Stronger Together: Highlights from Our First Family Advisory Council Meeting
We are excited to share the success of our very first Family Advisory Council (FAC) meeting, held on March 25 at our Montgomery County Community Hub. This important milestone brought together families, leadership, and staff from both Montgomery and Prince George’s Counties to begin building a stronger, more connected partnership.
The evening started with introductions, where families shared their journeys with Opportunities, Inc. Many have been part of our community for 15–20 years, while others are newer to our services. This mix of experiences created a meaningful space for connection, reflection, and shared purpose.
Creating a Space for Family Voice
The Family Advisory Council was established to ensure families have a direct voice in shaping our programs and services.
The group will meet quarterly, alternating between counties, and will provide valuable feedback, recommendations, and insight to help strengthen communication, improve quality, and support person-centered practices.
Looking Back—and Moving Forward
CEO Rob Baynard shared the organization’s journey, from its beginnings in 1964 as a parent-led initiative to today’s focus on community inclusion, employment, and individualized services. As the landscape has evolved, so has Opportunities, Inc., with a continued commitment to helping people build meaningful, connected lives.
Despite ongoing challenges in the DDA system, our leadership reaffirmed a strong commitment to providing high-quality services and working alongside families to navigate the future together.
Impact in Action
COO Daphni Steffin shared key updates and outcomes across the organization, including:
- Supporting 275 people across two counties
- Employing 86 staff members
- Supporting 53 individuals in employment
- Delivering 491 travel training sessions
- Increasing time spent in the community from 30% to as high as 93%
Families expressed strong support for continuing to prioritize meaningful community engagement—not just being present, but truly participating and connecting.
The meeting also highlighted our Route Ready Travel Training program, which continues to open doors for greater independence and access to the community.
Families Leading the Way
Families showed strong interest in being actively involved in the FAC, with all attendees expressing interest in membership and one parent stepping forward to serve as Chair. Additional leadership roles will be finalized in the coming weeks.
Honest Feedback & Shared Priorities
A key part of the meeting was an open discussion where families shared thoughtful feedback and ideas. Common themes included:
- Purposeful and engaging daily schedules
- Opportunities for volunteering and community exploration
- Greater use of public transportation as a learning and independence tool
- The importance of staying on top of Medicaid redetermination to avoid service disruptions
Families also shared ideas for new partnerships and expressed interest in helping expand community connections.
Looking Ahead
The Family Advisory Council will meet quarterly. We look forward to continuing this collaboration, working together to strengthen services, build connections, and ensure the voices of families remain at the center of all we do.
We are incredibly grateful to the families who joined us and are excited for what’s ahead. Together, we are building something meaningful.