do you have a passion for this work?
I always want to see people achieve their potential. This applies to the people I supervise, as well as the individuals that we support. As a supervisor, I believe that a good supervisor helps to develop the people they support and in turn, the quality of life of the individuals we support increases. It’s a trickle-down effect that is a win/win for everyone involved.
4. Who are your heroes in your life and why?
It’s hard to name them all, so I’ll give you an example: A hero to me is someone that does something so fantastic and gives of themselves in a way I’m not sure I could. That said, I consider foster parents to be heroes. They put their hearts out there and welcome children into their homes, and sometimes a lot of heartache, so children can be well taken care of and loved. This is such a hard job, and we need more of the selfless people to foster because there will always be a need!
5. What would you most like to see happen in your state to better serve people with disabilities?
At Dungarvin Ohio, we provide a great service through our Ohio Shared Living (OSL) program. I would like to see more counties appreciate the quality of life this service can offer to individuals in need of care by referring individuals to the program. We have so many success stories to share from our OSL program, and many providers waiting to give individuals the opportunity to live in a family home with true community inclusion. We simply need to get the counties on board to make the referrals.
Three cheers for our Dungarvin Ohio team! New State Director Lisa Fannin and a newly created Trauma Responsive Team are working on a state grant to identify new ways to create a healthier workplace culture.
“This is about taking care of our staff,” said Lisa. “Ultimately, our effort is about burnout prevention and doing the work to better understand how to engage – and support – our staff to show them how valuable they are to our person-centered care.” The team has developed a new mantra that is guiding these efforts: ‘Dungarvin is Safe, Composed and Connected.’ This strategy will remind everyone that they are important and part of something bigger.
Staff have received trauma responsive training which includes skills that team members can call on when dealing with difficult circumstances. “The Calmer Skills” are competencies that they will ultimately teach to individuals for whom we provide care as well.
Dungarvin is proud of our Ohio operations for leading with initiative and will be looking to introduce similar opportunities in other states.
Congratulations are in order for Dungarvin Connecticut trainer, Brittany Henry! Brittany has been recognized as one of the 100 Women of Color in Connecticut. The 100 Women of Color Awards honors contributions made in business, education, entrepreneurship, entertainment, sports, government, public service, and the impact made on the lives of people throughout Connecticut, Western Massachusetts, & Rhode Island.
“The Talent Development Team and the entire Connecticut Team are so proud of Brittany,” shared Talent Development Manager, Katie Honeycutt. “She is committed to offering excellent training to our new hires and current staff in Connecticut and providing support to new hires as well. Brittany’s dedication to and care for the people we support shines through in all that she does at Dungarvin.”
In addition to her full-time job at Dungarvin, Brittany regularly finds time to give back to her community. “Brittany is a rock star! She is a mentor for young girls, a life coach, a financial broker, an author, as well as an entrepreneur,” shared Katie. “You can often find her reading from the children’s book she authored in a local elementary school or advocating for better opportunities for young girls in her city.”
“Being nominated is public recognition and validation of my contributions to this community I love,” shared Brittany. “I’m honored and thank God for the opportunity to touch the lives of so many.”
This prestigious award recognizes the impact of influential women in their communities. We are so proud of Brittany for her tireless service to her community! As Dungarvin looks forward to celebrating Women’s History Month, we salute leaders like Brittney and are grateful for their example to all of us
February 15th, 2025, marked an extraordinary day in the lives of James and Victoria—a day filled with laughter, love, and unforgettable moments that will forever be cherished. After three decades of love and commitment, the couple finally had their dream wedding. This long-awaited celebration of their bond was more than just a ceremony—it was the realization of years of dreaming, planning, and waiting for the perfect moment to say, “I do.”
In the moments leading up to the ceremony, both shared that they were feeling a bit nervous. Victoria admitted she had goosebumps as she prepared to walk down the aisle. It’s only natural to feel a bit of anxiety on such a big day, but with a little support and encouragement, those nerves were quickly calmed. Victoria’s case manager stepped in, offering some wedding tips and wise advice on marriage. This comforting presence helped soothe her nerves, leaving her ready and excited to walk down the aisle with confidence, ready to marry the love of her life.
When the moment finally arrived, James and Victoria stood side by side, holding hands, ready to say their heartfelt vows with pride, joy and radiant smiles. It was a beautiful ceremony, one that perfectly captured the essence of their journey together.
After exchanging vows, the couple shared their first dance as husband and wife. The atmosphere was magical, and you could see the happiness in their eyes as they swayed together to a song that symbolized their connection. knowing this was the beginning of a new chapter in their lives.
The celebration continued with the cutting of the cake—another moment to cherish—and a heartfelt toast by Area Manager Sylvia Vandroff. As they toasted with elegant glasses of chilled apple cider, the couple basked in the love and affection surrounding them.
One of the most touching aspects of the day was the overwhelming support and love that James and Victoria received from family, friends, and staff. The couple was surrounded by those who had been a part of their journey for years. They were also blessed with the opportunity to reconnect with family members they hadn’t seen in over a decade. This reunion made the day even more meaningful.
The newlyweds were showered with heartfelt gifts, well-wishes, and tokens of love that made their wedding day truly unforgettable. As the celebration came to a close, they embarked on their honeymoon, excited to start this new chapter of their lives together. It was the perfect ending to a day that had been years in the making—a day that fulfilled a dream and set the stage for a lifetime of love and happiness. Their journey together is a testament to the power of love, patience, and perseverance. After 30 years of dreaming, we couldn’t be happier for them as they share this new adventure together. Here’s to James and Victoria—a couple whose love story is truly an inspiration. Congratulations, James & Victoria!
Sometimes one needs the support from another to remind themselves they can do it. “I started job coaching with Dungarvin Oregon last July,” said Job Coach Veronica Fehlberg. “As a former gymnastics coach and Registered Behavioral Technician, I find job coaching to be a great fit. It allows me to help persons supported set goals and encourage them as they achieve those milestones.”
A Job Coach primarily works with individuals who have an Intellectual/Developmental Disability (I/DD) and aids individuals who need support in their place of employment, an essential part of supporting integrated employment in a community. Some examples of job coaching include supporting an employee in a new job, supporting an individual to identify and develop needed adaptations in a new role, coordinating with others who provide supports such as behavioral or medical supports, assisting an employee to develop better communication with supervisors and coworkers and so much more. In short, this job is not a “one size fits all” role.
“One of the best parts about my job is that no two days are the same,” shared Veronica. “Some days, persons supported may be settled into their jobs with no issues whatsoever, while other times they could be taking on new tasks and need a little extra help navigating these transitions,” shared Program Director Krista Tjossem-Freier.
Our Job Coaches typically work any time between 7 a.m. and as late as 10 p.m. seven days a week depending on the work schedule for the individual supported,” shared Nermina Cehic, Area Director. “Job Coaches drive to their place of employment, so reliable transportation is required. The Supported Employment team is a cohesive unit. Our Program Directors are constantly checking in and offering support to Job Coaches to ensure that our individuals’ needs are being met.”
Here are some examples of a typical Week in the Life of a Job Coach. Veronica visits the different individuals she supports at their job sites throughout the week. A Job Coach typically has multiple persons on their caseload.
(From left to right)
Photo 1: Person supported working at thrift store loads truck for recycled clothes and shoes. Throughout the shift, Veronica is there if they need anything, reminding them of best safety practices.
Photo 2: Employee mopping up water from a burst pipe at his workplace. “I helped wring out water and soak it up with towels,” said Veronica. “Just part of a typical workday!”
Photo 3: Person supported working at MOD pizza wraps Valentine’s Day cakes. Veronica performed a quick visual inspection for unwrapped bits then added ingredient stickers to assist.
(From left to right)
Photo 4: Veronica helped employee locate items for returns at a grocery store.
Photo 5: Veronica prepares snack for employee on a well-deserved break.
“A Job Coach is an incredibly rewarding career,” said Krista. “We help support individuals to integrate into a community that hasn’t always been available to them, supporting their managers to learn accommodations for the I/DD community, and mentoring others on how they can best offer support as coworkers.”
“My favorite thing about my work is the secondhand joy I feel,” shared Veronica. “The persons I support enjoy their jobs and love their coworkers. I am grateful to help facilitate that through my role as a Job Coach.”
If you are interested in joining the Dungarvin Oregon team as a Job Coach, apply today at: https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/Dungarvin/744000037096800-job-coach-employment-services.
Congratulations are in order as Jackie Shay, Budget Analyst, retires after 24 fulfilling years with the organization. The celebration took place in Jackie’s hometown of Loveland, Colorado, where she was showered with ‘love’ by founders Tim and Diane Madden, Dungarvin leaders Bill Myers, Emily Scheevel, Paul Smith, and Robert Bachicha, as well as her sisters Janel and Carly.
“I enjoyed being a part of an organization where your efforts, ideas and contributions made a difference,” shared Jackie. “I was lucky to be in a position that evolved over the years that allowed me to be creative in how I got the job done. I got the biggest satisfaction when staff would tell me I made their job easier. I truly enjoyed being able to lead and assist other staff in creating and/or making a task/process easier for everyone. Thanks, Dungarvin!”
Thank you, Jackie, for your tenure and dedication to Dungarvin’s mission. We will miss you!