When store manager Kim White was approached about hiring Cindy Smith to join her staff at Johnson’s Junction, White’s first questions were about Smith’s skills and abilities. “The fact that she has a developmental disability wasn’t really even an issue,” said White, whose brother utilizes a wheelchair due to a disability. “I just needed to know if she could do the work and be here on time, every day we needed her.”

It didn’t take long for White to get her answers. A year later, Smith is a valued member to the team as she provides necessary janitorial and cleaning support. According to White, Smith’s successful contributions to the Huntington County gas station and mini-mart are a blend of professional dedication and skill, a strong work ethic, and an outgoing personality.

“Cindy brightens everybody’s day, from her co-workers on up to our customers,” said White. “She always has a smile on her face for everyone who comes through that door. She’s a burst of sunshine.”

In addition to the uplifting greeting and attitude, Smith has provided consistent, quality effort on the job since joining the staff. “I expect the same level of professionalism and competence from Cindy as I do from every other employee here at Johnson’s Junction—and she’s never let me down,” said White. “She’s an excellent employee.”

For Smith, her job is a point of pride as well as a source of income. “I like my job. I like to stock shelves and wipe off counters and pack buns—it’s really swell working there,” said Smith. “I’ve got a good boss, and we help each other. If there’s something I need, she helps me, and I try to help her.”

One key to successful employment for individuals with developmental disabilities is a supportive work environment such as Smith’s, according to Jennifer Graves of Resource Connection. Graves, who provides job coaching for individuals with disabilities entering the workforce, worked with Smith and her employer when she was initially hired at Johnson’s Junction.

Vocational rehabilitation services, such as those provided to Smith by Resource Connection, enable individuals with developmental disabilities to work within the community in which they live. Services include working with the employee to create a plan for employment support, such as completing applications and locating job services before hiring, to providing ongoing support for larger, more complex job requirements after hiring.

“Vocational rehabilitation services step in to provide training support or ongoing job support for the employee, as needed, with no cost to the employer,” said Graves. “For Cindy, we worked with her employer to provide early structure and guidance for the first 2-3 weeks, and check in on her regularly to monitor any new support she may need. She’s so independent, though, she really needs minimal involvement from us. “

Graves is part of a larger team that supports Smith, who receives services and support through Indiana’s Medicaid Waiver Program. As one of more than 11,000 Hoosiers receiving an Autism, Developmental Disabilities, or Support Services Waiver, Smith receives assistance and support that enables her to maintain and live an independent life within the community.

Indiana’s Medicaid Waiver program, which is administered by the Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services (a department of Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration), provides individualized supports that help people to live successfully in home and community settings, instead of in institutional settings. These services may include vocational rehabilitation services, such as Graves’ role with Smith upon entering the workforce, or other services the waiver recipient may select to match their needs and goals.

For Smith, continuing to work and live on her own are her priorities. She easily acknowledges the progress she has made toward her personal life goals since receiving the waiver in 2002.

“When I first [moved] here, I didn’t know what independence was and needed a lot help,” explains Smith, who previously lived in a group home before moving into her own apartment in Huntington. “I had to learn that. But I like living alone and I’m going to stay that way.”

As part of the services provided by the waiver program to every waiver recipient, Smith receives case management services from Indiana Professional Management Group (IPMG). Smith’s IPMG Case Manager, Erin Kreigh, works with Smith and the service provider organizations Smith has selected—such as Resource Connection—to ensure her waiver allocation are used to move Smith’s dreams forward and meet her needs.

“As the central advocate for Smith, it’s important for me to ensure she is receiving services and supports that meet not just the things important for Cindy, like health and safety, but also those things important to her, like her job and living independently in the community,” explained IPMG’s Kreigh.

As the sole provider of case management services to Hoosiers receiving a waiver, the service provided by IPMG case management professionals is a critical component for successful utilization of Smith’s waiver. “My goal is to make sure Cindy has a full, meaningful life and gets to live as she chooses,” said Kreigh. “It takes planning and a clear understanding of what Cindy’s priorities and interests are for her life for her waiver services to be successful.”

Kreigh is part of a team of IPMG case management professionals who work to help Smith move toward a more meaningful life. The efforts of this team are led by Smith herself, who provides input and guidance for the direction she wants her life to go. By utilizing a person-centered planning process developed by IPMG specifically for Indiana’s waiver recipients, which focuses on what Smith defines as the vision for her life, Kreigh has clearly defined directives. She then uses these directives to develop and coordinate a plan with Smith’s selected providers to support that vision.

“Living independently and maintaining her job are Cindy’s two top objectives within her person-centered plan,” said Kreigh. “Our job as a team of support providers is to help her continue with those objectives.”

Smith’s tidy apartment reflects the pride she has in her life. While she utilizes support to assist her with some daily living skills, such as financial management, shopping, and transportation issues, she maintains an independent, busy lifestyle.

Along with her job, Smith spends time hanging out with her boyfriend, going to church with friends, cooking for herself, and, for the last 14 years, participating in Special Olympics. Smith’s collection of Olympic medals—many gold—would be impressive for an athlete of any age, much less a 55-year-old athlete. A bowler as well, most of her achievements at Special Olympics have been in the water. When asked which events she swims, Smith responds with pride. “I swim the backstroke, but my favorite is the freestyle. I’m like a fish!”

Cindy’s future plans aren’t any less ambitious. She plans on continuing to work at Johnson’s Junction (where the number of hours she works was recently increased) and is looking for a different apartment closer to town and within walking distance of shopping for even greater independence. Four years after receiving her waiver, Smith has no plans to look back.

“I’ve come a long way,” she said. “I’m living on my own and I do good on my own. I’m thankful for what my potential is, and I’ve learned to grow with it.”

 “Cindy’s success is a complete team effort that starts and ends with her,” said Kreigh. “Her circle of support is there to help her be successful—which I think she’s doing pretty well at—not to decide what her success is going to be. It’s all her decision. It’s just great to be there and share in all of her accomplishments.”

Kreigh notes that Smith’s success is one of many made possible throughout the state by Indiana’s Waiver Program. “Independent living and successful employment are possible for individuals with developmental disabilities when the right supports—structured around the person’s desires and vision for their life—are made available to them,” she said.

For employers like White, Smith’s support helps ensure she has a dedicated, skilled employee. “I don’t look at Cindy as having a disability,” said White. “I just see her as a doing things a little different—not slower, just different. But it doesn’t affect the performance of her job. We didn’t have to make accommodations for her or any exceptions. She’s very proficient and trustworthy in her job.

“And when you get to know Cindy, you begin to understand that she’s really something. She’s a great athlete, a great person to know, and a great employee. I’m so glad we hired her.”