Support Planning Success Stories From a Provider Organization's Journey

Abstract

Abstract The role of community support provider organizations has shifted from one of care and segregation to one of facilitating the full inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in their local communities. In this article, we share how Evergreen Life Services, a nonprofit provider of supports for people with intellectual disability, has changed and progressed over time, particularly in the context of the growth of the supports movement. As evidence of our organization's progress, we share success stories of people with disabilities whom the organization supports. The keys to Evergreen's success in shifting from a congregate care provider to an organization that facilitates the provision of personalized supports to empower people with disabilities to live lives that they find fulfilling are discussed. Also discussed are the challenges faced by provider organizations that strive for continuous quality improvement.