We invite and encourage people to participate in the life of the
community. Training and support are provided to people in a wide range of
areas, including independent living education, training, personal enrichment
and recreational activities in our numerous residential settings.
363 people we serve and support live in apartments and homes they
rent or own or in ACHIEVE-owned properties.
ACHIEVE owns numerous residential facilities that range in size from
4 to 12 residents. In all cases, ACHIEVE offers anywhere from 24 hours
of care to as little as 1 or 2 hours of support each month.
Meet the
Residential Coordinators of Support Services Team
South Dakota Achieve currently has
one Director of Residential Services and 16 Coordinators of Support Services.
They come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences and are committed to
finding innovative ways for people to achieve their dreams.
Responsibilities
include:
- Ensuring the health, safety,
and welfare of people receiving services.
- Motivating and retaining
front line direct care staff.
- Providing supervision,
direction, support and training to staff to ensure the provision of quality
services.
- Maintaining a high level of
communication and developing collaborative relationships with all
departments.
- Ensure implementation of all
systems, procedures and policies in support of quality services.
I
have worked in the Human Services Field for twenty-eight years and have
been with South Dakota Achieve for 16
years. Currently, I am the Director of Residential Services.
I
have a Bachelor’s Degree from Central Michigan University, attended
Sioux Falls College, Educational Studies and Alaska Pacific University,
Management Science Program. I
enjoy working with the people living and working in our residential
services and want to ensure they
receive the support needed to realize their life dreams.
I
have been with SD Achieve for 2 years as a Coordinator of Support
Services. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in elementary education
with minors in physical education and computer science from Dakota State
University. Prior to SD Achieve, I worked 17 years for a
private/non-profit child care center in Sioux Falls, SD in various
administrative roles. When not at work I am involved in basketball,
softball and kickball leagues and enjoy spending time outside with
family and friends. I sincerely enjoy working with the people we support
at Achieve and assisting them daily to achieve their dreams.
I have been
working in the developmental disability field since 2005. Prior to this
aspect of my career, I worked with various non-profit organizations and
political/social activism campaigns. I began working for the Human
Service Agency in Watertown, South Dakota and then moved to South Dakota
Achieve in 2007. The facet of my job that I love the most is seeing
people take steps to become more independent and realize actual autonomy
over their lives. In my spare time, I enjoy political and social
activism, art, music, reading, and spending time with my wife, our cats
and our other family and friends.
I was born in San
Diego, CA and grew up in a Navy family on the west and east coast. I have been at South
Dakota Achieve since 2001. I started as a Support Professional and have
worked at many different locations including the Advanced Recycling
enclave, Achieve’s pallet building business, and the Rushmore Room, as a Lead Support Professional.
In April 2007, I started working as a Coordinator of Support Services. My previous
experience includes a few years working for the Adjustment Training
Center in Aberdeen. My wife and I have a new baby
daughter that was born in September, 2008. In my free time, I enjoy traveling,
camping, hiking, disc golf, music and spending time with friends and
family.
I received a Bachelor of
Arts Degree from South Dakota State University where I majored in
Sociology and minored in Psychology. I have 15 years of experience in
the Social Services field and have had the opportunity to work with
people whose lives have been affected by a brain injury during eight of
them. Three years ago, I became a Certified Brain Injured Specialist. I
find working with people who have sustained a brain injury challenging,
yet very rewarding. I enjoy working at South Dakota Achieve as the
Coordinator of Support Services because each day is new and exciting. I
am amazed daily by the successes of the men who live there are
accomplishing.
I started my adventure
in the "helping field" in 1996 when I became a CNA while in high
school. After graduating, I attended South Dakota School of Massage
Therapy, but realized this was not what I wanted to do for the rest of
my life. I started working for Achieve as a Support Professional in the summer of 2001.
I took a break to move out to Arizona where I met my
wonderful husband. I came back to Achieve as a Lead Support Professional
at the Churchill where I later became the CSS in December of 2007. Since
then, I
graduated from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor’s degree in
Social Work and a minor in Sociology. In December, 2008, my husband and
I welcomed our first child, Aden, into the world. When I am not at work, I
enjoy spending time with my family (including, Zoey, our dog). I also
like attending church functions, movies, walks, and taking pictures.
I have been
in human services field for fourteen years. Two of these years were in
Omaha, NE working with people with disabilities and at-risk adolescents.
In May of 1998, I began my career at Achieve as a Support Professional
at Heritage 4. Later, I transferred to Thurman where I worked for 3
years. In 2008, I became the Lead Support Professional at Old Orchard
before moving in to my current role as the CSS at Mariana. I also serve
on the Well-Being Committee. I am married and have 2 children. In my
free time, I enjoy watching my children play sports, attending sporting
events, shopping, baking and traveling.
Kim Knopf I
have been employed at SD Achieve for the past two years as Coordinator
of Support Services and I also serve on the Safety Committee. Prior to
joining Achieve I was employed in the special education program in the
Sioux Falls School District. Following this, I acted as administrator
of a 121-bed assisted living center in Sioux Falls.
My
husband Mike and I have 3 grown children and 5 grandchildren and spend
the bulk of our spare time with our family. I have spent most of my
adult life caring for the elderly and people with disabilities and am
proud to be a part of SD Achieve.
I
began my career at South Dakota Achieve in 2003. Prior to becoming a
Coordinator of Support Services I worked as a Support Professional in
both day and residential services and also as a Lead Support
Professional. I also serve on the Supportive Approaches Committee
within Achieve. I currently live in Sioux Falls with my husband and our
two dogs.
I
have been with SDA for 27 years, starting as a Support Professional. I
have Associate Degrees in psychology, mental health, and gerontology
from USD/Springfield. I am married and we have two boys.
I graduated from Lake Area Technical Institute in
1998 with a degree in Human Services and Occupational Therapy
Assistant. I started at Achieve in August 1998 as a Support
Professional at Stephen. In 2002, I became the Coordinator of Support
Services at Stephen. Since then, I have also supervised Mariana,
Churchill, Weise, Sycamore, Hollister and Ash Grove. Currently, I
supervise 33 staff and support 18 people at Stephen and Old Orchard.
My husband Travis and I were married in 1999.
Our son, Logan, was born in 2006. We enjoying spending
time with family and friends, being outside and camping.
My
passion is people. I have been a dedicated employee at SD Achieve for 4
years. I began as a Support Professional, was promoted to Lead Support
Professional, and most recently to a Coordinator of Support Services. I
believe strongly in the mission and values at SD Achieve and strive
daily to bring meaning into the lives of others. I am an active member
of the Personal Outcomes and Well-Being Committees. I have been happily
married for 15 years and have two teenage children. In my free time, I
enjoy reading, flavored popcorn and coffee, scrap booking, volunteering
at church and hanging out with friends and family.
I have been with
South Dakota Achieve for a total of 11 years. I believe in the Mission
that Achieve represents and I am dedicated to finding innovative ways
for people with disabilities to achieve their dreams. Prior to becoming
a Coordinator of Support Services I also worked as a Lead Staff in
Supported Living. My husband, Gene, and I have 3 children. When I am not
working, I enjoy camping and traveling.
I
have been employed with SD Achieve for over 4 years. I have been a
Coordinator of Support Services for 2 years. Prior to this position I
was a Restorative Tech in the Therapy Department. I graduated from the
University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of Science in Therapeutic
Recreation and emphasis in Exercise Science. I am a member of the Human
Rights Committee. My husband, Marty, and I have 1 son. When I am not
working I enjoy spending time with my family and friends.
I
began working for SD Achieve in January of 2009. Before becoming a CSS,
I worked as a Support Professional at many different homes throughout
the agency as well as in Day services. I have a degree in History
Education from the University of South Dakota. My wife and I live in
Sioux Falls and have 1 son.
I have been employed by South Dakota Achieve for
17 years. I started part-time at SD Achieve as a Direct Support
Professional after finishing my degree in Elementary Education from
Mankato State University. For the first year of my employment, I taught
during the week and worked weekends at Achieve. I loved working here so
much that I decided that I wanted to be a full-time Support Professional.
I continued my career as a Direct Support
Professional for fifteen years. In September 2007, I became a CSS
for Ash Grove and Hollister. I am married and have 4 children ages 15, 11, 10 and
5 months. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, bowling, attending sporting
events (especially MN Vikings games) and spending time with my family
and friends.
I have been with SD
Achieve for 12 years, beginning as a Support Professional and most
recently as a Coordinator of Support Services. I worked for 6 years as
an Employment Specialist at 2 different agencies in Colorado. I have a
Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Northern Colorado. I am
married and have 4 children.
After
graduating from the University of South Dakota with a Bachelor of
Science degree in sociology, I moved to Sioux Falls and began my career
with SD Achieve. I have worked for SD Achieve since June 2006 where I
began as a Support Professional in Palisades. In 2007 I began my work as
a Coordinator of Support Services at Hawthorne Hall and Glendale. I
currently serve on the Personal Outcomes Committee and enjoy spending
time with friends in my free time.
