Impact Stories

Kathryn “Katie” Masser is a 24-year-old woman who is diagnosed with Down syndrome and Hypothyroidism. She is very socially outgoing and enjoys dancing, singing, acting, swimming, and cosplaying as “Super Amazing Girl” and various Disney princesses/queens. Katie lives with her mother, Amy, who is a children’s photographer. Katie left the school system in 2017 as …
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During a weekly COVID-19 check in with a person she supports, Service Coordinator (SC) Helen Stovall and the person discussed that he was still working at his job (grocery store). When the SC talked with him about keeping himself safe while working in the community, the person disclosed that he was not practicing good hand-washing …
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Samantha Murray is currently working with DB who receives personal support services through a provider. DB is deaf and lives with his family and they are unable to communicate to him with signing. DB relied on signing with his personal support staff, who assisted him with managing and learning techniques for emotional control. DB’s personal …
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      Pam Pasternack, a CCS team member, has been working with LB for around 13 years. She lives with her parents in Catonsville and they provide support. LB and her CCS keep in close contact during the current state of emergency, at least 1 time a week via email or phone. LB‘s transition …
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An SCI Coordinator of Community Services (CCS) is working with EL, a young man who had lived with his family his whole life, and who chose not to enter services at his Transitioning Youth (TY) year. EL was living at home with his Mom, who suddenly died from a terminal illness, leaving his older brother …
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Rachael Perry is 22 and likes to sing and express herself artistically. She is known for her bubbly and pleasant personality and making others laugh. She obtained GTYI services in 2018 and began attending Friends Aware Inc. (FAI) Life Enrichment Center. At that time she was living with family and life was challenging for a …
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Gary is a 29 year old young man who lives in Glen Burnie with his Mother and Father. Gary has a diagnosis of Autism, and requires a 1:1 to support him. While some may think this is a challenge to leading a fulfilling life, having extra support has helped Gary to become an active member …
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Jane is a 67-year-old woman who lives in Frederick, Maryland. Jane takes pride in living life on her own terms and does a great job advocating for herself in all aspects of life. Jane is living with an Intellectual Disability as well as Bipolar Disorder and mobility issues. Jane is supported by the CFC program …
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LaTanya Neverdon is served from the Baltimore City catchment. Her service coordinator, Shawn Nolan-Bateman and LaTanya have worked together for a few years. LaTanya is very proud of a major accomplishment she has recently made. She’s always felt a bit self-conscious about her reading skills. She wanted to improve her abilities in this area so …
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At the DDA Employment First Summit, Gary Madigan and Kevin Walker of Penn-Mar Human Services, talked about DJ Shaikh, a person receiving support services to develop his own DJ business. DJ Shaikh’s Story

Knowing his fondness for the arts and creativity, Dorian’s job developer helped make a job match at a small, woodworking company called Autumn Summer. They manufacture high end, handmade wooden gifts which they brand with a company’s logo. Autumn Summer owner Ryan Herbstsomer, was very welcoming and accommodating to Dorian. As shop assistant, Dorian’s duties …
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Recently I had been asked to provide coverage for an individual, during a visit and discussion with her I have learned that she is an artist and that being in Self-Directed services has allowed her to pursue and achieve this. I was invited to her art show yesterday and below are some pictures of some …
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Emily is a 22 year old woman who moved to Maryland towards the end of high school. After struggling with the transition to a new school and new state, Emily found Self Directed Services. The road to Self-Directed Services was a long and struggling one at times but for Emily the Self Directed model fit …
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Service Coordination, Inc. recognized Marlene Hendler at the MACS Volunteer Recognition event for her tremendous volunteer work. Marlene has served on the SCI Board of Directors for the past 5 years and is part of the Steering Committee, which reviews policies to ensure they meet guidelines and they are complaint. Marlene also receives services from …
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When her Service Coordinator from Harford County began working with Crystal, she did not have staff and spent most of her time at home.  Crystal lives in a very rural area, where she had limited access to supports and had difficulty finding signing staff. Once Crystal was able to connect with staff that could sign …
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I have lived in my home for over 40 years. I have been unable, financially, to make any improvements to my home in the last 10 years. My home needed costly repairs. I had a hole in my garage ceiling, and a hole in my roof, which was allowing birds to get into my living …
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In 2018, when Leon Billups was 20 years old, he was faced with moving out of the non-wheelchair accessible home where he was living with his caregivers. The relationship between the two was strained and Leon wanted to live elsewhere. Adult Protective Services and Disability Rights Maryland became involved, and Leon’s school was doing everything …
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Laura Ferrari was one of the opening speakers at the Frederick Community College Transition Fair and shared her story through her eyes. Laura spoke with confidence and explained how she came to her life now of living with both her brother, Tony, and sister-in-law, Alexia. She loves to dance and believes everyone needs to get …
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On Friday, May 22, 2009, the last resident of Rosewood left the institution for the very last time. Today, former residents and others with developmental disabilities are our neighbors, our colleagues, and our friends. They are leading meaningful lives in the community. https://www.youtube.com/watchv=hy8_BfvgGNU&feature=youtu.be Roslyn Johnson’s Own Home: Submitted by Muna Elia-Abass Roslyn’s family was filled …
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Since July 2018, the Coordination of Community Services (CCS), Misha Sanders, has had the pleasure of working with Neil Speert. A kind gentleman, who loves his Ravens, Orioles, spending time with his personal supports staff, and eating out at Burger King at least once a week. When they met, Neil lived in a very unhealthy …
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