Boy With Down Syndrome Happy To Spend Day Among Family And Friends

Celebrating 33 Years of Support, Inc.!

by Information & Resources

March 2022 represents our 33rd year in the industry! We are absolutely thrilled to reach this milestone- once Dennis Kirkman discovered the need to serve individuals with IDD back in 1989, we have been proud to serve families and individuals all along the Front Range ever since. Support, Inc. provides residential services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilites. We also provide value-added services with access to our clinical team, nursing team, benefits specialist and more!

We asked a few of our long-standing employees to describe a few of their favorite memories through the years. Richard Shaw has worked for Support, Inc. for over 16 years. Kristin Kemp will celebrate 20 years of People Helping People in May, while Cindy Cridlebaugh takes the cake for longest-lasting employee, clocking in at nearly 21 years.

Rich relayed a few moments he remembers fondly while working at Support, Inc.:

One of my favorite moments with Support, Inc. would be in the first month I started with the Agency. They closed the office down in the early afternoon, and all employees took part in an internal dodgeball tournament.  Everyone (that wanted to participate) was divided into 4 teams with our own team shirts.  We then got to compete against the other teams.  Afterwards, we all were treated to a meal.  This was such an amazing way to start a career with the agency and team building.

Another favorite moment would be in the first couple of years working with the agency, many of the staff got together to watch a play production of OZ. This was so special because I had just a few years of working in the IDD field and got to share with my coworkers a play put on by Phamaly: Phamaly is one of the few professional theatre companies worldwide to feature performers with disabilities across the spectrum’. It was great to watch this performance live.

When Kristin was asked about her career at Support, Inc., she relayed several stories and funny moments through the years:

Cindy told me that we were going paperless.  I remember thinking that it would be impossible.  How would we be able to get our work done??!!!  I certainly do not miss the HHP files being in manila folders all over our desks. Deb was so proud that our paper order was drastically cut.

For favorite moments, Kristin relayed “I know I have so many more” and rattled off a few examples through the years-

  • When we first started accepting Family Caregivers and how it continues to help so many families
  • Hosting our first ever Talent Show
  • Dodgeball tournament
  • Game day at the office, when all the management were at a cabin in the mountains
  • 15-year anniversary golf tournament and dinner/dance
  • When Cindy and I reached a major milestone in the department, we asked Lynette if we could go to Bora Bora because of this (she said no). And it was hilarious!

Cindy shared a few of her favorite memories, as well-

  • Having dances in the day program. Watching all the clients and providers dance together.
  • Going for a scavenger hunt around Aurora, driving for different locations.  We were all driving around way too fast so we could win.
  • Getting the official Support, Inc. sign at the office
  • The vaccine clinic, feeling very thankful we could offer this.
  • Having all the staff pets visit the office.
  • The police following me in the Support, Inc. parking lot with the flashing lights and ticket I got while staff watched.
  • Playing Secret Santa with all staff- someone wrapped up their daughter’s retainer.
  • Painting the bathroom and office walls “ourselves”.
  • When the staff got to go outside and each take a turn hitting the old fax machine (that was always breaking down) with a hammer, complete with safety glasses.
  • Parents Night Out, DS’s family participating : )
  • Being so thrilled to add Kristin to my department after hearing her infectious laugh from the SLS side of the office .

Lastly, Brian Farestad, Vice President of Operations, relayed a few standout moments-

My favorite memory, in the five years that I have been with Support, Inc. would have to be the vaccine clinics that we held this year and last. During a time when we were so badly missing the face-to-face connection that we were used to, it was amazing to get to see all the families, providers, and individuals that we serve in person. It was very difficult not to just hug everyone but seeing those bright, smiling faces in person really filled a large hole that I didn’t quite know was there. And on top of that, to know that we were providing an invaluable service to people badly underserved and in need, made it all the more enjoyable.

Another favorite memory I have of Support, Inc. is the Talent Shows/Halloween parties that we used to have before the pandemic. To see our individuals and providers show off their creative costumes and talent on the microphone and dance floor is truly something to behold. I look forward to attending our first in person event in over two years sometime soon!

With so many individuals and families served through the years, we can only imagine the memories that others have throughout the organization. Support, Inc. has grown tremendously in the last several years, operating three locations along the Front Range. Although we started with humble roots, we continue to provide the best customer service in the industry. In our hearts, we will always be People Helping People and look forward to another 33 years in Colorado!

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Information Station: Residential Services

by Information & Resources

Greetings from the Operations Team!

As you are probably already aware, the state of Colorado approved 667 new waiver slots for people to receive services on the DD waiver, starting in July of 2021. In August, the Operations Team began the process of over-hiring and onboarding Residential Program Coordinators in preparation for that growth. In addition, we hired a new Associate Director for the Denver Metro region to fill a previous opening. Given the volume of new team members, we thought we’d sent their pictures and bios out, as many of you will be seeing them around town very soon! We are ecstatic that so many people in need of services are being given the opportunity to receive them and we are excited to add so many new faces to our Support, Inc. team to meet that call. Please give them a warm welcome!

Hello, everyone. I’m Jonathon Labissiere. I’ve been in Behavioral Health for four years. I came from Spectra Autism Centers, where I was a teacher and Residential Behavioral Technician for children ages 8-19. Before that, I was a supervisor at Devereux Behavioral Health for two years. 

Hello all. My name is Danielle Geiger and I have been with Support Inc. since April 2020. I was recently promoted from Direct Support Professional to Residential Program Coordinator here at Support Inc., Loveland. I have been working in the IDD field as a DSP for the past 7 years where I was able to take individuals out into the community, work on daily living skills, as well as offer individuals the tools and resources to assist them in having the best quality of life possible.

I was raised within the IDD community since birth. My grandmother made her home into Milligan Group Home before I was born and was able to give amazing quality of life care for over 40 years to individuals with severe medical needs. My mother is also a long-standing Host Home Provider for Support, Inc.

I attended college and graduated with my Bachelor’s of Science in Criminal Justice with an emphasis on Psychology.  I am a Colorado native although I did move to Alaska but quickly came back to beautiful Colorado. Nothing compares to home! I enjoy spending time with my son, my mom, my niece, and nephew, my 2 cats and my dog. My passion is to assist individuals to be successful in their everyday lives as well as have the best quality of Life possible. I am so excited to be a part of the Loveland Residential Team! 

Hello everyone, my name is Malika Zekaria and I am joining Support Inc as one of the new Residential Program Coordinators. I was born and raised here in Colorado and my parents were and still are, host home providers. While I was in college, I got certified and began assisting my parents and really enjoyed it. Throughout college, I studied Public Health and my specific focus was on behavioral health. I look forward to continuing that passion here at Support, Inc. and gaining all the knowledge I can from all of you! In my free time, I enjoy reading poetry, trying new food, and drink a few too many iced chai lattes.

Hello Support, Inc. My name is Kylle Hodges. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to be a part of your team! I am excited to onboard as a Residential Program Coordinator. I have a B.A. Degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley. I have over 5 years experience with the Community Center Board (CCB) as a case manager and worked for the Cherry Creek School District (CCSD) with Student Achievement Services for Special Education in the Individual Learning Center directly supporting students’ learning activities and life skills for 5+ years. I have always enjoyed working with this population and look forward to more opportunities to engage and grow with the clients, family and team members alike.

On a personal note… I am married to my husband of over 20 years, and we have two children, now young men. I love being a mother, cooking, traveling and fine arts. I also love the Spring and Fall seasons, and Christmas is my favorite time of the year because of warm hearts, the snow, the gatherings around the tree and great food to share with family and friends!

Hi, my name is Morghan and I will be joining Support Inc. as a Residential Program Coordinator. I am originally from Reno, Nevada and moved to Colorado a little over a year ago. Prior to Support, I worked as a Juvenile Corrections officer for the state while finishing my BA in Psychology. I am super excited to be learning this role and learning from my fellow peers as this is not something I have experienced before! Outside of work, you can find me outdoors with a camera in my hand or spending time with my family!

Hello everyone. My name is Danyelle Grajeda and I am very excited to join the Support Inc. team as an Associate Director of Operations. I have a B.S. Degree in Psychology from Colorado State University. I worked at a Residential Treatment Facility, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, for almost 13 years before being offered the opportunity to join Support, Inc. I worked as a Direct Care Provider for about 6.5 years in different capacities, with kids and adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral disorders. I managed Residential programs, and I managed our Training department during my time with Devereux.

On a personal note, I enjoy hanging out with my niece and nephew and my little cousins any time I can, and I’m looking forward to getting a dog soon! I look forward to meeting everyone and working with you.