Welcome to Exemplar, the Benchmark Human Services (Benchmark) company newsletter. Enjoy, and please contact our Development team with any questions: [email protected].
Customized Solutions for Complex Needs
By Chris Diehl, Vice President
One of Benchmark’s defining strengths is our ability to create customized, effective solutions for individuals with complex behavioral needs. We believe every person deserves access to high-quality care, delivered in the community they call home.
In 2019, the State of Delaware sought to transition two of its residents, then living in Massachusetts, closer to their roots. Benchmark responded. With a strong presence in neighboring New Jersey, we stepped in to support these individuals and worked closely with the Delaware Division of Developmental Disability Services (DDDS) to ensure a safe and successful transition to community-based living.
As Delaware continued to identify other individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities whose needs exceeded provider capacity, the State formed a workgroup to design a new model of care: Enhanced Residential Supports. Given our existing partnership and track record of success with individuals who have significant behavior support needs, DDDS asked Benchmark to bring that vision to life.
In November 2023, Benchmark opened its first home in Delaware. We now operate three homes, with the capacity to serve nine individuals referred directly by the State. Each home offers a high level of care, including a 2:1 staff-to-individual ratio and a dedicated clinical team consisting of a Registered Nurse, Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Licensed Social Worker, and Advanced Practice Nurse. Frontline staff receive intensive training and are expected to become Registered Behavior Technicians to ensure the highest quality of care.
While our daily focus is on supporting individuals in better managing their behaviors, the ultimate goal is to help them transition to a less intensive level of care in a less intensive waiver setting. That vision is already becoming reality—one individual has successfully “graduated” from Enhanced Residential Services, with more to come.
Our Delaware team is passionately committed to carrying out Benchmark’s mission. We are honored to partner with the State to keep Delawareans home and support them in building fuller, more independent lives—right where they belong.
Attending the Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference in August? Our partners at the State of Delaware plan to discuss this program during a conference session. The event agenda will be updated with details.
Growing Relationships
Dorian Riddick is Benchmark’s State Director of Delaware. We’re proud to share his Benchmark Story, describing how he built a relationship with one of the individuals served as this person grew to trust our team—and make a new connection on his own. Watch it here.
“This is just one of the many stories we have,” says Riddick. “We’ve been able to experience ‘the peak’ with several of the individuals we serve.”
Riddick joined Benchmark as the State Director of Delaware in 2023, overseeing the implementation and launch of our Enhanced Residential Supports program.
“It feels absolutely amazing to be able to effectively add positive supports in individuals’ lives, so they can overcome what they once struggled with,” says Riddick. “We know we can continue improving services, updating supports to meet new challenges individuals face as they grow. As we pour into them with supports, we start to see them evolve and some of those challenging behaviors begin to fade away.”
One of Benchmark’s corporate principles is Services should be designed with the client (customer) choice in mind. Programs should be wrapped around people rather than forcing people into fixed programs. Our work in Delaware is a prime example. In addition to our collaboration with the State, Riddick and his team take a customized, person-centered approach to help each individual meet their goals.
“We show up every day to put our best foot forward,” Riddick says. “When we achieve successes, especially ones that were previously ruled out for certain individuals, it’s an amazing accomplishment. The work can be challenging, but at the end of the day when we know somebody has reached their goal and they are happy—it just makes everything worth it.”
To learn more about the Enhanced Residential Supports program and Benchmark’s other customized solutions, please contact our Development team: [email protected].
Arkansas Active Consulting Program Receives “The Game Changer” Award
In the Arkansas Active Consulting program, we collaborate with Summit Community Care to support individuals with complex needs including intellectual and developmental disabilities and behavioral health disorders. Together, we aim to help each individual find stability in their community placement and improve their quality of life.
Benchmark’s Active Consulting team is proud to receive “The Game Changer” award from Summit in recognition of our exemplary partnership. According to Summit, more than 80 members with complex needs who were served in 2023 were able to stay in their homes and communities. View the data.
We are thankful for the ongoing collaboration with Summit Community Care and the opportunity to support individuals with complex needs.
Upcoming Conferences
NASMHPD 2025 Annual Meeting
On July 27 – 29, our Development team and Vice President of Behavioral Health will exhibit at the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) Annual Meeting. Sarah Chestnut, National Director of Business Development Strategies; John Lovett, National Director of Clinical Development; and Brian Gill, Vice President of Behavioral Health will be in attendance. Stop by our booth to learn more.
HCBS Conference
We are proud to sponsor the 2025 Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) conference. From August 24 – 28, Sarah Chestnut, John Lovett, and Chris Diehl will join you in Baltimore, MD. Our partners at the State of Delaware will discuss the Enhanced Residential Supports program during a conference session. Keep an eye on the event agenda to learn more.