FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Meet Tasia Beek, our founder and Executive Director here at Summit Supports. Tasia began her career in the Human Services field in 2002 working at a pre-school for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Duluth, Minnesota. This role inspired her to receive her undergraduate in Early Childhood/Intervention services and Education. Tasia has spent the last 20 years working in the field as a front line supports staff, Director and Executive Director for agencies that service individuals and their families. In 2013 Tasia began working with individuals in Host Home settings and then in 2016, took the role as Executive Director for a Program Approved Service Agency (PASA) in Boulder County, that provides Residential and Community based services to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 2019 she launched Summit Supports to further broaden her impact in the Colorado Front Range. Summit Supports now services the communities of Denver, Thornton, Northglenn, Lakewood, Arvada, Westminster, and the growing number of communities in Northern Colorado. Tasia has a passion and lifelong commitment to supporting individuals of all abilities to lead an independent, fulfilling, and happy life.

DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS

Meet Kate Allison, our Director of Residential and SCC Programs. Kate received her Bachelors of Social Work in 2009 from Colorado State University, where she volunteered for Special Needs Swim and at a group home for adults with IDD. In 2012 she received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Denver. After graduation she worked in a mentoring program that focused on youth with disabilities. She later worked for a local chapter of CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates), supporting volunteers as they advocated for children in the dependency and neglect system. In 2017 Kate moved to the field of Case Management, working with IDD Waivers for children and adults. Here, she found her true passion of work within the field. It is important to Kate that all individuals with IDD have access to services and supports they need and deserve. Through the years she has developed a solid understanding and application of the various services available in Medicaid Waivers. Kate believes that services should be delivered in a person-centered approach and that all people deserve to live their best, most independent life in a way that is meaningful to them.

SUPPORTED EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST

Met Audra Burnett, our Supported Employment Specialist. Audra has been providing services and supports to individuals of all abilities for over 30 years and states it is not only a job, but a passion of hers. Audra began her career as a Residential Counselor in a group home where she supported individual in all aspects of daily living. Following this she had the opportunity to support individuals with disabilities as a job coach and community support staff. Her longest standing role was in the education sector as a paraprofessional and ABA Behavior Technician for Adams 12 schools for over 23 years. For the past 3 years, Audra has been supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a Job Coach and Independent Living Support Staff. As our Supported Employment Specialist she collaborates with the Department of Vocational Rehab (DVR), and numerous community employers to support individuals in securing fulfilling employment. This includes every step along the employment continuum, from resume building, job searching, applications/interviews, and then ongoing job coaching and development to be successful in their careers.

Program Manager

Meet Stela Baker, our Program Manager. Stela received her dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2009. Stela has spent the last 15 years connected to the IDD community both professionally or personally. During college, she began working as a direct support person to elementary-aged twins with complex needs. That one opportunity shaped the rest of her career. Afterwards, Stela obtained an internship with Early Intervention services which turned into a job after graduation. Life led Stela to Hawaii and another position working closely with Autistic children in a community-based capacity in 2010. From 2012 – 2019, Stela was a stay-at-home mother to three young children while her spouse was an officer in the US Navy. In 2019, Stela and her family moved to Colorado where she became a Case Manager and Resource Coordinator for children and adults on IDD waivers. Stela is well acquainted with the waiver services provided across the life span as well as neuro-affirming resources to support individuals to live their best lives. In her role as Program Manager, Stela manages our Supported Employment team, provides client engagement and community outings, manages numerous administrative tasks, and supports in the development and implementation of Summit Adventure as well as SCC activities.