Employee Testimonials - Director of Residential Services

Mandy Flower, Director of Residential Services, has been at Heartspring four and a half years. She was originally hired as a Home Coordinator and was later promoted to the director position. Mandy earned her Bachelors Degree in Political Science from the University of Kansas and has a Masters in Public Administration from Wichita State University.

When asked how she became interested in working with people with special needs, Mandy gave a surprising and unusual answer. “During my undergraduate education, I interned for a Senator who was instrumental in the closure of the state hospital and the creation of community based services in Winfield, Kansas. This sparked my interest in the field, and diverted my passion from politics to working with individuals with developmental disabilities. After receiving my undergraduate degree, I worked in management for an agency that provided services to adults with developmental disabilities.” Mandy was from Winfield, so it was a natural fit for her to work with an agency that was created after the closing of Winfield State Hospital.

Mandy found out about Heartspring through her job in Winfield. She moved to Wichita and began working at Heartspring while she was finishing her Masters degree. “Heartspring presented a great opportunity for me to help students with special needs attain their full potential. I heard that the progress that the students made was astounding. I have seen first hand the remarkable work the organization, teams, and para-educators do every day. It is wonderful to be able to say that I am part of this fine group of professionals.”

Mandy has a big job at Heartspring. There are eight supervisors who report directly to Mandy, and approximately one hundred and twenty staff in the residential program, which provides services 365 days a year.

Mandy has a hard time coming up with just one thing that she enjoys most about her job. She says, “Our parents are fantastic and are motivators to us all. I have the luxury of working with tremendous home coordinators and direct-care staff. They are responsive to the students' needs and ensure that every moment is a learning moment for the student’s we serve. Our direct-care staff members are not just great employees, they are phenomenal people. The work they do every day with the students we serve is just amazing.”

When it comes right down to it, though, Mandy’s favorite part of the job is working with the students themselves. “Our students help me learn something new every day. We are so fortunate in the residential program because we believe that the little things in life should be valued and appreciated.” When a student learns a new skill like tying his shoes, the entire home celebrates.

In the end Mandy says, "Heartspring has enabled me to appreciate the finer things in life and take time out for myself and appreciate things that other people may take for granted. It is a wonderful feeling to be a part of something much bigger than just working a desk job."

Content published January, 2008.

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