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- News & Updates
Ebony McGee Joins Support, Inc.
Please join us in welcoming Ebony Mcgee to Support, Inc! Ebony is our newest RPC and will be joining the Denver Metro 3 team. A little about Ebony in her own words:
Hello, my name is Ebony McGee. I’m the newest Residential Program Coordinator. I am a Colorado native (not many of us left). I have a degree in Social Work and Human Services. I will be going back to school to obtain my Master’s in Social Work later this year. Prior to joining Support Inc., I worked as a case manager at a homeless shelter providing resources – everything from housing to where to get a coat. I am excited join the Support, Inc team. I‘ve had plenty of jobs where I felt like we weren’t helping the clients we served where they were at, and I feel like Support, Inc does just that. In my free time I enjoy reading and visiting abandoned towns in Colorado.
Support, Inc. Welcomes New Associate Director of Day Services
The Day Services program is excited to welcome a new Associate Director. Brandon Thibodeau joins our team at a critical time while we continue to make our way through safely offering as many essential services as possible, while continuing to be mindful of the ever-changing COVID-19 Pandemic.
Brandon comes to us with a wealth of experience working in the behavioral health field for nearly the past 20 years. Brandon’s previous experience was working directly with youth education and residential treatment in a variety of capacities. Brandon has been a Direct Support staff, a training specialist, a para-educator, supervisor, and manager over his career so far.
Originally from Norfolk, VA where his father served in the Navy, Brandon spent his growing up years in Arvada, CO and now lives with his wife in Westminster, CO. Brandon also is a proud father of two adult sons.
Brandon brings excitement and passion to his new role with Support, Inc. working with our Day Services team to continue building a strong, diverse, team-oriented culture where people can experience growth and success. Welcome to the team, Brandon!
Support, Inc. Hosts Third Vaccine Clinic to Distribute Initial and Booster Doses
On Wednesday, Support, Inc. was thrilled to host a third vaccine clinic for individuals in our services. From People Receiving Services to Family Caregivers, Home Home Providers and Employees, we welcomed anyone associated with Support, Inc. to schedule a time to meet us to receive their shot.
With this being our third clinic, the set up was easier to navigate this time. We also had a better understanding of how to contract with the state, to bring in nursing staff to administer the vaccines. One of the main reasons we love hosting the clinic on site is because it makes our individuals in services more comfortable when they enter a familiar setting to receive their shot. It’s also great for staff to catch up with families and providers in person. Ultimately, we support having individuals that qualify receive their third dose, and we couldn’t be more happy to help connect families to these state and federal resources. We also helped a few folks receive their first and second doses, as well.
Below, we have a few recent photos from the clinic. If you have any questions regarding our vaccine clinics or would like to join us for future clinics when we have them, please email Cathy at Cathy.Kellogg@supportinc.com
Our vaccine clinic kicked off to a great start! We have our awesome Day Services staff on site to provide support as needed!! Left to right- Andre, Kurt, Emily and Miles
Nancy signed Anthony up for his booster, because she has three kiddos with special needs in her home.
Jerry said he’s getting his booster because COVID sucks! We totally agree and appreciate Jerry coming to see us !!
Austynn got his booster to protect himself and those around him- way to go Austynn!
Support, Inc. Hires New Residential Program Coordinator
As our organization continues to grow, we welcome a new Residential Program Coordinator, Paulyn!!
Hello! My name is Paulyn Matibag and I will joining Support Inc. as a Residential Program Coordinator with the Denver Metro 2 team. I have a Bachelors in Applied Behavioral Science and Associates in Social Sciences. Prior to Support I worked as a Lead Educational Technician working with Military kids in an afterschool setting. I primarily grew up in California but have moved all around due to being a military family. I have been married to my husband for 10 years and we have two children together. We recently moved here to Colorado and hopefully this is where we call home. I like to spend my free time with my family while exploring different places. My hobbies include cooking, watching Korean or Chinese dramas and keeping my houseplants alive. I am excited to engage, learn, and contribute to this community with Support Inc. while making new friends!
Direct Support Professional Assists With Holiday Visit
Eric is a person in services who lives with an HHP in Aurora. Eric’s mom lives in Pueblo, and the long distance makes it tough for them to see each other as much as they’d like. Support Inc’s very own Jordan Kurtz volunteered to drive Eric down for a day trip before the holidays, and Eric and his mom were able to spend some quality time together before the holidays. Not to mention Eric and Jordan got to know one another on the way to and from! With the dedication of staff like Jordan, there is now a plan in place for Eric to be able to visit Pueblo once a month to see his Mom. Thanks Jordan!
Host Home Provider of the Month
Please join us in congratulating Cheri and Joe Duran as our recent Host Home Providers of the Month!! The following write-up was produced by Niya with the Denver Metro 2 Team:
I have been working at Support, Inc. since late 2018. Since then, I have had the pleasure of working with Cheri and Joe Duran. During that time, working with the two of these lovely providers has been nothing short of amazing. From the first time I entered their home for a monthly monitoring visit, they welcomed me into their home with open, welcoming arms. I asked for them to bear with me and give me patience as I adjusted to this new role as an RPC. Cheri said, “Oh honey, no worries, you will be fine!” As the years have passed, I never stopped being amazed at how they manage their household with three amazing individuals who have a more engaging and active social life than I do! With Cheri, I never have to ask her to submit documentation of any kind, whether it is doctor appointment notes, receipts, HHP required documentation and etc., because she has already submitted it to the proper staff in the proper time frame. Working with Cheri and Joe Duran has been nothing short of wonderful. I appreciate how great and understanding they have been and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.
Jake Lands an Apartment in Loveland
At Support, Inc. we pride ourselves on helping our individuals reach their goals. When Jake reported that he wanted to live in his own apartment one day, Jake worked with his provider on self-medication administration and cooking skills, to prepare for this major transition. To help Jake make his dreams a reality, the team came together with Jake and his Mom to develop a plan. Dani and Jonathan assisted in the apartment search and ultimately, Mom found an apartment just a few blocks from her house in a convenient location.
Jake has lived in Loveland for the last 6 weeks and is proud to relay what a significant life change this has been. He visits the local pottery studio to fire his own pieces and has made arrangements to work from home with a different pottery studio, about an hour south from his apartment. Jake works from home for Alternative Supports Pottery Studio, located in Aurora. He used to work onsite, but they’re allowing him to work from home, now that he lives in Loveland, until he finds a new job through the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR).
Jake greatly enjoys having more independence in a setting that truly belongs to him. When asked what Jake enjoys most about having his own apartment, Jake joked that he can make breakfast in his underwear, and there’s no else in the home to be bothered by that. Jake also gets creative online by filming, editing and sharing videos on Youtube, in the privacy of his home. Jake relayed how much he enjoys running his channel with hundreds of subscribers to boot.
After this next upcoming surgery, Jake plans to start selling pottery. For now, Jake visits his local pottery studio to have his items fired. When they’re unable to accommodate his items (due to not being able to fire certain types of clay), Jake will take his items to the rec center to be fired there instead. The pottery studio, Artisan You, is not too far from his apartment- once his pottery is baked in the kiln and cooled, he returns home to display the art in his living room.
Jake’s access to community-based activities and services has been a plus. It was important for Jake to be close to the grocery store, the bank, the bus route and his Mom. It’s convenient to cash a check at the bank when the walk is easy to manage. In addition, 711 remains open for midnight snacks, such as trail mix and donuts. When Jake doesn’t feel like walking to the store, it’s easy for him to have food delivered to his apartment.
Technology is not something that Jake has ever struggled with. He’s enjoyed taking advantage of Alexa, asking her questions and having easy access to the internet. As mentioned previously. Jake has his own YouTube channel he updates frequently with new homemade videos. Jake also plans to add a Ring camera to his front door in the near future; this will help him guide the Amazon drivers to the correct apartment, so his packages aren’t misplaced outside. The only thing missing at this point is a cat. Jake hopes to have a new pet soon, to keep him company while he continues to live on his own.
When it comes to living independently, Jake looks forward to preparing his own meals every day and having fun. He relayed a few of his favorite foods- pizza, ice cream and oatmeal, to name a few. He recently had bananas with oatmeal for breakfast, and when he’s not cooking by himself, his Mom will come over while he cooks, as well.
Jake relays that the best thing about this move is being closer to his Mom, friends and family. As an agency, we’re so happy for Jake and the success he continues to have! When Jake isn’t busy with his pottery, you can find him on YouTube, sharing videos and curating his super awesome channel at
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtRqIHtbE9sMwQVpIz5jR0A
Erik Nielsen Promoted to Direct of Operations
We have more great news that we’re so excited to announce- Erik Nielsen is being promoted to the position of Director of Residential Services!
In this role, Erik will oversee all residential program services across all geographic regions. This in part takes over Brian’s previous responsibilities overseeing the residential programs. Erik has spearheaded many positive changes throughout his years at Support, Inc. in both the residential and day programs. We know that Erik will carry forward the progress made over the years under Brian’s leadership, and further the goals of the residential programs well into the future.
Brian Farestad Promoted to Vice President of Operations
With our growth in services and people, both this past year and what we anticipate for the coming year, we have the need to evolve our infrastructure within the organization. As such, we are excited to announce that Brian Farestad has been promoted to Vice President of Operations. With this promotion, all program operations will report to Brian. This is aimed at supporting our growth, as well as ensuring consistent service delivery across all of our programs and regions. We have full confidence that Brian will continue to strengthen all of our programs and people, just as he has in his more residentially focused role over the past several years. Please join us in congratulating Brian in this well-deserved milestone!!
