• Search for:
    11Sep, 2020
    DSP Week Activities Planned

    Carey Services will recognize staff members the week of Sept. 13-19 as part of its participation in National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. The local observance is part of an annual national effort every September to recognize staff who provide daily care for people with disabilities. Gov. Eric Holcomb has issued a proclamation honoring the 26,000 DSPs in Indiana.

    “The Carey Services direct support professionals, or DSPs, help individuals and families to turn abilities into opportunities every day in several Indiana counties,” said Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and chief executive officer. Nearly two-thirds of Carey Services’ 260 employees provide daily services for residents and their families in the agency’s service area.

    DSPs are direct care workers, in-home support workers, personal assistants and attendants who ensure that people with disabilities are able to live independently in communities of their choosing.

    “Our DSP staff is the foundation of our services and do heroic work every day,” Allbaugh said, “but with the COVID-19 pandemic and all of the impacts on our programs and those we serve, all of our staff really has risen to the occasion this year to continue to fulfill our primary purpose of ensuring the health and safety of the individuals we serve.”

    Carey Services staff will have several activities to assure employees feel recognized during this celebration week, Allbaugh said. In addition, other agency staff will be recognized for their outstanding work.

    With the focus on honoring those who already are doing the work, Allbaugh said, the week also is a time to get the word out about the rewards of the job and the need for more caring, passionate people who are interested in helping others. You can explore our DSP job openings by clicking here.

    7Jul, 2020
    Article Highlights Thriving Families Partnership

    Carey Services was recently featured in the Chronicle-Tribune in a page that describes the relationship the agency has developed with Thriving Families Thriving Grant County.

    The page highlights the relationship the two organizations have developed to improve early childhood education opportunities for Grant County families, and it also includes a brief question-and-answer column with Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and chief executive, on common vision between the two organizations.

    You can read the article by clicking here.

    6Jan, 2020
    2020 Board Members, Officers Announced

    The Carey Services Board of Directors recently approved the 2020 board of directors and board officers.

    Kevin Planck was elected chairperson after having served as vice chairperson. Steve Smithley, who previously served two terms as chairperson, was elected immediate past chairperson. Other officers elected were: John Jones, vice chairperson; Doug Bryant, treasurer, and Jim Wallace, secretary.

    The board officers also make up the board’s executive committee.

    “I appreciate the willingness of each of our board members to serve the agency and the individuals we serve by participating in such an important role to guide our work and provide important input on our future direction,” said Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and chief executive officer. “I know each board member is committed to our mission, and collectively they share our vision of a world were all people are empowered and equally valued in the community.”

    Complete list of 2020 Board of Directors includes:

    • Kevin Planck – Chairperson
    • John Jones – Vice-Chairperson
    • Doug Bryant – Treasurer
    • Jim Wallace – Secretary
    • Steve Smithley – Immediate Past Chairperson
    • Angela Herrington
    • Rodney Faulk
    • Rich Orrell
    • Cindy Kohlmorgen
    • Eric Reaves
    • Phil Bowers
    • Cathy Weatherspoon
    • Dana Gault
    • Sarah Summersett
    • Josh Schenck

    In addition to the agency’s governing board of directors, the agency seeks community involvement through the board-level Fund Development Committee, which is chaired by Smithley in his role as immediate past chairperson. That committee consists of agency leadership and community members Brittany Howey, Kayla Johnson, John Velasquez and Eric Walts.

    The agency’s Early Head Start program seeks community input through its policy council that guides program activities; the council includes program staff, community representation and early childhood education professionals. The chairperson this program year is Amanda Willis; vice chairperson is Nicole Pratley, and secretary is Kristina Drake.

    26Dec, 2019
    AWS Foundation Funds Pilot Program
    AWS Foundation staff visited Carey Services on Dec. 20 to present a check for the foundation’s recent $188,000 award to the agency for a Life Success Coach initiative. Shown are (right to left): Patti Hays, AWS Foundation CEO; Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and CEO; Joni Schmalzried, AWS Foundation chief program officer, and Greg Maynard, Carey Services’ director of fund development.

    Carey Services’ leadership and several individuals the agency served joined with AWS Foundation to officially announce a $188,000 programming award.

    The funds awarded will be used to create a curriculum focused on increasing the tools direct support professionals are provided when supporting Carey Services’ individuals with varying needs. The Life Success Coach initiative strives to get the highest level of outcomes for individuals by increasing the continuity of care through retention of experienced direct support professionals. DSPs are individuals trained to support those with disabilities. Increased DSP retention is a goal not only for Carey Services, but also other providers nationwide.

    “We believe that, in properly executing this grant, we will see results at our organization in the form of even more positive outcomes for those we serve and decreased turnover of direct care employees,” said Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and chief executive officer. “We are extremely grateful to AWS Foundation for seeing the possibilities in our grant proposal and for deciding to support us with the funding to create this initiative.”

    The grant award will fund research and curriculum development along with the hiring of a person to oversee the program. Patti Hays, CEO of AWS Foundation, said AWSF was intrigued by the creative approach Carey Services is proposing to address this issue. “Our hopes are that this pilot program will produce positive outcomes that can lead to program replication across the state.”

    Carey Services staff members are planning to conduct a larger public event in the coming weeks to discuss the grant opportunity in more detail.

    “We know we’re not alone in having people we serve – and those doing the serving – deal with challenging issues,” Allbaugh said. “We’re thankful AWS Foundation embraced our vision for a different way of looking at the challenge and is providing their support to work on a way to support others.”

    15Jul, 2019
    New Strategic Plan, Mission/Vision Statements Revealed

    Carey Services officials have announced a new focus for the organization, while continuing to emphasize the agency’s long-standing work with low-income families and pre-natal mothers and children up to three years old along with individuals with disabilities. This announcement was made July12 during the agency’s internal 65th anniversary celebration.

    With development of its strategic plan for 2019-2022, Carey Services has new mission and vision statements and a strong plan to focus agency efforts for the future, said Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and chief executive officer.

    “I am excited to share our new plan and focus with the communities we serve,” Allbaugh said. “Our board, numerous staff members, many individuals we serve, and others in the community have helped us get to this point with the final product.”

    The agency’s new mission statement has been strengthened to clarify purpose: “Turning abilities into opportunities.” The vision statement has also been clarified: “A world where all people are empowered and equally valued in the community.”

    As part of the strategic planning process, the agency developed four priorities that will guide strategies and assure sustainability:
    • Build brighter futures
    • Deliver world-class supports
    • Employ compassionate people
    • Leverage charitable donations

    “Carey Services’ operations have been guided by a set of core values for 65 years,” Allbaugh said. “The strengthened priorities and strategies in the new plan don’t replace our core values, but they do provide overall guidance in coming months and years as we make decisions – both large and small – to even more powerfully impact our work and the individuals we serve. We plan to be more iconic in our industry and communities.”

    Allbaugh said he looked forward to sharing details of the plan with agency stakeholders and others in the community in coming days.

    18Mar, 2019
    Carey Services COO Completes Leadership Academy

    Carey Services’ Chief Operations Officer Yolanda Kincaid (front row, fourth from right) was one of 28 people to graduate from the inaugural INARF Leadership Academy.

    Carey Services is pleased to announce that Chief Operations Officer Yolanda Kincaid recently graduated from the inaugural Indiana Association for Rehabilitation Facilities (INARF) 2019 Leadership Academy. On March 12, 28 people — including Kincaid — participated in a graduation ceremony during the INARF pre-conference reception in Indianapolis during the INARF conference week.

    Since Kincaid began this program in September 2018, she and other participants have built capabilities in the following core areas: leading themselves, leading others and leading change.

    An INARF media release noted, “The INARF Leadership Academy is ‘a professional development program targeting employees who demonstrate a commitment to the future of our industry, leadership, and a strong drive to achieve greater levels of responsibility.’ ”

    Jim Allbaugh, president and chief executive officer for Carey Services, noted, “We are very proud of Yolanda, her accomplishments, and her leadership in the communities we serve. Not only did Yolanda graduate from the INARF Leadership Academy last week, she also was recognized as a finalist for the INARF Pinnacle Award.”

    The academy is INARF’s commitment to, and investment in, the development of leaders with high potential to positively impact industry growth and success. Allbaugh recommended Kincaid to be an academy participant. More information about the INARF Leadership Academy can be found at: www.inarf.org/leadership_academy.html

    A full leadership academy press release is also available at the INARF website: www.inarf.org/news/inarf-introduces-leadership-academy-class-of-2019-28-emerging-leaders-develop-their-skill-sets-in-indiana

    6Nov, 2018
    Agency Receives 3-Year CARF Accreditation

    Carey Services officials have announced the agency successfully completed a major accreditation, receiving a maximum three-year accreditation achievement through CARF International. The accreditation validates the high quality of services the agency provides to individuals with disabilities in several Indiana counties.

    This is the ninth consecutive three-year accreditation Carey Services has received from the Committee on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, an international accrediting body. This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to CARF standards.

    “We are very pleased to receive CARF’s highest level of accreditation,” said Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and chief executive officer. “As an agency, we strive every day to be the best we can be for the individuals we serve and those communities we impact. It is great to have that daily work recognized and validated with a CARF seal of approval.”

    Carey Services received the accreditation for the following program areas:

    • Community Employment Services: Employment Supports
    • Community Employment Services: Job Development
    • Community Integration
    • Organizational Employment Services
    • Supported Living

    The three-year accreditation will extend through Nov. 30, 2021. To obtain the accreditation Carey Services completed a rigorous three-day professional peer evaluation in October. Carey Services demonstrated to the survey team the agency’s commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable and of the highest quality.

    The accrediting body’s final report specifically notes some highlights of the survey team visit:

    • “Carey Services has exceptional staff members who truly value the work that they do. They want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the consumers. Their care and compassion are evident in all that they do.”
    • “Families and guardians of the consumers served by Carey Services are very pleased with the services provided to their loved ones. They express that the services are top notch.”

    CARF International was founded in 1966 and establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services. For more information about the accreditation process, visit the CARF website at www.carf.org.

    16Jul, 2018
    New Early Head Start Director Begins Work

    Beth Wickham has joined Carey Services as the director of the agency’s Early Head Start program, replacing longtime director Cathy Queen, who recently retired.

    Wickham has more than 20 years of experience in Head Start programming. She began her Head Start career as a teacher and eventually became site director and education coordinator with the Community and Family Services program in Portland, Ind. She is a Gas City native and Mississinewa High School graduate who currently lives in Marion. She has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education from Ashford University and plans to pursue a master’s degree in early childhood education.

    “I’m excited to be joining Carey Services and the tremendous team that has demonstrated much success over the years through the Early Head Start program,” Wickham said. “I’m passionate about helping children and helping them start off life on the right footing so they can be successful as they grow.”

    Carey Services is the Early Head Start provider for Grant and Blackford counties, working with 130 children and families from pre-natal care through 3 years old at any given time. In 2017, more than 235 children and families participated in some facet of Early Head Start programming.

    “Beth brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Carey Services and to the Early Head Start programming,” said Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services’ president and chief executive officer. “She’s already hit the ground running getting acquainted with her staff and the families we serve, and she will be a great person to continue the quality of care those we serve have come to expect from Carey Services.”

    6Jun, 2018
    New Housing Complex Groundbreaking Set

    Through collaborative efforts over many months, The Affordable Housing Corporation, Carey Services, and other local partners will officially break ground on the new Pleasant Square affordable and accessible housing development at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, 2018.

    Pleasant Square will add 10 new affordable community housing units (arranged in five duplexes) north of the existing Pleasant Woods complex that opened in 2013 on South Carey Street. Pleasant Square will be built similar to Pleasant Woods Apartments, and it will feature updated floor plans and amenities based on input from those involved in the Pleasant Woods project and other development team members including Halstead Architects, Randal Miller & Associates, Pleasant Woods Resident Council and Mutual Bank. Both complexes are across the street from Carey Services’ main Marion offices and service sites at 2724 S. Carey St.

    “We’re excited to see this project reach this stage and be able to celebrate this significant milestone,” said Jim Allbaugh, Carey Services president and chief executive officer. “It has truly been a cooperative effort between many organizations to get to this point as we continue to make this dream become a reality.” Construction is expected to begin days after the groundbreaking; completion is anticipated in November.

    The cooperative project has received more than $1 million in funding from Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and Federal Home Loan Bank of Indiana. The Pleasant Square apartments will be offered to low-income individuals who might or might not have a disability; apartments will be available to low-income families or individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability and/or other disabilities as applications are received. The Grant County area has an acute shortage of safe, decent, affordable, accessible independent living options for people with disabilities.

    “Pleasant Square is affordable housing designed for adults with disabilities,” said Jacquie Dodyk, executive director of Affordable Housing Corporation. “The wait list for such housing is the driving force behind our community partnership to meet this demand.”

    4May, 2018
    Help Us Win $10,000 in Online Scavenger Hunt

    Carey Services has an opportunity to win $10,000 to help us continue to make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve! We need your help!

    We appreciate the financial support of foundations like the AWS Foundation (they helped fund our Creative Hearts Art Studio). Please go to www.AWSFoundation.org today and play their scavenger hunt game. Once you have completed the game, please cast a vote for Carey Services, Inc. It’s that easy (Ok, it takes a little time to find all 10 of the great principles of serving people with disabilities, but it is fun, and you can learn a lot about the great things the AWS Foundation does!). You only get one vote per device. Please share this with your friends to give Carey Services the best chance to win. The game ends May 31. Thank you.

    Skip to content