The InVisionary
The 2024 “State of the Vision” event brought together InVision Human Services employees for a comprehensive update on the organization’s progress, goals, and future initiatives. This annual gathering is more than just a routine meeting; it’s an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the past year, share updates on strategic goals, and recognize the dedicated individuals who bring the organization’s mission to life every day. Here’s a closer look at the key moments from this year’s State of the Vision.
Honoring a Beloved Colleague
The event began with a meaningful tribute to Laura Zibrat Kurutz, a cherished InVision employee who passed away in 2013 at 37 years old after a courageous battle with cancer. Laura was deeply dedicated to her role within the organization’s training department, and her influence is still felt by those who had the privilege of working alongside her. To honor Laura’s memory and her impact on InVision, CEO Kim Love dedicated our large corporate office training room in her memory. The newly named The Laura Zibrat Kurutz Training Room now stands as a reminder of her commitment to InVision’s mission and the people we serve.
A table full of Laura’s family attended the dedication, sharing this special moment with InVision’s staff and leadership. Laura’s commitment to caring for our employees and the people we support was highlighted, making the dedication a fitting tribute to her legacy. The tribute set a thoughtful and reflective tone for the rest of the event, reminding attendees of the importance of community, empathy, and connection within the workplace.
A Founder’s Legacy
As part of her final “State of the Vision” address, InVision’s founder and president, Ruth Siegfried, took attendees on a heartfelt journey through the organization’s rich 32-year history. Having served as CEO until Kim Love took over in 2022, Ruth has been the guiding force behind InVision since its inception, building it from a small support network into a transformative organization employing and supporting hundreds of people. Her address began with personal memories of some of the very first people she supported—Mike, Heather, and Gary. In a touching testament to InVision’s commitment and impact, two of these individuals, Heather and Gary, continue to be supported by the organization today.
Reflecting on these milestones, she painted a vivid picture of InVision’s growth and evolution, highlighting the strong, enduring relationships that have been built with both staff and the people supported. Her memories underscored the depth of care and resilience that have been woven into InVision’s culture over the years.
With her retirement announced for December 31, 2024, this final address marked an emotional and symbolic farewell, not only for Ruth but for the entire InVision community that she has shaped. The organization’s leadership team made sure her last "State of the Vision" was a fitting tribute to her profound impact and her unwavering commitment to those with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism.
State of the Vision
After Ruth’s sentiments, InVision’s CEO Kim Love launched into the core of the event—the “State of the Vision” presentation. This segment of the event was structured to give attendees an in-depth view of where the organization currently stands and where it is headed. The presentation highlighted several specific initiatives, each reflecting InVision’s commitment to enhancing its services and supporting its employees.
One key update was the upcoming Direct Support Professional (DSP) Wage Initiative – a $2.2M investment from InVision. It’s an effort designed to improve compensation for DSPs and recognize the critical role they play within the organization. The announcement signaled the organization’s recognition of the need for competitive wages in attracting and retaining skilled staff.
Another notable change on the horizon is the organization’s transition to an Individual coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA) for employee medical coverage. This shift reflects InVision’s focus on flexible, employee-centric benefits that better align with individual needs. The introduction of ICHRA aims to offer employees greater autonomy in choosing healthcare options, demonstrating the organization’s adaptability to evolving healthcare standards.
Kim also shared insights on the DSP credentialing initiative, a program that InVision has been actively developing over the past three years. She stated that 91 of our DSPs were credentialed as of October 1st, and that we are aiming for 100+ by the end of 2024. By implementing and continuing this credentialing process through the National Association of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP), InVision seeks to elevate the professional standards for our DSPs, offering a pathway for staff development and reinforcing the importance of expertise in delivering quality care.
One of the final updates during the State of the Vision presentation was the organization’s recent switch in Human Resources information systems, transitioning from UKG Pro to UKG Ready. This move is expected to streamline HR processes, enhance staff engagement, and improve internal communications—a key step for an organization of InVision’s scale and scope.
To close, Kim, straying slightly from the agenda, called Ruth back up to present her with kind closing remarks and a parting gift from the entire leadership team. Kim said of Ruth, “She saw a need, she saw an injustice, and she took action to ensure people who had been so badly marginalized and mistreated had an opportunity. She created a place where people were treated with kindness, where they were seen for all the good they had to offer, not just for the ‘bad’ things they had done.”
Empowering Voices
A theme that permeated this year’s State of the Vision event was the importance of communication and engagement across all levels of the organization. InVision’s leadership took the time to recognize the efforts of several internal committees that have been instrumental in fostering communication and collaboration. These include the Employee Engagement Committee, the Communications Taskforce, and the Family Engagement Committee.
These committees play a crucial role in enhancing communication between various stakeholders, including employees, families of those supported by InVision, and those receiving services. By encouraging open dialogue and promoting inclusivity, InVision is building a culture that prioritizes connection and transparency. Leadership expressed their appreciation for the committee members’ hard work and emphasized the importance of these initiatives in creating a positive work environment and culture.
Recognizing Leadership and Dedication
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of InVision’s annual Leadership Awards. These awards celebrate employees who exemplify the organization’s values and show leadership, dedication, and a commitment to the mission of supporting individuals with disabilities. This year, awards were given in several continued categories, including one new one.
The Dr. Carolyn Hoffman Leadership Award is presented yearly to an employee who demonstrates leadership by working collaboratively toward resolution of problems, accepting accountability, and exhibiting InVision’s values of positive approaches, and has been with the company for at least one year. The 2024 recipients in each region were:- East: Zachary Zangari, Team Leader
- West: Amanda Colazzi, Medical Records Specialist
The John Pfab Rookie of the Year Award is presented yearly to an employee who demonstrates the values and practices associated with InVision’s positive approaches philosophy and is within their first year of service with the company. The 2024 recipients in each region were: - East: Khadidja Soumaine, Residential Counselor
- West: Joseph Feil, Residential Counselor
The Ruth E. Siegfried Shaping Our Future Award is presented yearly to a direct support professional who demonstrates consistent excellence in leadership, modeling collaborative approaches to problem resolution, searches for opportunities to learn and to teach others, and demonstrates commitment to InVision, and has been with the company for at least one year. The 2024 recipients in each region were:- East: Jennifer Danchak, Residential Counselor
- West: Johnnie Lawson, Residential Counselor
The Pursuit of Excellence Award is presented yearly to a supervisor, behavior specialist, or similar-level staff member who consistently seeks to expand professional abilities, demonstrates effective judgment, accepts accountability, and suggests methods and procedures to improve operations and generate positive results for the department and for InVision, and has been with the company for at least one year. The 2024 recipients in each region were: - East: Alusine Kamara, Residential Program Supervisor
- West: Tandra Jones, Program Supervisor
The newest, titled the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Award, is presented yearly to an employee who consistently finds ways to advance diversity and foster a culture of inclusion within the company and their fellow team members, as well as among the people we support and in the community at large, and has been with the company for at least one year. The 2024 recipients in each region were: - East: Scott Jenkins, Residential Counselor
- West: Rebecca Hoskinson, Health Services Supervisor
Each recipient was recognized not only for their individual contributions but also for the positive impact they have had on their teams and the broader InVision community. Leadership and all in attendance applauded the awardees for their exemplary work and commitment to upholding InVision’s guiding principles and standards of care, collaboration, and innovation.
Celebrating Longevity
The final part of the State of the Vision event was dedicated to honoring employees who have reached significant milestones in their careers with InVision. Recognizing service anniversaries of 10, 15, 20, and 25 years, leadership expressed gratitude for the loyalty and dedication of these long-serving employees.
- Oluwaseyi Afuwape
- Michael Benes
- Brian Boyle
- Faith Fiakpui
- David Fritsch
- Tomalin George
- Gary Johnson
- Muhammad Kallon
- Dryden Kanyangarara
- Ronald Kegler
- Reinhardt Kisala
- Julie Lasher
- Melissa Michaels
- William Moore
- Mohamed Paye
- Jermaine Ravenell
- Steven Ravenell
- Nicholas Yadrick
- Larry Carpenter
- Paul Clark
- John Swisher
- Robbie Blackburn
- Tim Santone
- Joseph Tomko
- Eric Clarke
- Randy Dicks
These individuals have devoted much of their careers to supporting InVision’s mission, and their contributions have been instrumental in building the organization into what it is today. Their commitment serves as a testament to the powerful sense of purpose and community that defines InVision, and they were celebrated with heartfelt applause from colleagues and leadership alike.
A Vision for the Future
As the State of the Vision event drew to a close, the leadership team reiterated the organization’s commitment to stability, quality improvement, and commitment to our guiding principles. With new initiatives on the horizon, including the DSP Wage Initiative, ICHRA, Performance-Based Contracting, and DSP credentialing, InVision is positioned for continued progress. However, leadership made it clear that sustaining and building upon these achievements will require the collective effort of all stakeholders.
The State of the Vision provided an opportunity to reflect on the successes of the past year while setting ambitious goals for the future. InVision remains dedicated to its mission of empowering individuals with disabilities and creating a supportive, inclusive environment for employees and the people they serve.
By maintaining a focus on quality, innovation, and compassion, InVision Human Services continues to make strides, leaving a lasting impact on individuals, families, and communities. The path forward is bright, and with the dedication of its team and the ongoing support of its stakeholders, InVision is well-equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
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