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January 3, 2025 60 mins
In this episode of Finding Common Ground, Heather and Steve sit down with Jennifer Everett, a seasoned first responder, to discuss the crucial role of emergency responders when supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). Jennifer’s journey into the field began with a simple flyer in college—and the rest is history. She opens up about her early experiences supporting people with disabilities and the limited training available to first responders at the time.

Jennifer candidly shares how the field has evolved, noting the challenges first responders face, particularly the surge in burnout rates, which have spiked since the pandemic. But it’s not all struggles—Jennifer also sheds light on innovative solutions that could be game-changers for families in crisis. You’ll want to check to see if these programs are available in your area!

What should families know when they need to call 911 in an emergency? How can they provide the right information to ensure the best possible response? Jennifer’s insights into communication, training, and community engagement provide invaluable tips for families worried about navigating an emergency with loved ones who have special needs.

Tune in for personal stories, expert advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at how first responders are adapting to better serve everyone in the community. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

This podcast is grassroots—no big-name sponsors shaping our content. We believe unfiltered conversations with changemakers like Jennifer can spark real change for families like ours.

Support us by liking, commenting, and sharing this episode on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform. We'd also appreciate if you - Your Supporters’ Club Membership goes directly to covering studio costs and helps keep this podcast going. In return, you’ll get exclusive content and discounts in our soon-to-launch merch store. We prefer to keep this “amongst friends,” creating a podcast with purpose—by families, for families. Your support means everything to us!

Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/finding-common-ground--6199849/support.
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