WHO WE ARE

WHO WE ARE

As an organization that serves people challenged with disabilities, Chamberlin House Inc. (CHI) is an incredibly hopeful and positive place. It’s full of people who appreciate the opportunities available to them and who are focused on bright futures for themselves and each other.

Many families of people who are challenged with intellectual and developmental disabilities depend on CHI to provide their loved ones with housing, personal care, life skills training, and assistance with employment opportunities.

Families strained with the challenges of disabilities often become overwhelmed by their loved one’s daily needs for assistance and substantive activities. CHI’s unique housing options, professionally trained staff, and continuum of services are tailored to address the skills that lead to greater self-sufficiency, as well as increased quality of life and meaningful inclusion in a community setting.

OUR STORY

CHI-3-15-35_420x257Founded in 1979, Chamberlin House began as a single home purchased by an Albany family to serve the needs of their disabled family member and other developmentally disabled adults who lived in the local area.

The family, Jim and Nancy Goode, along with Nancy’s mom and dad, Russ and Lila Chamberlin, had a vision that the home and the services provided by the home’s caregivers, would enhance the life of Jim and Nancy’s disabled child, Jimmy, and that of other developmentally disabled adults.

Their goal was to create a home-based community that would give disabled kids better, more independent lives.

Nancy Goode reflects, “We purchased the original Chamberlin House in 1979. The house is named after my mother and father because they so supported Jim’s and my efforts to dream big and establish this first home. chi_450x265We had come to know another Albany family, Joyce and Bill Mitchell, who also had a disabled son, Bill Jr. (Bill Mitchell, Jr. still lives with us). Joyce and Bill became very involved with us by helping to fundraise for the organization and offering support in any way that they could. Bill spent many years as President of our Board of Directors.”

The two families discovered other parents and guardians with the same goals. Through the Goode’s original act of love, they set in motion a non-profit organization that now serves dozens of individuals in several group homes and one apartment complex–all based in Albany, Oregon.

Each of our homes is unique with a variety of support needs. You can click here to review our homes and apartments. We provide 24-hour staffing, seven days a week.

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All of our programs and services are designed to help our residents improve their quality of life, attain their greatest possible levels of self-sufficiency, and enjoy meaningful inclusion within the community.

Because Chamberlin House Inc.’s group homes are licensed as Group Homes through Oregon’s Department of Human Services (DHS), the Linn County Department of Developmental Disabilities must determine the eligibility of individuals seeking residency at Chamberlin House Inc.

Therefore, if you are interested seeking information on residency in one of our homes or apartments, please contact Linn County Developmental Disability Services or call them at 541-967-3890 to inquire about living in our community.

Please note that we are always happy to give you a tour of any of our homes or apartments.

“I love the Chamberlin House and its staff are great. I just can’t even explain how much I admire the staff. All their hearts are in the right place. They love and cherish each and every one of the residents who live there.”

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Administration

Carrie Howell
Executive Director

With over twenty-eight years of experience; Carrie brings with her a wealth of resources, knowledge and capability in the social services field.  Through the years, Carrie has held many positions including: program counselor, program manager and behavior specialist.

Carrie has served as State Director for Dungarvin Oregon LLC, where she was employed for eighteen years. Carrie also worked with Trillum Family Services for eight years. Carrie holds a bachelor’s degree from Oregon State University with studies in Psychology and Sociology. Carrie is committed to carry out our mission and enriching the lives of people with disabilities by providing the highest quality of life to each person served.

Leigh Castleton
Director of Operations

Leigh has worked in the Human Services field since the 80’s and through the years has worked for those who need supports as DSP, program manager, trainer and quality assurance. Leigh transferred to Oregon in 1998 and joined Dungarvin Oregon LLC in 2000, where she was employed for 20 years serving in the capacity of program director, quality assurance/trainer, and for the past 14 years as Director, responsible for the operation of programs such as Supported Living, Employment, Proctor programs for kids and 24 hr. Residential.

Leigh comes to us with years of knowledge and experience and is dedicated to ensuring Chamberlin’s vision is realized through commitment to collaboration and teamwork, supporting staff to achieve successful interactions with client’s needs and helping people in their everyday lives realize their dreams to fruition.

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Gina Loraine-McKibben
Director of Operations

Gina Loraine-McKibben has spent the last eleven years in the human services field working for Dungarvin Oregon.  She took on a variety of roles in the agency; most recently as Director responsible for the supervision of hiring, training, quality assurance, Therap and behavior supports.

Prior to working for Dungarvin, she was in the advertising field for 12 years, but her strong desire for assisting others drew her to human services.  She is dedicated to carrying out Chamberlin’s mission to support people to live their best lives, and to assisting others to do the same.

Cheryl Olson
Human Resource Director

Cheryl has spent the last 18 years in the human services field. She has taken on many roles in administration, including office and human resources management. She comes to Chamberlin House with an abundance of experience in providing quality services to people with intellectual disabilities and supporting Direct Support Professionals to provide those essential support services.

Cheryl oversees the human resources department, which provides support in the areas of recruiting, benefits administration, training, HRIS administration, employee safety and employee relations.

Alisha Tarr
Accounting Director

Alisha has over 18 years’ experience in professional office administration. She has been with CHI since 2011 and oversees the financial management of the organization.

Alisha administers the daily financial transactions, manages service payments for individuals funded through DHS and directs CHI’s participation in the Food Share program. She prepares and delivers the monthly financial statements that summarize CHI’s financial activity. She works closely with our Executive Director around budgetary planning, both for the short and long terms.

Program

Sander House & Scheler House Programs

Suzanne DeRusha, Program Director

Kelly Parvin, Assistant Manager

Mitchell Place Program

Stephanie Lieuallen, Program Director

Lionel DeRusha, Assistant Manager

Tu Dam, Assistant Manager

Lehigh House & Powell Place Programs

Bridgette Barber, Program Director

Allison Jones, Assistant Manager

Goode House & Nancy's Place Programs

Dianna Bates, Program Director

Vacant, Assistant Manager

Chapman House & Dar's Place Programs

Jen Meadowbrook, Program Director

Emma Mills, Assistant Manager

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CHI Board Members:

Joy 4Joy Henkle

Board Chair

Joy’s background is in marketing and advertising. She owned and operated her own marketing and advertising firm for most of her professional career. She and her husband, Bob Meister, also owned Whitewater Warehouse–a rafting and hiking company based out of the Rogue River, Oregon.

Now retired, Joy stays busy volunteering and working on their christmas tree farm. She joined the CHI Board in 2014. Joy lives in Philomath, Oregon, with her husband, Bob.

0181_LizCarle_1328a (2)Liz Carle

Board Vice-Chair

After receiving an undergraduate degree from University of California San Diego, Elizabeth “Liz” Carle went on to graduate from the University of Oregon School of Law. She began her law career as a Deputy District Attorney for Benton County and remained in that position for thirteen years. Following her tenure as a deputy DA, Liz took a position as a Eugene city prosecutor where she worked diligently to negotiate with the Eugene defense bar to resolve cases. Currently, Liz practices law as an associate attorney at The Reynolds Law Firm, P.C. in Corvallis. Her practice centers on family law.

Liz joined the CHI board in honor of her late father who taught developmentally disabled children his entire professional career. Liz said her father was truly dedicated in his quest to help his DD students achieve the most out of their learning experiences and, therefore, function better in the communities in which they lived.

Elaine 3Elaine Chapman

Secretary

A retired Medical Technologist, Elaine worked at Salem Memorial Hospital and Albany General Hospital before retiring in 2012. She joined the CHI Board in 2004.

Elaine has been involved in the care of individuals with disabilities for most of her life–beginning with a brother who was diagnosed with Down Syndrome and then her own developmentally disabled daughter born years later. Her knowledge and empathy for disabled adults shines through and that understanding of their needs brings a unique and important perspective to the Board’s decision making process.

Elaine and her husband, Bob, live in Albany. They have two adult children and two grandchildren.

CHI-44-4Dave Schnebly

Treasurer

Dave Schnebly retired from First Interstate Bank which was assumed by Wells Fargo Bank after thirty five years of employment in various management positions in Oregon. He has lived in Albany since 1991 with his wife, Gay, a retired Educator at Pendleton High School.

They spent twenty years in Pendleton prior to moving to Albany. Dave is presently on the Board of FISH of Albany and is a member of the East Albany Lions Club and the United Presbyterian Church.

While in Pendleton he was a Board Member of  the Pendleton Round-Up Association, Happy Canyon and was active in City Government.

Nancy 4Nancy Baisinger

Voting Member

Nancy was educated as a Medical Technologist but spent most of her life devoted to helping to improve group homes for mentally and intellectually disabled adults. Her passion comes naturally in that she and her husband have a mentally disabled adult son who currently lives in a Corvallis group home.

Nancy joined CHI’s Board in 1998 because she felt that she could contribute positive insights from the perspective of a parent with a disabled child. She served as CHI’s Board President for many years.

Nancy lives in Albany with her husband, Glen. They have another adult son.

CHI-44-5Rolland Brower

Voting Member

Rolland Brower has been a local insurance agent for nearly 30 years.  He grew up in the Eugene/Springfield area and moved to Albany in the summer of 1980, which he now considers his hometown.

Rolland is involved in many civic activities which in the past included Special Olympics and the Planning Commission for the City of Albany.  Currently, he is active with the Kiwanis Club of Albany where he has previously served as President and on the Board of Directors. Working with the Special Olympics and caring for parents who developed dementia has given Rolland an awareness and appreciation of some of the challenges faced by those with disabilities.

Rolland and his wife Judie Weissert were married at their home where they enjoy spending countless hours puttering around.  They have two adult children and 4 grandchildren that keep them busy in a variety of activities.  When not at home, they both enjoy traveling and spending time camping with their RV.

Chambers, DarleneDarlene Chambers

Voting Member

Darlene and her husband, Dave, have farmed in Albany’s Dever-Conner area for over 45 years. Besides farming, Darlene’s professional background includes teaching, marketing, and business management careers. Darlene’s personal interests are unique and diverse. She enjoys outdoor activities; hiking; beachcombing; reading; knitting; spinning, dyeing, weaving and felting fiber.

Darlene has lived in Oregon nearly all her life; graduating from Albany Union High School and Oregon State University. Darlene and Dave, along with their son, Eric, remain active farming their hazelnut orchard. On many days, you can find Darlene—along with her loyal dog, Cookie—in her barns tending her Oregon-registered fiber goats called Pygoras.

Clark, Terry cropTerri Clark

Voting Member

Teri Clark grew up in Willamette Valley. She worked for Samaritan Albany General Hospital for 42 years; retiring as a hospice nurse.

Teri remains active in the ethics committee at the hospital. She served as an Albany Public School Foundation Board Member for 14 years. In her retirement, Teri enjoys her granddaughter, quilting, and traveling.

amyAmy Price

Voting Member

Amy is a Principal Broker and manages the Albany branch of Coldwell Banker Valley Brokers. She has been a practicing real estate agent since 2003. Born and raised in Albany, Amy understands the demands of our local marketplace.

As a past member of the United States Air Force, she is guided by its motto: “Aim High.” Amy reinforces that motto in her personal real estate practice by focusing on the details of every sale and striving to offer her clients the best real estate experience possible.

Amy has three adult children, lives in Linn County, and is a past board member for the Women’s Council of REALTORS, Willamette Assoc. of REALTORS, and a Coldwell Banker “Sterling Society” award recipient.

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Kathleen Walker

Voting Member

Currently the Special Education Director for Monroe School District, Kathleen has dedicated the past 34 years to the field of special education working with students and families.  During the past 16 years she has been the SPED director for large school districts in the mid-valley and small school districts in Eastern Oregon.   She also had the opportunity to serve as an Elementary Principal for an additional 3 years in rural Baker County.  She was very fortunate to teach students with a variety of abilities for 15 years at Baker Middle School in Baker City, Oregon.

Kathleen holds a B.S. and MEd from the University of Idaho and advanced graduate work from Boise State University with administrative licensure through Lewis and Clark.

Kathleen and her husband, Mike, have lived in Albany since 2008.  They have two adult sons and four grandsons.