Macon County Commission for Developmentally Disabled Citizens

10/16/2026

Happy Boss’s Day to our very own Nicole!

Nicole is a fierce leader who guides 16 service coordinators across five offices, and she does it with determination, dedication, and a heart of gold!

She is always just a phone call away, whether it’s before, during, or long after business hours. She is a wealth of knowledge, and she never stops learning! From conferences and trainings to phone calls and video meetings, she is constantly expanding her knowledge and finding ways to better support her team.

Not only is Nicole a pro when it comes to paperwork, policies, and procedures, but she also brings some of the most creative and fun ideas to the table, keeping things fresh, engaging, and unique.

She never backs down from a challenge and always finds a way to get things done. We like to say she knows all the answers (even when she doesn't quite yet!). But that's what makes her such a great leader. She isn't the kind of boss who tells you to go look it up in a manual. She's the kind who will roll up her sleeves, help you find the answer, or track down someone who can.

Nicole may be fierce in her approach, but that fierceness comes from a place of passion, commitment, and genuine care for the people she serves and the team she leads.

We are incredibly lucky to have Nicole in our corner, leading our team, cheering us on, and tackling every challenge right alongside us.

Happy Boss’s Day, Nicole! We appreciate you more than you know! 💜

10/12/2026

💙Happy Service Coordination Appreciation Week!💙

As the Service Coordination Supervisor at County Connections, I have the privilege of working alongside some of the most compassionate, dedicated, and hardworking people I know. And while I may be a little biased, I truly believe we have the BEST of the BEST!

So much of what Service Coordinators do happens behind the scenes. It’s the countless phone calls, emails, meetings, problem-solving, advocating, and sometimes fighting battles that others never even know existed. It’s navigating complicated systems, finding solutions when there don’t seem to be any, and making sure the people we support have a voice and opportunities to live the lives they choose.

It’s not always easy work. Some days are frustrating, exhausting, and downright overwhelming. And far too often, the hard work and dedication of Service Coordinators go unnoticed or unrecognized.

But I get a front-row seat to it all. 🤍

I see the compassion. I see the determination. I see the frustration when systems create barriers. I see the excitement when something finally falls into place for someone we’ve been advocating for. And most importantly, I see just how much our team genuinely cares about the people they support.

Our Service Coordinators are fierce advocates with some of the biggest hearts. They go above and beyond every single day, often without expecting anything in return. They don’t do this work for the recognition, but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve it!

As their supervisor, I couldn’t be prouder of this team. I know I challenge them, push them, and hold them to high expectations, but that’s because I know what they’re capable of and how much of a difference they make. And they continue to rise to the occasion.

So this week, I want to shine a little extra light on the people who spend so much of their time shining a light on others.

To my team: I see you. I appreciate you. I am proud of you. Thank you for your compassion, your advocacy, your dedication, and for showing up every day ready to make a difference.

The work you do matters. The people you support matter. And YOU matter!

Happy Service Coordination Appreciation Week!

🤍 Nicole

10/09/2026

⛈️ Weathering the Storm at MACDDS 2026! 🌈

Our County Connections crew had a great time at this year’s annual MACDDS Conference! We learned, we networked, we shared ideas, and of course, we had plenty of fun along the way! 💙

This year’s theme, “Weathering the Storm,” was a great reminder of the importance of staying strong, adapting to challenges, and supporting one another in the work we do.

We were especially proud to have some of our own sharing their knowledge and experiences!

🎤 Service Coordinator Supervisor Nicole Donaubauer joined Melissa Schnelle Johns from Learning Opportunities/Quality Works, Inc.and Andrea Swope from CC Links to present “Standing Strong in Advocacy,” highlighting the importance of using our voices to make a difference.

🤖 QA staff member Brad Turnbull also took the stage as a panelist alongside SETWorks to discuss preparing agencies for AI and the exciting possibilities ahead!

We love opportunities to learn from others, share what we’re doing, and bring fresh ideas back to better support the individuals and communities we serve.

The storms may come, but we’re always stronger when we weather them together! 💙⛈️

10/07/2026

📣 Lincoln County friends, we want to hear from you!

Our friends at Community Opportunities are conducting a Community Needs Survey, and we’re helping spread the word!

If you live in Lincoln County, please take a few minutes to complete the survey and share your input. Your feedback can help identify needs in the community and provide valuable insight into the services and supports that matter most to local individuals and families.

💙 Your voice matters, and every response helps!

👇 Click the link below to complete the survey, and feel free to share this post with others in Lincoln County!

📣 Lincoln County, we need your voice.

Community Opportunities is asking what services and supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) need most in Lincoln County, Missouri.

Why it matters: Your answers help improve programs, identify gaps and guide future planning.

Who should take it:
✅ Individuals with disabilities
✅ Family members and guardians
✅ Direct Support Professionals and service providers
✅ Community members

What we're asking about: housing, employment, transportation, respite, mental health and more.

🔒 The survey is anonymous unless you choose to share your contact information and will close on November 1, 2026.

👉 Take the Community Needs Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MY2D8SQ

Know a family who should weigh in? Share this post. 💙

10/01/2026

Adaptive Equipment Spotlight: High Quad Shooting Mount by BeAdaptive

For individuals with high-level quadriplegia or significant upper-extremity limitations, traditional fi***rm handling may not be physically possible without adaptive support. The High Quad Shooting Mount is designed to help address these barriers by providing a secure, adjustable platform for fi***rm positioning and stabilization.
The mount can be adapted to an individual's wheelchair and physical abilities, helping support participation in recreational and competitive shooting sports.

Adaptive recreation can provide more than an opportunity to participate—it can foster confidence, inclusion, independence, community participation, and a sense of personal identity.
Adaptive equipment opens doors to greater independence, inclusion, and participation. ♿

09/30/2026

🎉 Happy 1-Year Work Anniversary, Jeff Gares! 🎉

Technically, it’s been one year since Jeff came *back* to County Connections… but since he worked with us before, it definitely feels like he’s been here much longer. 😂

If you know Jeff, you know his day is planned, scheduled, and probably broken down to the minute. ⏰ He keeps us laughing, keeps himself stressed over things the rest of us didn’t even know we needed to stress about, and somehow keeps everything moving right on schedule!

We’re glad you found your way back to us, Jeff! 💙 Happy 1 year… again! 🎉

09/28/2026

🌟 September Employee Spotlight: Ashley Hays! 🌟
This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Ashley Hays, our Administrative Operations Coordinator!
If there’s a spreadsheet that needs updated, reorganized, created from scratch, or just needs a little extra magic… Ashley is your girl! Since joining County Connections, she has put her organizational skills and attention to detail to work helping us improve our tracking systems, create new tools, and keep all those little behind-the-scenes details in order.
Outside of work, Ashley stays just as busy as a mom of two, spending lots of time with her family and cheering on her daughter at softball games!
We’re grateful for the knowledge, organization, and support Ashley brings to our team, and for making our spreadsheets look a whole lot better!

09/27/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Anita! 🎂

Your caring heart, willingness to always help others, and ability to get things done are so appreciated. We hope you have a wonderful day, you deserve it! 💙

09/19/2026

🎉 Happy Birthday, Bella Dudding! We hope your day is filled with lots of smiles, laughter, and all your favorite things. Wishing you a wonderful year ahead! 💙🎂

09/18/2026

As we wrap up DSP Appreciation Week, we want to take one more opportunity to say THANK YOU to the incredible Direct Support Professionals who make such a difference every single day! Today we want to give a shout out to staff from Skills Development, Inc., Sunflower Meadows Day Progam, Northern Lights Day Program, Self Directed Staff, Center for Human Services - Missouri, Host Home Staff, and Learning Opportunities/Quality Works, Inc..

We know we weren’t able to get pictures of every DSP and every organization, and we sincerely apologize if we missed anyone. Please know that this week of recognition is meant for all of you. Whether your picture was shared or not, your hard work, patience, compassion, flexibility, and dedication do not go unnoticed.

The work you do helps people live fuller, more independent, and more connected lives in their communities. There truly aren’t enough words to express how grateful we are for everything you do.

To every DSP we have the privilege of working alongside: thank you for showing up, caring deeply, and making a difference every day. Happy DSP Appreciation Week! 💙