The title “Service Coordinator” is a bit misleading, because the people in
these roles do much more than coordinate services. Service Coordinators are the
professionals who serve as a bridge for brokering services.
Service Coordinators:
Partner with the person/family to find out what is most important to the
person they are working with…What are your dreams?
Assist the person/family in developing a plan of action…What do you need
in terms of support to achieve these dreams?
Assist the person/family to implement the plan by bringing together staff,
family, friends and members of the community…Making it happen.
Define, with the person/family, what success means to them…How will you
know when you have realized these dreams?
Supporting the person/family in striving for the next dream…Planning for
the future.
Service Coordinators are the central point of contact for the person’s team.
In other words, your Service Coordinator is the “go-to” person. If you have a
question, your Service Coordinator might not always have the answer…but they
will work with you to find out who does.
Meet the Service Coordinators
South Dakota Achieve, Inc. currently has 17 Service Coordinators
and one Director of Service Coordination. They
come from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. They are committed to
finding innovative ways for people to achieve their dreams.
Director of Service Coordination
Edie
Kavanagh
I have worked at SDA
since June of 2000. As Director of Service Coordination I ensure that
services provided by the Service Coordination department meet the
requirements of Achieve Policy as well as Administrative Rule of South
Dakota, fulfill the mission of the organization and work with other staff in
the agency to prepare for reviews and surveys including our accrediting
agency, The Council on Quality and Leadership. I also supervise the Family
Support Program. I currently chair the SD Achieve Supportive Approaches
Committee and am a certified instructor for the Crisis Prevention Institute.
I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in special education from Moorhead State
University. I am married and have two sons.
I started with for
South Dakota Achieve in 2003, beginning as a Support Professional and
transitioned to a Service Coordinator in 2008. I have previous
experience as a residential manager at a human services agency in
Nebraska, proofreader for a marketing company and outreach coordinator
for a convent. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in behavioral science
from Mount Marty College. I was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska,
and have called Sioux Falls home since 2003. My husband and I have four
children and a very energetic hunting dog. In my free time, I enjoy
outdoor activities, graphic design, making jewelry, time with family and
friends and am actively involved in the Sioux Falls Firefighters
Auxiliary.
I have been at South Dakota Achieve for seven years, starting out as a
Support Professional, then as a Coordinator of Support Services before
transferring to the Service Coordinator position. I have served on several
committees at Achieve, and am currently a member of the Grief Support Team
and an alumna of Leadership Achieve. I am also an advisor for People First
of Southeastern South Dakota, a self-advocacy group for people with
disabilities in the area. I graduated from the University of Sioux Falls
with a Bachelor of Arts in English, and Business Administration minor.
I have worked at SD
Achieve since 1983 – that is, for twenty-six years. I was a Support
Professional for two years before transferring to the Service Coordinator
position. I am currently a member of the SD Achieve Grief Support Team. I
am also an advisor for People First of Southeastern South Dakota, a
self-advocacy group for people with disabilities in the area. I graduated
from Augustana College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in social work,
criminal justice, and sociology majors. I continued my education by working
toward a Masters Degree in administrative studies and health services
administration. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my
siblings, nieces, nephews and great nephews and great niece. I enjoy
reading, landscaping, gardening and other “do-it-yourself” projects as well
as traveling.
I have been with SD
Achieve for twenty-five years. I came to SD Achieve right after graduating
from South Dakota State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in
sociology/human services. I have been a Service Coordinator for the last
seven years. I have also held past positions at SD Achieve as a Support
Professional and a Coordinator of Support Services. I am currently serving
on the Safety Committee and the Workforce Development Committee. I enjoy
assisting individuals to find resources to make them successful in their
homes and in the community. When I am not working, I like doing projects
around my house, gardening, being outside and enjoying my time with my son.
I have worked in varying
angles of the Human Services field for over ten years, including supervising
a crisis domestic violence shelter and working with at-risk youth. I have a
Bachelors of Arts in psychology, religion, and philosophy from Augustana
College. Previously, I attended Indiana University with a focus in
psychology. I started at South Dakota Achieve as a Coordinator of Support
Services and later moved into the area of Service Coordination. I am
currently involved with the Workforce Development Committee, am a
participant in the Leadership Achieve program and am a certified instructor
for the Crisis Prevention Institute. My husband and I are blessed with a
beautiful daughter, a fat cat and a German Shepherd we affectionately call “Sojo-The-Wonder-Dog”.
Between helping my husband with his photography and graphic design agency,
volunteering in my daughter’s school and traveling to her gymnastic meets, I
stay busy. In my spare time, I love to read and am an avid University of
Kentucky basketball fan.
I was born and raised in the Southwestern
Minnesota community of Adrian. After graduating from high school, I went on
to further my education by completing a Human Services Technician Program at
Willmar Vocational Technical Institute. I have now worked in the Human
Services field for nearly 25 years, spending most of that time (23yrs.) at
South Dakota Achieve. Prior to becoming a Service Coordinator, I held
several other positions within the organization, including; Support
Professional, Lead Work Supervisor, Manager of Services, and Quality
Assurance Manager. I am currently the Chair for the Well-Being and Personal
Outcomes Committees. I truly enjoy supporting people to realize their goals
and dreams.
I have had the
privilege of working as a Service Coordinator for South Dakota Achieve since
1998 and currently serve on the SDA Values Appreciation Committee. I have a
Bachelor of Arts Degree in community service counseling from Wayne State
College in Wayne, NE and a Master of Science Degree in community services
from Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI. I have worked at other
training centers in Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas, and California, have done
adoption casework in Okinawa and worked for a camp for children with
disabilities in Texas. I am married and have two adult children. In our
free time, my husband and I enjoy camping and traveling.
I have been
supporting people at South Dakota Achieve since December of 1979. My
educational background includes four years at St Olaf College in
Northfield, Minnesota and a year of graduate study at Augustana
College. My degrees include social studies education and special
education. I was originally hired as a Work Supervisor in Shop 1. In
February of 1981, I moved into the Service Coordinator position where I
have continued to enjoy working with individuals and their families. I
was a member of Leadership Achieve – Class of 2008, a program to help
build skills in leadership, communication, and citizenship. My wife,
Connie, and I have been married since June of 1977. We have two children
and two grandchildren.
I have a Bachelor
of Science Degree with a sociology major from South Dakota State
University. I have worked at SD Achieve since March, 1991. I believe in
the mission of SD Achieve and am dedicated to finding innovative ways for
people with disabilities to achieve their dreams. I have held several
positions at Achieve including; Support Professional, Physical Therapy Aide,
Coordinator of Support Services, Admissions Coordinator, Manager of Services
and Service Coordinator. I have over twelve years experience in Service
Coordination and absolutely love my job. I am the Chair of the SD Achieve
Human Rights Committee and also serve on the Human Rights Committee at
Volunteers of America. I am married and have four children. When I’m not
working I enjoy spending time with my family in the outdoors, going to my
kids sports activities, and I am also active in my church.
I have been with South Dakota Achieve for
almost twelve years. I worked as a Support Professional at one of our
residential homes and in our day program for six years. I then served as
Training Specialist, developing our sign language and sensory processing
programs. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education of the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing/Elementary Education from Augustana College and taught
middle school for a few years at a School for the Deaf. I am also a SD
Certified Level IV sign language interpreter. My husband and I live in Rock
Rapids, IA with our daughter and son. I enjoy spending my free time with my
family and friends, cooking, and performing in musicals as part of our
community theater.
Prior to working as a
Service Coordinator, I supervised one of the group homes at South Dakota
Achieve. I also have experience facilitating several support groups as well
as coordinating a court-mandated program for perpetrators of domestic
violence. Combined, I have over thirteen years of experience. I also serve
on the Health Committee at South Dakota Achieve and serve as a member of the
Policy Council for the Early Childhood program in Sioux Falls. I believe
strongly in the core values at South Dakota Achieve. I have degrees in human
service counseling and English writing from Wayne State College in Wayne,
Nebraska. In addition, I have a year of graduate study in counseling from
Eastern Illinois University. I grew up part of the time in Colorado and part
in Illinois. I reside in Sioux Falls with my wonderful husband of eight
years and our four year old son who is the love of our lives. In my spare
time, I enjoy spending time with our Golden Retriever, cooking, decorating,
traveling to see family, a good ol’ heart to heart with a good friend, and
camping.
Prior to working at South Dakota Achieve, I worked as a Service Coordinator
at a similar but smaller agency in Brookings, SD. My degrees are from South
Dakota State University and include a Bachelor of Science Degree in Human
Development with minors in Psychology and Sociology, and a Master of Science
Degree in Human Development. My husband and I have been married for about
twenty years and have two daughters that keep us very busy.
I have worked at
South Dakota Achieve since 1998. I started my career here working as a
Support Professional in Residential Services and then Day Services. I was
then the Coordinator of Support Services at one of our homes for 3 years
prior to accepting my current position as a Service Coordinator. I have a
Bachelor of Science Degree in psychology with a minor in alcohol and drug
abuse studies/counseling from the University of South Dakota. I am
currently the Co-Chair of the Human Rights Committee and a member of
Leadership Achieve. I teach My Life My Way classes for both New Employee
Orientation and advanced training sessions. My husband and I have been
married since 1996 and have three children—two girls and a boy. When not
working, I enjoy being active with my children, cooking, reading, and
outdoor activities. I strongly believe in our mission and that dreams and
goals are important for all people.
Prior to joining South
Dakota Achieve, I worked as a Service Coordinator with a similar agency in
Brookings, SD. I possess a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from
South Dakota State University. I live in Sioux Falls with my beautiful wife,
daughter, two cats, and a dog. My wife and I are expecting our second child
in 2009, and are extremely excited. In my free time I enjoy spending time
with my family, having friends over, woodworking, computers, and home
renovations.
I have been with South
Dakota Achieve since June of 2007, starting out as a Support Professional,
transitioned to a Lead Support Professional and am now a Service
Coordinator. I am currently the co-chair of the South Dakota Achieve
Cultural Enhancement Committee. I graduated from Black Hills State
University with a Bachelors degree in Human Services and Sociology. When I
am not working, I enjoy spending time with family, cooking, golfing, sailing
and any other outdoor activities.
I had started at SD
Achieve (Then Sioux Vocational Services) in 1979 through 1986, where I had
then left to work in a treatment center for adolescents with emotional and
delinquent problems. I returned to SD Achieve in 1992 as a Support
Professional and have worked as a Supported Living Worker for nine years
prior to becoming a Service Coordinator in November of 2003. I have served
on the SD Achieve Well-Being Committee and the Health Committee, and am
currently a member of the Human Rights Committee. I graduated from Sioux
Falls College with a Bachelor’s Degree in social work and psychology. My
husband and I live in Sioux Falls with our three spoiled cats. Our
daughter and son-in-law live in Sioux Falls as well. I enjoy sewing and
working in the garden when I have a chance.
I have been with SD
Achieve for eighteen years. I graduated from Southwest State University in
Marshall, MN with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Sociology and an Emphasis on
Social Work. I co-chair the SD Achieve Supportive Approaches Committee and
chair the Workforce Development Committee.
I have been with South
Dakota Achieve since 2006. I started out as a Support Professional before
moving in to a Coordinator of Support Services position, and now a Service
Coordinator. Before moving to Sioux Falls I worked at a similar agency in
Brookings, SD where I worked as a Support Professional and an Employment
Consultant. I am currently a member of the Personal Outcomes Committee at
Achieve. I graduated from South Dakota State University with a degree in
Spanish and a minor in music. In my free time I enjoy playing with my dog
and spending time with friends and family.
