TLHA names Debra Wilbright new Director of Disability Services
Debra Wilbright has been selected to fill the newly created position of Director of Disability Services for The Lutheran Home Association (TLHA). Debra has served eight years as the Administrator of Hope Residence, which provides services to support and enhance the lives of residents living with disabilities such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, ataxia and epilepsy.
The Director of Disability Services is charged with growing services for those with developmental disabilities. This includes new campus development and acquisition as well as enhancing current facilities.
Part of Debra’s work will focus on what’s currently offered at Hope Residence, including assessing the local need for crisis beds and whether Hope Residence could fill that need. She will also determine if living spaces at Hope Residence must be updated to reflect developments in person-centered care and whether there is demand for additional needs-based housing in the area.
Nationally, Debra will evaluate models of care delivery for persons with developmental disabilities. Her goal is to create a service model to address the entire lifespan of those impacted by developmental disabilities and their families.
“Often, parents have fears regarding the ongoing care of their child with disabilities, long after that child can no longer reside with them. We want to look at ways to resolve that fear and help the whole family make the decisions that are right for them,” Debra said.
Debra will remain Hope Residence’s administrator on The Lutheran Home Campus in Belle Plaine, Minn. Her duties as director will be an additional role.
“The residents at Hope inspire me every day, and I’m excited to truly make a difference in the lives of more people as TLHA broadens its reach in the disability community,” Debra said.
Though she holds a bachelor’s degree in corrections, Debra chose to work with individuals with developmental disabilities. She has 16 years of experience in the field and is certified as a Qualified Developmental Disabilities Professional.
“Debra’s patience, compassion and genuine concern for others has been an asset to Hope Residence, and now she will have a chance to share those gifts and her knowledge on a larger scale,” said Michael Klatt, President and CEO of TLHA.
In an effort to expand spiritual services specifically for those with disabilities, Debra will work closely with Rev. Joel Gaertner, National Director of Jesus Cares Ministries (JCM). congregations in reaching out to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and communities. Joel is also in charge of spiritual care throughout TLHA as its
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About The Lutheran Home Association
The Lutheran Home Association is a not-for-profit ministry dedicated to providing for the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of people in our care. We offer a wide variety of health care, housing, and spiritual outreach services with campuses in several states and congregational programs serving seniors and individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities nationwide. Services and programs include senior living, skilled nursing care, memory care, disability services, rehabilitative therapies, chaplaincy, Bible classes, worship services and property management services. Learn more at www.tlha.org, follow @TLHAword on Twitter and “Like” us on Facebook.