SNS is a Tiered Supports Agency

Our support coordination staff are trained and competent in implementation of universal positive practices.

Our Values

  • Through compassion, we create connections.

    Compassion means not only caring about one another but also acting accordingly.

  • Through connection, we earn respect.

    Connection is when two or more people interact, and each person feels valued, seen, and heard. It is the feeling of being part of a community engaged in something bigger than any one person.

  • Compassion, Connection, Respect

    Respect is the act of showing appreciation for someone's traits, and qualities, or treating people with dignity and gratitude. An attitude of respect should come as a standard in the workplace regardless of any personal feelings.

Our Support Coordinators listen to individuals'
needs, struggles, strengths, and dreams.

Our Support Coordinators work with you to write a plan with goals that will help you find a way to cope with your struggles, find value in your strengths, and realize your dreams. There is never a time crunch for reaching goals. There is strength in knowing that you have a Support Coordinator who is there for you, answers when you call, visits your home, and will patiently help you.

Parents and Guardians, your Support Coordinator is someone who will…

  • Listen to you while you cry because your child with developmental disabilities has been up for two days (and so have you).

  • Find a way to give you relief and a way to pay for that relief.

  • Listen to you when your adolescent is out of control, and you feel that you have no options.

  • Help you have your adolescent assessed by a mental health professional and link you with needed services.

  • Listen to your fears when your adult with developmental disabilities says he wants to move out of the house on his own.

  • Find out how much help your adult will need to be safe while living outside your home.

SNS is Run By a Board of Directors

  • Kirk Thacker

    Board Chairman

    Founding Member 2016

  • Jodi Dugan

    Vice Chairman
    Member Since 2022

  • Kelly Lampkin

    Treasurer
    Founding Member 2016

  • Julie Chowning

    Secretary

    Member Since 2024

  • Thomas Burton

    Member Since 2023

The Board’s Mission:

WE’RE HERE FOR YOU

Suzan Breen has been a resident of Ray County for over 29 years. She is the founder and Executive Director of Special Needs Services of Ray County. She worked for the Missouri Department of Mental Health for 14 years. Suzan worked for Ray County Senate 40 Board as the Targeted Case Management Director until December 2016. Suzan was given support from the Senate 40 Board to create this 501(c)3 that provides targeted case management to Ray County citizens.

Our income comes from Medicaid, and any excess after expenses is allocated to community programs that benefit Ray County. Additional funding for Programs 1 and Program 2 is provided by several entities, including Ray County Memorial Hospital, Fraternal Order of Eagles, Richmond Rotary Club, and many Ray County Citizens. We do not receive funding from Ray County Taxation.

Without SNS Services, Aaron thinks he probably wouldn’t be here…

After being diagnosed with Autism in 2011, Aaron and his mom discovered Special Needs Services of Ray County. Now they are able to find the right people and the right services to meet Aaron’s needs at each stage of his life.

Because of SNS Aaron is living a more fulfilling life…