Category: Services
Johnson County Montessori School & North Star Academy: A special place of inclusion and learning
GoodLife’s 40-year partnership with the University of Kansas (KU) has developed a number of nationally regarded service models including North Star Academy (NSA), a school for children with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD). Today we visit with Kristen Kunze, Executive Director of Children’s Services for GoodLife, and Pam Neidert, Assistant Professor for KU’s Applied Behavioral Science department, to learn about… read more
From reimagining to reality: replacing traditional care models with next generation services
Goodlife’s most valuable outcomes are the result of listening to and understanding our most vulnerable residents. We’ve learned they want, and require, something different than what providers have traditionally offered them. Here’s what we know for sure, especially now in the midst of COVID-19: It is impossible to prevent or contain cross contamination in congregate settings (like nursing homes, group… read more
Together, we can weather the storm
As we face an unprecedented national health crisis we have no doubt that service providers (like us) are necessarily shining a huge spotlight on their systems, policies, and infrastructure. We are asking challenging questions like: Just how equipped are we to weather this storm? Are we as nimble as we hoped? As stable? Where do we face the greatest threats… read more
Beyond turnover: how GoodLife measures workforce stability
We’ve talked about the Perfect Storm and you’re probably already aware that the Direct Support Provider (DSP) workforce has been one of the most unstable workforces nationally for over three decades.1 While the national turnover rate for all workforces averages about 3%, annual DSP turnover rates now exceed 50%.2 There is no single answer or solution, but it starts with… read more
A 40-year partnership leads to a lifetime of impact
GoodLife’s history is filled with passionate people demanding better care for their loved ones with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Two of our co-founders, James Sherman and Jan Sheldon, also held faculty positions at the University of Kansas (KU). Together they recognized and understood the importance of evaluating and applying best practices to service settings and addressing societal concerns. This… read more
The history of Goodlife: A story of passion, equality and connectedness
The year was 1974 when six sets of parents, the founders of GoodLife, started meeting together in a living room in Johnson County, Kansas. The aftermath of the Civil Rights Movement swirled around them, and great progress had been won for the freedom and equality of black people in America. Change in public education was happening, too. For the first… read more
Top five things we’re proud of in 2019
We’ve had a big year. If you’ve spent any time with GoodLife, you know we are passionate about reimagining independent living for seniors and those with disabilities in an empowering, connected and purposeful community. In 2019, we’ve worked hard to build upon our well-established foundation of connected community, personalized innovation and supported independence. As the year comes to an end,… read more
How to improve care and lower costs with unique labor strategies
As a care provider, we know it’s important to ensure that those we serve receive the highest level of care while maximizing our resources. One of the ways that GoodLife helps providers put more margin in their mission is by combining time-tested workforce solutions with advanced technologies to create the next generation of care. By strategically reimagining and retooling traditional… read more
How our tested strategies improve your bottom line
As a community provider who cares for individuals with developmental disabilities (I/DD), you’re all too familiar with the problems we face with flat-lined state and federal reimbursements. The recently published article “Missouri Looking To Fix ‘Disastrous’ Pay System For Developmentally Disabled Care” explains the current situation quite well, and we encourage you to read it. In short, states reimburse providers… read more
Connecting with the community at the Kaw Valley Farm Tour
What do you get when you cross 550 visitors with farm animals, food trucks, hands-on activities, live music and an enthusiastic staff? The Kaw Valley Farm Tour at Midnight Farm! 186 carloads of people filtered through Midnight Farm over the weekend of October 5-6. According to Linda, a satisfied visitor from Lawrence, Kan., she “liked it all. It’s a beautiful… read more
