Supportive Concepts For Families

The Birth

Former Founder, Executive Director, CEO and Board President – Supportive Concepts for Families, Inc. (March 1989 – March 2000)

 

This is the story.

 

In 1989, I had a vision to establish a new human services agency in Berks County, becoming the third provider of its kind in the area. At the time, I owned a home health care company serving seniors, but I wanted to expand my impact. The county had begun funding a program called Supportive Living, and my home care company provided the service starting in 1990. It was growing at a rate of 2 to 4 clients a week as I recall.

When I shared my idea of creating another human services organization in 1989, county officials told me it would not succeed. They were wrong. My founding concept for Supportive Concepts in 1991 was simple but transformative: rather than forcing individuals to fit into existing services, we would build services around the individual and fully address their unique needs — what is now widely referred to as “wrap-around” care.

In July of 1992, Craig Johnson and Nan Haver from Service Access and Management approached me with the opportunity to provide supportive services through a $365,000 waiver program grant. The only stipulation from the County Commissioners was that funding could not go to a for-profit. They simply would not award the grant to my for profit home care company called Special Care. As a result, I applied for nonprofit status, which I secured six months later on February of 1993. All of the clients that Special Care was providing support to would then transfer to the new non-profit. In essence my home care company was the beginning of Supportive Concepts.
 

I began hiring staff to help grow this unique vision. Our first office was at 200 Penn Street, Reading PA. and though resources were limited, our mission drew committed people. Early staff included initially Cindy Ream and Tammy Keener. Around a year later we hired Ryan Smith part time to assist Cindy, and Craig Thomas part time — each of whom played an important role in laying the foundation. We even used resources from my home health care company to fund many expenses including the design of a logo that remains in use today.

The early years were filled with challenges. Budget shortfalls forced me to personally cover payroll — at times through credit card cash advances and even a second mortgage on my home. It was a period of sacrifice and many sleepless nights, but we pressed forward. Technology was another hurdle, solved with the help of Joe Gousie, CEO of Prospectus Associates and Norman Flamm, a independent outside consultant, who implemented our first computer system and positioned us for growth.

In 1996, we changed our name from SCBC (originally a placeholder) to Community Technologies, and eventually to Supportive Concepts for Families. The phrase “For Families” was added after much debate but ultimately captured the spirit of our mission.

By 2000, the organization had grown significantly. I stepped away at that time to focus on my home care company. While that chapter was difficult, it became a turning point that propelled me into new endeavors — ones that have since helped thousands of people. Today, I speak at conferences across the tri-state area about this journey, my accomplishments, and the importance of resilience.

I am proud to say that what came to me in 1989 while working in a Prospectus Associates group home located in Muhlenberg, PA was finally realized. I am proud that Supportive Concepts for Families Inc. continues to make a difference in peoples lives today and "my baby" (as I call it) did succeed despite so many attempts from others to stop me.

Note: This history was developed in collaboration with former Board members who played vital roles in the early days of Supportive Concepts for Families.

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