Tag: developmental disabilities
Michelle focuses on family in her shared living journey
Michelle Ray believes family support can change the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). She and her family have been providing that support since 2006 as part of GoodLife’s shared living program as a Professional Extended Family Provider. Over the years, the family has shared their home with seven (7) individuals. Michelle began her career with GoodLife… read more
GoodLife U: Initial Impact Report
While we are weathering the perfect storm we talked about several years ago, sadly, the problems have been more difficult than we could imagine and are predicted to only get worse. If you’re feeling the pain of the nation-wide workforce crisis, you are not alone–but we can help. GoodLife U’s innovative schedule and pay strategies are making a difference for… read more
Gratitude, generosity, and tax credit initiatives make a difference at GoodLife
Learn how your contribution to GoodLife can support interdependent communities with a COVID-resistant care model and qualify for a Kansas tax credit. Your donation can make twice the impact.
Introducing GoodLife U
Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the backbone of the workforce behind community living and service support models for individuals living with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) and seniors. For more than thirty years, the DSP workforce has been one of the most unstable workforces nationwide. Recently, statistics showed that annual turnover rates for DSPs were at 50%, in comparison to… watch now
A Team Leader’s Perspective: Meet Kassie
GoodLife serves adults with disabilities in family-style home settings. Our direct support staff provides daily teaching, support and companionship, which are vital to each client’s quality of life. Team Leaders manage individual homes to help ensure a safe and meaningful experience for our residents. Today, Kassie Johnston shares what it means to be a team leader and why she values… read more
A Home Coaches’ Perspective: Meet Kris and Brittany
GoodLife believes a life of dignity and independence is possible, no matter the challenge. We empower our residents with the support, services, and technology needed to thrive within the community. Home Coaches play an important role in our work to redefine what’s possible for people with disabilities. Today we are joined by Kris McFadden and Brittany Rupert, Home Coaches who… read more
A Family Teacher’s perspective: Meet Jenny and Genevieve
What’s it like to share your home with GoodLife residents? Family Teachers Jenny Voth and Genevieve Getz share their experience and how the model has enriched their family life. The Family Teaching Home is one of GoodLife’s residential programs, and the model supports individuals with a wide range of needs varying from significant needs to those who require fewer supports.… read more
A parent’s perspective: Meet Allison Frizell
When Allison and Trip Frizell’s son Tom was diagnosed with Autism in the early 1980’s at age three, they quickly learned that services and support for children with special needs was hard to find near their home in Kansas City. “We heard about a group of parents working together with the University of Kansas on an intensive applied behavioral analysis… read more
Helping people live the GoodLife starts with collaborative staff training
GoodLife is always looking for ways to better understand how to train and support our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) who serve seniors and those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). One way we do this is by conducting applied research through the University of Kansas Performance Management Laboratory, directed by Dr. Florence DiGennaro Reed. Rick Shears, GoodLife’s Training Coordinator, shares… read more
Living the Good Life together: Professional Family Teaching Model
GoodLife values individuality. That’s why our residential services offer a variety of living arrangements developed around a person’s level of need to create safe, comfortable, and long-term home environments. Whitney Lamb, director of GoodLife’s Professional Family Teaching Model shares more about why our shared living model is one of our most successful—and meaningful—programs. It is a service model that naturally… read more
