Becky Kitz < Back Becky Kitz Treasurer Resides in North Bend BA in Business Management from Eastern Washington University Mother of two children, one with developmental disabilities Self-employed as Becky Kitz, CPA PLLC Snoqualmie Valley Special Olympics organizer Currently serving on the Executive, Finance (Chair) & Fundraising Committees Has served as Board Vice President in the past Board member since 1/2003 Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved

Mike Ernst < Back Mike Ernst President Resides in Issaquah Has a daughter with developmental disabilities Long time supporter of the LEO mission Has served on the Housing and Fundraising Committees, and the Executive Board Long time LEO Board Member Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved

Leo Finnegan < Back Leo Finnegan Past President Resides in Issaquah BS in Mechanical Engineering, Gonzaga Univ. MS in Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Notre Dame Parent of five children, one with developmental disabilities Retired from Puget Sound Energy –Director of the Power Plant Engineering & Construction Department Founder of the Challenge Series Races in 1980 Special Olympic coach – basketball (35 years) & softball (27 years) Chair of King County Board for Developmental Disabilities Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved

Alyssa Midgley < Back Alyssa Midgley Executive Director Alyssa Midgley (Executive Director) – Over 30 years of experience in supporting community-based housing and care for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). She has worked closely to support caregivers, residents and families to create successful and sustainable adult family homes and shared living homes. Educating families to navigate the housing system in Washington State and sharing her expertise through education and advocacy is her passion. She is excited to be part of Life Enrichment Options community.

Jin Lee < Back Jin Lee Business Operations Jin Lee (Operations Manager) – As a lifelong resident of Issaquah, Jin is a strong supporter of local organizations, starting as a volunteer at the Issaquah Food Bank when he was in high school. He attended the University of Washington and successfully completed an MBA. With 20 years of experience in real estate, property management and owning and running businesses, Jin's hope is to help LEO lay a foundation to become a large, established nonprofit.

Jiff Searing < Back Jiff Searing Past President and current Housing Committee Member Resides in Issaquah BS in Building Construction from the College of Architecture and Urban Planning from University of Washington Parent of two children, one with developmental disabilities Retired from Sellen Construction Co., Inc. after 23 yrs. as Project Manager and Estimator for large commercial general contractor Special Olympics coach for Issaquah High School LEO Housing Committee Chair Board member since 8/2006 Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved

Nancy Whitaker < Back Nancy Whitaker LEO Board Emeritus Resides in Snoqualmie Valley BA in Sociology from Seattle University Parent of four children, one with developmental disabilities Retired Executive Director of Encompass Northwest Member of the Snoqualmie Valley Rotary Club LEO Board member from 6/1996 to 2/2018 The fourth LEO Adult Family Home (AFH) is named “The Nancy Whitaker House” Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved

Angela Dews < Back Angela Dews LEO Founder, LEO Board Emeritus Resides in North Bend Parent of a son with a developmental disability Co-Founder of Life Enrichment Options Organization (LEO) in 9/1988 Member of LEO Board of Directors for many years. Past President of the LEO Board of Directors. Over 30 Years of Advocating for those with Developmental Disabilities Guiding Light in the Creation of LEO Adult Family Homes The third LEO Adult Family Home (AFH) is named “The Angela Dews House” Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved

Jane Searing < Back Jane Searing Board Advisor Resides in Issaquah Parent of two children, one with developmental disabilities Managing Director in Deloitte Tax’s Private Wealth practice, specializing in tax-exempt organizations, private foundations, and philanthropic planning. Previously at Clark Nuber PS Expertise in tax planning and compliance for not-for-profit organizations, private foundations, charitable giving strategies, and communicating with the IRS. Long time LEO supporter, speaker, seminar leader, and LEO Board advisor. Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved

Peter Walters < Back Peter Walters Grant & Administrative Specialist Peter Walters (Grant & Administrative Manager) – He is passionate about work that gives back and strengthens communities where he lives, works, and plays. Peter has worked for the government at local, County, and State levels, managing contract services and grants and as an acting liaison for community stakeholders. His connection with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) started in Issaquah, where he managed recreation registration and respite programs for adults with IDD and coached Special Olympics basketball. He is excited about the opportunities LEO provides for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helping people live independent and enriching lives in a vibrant community.

Housing Options What do you need to put in place to be ready for the future for your family member with intellectual and developmental disabilities? Housing Options in Washington State Visit the DDA website for additional information This page contains links to third party links including PDFs located on Washington's DSHS website, and videos on Youtube. If any links are no longer working, please contact us and we will remove or update them as quickly as possible. Thank you! Alternative Living Housing Model – Individual Person 40 hours per month of support while you live independently. Training Independent Skills Create many goals and work on skills to meet those goals from your person-centered service plan with an Alternative Living provider. You are responsible for your living expenses while living in a home or apartment you rent or lease. If living with a parent, you may receive service from an Alternative Living provider for up to six months. Alternative Living is not personal care. In addition to working with an Alternative Living provider, you may work with an Individual Provider to receive person care if you need it. Alternative Living Fact Sheet.pdf Alternative Living Video - YouTube Companion Homes – Individual Person Receive one-on-one habilitation services, including: assistance with daily care, medication management, medical appointment scheduling (and more) while living in your Companion Home provider’s family home. You agree on how much money you pay your Companion Home provider for room and board, and you may keep some spending money for yourself. You get to choose at least one goal to work on with your provider from your Person-Centered Service Plan. Note: A Companion Home provider is not the same as an Individual Provider. Companion Home Services.pdf Companion Homes Video - YouTube Group Training Homes or Group Homes Receive habilitation services, assistance with community activities, menu planning and cooking, medication management, medical appointment scheduling (and more) from provider who leases or rents a home you share with others (five-12 people total). You pay room and board through a cost-of-care fee that’s based on your income. Receive a monthly allowance to pay for personal items and activities in your community. Group Training Homes are non-licensed facilities, operated by a non-profit provider. Group Homes are licensed facilities operated by either a for-profit or non-profit provider. Both settings have specific requirements related to the layout and safety of the home Group Training Homes Fact Sheet.pdf Group Homes Fact Sheet.pdf Group Training Homes Video - YouTube Supported Living – Individual or Group Receive habilitation services, assistance with community activities, menu planning and cooking, medication management, medical appointment scheduling (and more) in a home you own, rent or lease with up to three other people. You pay for your food, utilities and personal expenses with your own income. Supported Living services are provided by either contracted community agencies or State-Operated Living Alternatives. You choose your home, roommates and provider. Supported Living Fact Sheet.pdf Residential Care Settings: Adult Family Home – Licensed Residential Care Setting (24/7 supports) Receive assistance with daily activities in a licensed provider-owned home that supports two to eight adults. Caregivers provide assistance with individualized care tasks included in your Person-Centered Service Plan. You pay room and board through a cost-of-care fee that’s based on your income. Receive a monthly allowance to pay for personal items. Specialty training is required for providers who support clients of the Developmental Disabilities Administration. Services may also include Meaningful Day activities. Adult Family Home Fact Sheet.pdf Adult Family Home Video - YouTube Assisted Living / Adult Residential Care / Enhanced Adult Residential Care (24/7 supports) Receive personal care, housing, housekeeping services, meals, snacks, laundry and activities in a facility licensed by DSHS’ Aging and Long-Term Supports Administration. You pay room and board through a cost-of-care fee that’s based on your income. Receive a monthly allowance to pay for personal items. Specialty training is required for providers who support clients of the Developmental Disabilities Administration. Assisted Living, Adult Residential Care and Enhanced Residential Care Facilities Fact Sheet.pdf Donate Make a one-time or recurring donation through our website. Donate Get In Touch Let us know how you'd like to help First name Last name Email Write a message SUBMIT Thanks for submitting!

Karl Pauly < Back Karl Pauly Housing Committee Member BaSC Civil Engineering, University of Waterloo Arrived in Issaquah via transfer from Toronto in 1993 Retired construction executive after 30 years in the commercial construction industry Active in local events Enjoy all outdoor activities, particularly biking, sailing and skiing LEO Housing Committee Member Member of the Advocacy Committee Ready to Help? Learn how you can make a difference! Get Involved