10 Reasons We’re Grateful for Professional Parents

At RISE Services, Inc. Utah, Thanksgiving is the perfect time to express gratitude for professional parents. These state-certified caregivers play an essential role in supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). The unwavering commitment they show shapes countless lives, providing stability, compassion, and a true sense of belonging. 

What Is a Professional Parent?

Professional parents are specially trained individuals who offer in-home support to individuals with IDD. They go through an in-depth certification process and ongoing training to address the unique needs of those they welcome into their homes. RISE Services, Inc. Utah proudly offers three types of Professional Parenting services:

1. In-home support provides a full-time placement for individuals with IDD
2. Host Home placements, which offer semi-independent living options for adults seeking more autonomy
3. Respite Care, allowing part-time foster care that gives primary professional parents the chance to recharge while ensuring continuous quality support

Countless Reasons to Be Thankful

There are countless reasons to celebrate what professional parents do each day to support the individuals in their care. Here are just a few reasons we are deeply thankful for their work:

1. Compassionate Support: Professional parents provide individualized, daily support that helps each person develop confidence and independence in a family environment.
2. Expert Training: Their commitment to ongoing training in behavioral, therapeutic, and trauma-informed care ensures that individuals receive the highest-quality support and understanding.
3. Creating Stability: Professional parents offer consistent routines, safe environments, and a sense of home, which are essential for emotional and social development.
4. Flexibility and Patience: By tailoring services to each individual’s changing needs, professional parents foster lasting relationships and stability.
5. Empowering Growth: They celebrate every milestone, whether big or small, and encourage individuals to participate in community life, educational opportunities, and recreation.
6. Family-Based Alternatives: Professional parents are a key part of providing family-based care for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience life in a nurturing residential home.
7. Teamwork: By working alongside RISE Services, Inc. Utah staff, medical professionals, and other caregivers, professional parents help coordinate comprehensive care plans that maximize each person’s potential.
8. Providing Relief: Through Respite Care, professional parents step in to support fellow caregivers, allowing everyone to prioritize self-care while ensuring individuals’ needs are always met.
9. Role Modeling Inclusion: Their example of empathy and advocacy helps create more inclusive communities for people of all abilities.
10. Lasting Impact: The connections professional parents build can shape lives for years to come, laying the foundation for brighter, more fulfilling futures.

Professional parents are a vital part of our mission at RISE Services, Inc. Utah: to provide opportunities for and with people. Their support gives individuals with IDD a chance to thrive. 

Contact RISE Utah Today

At RISE Utah, our appreciation for professional parents extends year-round. Are you inspired by their work and want to know more about fostering? Contact RISE Utah today to learn how you can make a lasting difference in the lives of individuals with IDD!