Unsung heroes: Sarah Guinard
- jstong2
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
Introducing Sarah Guinard, Residential Coordinator for Community Entry Services in Riverton.
Housing that comes with transportation and 24/7 supervision is one of the services that makes Community Entry Services a sought for destination for adults with developmental, intellectual disabilities or acquired brain injuries in WY.
But to make this service possible requires the professionalism of several key individuals in Lander, Riverton and Jackson. One such professional in Riverton is Sarah Guinard.
Sarah grew up in Riverton and first came to work for CES 2008 as a Direct Service Professional, caring for a handful of clients in 12 hour shifts 4 days (or nights) per week. After years of consistent service she qualified for the Residence Coordinator role which involves helping run 4 group homes, supervising several dozen clients, about 20 staff members and a small fleet of vehicles.
The buck stops with her 4 days (and nights) a week. This often involves her stepping in to take shifts for Direct Service Professionals who can't make a shift for family or other emergencies, or to help drive clients to doctors' appointments, the hospital or on social outings.
Sarah with Noli, Shaina and Sherry at various events throughout the year.
There is no typical day in the life of a Residential Coordinator. Every day involves inspections of the homes, vehicles, and quality control of services to the clients. Every day involves juggling staff schedules and special activities, coordinating drivers, maintenance crews for repairs, upkeep or snow removal. Guidance for staff and leadership with clients means that Residential Coordinators are often "Jacks/Jills of all trades" to ensure the smooth operation of CES services.
And there's ongoing education!
One of the cultural reasons CES has remained the gold standard of care for disabled adults for 50 years is the ethos of ongoing staff training and improvement. Sarah is no exception to this rule. She's often meeting with peers to review guidelines, rules, State Law and best practices to ensure the homes she supervises are staying ahead of both rules but also any potential problems.
Drills, Drills and Drills.
How often do 'regular folk' drill for fire, earthquake, gas leaks, or intruders?
CES staff routinely schedule role playing drills to go through the best practices for immediately responding to various scenarios that might endanger our clients and staff. Sarah helps coordinate and train these protocols and ensures that if a particular home needs something to guarantee safety we quickly address that needs - whether it's a ramp or extra lighting, or improved doors or vehicles to get clients and staff to safety.
