Who We Are
History
Arkansas Support Network was established in May of 1988 as Family Support Services, Inc. A small group of parents and volunteers incorporated and were licensed by the state to provide support and assistance to a limited number of families who had children with disabilities living in the home with them.
Since 1988, we have added a number of programs and services to complement our original Family Support program. Our guiding principle in 1988 was the belief that individuals who have disabilities and their families should be in control of service delivery. Our job is to assist, not to control. With every service that we have added since 1988, we have tried to adhere to this philosophy.
We believe that every person has the right to live in a home and in the community as an active and accepted member. Our intent is to support the presence and participation of children and adults with developmental disabilities in their homes and communities.
Chief Officers
Syard Evans
Chief Executive Officer
sevans@supports.org
Ginnie Trammell
Chief Operations Officer
gtrammell@supports.org
Director Team
Kasey Hodges
Director of Ethics & Mission Integration
khodges@supports.org
Terri Pegue
Director of Community Engagement
tpegue@supports.org
LaBrenda Cohens
Director of Supports Coordination
lcohens@supports.org
Cynthia Pegues
Director of Compliance & Regulations
cpegues@supports.org
Marie Bryant
Director of Compliance & Regulations
mnisler@supports.org
Councils and Committees
The DSP Council is made of Direct Supports Professionals currently employed by Arkansas Support Network. They serve for
one year and can apply for more terms. Direct support professionals can contribute to organizational changes. The council
helps create policies and procedures that impact DSPs, offer training and resources to DSPs, and push for fair pay and benefits
from elected officials.
The Advocate Advisory Council consists of individuals receiving supports from Arkansas Support Network. Those
selected serve one-year terms and can reapply for additional terms. The Advocate Advisory Council was created to make
sure that the opinions of the individuals supported by ASN have a strong impact on the agency's choices and activities.
This covers hiring procedures, how they are treated by management and staff, recreational choices, and other matters. Moreover,
the council is presented with chances to join regional, state, and national advocacy groups to inspire them to voice
their thoughts in their everyday lives.
The Human Rights Committee (HRC) consists of seven volunteers, which can include individuals receiving services, their family
members, board members, advocates, community members, and employees. Only up to one-third of the members have a direct
affiliation with the agency. The main goal of the HRC is to protect the rights of individuals who are receiving services at Arkansas
Support Network. Its purpose is to ensure the human rights of those receiving developmental disability services from Arkansas
Support Network. The HRC oversees policy and procedure updates, rights restrictions, due process for rights restriction, and the
use of restrictive or intrusive interventions in behavior support plans.