Courtesy of Kee to Independent Growth, Inc.`
By Rod Bacon
Karen Le’Que has a mission in life to help people struggling with mental illness, traumatic brain injuries, alcohol/substance abuse, or geriatric issues return to the most productive lives it is possible for them to live.
To accomplish this goal she is the founder and executive director of Kee to Independent Growth, Inc. (KIGI), a non-profit agency that she established in 2008.
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), Le’Que has received her CORE training certificate, Medicaid Services Coordinator (MSC), and New York State Department of Health training. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Human and Community Services from SUNY Empire State in Saratoga Springs as well as a Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor in Training (CASAC-T) designation.
In addition to her penchant for helping people, Le’Que’s reason for starting Kee stems from family experience. Her husband, John, served as a combat infantryman in Operation Iraqi Freedom, returning with severe health issues that include PTSD and traumatic brain injury. He is in a program to address these issues but it is not through Kee.
Le’Que’s two brothers were also in the military, one of whom returned from active duty with issues with which he couldn’t deal and he died a homeless veteran.
“That was kind of like a steamroller and pushed the whole case management piece over the top and I said, ‘That’s it, I’ve got to do something for veterans as well as people who are disabled.’”
She started in her home with a staff that consisted of herself and one assistant. There are now 58 highly trained associates who serve 500 clients in eight counties.
“We have very diverse services,” she said. “We do in-home counseling that supports the person with mental health, substance abuse, brain injuries, and ongoing medical conditions. It also supports the family member if it’s needed.”
She noted that’s the counseling aspect of the program. There is another service, Psychosocial Rehabilitation (PSR), that is also expanding via the state to Psychiatric Rehabilitation.
Currently, the agency has three physical locations, one in Clifton Park, another in Malta, and the third in Glens Falls, that provide day programs designed to support clients on their journeys toward independence.
“There is a Traumatic Brain Injury program (TBI) and Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD), which is for people with ongoing medical conditions that need support to either come out of the nursing home and go home or prevent them from going there in the first place,” she said.
According to Le’Que, the day programs offer a respite for clients. The person might have Alzheimer’s or diabetes. There are a lot of veterans that come. The clients are dropped off and the staff engages them in activities. They’ve gone to the golf range, on the Lake George lunch cruise, bowling, and to soup kitchens and food pantries to help out. Some do arts and crafts and sell them at a local flea market on weekends.
All associates who work in the day programs must have Personal Care Assistant (PCA) certification from New York state. Managers must have PCA certification plus at least one year of experience. Directors, who oversee the managers at the day care centers, must have a bachelor’s degree in Human Services plus a year of experience.
Another part of the agency’s service is in-home counseling, in which trained staffers carry a case load of clients who live in their area. These people must have Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) certification or Licensed Masters in Social Work (LMSW) certification, both of which are earned through the state.
“In-home counselors help their clients cope with life after an injury or illness,” said Le’Que. “They help them gain acceptance of life as it is now versus as it used to be.”
Finally, there is a Service Department that helps clients connect with the state and local services they may need. These people must have a bachelor’s degree and at least a year of experience.
“A client might need a lawyer or a job or something as simple yet important as a ramp on their home,” said Le’Que. “These people guide them through the process of getting these things.”
For more information go to keetoindependentgrowth.com.