Lincoln Burr was named Director of HIL early in 2001 after having served as Director of another ORP company, Paragon Industries, for six years. Linc first started at HIL in 1990 with a background in sales and business. He worked at every level of the company, starting out as an outreach counselor, then working as a manager and then as the Coordinator of Services in Sheboygan County.

Linc holds a degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Business and Human Development. He has extensive experience in the field of disabilities, particularly in residential, vocational and day programming services. He has a firm grasp of the challenges that face all residential providers and has a true empathy for the people HIL serves and cares for, as well as the concerns of their guardians.

 

 

Lynn joined the staff of Homes for Independent Living in 1992, starting as a direct service employee and moving on to the following positions throughout her career:  Senior Independent Living Assistant, Program Manager in Waukesha County, Program Coordinator in Jefferson County, and Regional Director of Brown County.  When in Brown County, she was responsible for business development and oversight of this new region.  As the current North Area Director, Lynn is responsible for oversight of five northeast Wisconsin counties:  Brown, Manitowoc, Outagamie, Sheboygan and Winnebago and leads the northeast area development team.

Lynn has a Bachelor’s Degree in social work and is currently working on obtaining her nursing degree.  She offers expertise in a very wide range of service areas and enjoys the satisfaction in developing new residential options for individuals who need support dealing with cognitive and physical challenges.  Achieving the most optimum level of quality supports is Lynn’s primary professional goal.

Phone: (262) 334-2284
kklika@hil-wi.com
Kathy received her Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from UW Whitewater in 1983. Kathy has over 20 years experience working with HIL and the people we serve. Kathy has worked in every capacity at HIL, starting as a direct care worker. She has been a Senior Counselor, Program Manager, County Coordinator and Regional Director. She previously served as Regional Director for several different regions which included the counties of Green Lake, Jefferson, Waukesha, Washington and Winnebago. She supervised residential programs for people with developmental disabilities and chronic mental illness, and she has been involved in HIL's growth and development for many years.

Kathy has been HIL's Admissions Director since 1995. Her excellent abilitiy to match services with the people needing services comes from her experience. Kathy is responsible for keeping current on available HIL residential openings and other services, assessing individuals and recommending the most suitable placement; helping with transitional planning; communication with families/guardians, case managers and placing agencies; facilitating the transition to the HIL home or apartment; and recommending new services as needs arise.

Kathy is on the Social Work Advisory Board at UW Whitewater, and had a case study on "Empowerment for Individuals With Disabilities" published in a textbook by Charles Zastrow. She has also presented at numerous conferences on disability related topics.

Kathy says that one of the most powerful experiences of her career was when she met with a young woman who had sustained a traumatic brain injury. She was living in a nursing home, and was planning on moving into an HIL home. Kathy asked her what she was looking forward to the most when she moved. She said "I'll be able to take a bath every day." Kathy says "that conversation crystallized for me what our services are all about--supporting people to live a typical life in the community--something that most of us take for granted."

 

 

Sara Allen is the Regional Director for Homes for Independent Living’s Brown County Region.  She began employment with Homes for Independent Living in August 2006.   Sara brings over 18 years of experience working with people with disabilities, and has employment history in both residential and day services settings.  She has worked in many different capacities, and has provided services as a direct care live-in staff member, working one-on-one with an individual who had severe behavioral challenges. Sara has also functioned in Program Management and Case Management postions. 

Sara is pursuing a nursing degree at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC), and enjoys spending time with her family, friends and her dog during her free time. 

 

 

Jill began her career with Homes for Independent Living in June of 2000 as a Supervised Independent Living Assistant. After a few days, she was promoted to Program Manager for a program in Brown County that serves 5 people with developmental disabilities. This program was very successful and Jill soon opened another program for people with challenging behaviors. When that program was stable, Jill then opened two four bed programs, and functioned as the Program Manager for those two programs and the home serving the people with challenging behaviors. Jill's commitment to providing quality support and quality assurance led to her promotion to Program Coordinator for the North Area in April 2006.

As Program Coordinator, Jill oversees the Program Managers, the quality of client care and the quality assurance of the programs. Jill is also involved in training staff in medication protocols and OSHA regulations.

 

Heather began her journey with Homes for Independent Living in May 2002 as the Program Manager of a seven-bed CBRF, Rockwood Heights, in Green Bay.  The quality service at Rockwood Heights was a reflection of Heather’s solid leadership and expertise in providing support to individuals challenged with physical disabilities and high levels of personal care needs. 

Heather was awarded a Transition Coordinator position in October of 2005 and is now part of the North Area development team.  She is responsible for assessing the needs of people referred to Homes for Independent Living, facilitating the move to their new homes by ensuring a smooth transition, and making sure that all support needs are in place.  

Heather has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and came to Homes for Independent Living with prior experience working with individuals who were elderly, and with people with cognitive disabilities in both day and residential services settings.

Jill began her career with Homes for Independent Living in March of 2000 as an Assistant Manager for a program in Winnebago County that serves two gentlemen with a primary focus on reducing challenging behaviors.  As a result of her success with this particular home, the County awarded another contract to support two individuals considered to be extremely difficult to serve in a community setting due to extensive behavioral difficulties.  Jill was named Program Manager of her previous program as well as the new program.  Jill’s commitment to providing quality supports for individuals with various levels of behavioral challenges led to her promotion to Transition Coordinator for the North Area in October of 2005. 

As a Transition Coordinator, Jill is involved in the assessment, transition of clients, training of staff, and ensuring overall quality care is being provided to the new clients.  Jill’s passion is to ensure that all new clients feel comfortable in their new home and that they are able to grow both personally and socially.  Jill also enjoys providing the clients with new experiences and growth opportunities.

Melissa began her employment with Homes for Independent Living in December 1996 as an Independent Living Assistant (ILA) in Sheboygan County.  Melissa continued her service to Homes for Independent Living in that capacity while she attended college.  In August of 1999 Melissa transferred to the newly founded Brown County Region and began her experience as an ILA at Rockwood Heights, a seven-bed CBRF.  Melissa’s hard work and dedication to the quality care of the clients and operation of the home was recognized by the Regional Director and she was promoted to Senior ILA, then to Program Manager of the home.  Melissa’s experience at Rockwood Heights provided her with the opportunity to open and oversee the Scott Duplexes in May of 2002.  While at the duplexes, Melissa continued to ensure quality care of the clients as well as community experiences.  While supervising the duplexes Melissa was involved in client transitions and admissions.  This experience led to her promotion to Program Development Manager for the North Area in April 2005.

As Program Development Manager, Melissa is responsible for ensuring that new group homes are fully ready for people to be able to move in.  Melissa’s attention to detail provides quality documentation resources for the staff to utilize in their daily tasks.  Melissa’s organizational skills are reflected in her ability to establish a new program in such a way that the Program Manager of the home is able to focus on providing the highest quality of care without the additional burden of actual program development.  Melissa’s involvement in new programs begins when construction is completed and ends when the final admission occurs.

Melissa holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education with a minor in Broad-field Social Studies from St. Norbert College in DePere, WI.

 

Tom has worked for HIL in Manitowoc since 1989. He graduated from Marquette University with a Bachelor's of Arts Degree in Psychology. His previous experience included being a County Social Worker, holding several positions with HIL and eventually becoming Regional Director for Manitowoc County. Tom has dedicated his life to working with people with disabilities.

Tom has been a consistent and stabilizing presence in HIL for many years, and his dry but delightful sense of humor is legendary. Regarding his vocation, he says he “thoroughly enjoys helping to create good places for people to live and work.”

Tom and his wife, Patti, have two sons, Keith and Aaron, both married, and one grandson, Christopher, 5, unmarried, but with girlfriend….

In his free time, Tom says he enjoys reading, writing, eating, the outdoors, jazz festivals, canoeing in the wilderness, eating, travel, and did he mention eating?

Throughout his 23 years with Homes for Independent Living, Bruce has spent the last 18 years as Regional Director for Sheboygan County, and has also served as the Regional Director for Manitowoc County.  During his tenure with Homes for Independent Living, he has worked and provided community support to people with developmental disabilities, mental health issues, traumatic brain injury, as well as to people with physical disabilities such as multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy.  Prior to coming to Homes for Independent Living, Bruce worked with the Mental Health Association in Sheboygan as a Program Manager for four years in a 14 person CBRF for people with chronic mental illness.  This facility also had two beds for respite and crisis intervention.  Prior to that, Bruce worked at a children’s residential treatment center as a Treatment Coordinator, where he was responsible for the assessment and placement of children, and for maintaining and coordinating contact with case managers and families regarding the care and individual treatment planning for the children.  This position called on his skills in dealing with children who were developmentally disabled, emotionally disturbed, and children diagnosed with autism and autistic spectrum disorders.

Bruce’s educational background includes attending Concordia University in management and communication, as well as innumerable formal trainings in many aspects of providing community-based and therapeutic supports to people with a variety of disabilities.

Bruce continues to be a steady, constant and unfailing influence in the Homes for Independent Living team, and is well-known for his easygoing nature and sense of humor.

 

Todd began working for Homes for Independent Living in Winnebago County in May of 1993.  Starting out as a Direct Care employee, Todd worked as a Senior Counselor, Assistant Manager, Program Manager and Program Coordinator before becoming the Regional Director in 2002.  Todd holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and views his years of experience working directly with people as an invaluable asset in helping to meet the needs of the individuals supported in Winnebago County, especially those with significant behavioral challenges.

 

 

 

Sandi Bednarski has been working with Oconomowoc Residential Programs since 1990.  For the first nine years, she was involved in the children’s residential program, Oconomowoc Developmental Training Center, then went to Homes for Independent Living, and has worked with adults with disabilities since that time.  Sandi has held a number of positions within the company, beginning her journey as a Direct Care staff member, then promoted to supervisory and management positions, had functioned as the Homes for Independent Living Regional Director for Waukesha County, and currently functions as the Area Director for Southeastern Wisconsin.  This background gives Sandi a wealth of experience to understand all aspects of what it means to provide quality care.

Sandi has held her current position with Homes for Independent Living since fall of 2005 and continues to look forward to improving the lives of others who have a disability.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, attending sporting events, and being with her family and friends. 

Phone: (262) 757-0513
lbonton@hil-wi.com
Laura's background includes having worked as a dispatcher for an ambulance company, working as a nurse for a Home Health Care and Hospice Company, and as a Director of Nursing at a Supported Retirement Community. Laura was a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) for many years, and earned her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) nursing degree in 1995.

Laura served as an HIL Program Manager for several years prior to taking a position as a Transition Coordinator. In this capacity, she was responsible for assessing, placing, and facilitating transitions for people moving into HIL's homes and services.

Laura's current position is that of Development Coordinator. Although she continues direct responsibility and involvement in admissions and transition planning for people, she is also involved in new growth and development in the Southern HIL area.

 

Originally from Watertown, Teri graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.  She began working in human services, first as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), and then in supported employment services. She then became involved in providing supported community living services, with a brief break that included a short time working in Human Resources.

Teri began working for Homes for Independent Living as a Program Coordinator in Waukesha County in 2001, and accepted a promotion to the position of Regional Director for Jefferson County in 2005.

In her spare time, Teri enjoys training and showing her dogs and horse, running, and reading.

Tracy Noble is the Regional Director for Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha Counties.  She joined Homes for Independent Living in 2002 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy and shortly thereafter completed a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology.  Her education and experience in working with those with disabilities accents her day to day interactions with the staff and clients that she works with.  Tracy is best characterized as a hands-on, direct leader with a passion for maintaining and providing “above standard” services to the clients. She enjoys the ability to promote client choice for those living within the community and is a strong advocate for those living with a disability. She also strives for identifying and establishing the best living environment for clients of Homes for Independent Living in Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha Counties. She is an exceptionally dedicated leader who promotes quality of life for clients, as well as quality services provided within the Regions she supervises.

Dianne has worked with adults and children with special needs for over 30 years.  She is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, with a Teaching Degree in Special Education, and has experience working with early childhood, middle school, and secondary school children.   Her work with adults includes direct service and program management for developmentally disabled and mentally ill individuals receiving residential, day treatment and vocational services. Dianne joined the Oconomowoc Residential Programs family of companies in 1992 as the Program Director and Group Homes Director of Oconomowoc Developmental Training Center.  In 1995, she moved to Homes for Independent Living as the Regional Director for homes for individuals with developmental and mental health needs in Washington County and homes for individuals with mental illness in Waukesha County.  Since then she has worked closely with direct care and supervisory staff to continually improve the services provided and quality of life of people living in these homes. 

Recently, Dianne assisted with the development of a new sister company in the Oconomowoc Residential Programs family, Oconomowoc Home Health Care.  She is the Administrator for this company, which is state licensed to provide skilled and personal care for individuals living in Homes for Independent Living homes.  The coordination of residential and home health care services ensures each person receives the personalized support and assistance needed in the comfort of their home. 

“Maybe it’s my background in teaching, but I feel it is essential to provide staff with quality, ongoing education to continually improve the knowledge and skills required to care for those who are entrusted to our care.” 

 

Sharon was hired by Homes for Independent Living in 2001 as Program Coordinator for Waukesha County.  She was promoted to Regional Director for Waukesha County in 2005 and currently functions in that capacity.

Sharon graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1994 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work.  Prior to her joining Homes for Independent Living, she worked with older adults in Virginia, Illinois and Wisconsin.  Sharon’s previous experiences have included being a Director of Social Work and Admissions, a Director of Marketing, an Admissions Coordinator at nursing care facilities, and a Director of an adult day care center.

Sharon enjoys the challenges of this field and the goal to improve the lives of others who don’t have the voice to advocate for themselves.  “I try to learn from people and be a leader to others to respect every individual we work for and with daily.”