20 years of helping others

Thousands of Valley families have been served by Mat-Su Services for Children and Adults, Inc. (MSSCA), and now, it's time for MSSCA to celebrate.

The agency celebrated its 20th anniversary last Monday, and through two decades, it has managed to provide countless services to families through both the Infant Learning Program (ILP) and the Supported Employment and Living Services (SELS) program.

"I can't say enough about MSSCA, because they have always been there for me when I've needed them," said Becky Baker, who is a parent of a child with a disability and also a longtime board member. "My experience has always been wonderful working with everyone here. I have no doubt my daughter wouldn't be doing nearly as good as she is if it weren't for the help here."

Humble beginnings

In 1985, Mat-Su Children's Services, Inc. was established by a small group of volunteers who wanted to provide social services to families with young children. The agency assumed responsibility of the ILP, with two part-time employees - Jean Kincaid and Nancy Dryden.

Today, Kincaid is one of two executive directors, and Dryden is a physical therapist in the ILP.

"Everyone thought th e program should be locally-based, so people wouldn't have to go to Anchorage to get these services. That's really how it began, thanks to the effort of a lot of volunteers at the time," said John Cannon, executive director of SELS. "And then, in 1987, we added services that included life-long programs and added 'And Adults' to the agency's name."

Kincaid said the agency's formation was instrumental for the Valley during the mid-1980s.

"It was a good match for the community, because nothing like that was being offered out here," Kincaid said. "We started out small, but come a long way."

Continual growth

In 1985, the program began with a budget of $100,000. In 1987, MSSCA received a grant for $295,000 to help four people in a residential program. Today, the agency has a budget of around $7 million, and serves well more than 300 people. When the agency began, there were two part-time employees - today there are 180 employees, which makes MSSCA one of the top 10 private employers in the Valley.

"The size of our agency and the services we provide have mirrored the growth of the Valley," Cannon said. "It's been quite a challenge but it's been really exciting."

More programs were added through the years, and now the agency spans a wide variety of services. The SELS program offers supported employment, supported living, respite, case management and family support services to people with disabilities. The ILP covers everything from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders to offering car seat safety clinics to new parents.

The programs have served thousands of Valley residents through the past 20 years, in a variety of arenas.

"Our Infant Learning Program staff travel between 600 and 800 miles each month, providing services to people around the Valley," Kincaid said. "If, by going to a person's home, that's the best way we can offer services, that's what we do."

"Consumer-oriented"

The board of directors for MSSCA is comprised much like other boards, with a few exceptions - several positions are filled by people who have, or are still, receiving services.

"It's one thing to talk about the services for those with disabilities, but unless you live with it every day, you don't really understand what the families are going through," Baker said. "I've always liked how consumer-oriented the board has been, and how the agency has been. We, as parents, have a say."

Alaska is at the forefront in offering social services, Cannon said, and MSSCA mirrors that.

"In many ways, Alaska is way ahead of other states. We don't have state institutions, and we focus more on community living instead of shipping people with disabilities off to some institution," Cannon said.

When it comes to offering services, the old real estate mantra of "location, location, location" comes to mind - where the services are offered is just as important as the service itself.

"Alaska is unique because we offer so many home-based programs," Kincaid said. "What's great about Alaska is that the services are truly built around the individual."

Funding

Keeping up with the growth of the Valley has been one of the biggest challenges facing MSSCA, both in terms of funding and services offered. There currently is a waiting list for many of MSSCA services, simply because demand is rising while funding levels are not. MSSCA benefits, however, from very good relationships with funding partners and other agencies, Cannon said.

"Through the years, we have enjoyed very positive experiences and a lot of support from our funding agencies," Cannon said. "The state departments that Jean and I work with have been exceptional."

Kincaid also mentioned that agencies aside from the state are vitally important to the future of MSSCA.

"The United Way is funding our Look-At-Me program exclusively this year," Kincaid said. "Without that kind of support, we wouldn't be able to offer that service. Our community partners have been very supportive of our programs."

Cannon said that without those positive relationships with funding agencies, MSSCA wouldn't be able to offer as many services as it currently does.

"That's why those positive relationships are so important," Cannon said.

The future

MSSCA faces the challenge of keeping up with the tremendous growth of the Valley, but that's a challenge every organization faces. Cannon said he hopes MSSCA will continue to meet the needs of every person with disabilities, and as a parent, that's exactly what Baker likes to hear.

"I think the funding is a concern, but I'm sure that whatever we need in the future, MSSCA will be there," Baker said. "They always have been."