Our mission, approach, and team
Our mission is people-centered.
Supporting Independence helps people with developmental or intellectual disabilities in Ohio as they move toward safe, dignified, and sustainable independence, through thoughtful use of targeted social work, assessments for readiness, stabilizing routines, assistive technology and remote support.
Our vision prioritizes preparation.
Supporting Independence helps counties, SSAs, individuals, and families achieve successful transitions from one-on-one support to remote support by prioritizing preparation, stabilization, and education rather than rushed implementation.
Our approach places dignity first.
Our work is delivered through a structured, dignity-centered approach that includes:
- A clear commitment to dignity, choice, and right-fit support
- Targeted social work to reduce anxiety, align expectations, and support change Intentional use of home-based personal care to stabilize routines and prepare for transition
- Assistive technology used only when it meaningfully reduces risk or safely replaces staff time
- Shared planning for phased transitions away from one-on-one support
- Remote Support positioned as the long-term solution, not the starting point
Through this approach, Supporting Independence reduces failed transitions, supports more stable independence, improves quality of life, and responsibly stewards waiver resources.
Our team is committed to respect.
Supporting Independence is a team of approximately 30 professionals who share a commitment to dignity-centered support and thoughtful transitions toward greater independence. Over the past ten years, our organization has grown steadily while maintaining a focus on careful planning, ethical decision-making, and respect for the individuals and families we serve.
Our staff bring experience from a range of disciplines that support successful transitions, including social work, home-based support, assistive technology, and remote support coordination. This cross-disciplinary perspective allows our team to work collaboratively with individuals, families, Service and Support Administrators (SSAs), and provider partners to design supports that reflect each person’s goals and daily routines.
Supporting Independence is led by Tricia Venable, LSW, whose leadership emphasizes preparation, education, and responsible stewardship of resources within Ohio’s developmental disabilities system. Under her direction, the organization has developed a practice centered on helping individuals and planning teams explore thoughtful transitions toward technology-enabled independence when the timing and conditions are right.
Our team works to ensure that every transition is approached with care, clarity, and respect for the people at the center of the process.