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Melissa Venrick is the Director of Clinical Services for Empowering People Inc. She is responsible for overseeing and advocating for the physical health including the well-being of all individuals in the ICF/DD and Waiver locations. She has been promoting health and wellness for individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) since 1994. While in nursing school she volunteered for her local EMS and completed EMT training intending to pursue a career as a Flight Nurse. After nursing school she attended Paramedic training as well as accepting two part time nursing positions; charge nurse in a 34 bed ICF/DD facility and hospital float nurse covering ICU and the medical/surgical units. She later accepted a full time position in a long term care facility but continued to work her days off at the ICF/DD facility. Soon her dream of becoming a Flight Nurse was replaced with advocating and providing care to individuals with IDD. She has served as a charge nurse, delegating nurse, DON, QIPD and worked in ICF/DD facilities, group homes, and waiver settings. Always eager to learn and experience new things, Melissa also worked as an investigator for the County Coronerā€™s office and as a camp nurse providing medical care to adults and children with Traumatic Brain Injury, IDD, severe behaviors, and asthma.

Melissa was drawn to providing care and supporting individuals with IDD because there seemed to be very few people supporting them to achieve their wants, needs, and dreams. She wanted to offer her voice and determination to speak up on their behalf to ensure they received everything most people took for granted. They need people to advocate for their rights, medical treatment and options, and to find ways to help them reach their goals. Melissa enjoys finding ways for individuals to learn new tasks, obtain new jobs, live in a smaller setting, and experience new things. The joy of watching individuals achieve these dreams only made her want to work harder to make more dreams a reality. Her passion for supporting individuals with IDD compelled her to volunteer to be a guardian for an individual whom she once worked with. This gives her additional knowledge and avenues for advocating within the legal system for her friend as well as the individuals she serves. She is a member of the Developmental Disabilities Nurse Association. She has been an RN trainer for DODDā€™s Medication Administration Curriculums since 2000. She has also been teaching First Aid, CPR and AED for the Red Cross since 2000.

Melissa is the proud mother of two children. She enjoys attending and sometimes coaching soccer, softball, gymnastics, swimming, and any other sport that takes her childrenā€™s fancy. The family enjoys exploring the great outdoors whether it be traveling, hiking, canoeing, camping or laying outside in a hammock reading a book. They enjoy celebrating and decorating for all the major holidays and throwing elaborate birthday party celebrations. They have shared their home with as many as 5 dogs, 2 cats, 2 rats, and a handful of fish. Although these numbers are currently down, they are not accepting any new pets at this time. Melissa is deeply committed to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with IDD throughout their lifespans by offering practical solutions for the unique barriers that can occur in challenging situations and conditions.