Tag: independent living
Small changes, big impact: What day services look like during COVID-19
GoodLife’s day-services programs and activities adapt to COVID-19 to keep residents connected, well-cared-for, and safe. Learn how we’re doing it.
Inside the GoodLife with Nicole Kanaman
There’s no better way to learn about the GoodLife than to hear from the people living it. Today we visit with Nicole Kanaman. Nicole is a behavior analyst and is currently earning her Ph.D. at the University of Kansas (KU). Nicole and her husband Ky, cofounder of GoodLife work program KC Pop Co., also share their life with two GoodLife… read more
Meet Heather Kessler
Heather, tell us how you contribute to the GoodLife population. Sure! I’ve been a nurse for more than 10 years and have direct support professional (DSP), long-term care, and hospice experience. What I loved about hospice is that the goal is to make sure individuals have a good quality of life, and that translates well to what GoodLife works to accomplish.… read more
Meet Anthony Stephens
Anthony, how do you contribute to the GoodLife population? I think the better question is how does GoodLife contribute to my life? That’s way more impactful in my mind! But to answer your question, I am a Direct Support Professional (DSP) serving four men that live together in one of our residential homes. My job is to care for these men… 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
GoodLife careers: Innovative job schedules means more pay and more time off
What if we told you GoodLife offers Direct Support Professionals (DSP) more take-home pay, more time off and better schedules? It’s all part of our unique labor strategies to improve workforce stability and lower provider costs. Better shifts, better pay, more time offOur unique shifts for DSPs accomplishes the goals of more time off, more take-home pay, and more capacity… read more
Meet Adriane Murray
Adriane, tell us how you contribute to serving GoodLife’s population?I began my journey with GoodLife in a direct care role when my husband and I accepted a Family Teaching Model position. For three years, we lived on one side of a duplex and 3-4 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) lived on the other side. I then moved on… 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
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
More than technology: The best labor strategies for independent living
It’s no secret that our nation is facing a direct support workforce crisis. In 2017, the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) issued a report to the President outlining this important issue. The intended outcome of this Report was to ensure the Administration is fully aware of and understand the effects of the direct support workforce crisis. Furthermore,… read more
