Ep 147: Leading with Compassion: Building Inclusive, Person‑Centered Supports for People with IDD

About this episode

Kari Johnston and Jodie Marotz discuss their experiences and insights on providing inclusive supports for individuals with IDD.

Kari (Carrie) Johnston and Jodie Marotz, leaders at New Horizons and the Human Service Agency in Watertown, South Dakota, discuss their careers and the wide range of supports they provide for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), including group homes, community living, employment supports, day services, mental health care, substance use services, and crisis stabilization. They reflect on their professional journeys, emphasize the importance of training, listening, relationship‑building, trauma‑informed care, and helping people achieve independence, and acknowledge ongoing challenges such as staffing shortages and stigma. Throughout the conversation, they stress seeing people with disabilities as individuals first, remaining calm and compassionate, investing in staff education, encouraging community involvement, and recognizing both the progress made and the work still needed to improve equity, dignity, and quality of life for people with IDD.

People in this episode

Guests: Kari Johnston, Jodie Marotz

Topics covered

• intellectual and developmental disabilities
• person-centered supports
• community living
• employment supports
• mental health care
• trauma-informed care
• staff education

Keywords

• IDD
• compassion
• inclusive supports
• staffing shortages
• community involvement
• equity
• dignity
• quality of life

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: New Horizons, Human Service Agency

Places: Watertown, South Dakota

More episodes of IDD Health Matters

• Ep 151: Improving IDD Healthcare Through Telemedicine and Specialized Training · June 8, 2026 · 28 min
• Ep 150: Empowering Learning: Building Inclusive Skills for Adults with Disabilities · June 1, 2026 · 21 min
• Ep 149: Why 'Not Acting Right' Signals Hidden Health and Life Issues in IDD · May 25, 2026 · 57 min
• Ep 148: Putting People First: The Power of Person-Centered Care · May 18, 2026 · 19 min
• Ep 146: Dental Care Without Borders: Reaching Refugees and People with Disabilities · May 4, 2026 · 23 min
• Ep 145: Personal Experience Driving Better, More Equitable Health Care for People With IDD · April 27, 2026 · 15 min