Hello, I Brian Ball, MBA the Chief Operations Officer of Daily Companions, Inc.  Welcome to our website and thank you for visiting. 

Just a little about me…

I have worked in the Human Service Field since 1997 (20 years).  I received a Bachelor Degree in Sociology in 2002 and  Master in Business Administration in 2005 both from my Alma Mater, Frostburg State University located in Frostburg, MD.  

In 2004 I join the DCI to help make a difference in our local community through multiple professional positions and finally setting into my current position, COO.   

DCI has grown a lot which started in Hedgesville moved to Berkeley Plaza and currently located at Winchester Avenue in Martinsburg, WV.

13 years later, we continue to have a positive impact on our community and members through our Residential, Day Center/ Community Integration and Supportive Employment Programs.

Schedule a visit for more information and take a look inside the doors of DCI.  

Can’t wait to see you soon… 

Hello, my name is Jessica Taylor I am the new Behavioral Support Person (BSP) at Daily Companions. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree at Frostburg State University in Sociology in 2008. I am currently attending Capella University for a Master’s Degree in Mental Health Counseling. I currently am a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) for the state of West Virginia. I have approximately 6 years of experience working in the human service field. I am excited and honored to work for and with Daily Companions for the enrichment of our clients and their loved ones.

I am Pamela Hansen, the new Front desk Facilitator for Daily Companions, Inc.  Having a nephew with special needs has allowed me the opportunity to live my life’s passion, which is working with Adults and Children with special needs.  I knew that DCI was the work place for me when I read the saying “Don’t tell me what I can’t do, let me show you what I can do”.  Little did I know that Arty Smith was the brother of our CEO and this was his saying.

I have been fortunate to spend 27 years traveling the world and making a difference with military families and their children.  I worked for the federal government in the Child Development Service, and Child Development Center as an advocate for Adults and Children with special needs, first as a caregiver and then became a room lead.  I was afforded the great opportunity to live both in Alaska and Germany.  Alaska was where the doors opened for me to live my life’s passion as a room lead.  I was responsible for lesson plans, planning field trips, nutritional needs, as well as developmental growth, physical growth, and social skills for adults and children.  This was by far my most rewarding job.

A move to Texas afforded me the opportunity to receive a degree as a paralegal and my CDA Certificate.  I then spent 15 years with CDS.  In Fort Worth, I was a supervisor at Navy Lodge and then moved forward as a federal employee for the DECA.

I was raised in Sharpsburg, Maryland and now reside in West Virginia to be near family.

Meet the rest of our team

My name is Holly Barry, Customized Employment Specialist with Daily Companions, Inc.  I graduated from Shepherd University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology/Sociology.  I also studied and received training from Shepherd Pratt and numerous other workshops, classes, and training related to social work and human services.  Through DCI I completed the Daniel Memorial Independent Life Skills Training Certification, First Aid/CPR/AED Certification, Health and Safety, CPI and Therapeutic Options Training Certifications.

Over the past 2 years, I have been representing DCI in a community rehab program in which we provide support services for the Division of Rehabilitation.  These support services, along with advocacy and service coordination include community-based and life skills’ assessments and training, job placement and job support coaching.  An important aspect of my work is establishing and maintaining community supports, furthering education and awareness of the public, and connecting for mutual benefits with employers/organizations to meet the needs of our growing community.  I look forward to the challenges of creative programming that effectively serve individuals to improve their quality of life, gain greater independence and provide opportunities for utilizing their full potential through volunteer work experience, community exploration and/or competitive employment.

I have been fortunate to be involved with the Customized Employment Grant Opportunities which has opened doors for many of the consumers we serve.  The hands-on training through Griffin-Hammis Associates for Customized Employment enables the more traditional methods for preparing for and gaining employment to go by the wayside or be modified, bringing new light/new strategies for focusing on the consumer’s qualifications, interests and abilities.  The discovery process is the key concept for identifying the best pathways for career development.  Hence the word “key” unlocking the door to discovering an individual’s talents.

If you are interested in having your loved one gain satisfying employment, don’t hesitate to give me a call at Daily Companions, Inc. Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4 pm.

Meet the rest of our team

I am a Customized Employment Grant Specialist at Daily Companions, Inc.  I earned my Certified Employment Specialist Profession Certificate from APSE in June 2016.  I have over 30 years of experience in the Human Services and Science field.  After receiving a Treatment Nursing Certification from Grand Rapids Job Corp Center in 1985, I worked at the MJ Clark Memorial Veterans Facility.  In 1994 I received my degree in Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse Counseling; this allowed me to work for individuals in recovery, their families, and especially with their children, igniting a passion for helping others see their potential and strength to overcome adversity.  I also worked for several years as a Retention Specialist, helping retain consumers in their current positions.  Moving to WV I worked for 10 years as a Habilitation Specialist with Mid Valley/Northwood Healthcare Systems, helping individuals with I/DD and Traumatic Brain Injuries in Day Habilitation, Residential, Supported Employment and Crisis Unit settings.  Moving to Martinsburg in 2013, I worked with at-risk youth in Berkeley County prior to coming to DCI.

By assisting consumers to find employment through the Customized Employment Grant program, your loved one becomes part of the community where they live, attend events, and have friends.  DCI believes everyone has a right to work, regardless of disability.  It is my job to pull out their hidden talents and discover where they may be best utilized.  My goal is to assist participants in the Grant Program to find employment doing what they choose and succeed through ongoing natural supports.

I also encourage Self-Advocacy in the program – being able to express their need in the community and work environment without fear of discrimination.   Communication is essential to be successful.  Through conversation, listening to one another, and being able to problem solve, we will assist your loved one to find their way in the “Employment” world.

Meet the rest of Our Team

Hi, my name is Sigernia Carper. I am a long-time resident of Jefferson County, WV living in Little Egypt, behind Leetown and now reside in Ranson.  Customer service has always been my life work. I began my career in retail as a drug clerk at Peoples Drug Store and continued when it became CVS. I was a Pharmacy Tech, assistant manager, and manager. I then spent 13 years as a Quality Assurance Supervisor at the Ranson AB&C facility and helped develop a QA department when AB&C opened a satellite site in Orange, VA. I wrote training materials for the clients we served and also taught classes on phone etiquette and client specifics.

I worked for an international company in Hagerstown, MD and talked to customers all over the world letting them know where orders were in the process and estimated date of shipment.

I graduated from Valley College and then was offered a secretarial job until retirement in 2012. I discovered pretty quickly that I was not ready to retire and answered an ad for a part-time receptionist at Daily Companions.

In all my 45+ years in the workforce, I’ve never had a more rewarding, enjoyable and satisfying position here at DCI. This is my first time working with these beautiful people and I never thought about working in this vocation. I don’t think I would have appreciated what they have to share with me years ago. Our clients are amazing and have so much to give. I never dreamed I would be working with intellectual and developmentally adults but what a blessing they are. Everything they do comes from the heart and I am blessed for them to be a part of my life. My life is certainly brighter because of my special friends.

Meet the rest of our team

I started work for DCI in July 2010, first as a receptionist, then Administrative Assistant to the CEO.  Each position has allowed me to see the “inner” and “outer”  workings of DCI.

My background has been in the medical field, working as a receptionist and medical records for Scott & White Georgetown in Texas.  I have also worked the front desk in a nursing home.  This gave me experience working with the elderly, the seriously ill, families, etc.  But I never gave any thought to the special needs population as I never crossed paths with them.  Working at DCI has been and remains a real eye opener!

First, never a day goes by that one of the clients does not fail to hug you, give a compliment, or just make it very plain how glad they are to see you!  No matter their challenges or circumstances, they consider themselves happy, productive individuals.  Really puts any problem I may be experiencing in perspective!

Second, our CEO Ms. Cloughfeather, as well as the rest of our team, are all passionate and totally committed to this population.  Monthly meetings are held to brainstorm about ways to enhance our clients Day Program, such as including yoga, dance, swimming, and drama to work both mind and body.  I am responsible for seeking out speakers to help enlarge our Client’s world such as thru banking, food production, hair and skin care and the like.  The Friday Field Trips remain a real source of pleasure and I strive to find outings that help expand their knowledge of how our world works, the opportunities that they might miss otherwise.  I have found that initially, some individuals and/or companies have been hesitant about hosting our individuals; however, after the field trip, there has always been an enthusiastic “your group is welcome back anytime!” response.

I have had the pleasure of working as a Companion on occasion.  This has enabled me to get better acquainted with different individuals, their hopes, and dreams for now and for the future.  Some may feel that their dreams are unachievable; but think of this – “Life is a song – sing it. Life is a game – play it. Life is a challenge – meet it. Life is a dream – realize it. Life is a sacrifice – offer it. Life is love – enjoy it.” Sai Baba  This is how our Clients live their lives.  What a great example for us all.

I can truthfully say that this is the only job I have ever had where I look forward to coming to work, usually brimming with ideas, and eager to see what the day and the Clients will bring!

Meet the rest of our team

Having a brother with special needs allowed me to see the world from two different perspectives. While I enjoyed the activities offered to those without challenges, it was sad and hurtful to see my brother, Arty denied those activities and to hear crude comments of the public. During my teenage years, I volunteered at Camp Fairlee that worked with individuals with special needs. Because of my volunteer work, I decided to enter the medical field. While in nursing school, I had the honor to meet with Dr. MacEwen, at the Alfred I. Institute. Dr. MacEwen was one of the top surgeon’s in the country that performed surgery on children with physical disability development. I was fortunate to spend time discussing physical disabilities with him, and he was my mentor for my final paper in nursing school. After graduating, I was a neuro-surgical and emergency room nurse at the Delaware Hospital in Wilmington, DE.

Being involved in community service has always been an important part of my life. Because of the impact Arty and the Alfred I. Institute had on me, I decided to contribute to my community by being involved in community development, politics, and I have also written a Mentor Program for women offenders that reduced the recidivism rate during the first and second year after the release of the inmate.

I have raised three children and the proud grandmother of two beautiful grandchildren. I am married and have lived in WV since 2000.

In 2001, Arty’s leg was broken while living in a residential facility in Delaware and I invited my brother to come live with me so I could take care of him. Arty was full of life and enjoyed socializing with friends, visiting new places and eating out at his favorite restaurants. His favorite saying was “Don’t tell me what I can’t do, let me show you what I can do.” I was amazed at the services West Virginia had to offer individuals with disabilities, and I had never heard of another state who offered such wonderful programs.

It was because of Arty and his dreams for himself and his friends that I started Daily Companions, Inc. I promised Arty that Daily Companions, Inc. would always offer the highest quality of life to individuals with special needs.

Today Daily Companions, Inc. specializes in competitive employment opportunities and independent living for individuals with special needs, keeping Arty’s dream alive and well.

Meet the rest of our team