Dungarvin Development Directors: Strategists in Meeting Disability Service Needs Around the Country

There are many kinds of roles within the direct care industry. In addition to positions as Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Dungarvin team members consist of marketers,  managers, professionals in Human Resources and Information Services, as well as behavior specialists and job coaches.

But when you hear the job title “development director,” you probably think of someone leading fundraising efforts for nonprofit organizations. However, within Dungarvin, a development director discovers ways to launch new services and expand existing ones within a particular area.

While specific titles and projects vary by state, staff involved in development analyze the service needs of people with disabilities within different geographic areas and determine how Dungarvin can expand or pivot to fulfill those demands.

The position is especially important in states and cities where many agencies are competing to provide the same types of services, said Dee Hiatt, Dungarvin Colorado State Director. In 1991, when the organization expanded into Colorado, it was able to grow primarily by developing relationships with Department of Human Services staff and other service providers. But the competition has increased.

“Today, there are more than 400 agencies, just in the areas we already serve, who provide the same kind of services we do,” Dee said. In this environment, Dungarvin must be more strategic than ever. It requires a data-driven approach, including analyzing information about people who need services, where they are, and the types of services they need.

“This used to be part of my job, and some of the area directors’ jobs, but none of us are specialized in it, and it’s not our only concern,” Dee said. “With this level of competition, I need a highly skilled person with the expertise and who’s thinking about this day and night.”

Enter Hayley Hufendick, Colorado’s Director of New Development and Marketing. Already with several years of experience in the field, she joined Dungarvin in April 2025. Currently, Hayley is focusing much of her efforts on growing Colorado’s Host Home Services. This service provides a private home setting for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (I/DD).

“The people looking for this service each have unique preferences, so if we have many Host Home providers – who offer different settings, live in different areas and are open to working with different people – the better chance we have of people choosing us for their individual supports,” Hayley said.

And within the Host Home Services area, Hayley and Dee see a big demand in Colorado for providers who have experience in Acute Behavioral Services (ABS). This involves supporting individuals who have intensive, interfering behavioral and/or mental health issues.

In Somerset, New Jersey, Director of Development Supports Shantirah Burgess also is working on an ABS project, managing the establishment of a group home for women with I/DD who need these services. This is just one of several projects she’s handling, in addition to managing Dungarvin New Jersey’s nursing contract and its Behavior and Quality Assurance departments.

“My primary responsibility is to help develop service opportunities in New Jersey, whether that involves new ones or opening new sites,” Shantirah said. “And we’re working on strengthening partnerships with local organizations to develop innovative programs that address the unique needs of our communities.”

In California, State Director Jesse Hansen recently welcomed a development director to his Dungarvin team to concentrate on launching Employment Support Services. La Reina Davis, who has the new position of Special Projects Director, will be helping Dungarvin California add this new service to its existing Day Services programs around the state.

“She will be involved in an Employment Community of Practice group to learn how other states are implementing employment supports and then helping develop the service for us here,” Jesse said, adding that La Reina will also lead Dungarvin’s responses to the state’s requests for proposals.

“Once we’re awarded a project, she would then be involved in the development of the program design, identifying a location, the buildout, licensing the location, hiring and training staff, referrals and intake of individuals served and general support as the program gets started,” Jesse said.

As Dungarvin grows, these development directors help the organization continue to excel in meeting the needs of people with disabilities around the country. For more information about current employment opportunities, please visit us at Employment – Dungarvin.