Meet the New Director of Residential Services, Deanna Allen
Welcome Deanna Allen, Director of Residential Services at Citizens Options Unlimited. Deanna brings decades of experience serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), including her eight years as Director of Residential Services at AHRC Nassau.
“My first goal is to learn as much as I can about the people we support, about the houses themselves, about the people who work in them,” Deanna said. “Because the more I learn, the more I can support them.”
For Deanna, teamwork and open communication are key to delivering exceptional services. Deanna is also focused on creating opportunities for people in residential services to achieve their goals and wishes. She emphasizes the vital role every team member plays in making this happen.
“I always think of my role as leading and supporting,” Deanna said. “So, if I get a call from a house manager, that takes priority – it’s important to get them the tools they need to be successful. I always try and take a step back and look at how we are providing our supports to see what improvements can be made moving forward.”
Deanna’s extensive experience began in 2000 when, while seeking a summer job at a Nassau Community College job fair, where she discovered the role of Direct Support Professional (DSP) with AHRC Nassau.
“I went over to talk to the recruiter, and it sounded like a wonderful opportunity and a great job,” Deanna said.
The opportunity to work with people with IDD served as a full-circle moment for Deanna, as her aunt, Anne Marie, who had a disability, made a strong impression on her.
“It just felt like second nature to me because I grew up with my aunt, and we used to hang out,” Deanna said. “It was something that I definitely cared about because I always wanted my aunt to have the best possible health and life that she could, and having the opportunity to do that for somebody else really spoke to me.”
Thinking it would be short-term, Deanna accepted the job of providing support at a residence, quickly realizing that this was what she wanted to do.
“I liked the feeling of making a difference for someone,” Deanna said. “There’s something so special about walking into a house and being greeted by so many smiles.”
Deanna’s dedication and hard work paid off, as she continued supporting people through many job titles, including manager, program coordinator, assistant director, and director. Additionally, through the agency’s tuition reimbursement program, she earned her master’s degree in human services from Stony Brook University. Deanna is grateful for all the opportunities she’s received to grow her career while making a difference in the lives of people with I/DD.
“I think the most important piece of my job is to make sure the people we serve have the supports that they need. I would like everyone to be happy, healthy living fulfilling lives,” Deanna said.
We look forward to a new chapter of providing quality support and services for adults with I/DD in Suffolk and Nassau counties alongside new Director of Residential Services Deanna Allen.