Empowered Services provides statewide support for people with I/DD across Oregon. We listen to what matters to each person and support authorized services around their approved plan, routines, choices, goals, and relationships—with a care team that stays connected after services begin.
Founded 2018 in Oregon36 counties statewide accessEnglish & Spanish support
StatewideSupport inquiries across Oregon
Care teamPeople who know you and follow through
2018Founded in Oregon
36 countiesStatewide access and accountability
Your choiceSupport shaped around the approved plan
Follow-throughA care team stays connected
Who we serve
Support built around real life.
People come to Empowered Services from different starting points. What stays the same is the need to be heard, respected, and supported by people who follow through.
People and families seeking I/DD support
Whether you are starting services, changing providers, or trying to understand the next step, we help make the path clearer and connect authorized support to everyday life.
Empowered Choice creates a pathway for a trusted person to be considered as the paid DSP when authorization, relationship, program, and employment requirements are met.
If you do this work, you should have training, clear communication, real backup, and people you can call. Our care model is built to support the caregiver as well as the person receiving services.
Helping people thrive through exceptional care relationships.
Empowered Services was built for people and families who needed more than a name on a list. They needed someone to listen, understand the person behind the plan, and stay connected. We believe good support respects choice, builds confidence, strengthens relationships, and makes everyday life more possible.
Our core values
Six values. One shared why.
These values are not decoration. They guide how we listen, make decisions, support relationships, and follow through.
01
Integrity
We do what we say we will do. We are honest and dependable, even when no one is watching.
02
Empathy
We listen first, keep listening, and meet each person with patience, warmth, and respect.
03
Synergy
People, families, DSPs, care teams, and partners accomplish more when responsibilities stay connected.
04
Community
Good support reaches into real life—relationships, routines, neighborhoods, activities, and places that feel like home.
05
Advocacy
We speak up, protect choice, and keep the person’s voice at the center of decisions.
06
Legacy
We want everyday support to leave behind greater confidence, stronger relationships, and positive change that lasts.
The center is never a schedule to fill. The center is the person being supported.
What is different
More than a DSP. A care team that follows through.
The relationship matters, and so does the structure around it. Our job is to help the person, caregiver, family, and partners know who is responsible and what happens next.
Support that fits the person
We learn what matters: routines, communication, goals, preferences, support needs, location, and the approved plan. If someone already has a trusted caregiver in mind, Empowered Choice may provide a pathway. If not, our matching process helps explore fit.
Support does not end when a DSP starts. Care Managers and Care Coordinators help with communication, delegated DSP oversight, changes, documentation, required reporting, and follow-through around the care relationship.
Caregiving can be demanding. Regular check-ins, training, clear communication, self-care, and community care help caregivers feel less isolated and more supported in the work.
Your care team can help connect people with local resources, events, activities, relationships, and community information that fit their lives. Our Resource Hub is available whether or not you receive services from Empowered.
Different roles carry different responsibilities, but they work together around the customer and caregiver journey.
Regional Care Manager
Connects regional care strategy, community partnerships, customer and caregiver experience, and the local relationships that help support work.
Care Manager
Owns county-level care accountability and DSP workforce outcomes, helping make sure responsibilities, follow-through, and support remain clear.
Care Coordinator
Provides frontline coordination, delegated DSP oversight, communication, documentation, and practical follow-through around assigned care relationships.
Specialist support
HR, compliance, billing, recruiting, community relations, and other specialists support the people and systems behind safe, dependable care.
Families often tell us the difference is simple: someone answers, someone follows through, and someone really cares.
Every person deserves a full life. Every family deserves support that feels personal, steady, and human.
“The grandkids test: Would I trust this caregiver, DSP, or provider with my grandchildren?”
John D. Marvin · Founder
John D. Marvin started Empowered Services with a belief that people with I/DD deserve more than services. They deserve respect, belonging, trusted relationships, and the chance to live with greater choice and confidence.
Leadership connects mission, operations, regional care, workforce support, and the systems that help people know what comes next.
Dylan Surrett
Chief Executive Officer
DSP-to-CEO. Dylan began his journey with Empowered as a Direct Support Professional, giving him firsthand understanding of what quality support looks like in real homes and routines. His leadership spans disability services, compliance, workforce development, and organizational systems. His connection is personal, too — he provides long-term care for an individual who now lives with him full time, and leads with empathy, clarity, and a belief that services should be built around real people and real outcomes.
Sandi Byers
Chief Operations Officer
Sandi Byers is Empowered Services' Chief Operations Officer. With more than 16 years of experience in Special Education classrooms, I/DD foster homes, and direct support, she brings practical knowledge and a deep commitment to helping people thrive. Sandi strengthens the teams and everyday systems that keep care dependable, helping customers, families, caregivers, DSPs, and staff feel supported and connected.
Jessica Sands-Bowling
Director of Operational Excellence
Jessica is a people-first leader with a degree in Intercultural Ministries and experience teaching English and ESL, coaching, and working as a Special Education Teacher's Aide and Educational Assistant. She brings a strong background in education, service, and the I/DD community. Today, she guides regional and county teams across onboarding, care coordination, community partnerships, and care delivery, helping customers, families, caregivers, DSPs, and staff feel heard, respected, and confident about what comes next.
People behind the care
Meet your Empowered team.
Meet the Regional Care Managers, community managers, Care Coordinators, and specialists who support customers, families, caregivers, DSPs, community relationships, and the systems behind care across Oregon.
Regional & Community Managers
Managers connect regional care, customer and caregiver experience, billing, bilingual support, community partnerships, and local follow-through.
Kennedy
Regional Care Manager · Yamhill & Washington
A Social Work graduate who fell in love with the I/DD community as a DSP.
Will
Regional Care Manager · South Willamette Valley
Decades transforming the lives of teens and adults with disabilities.
Janette
Billing & Spanish Community Manager
A Woodburn native whose childhood role translating for her parents shaped a lifelong commitment to bridging communication gaps for Spanish-speaking families.
Care Coordinators
Care Coordinators stay close to customer and caregiver journeys through communication, delegated DSP oversight, documentation, and practical support.
Evy
Care Coordinator · Marion & Polk
A former DSP whose family roots in the I/DD community shape every interaction.
Ruth
Care Coordinator · Multnomah, Clatsop & Columbia
Caregiver, DSP, Case Manager, and RBT who leads with advocacy and connection.
Audrey
Care Coordinator · Lane, Linn & Benton
A Springfield native whose passion for vocational training builds confidence.
Sandra
Care Coordinator · Clackamas
A George Fox Social Work graduate with a heart for community-rooted care.
Emma
Care Coordinator · Washington
A public health graduate and DSP who leads with empathy and kindness.
Natali
Care Coordinator
A native Spanish speaker with four years in the I/DD community and a heart for genuine connection.
Specialists & community support
Compliance, recruiting, HR, community relations, events, and other specialist support help the people and systems around care work well.
Yecenia
Standard Model Compliance Specialist
A trauma-informed advocate who helps people feel seen, valued, and supported.
Lily
Community Relations & Events Coordinator
A social worker and human-rights advocate walking alongside people building full lives.
Mellisa
Recruiting & HR Specialist
A proud Oregon native with 9+ years helping candidates feel confident and comfortable.
Our standards
Warmth with structure. Care you can count on.
Trust grows when people communicate clearly, complete required training and checks, protect information, document services carefully, and work with the person’s authorized team.
Prepared DSPs
DSPs complete required hiring, background-check, onboarding, and training steps before they begin authorized services.
Records that keep care connected
Required service documentation, updates, and reporting help keep authorized support connected to the person’s plan and care team.
Privacy held with care
Personal information is handled through appropriate systems and channels and shared only as needed for legitimate care and agency responsibilities.
Respect and access
People should be welcomed with dignity, respect, clear communication, and reasonable support for language and accessibility needs.
Partnership with case management
We coordinate with Services Coordinators, Personal Agents, and other authorized partners so responsibilities and service information stay connected.
Honest next steps
We do not determine I/DD eligibility or authorize service hours. We explain what Empowered can do, what still needs authorization, and who owns the next step.
Mon–Fri, 8:00 am–5:00 pm PT · English & Spanish support · Oregon Relay 711
John D. Marvin founded Empowered Services with a vision rooted in dignity, purpose, and the belief that every person with intellectual or developmental disabilities deserves the chance to live a fulfilling, empowered life.
That vision was shaped alongside his late wife, Sarah, whose faith, compassion, and heart for the I/DD community remain woven into the agency's mission today. Her legacy continues to guide the culture of care, connection, and service that Empowered Services is built on.
John's commitment to the I/DD community began in high school as a teacher's aide and Special Olympics volunteer, and continued through decades of service and leadership, including involvement with the Special Olympics Oregon Planning Board. He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in Christian Ministries with a focus on Organizational Leadership from George Fox University — a foundation that continues to shape how he leads: with purpose, integrity, and heart.
What brings John the greatest joy is seeing the right support relationship come together: families feeling seen, customers gaining confidence, and providers becoming trusted partners in someone's daily life. For him, the work has always been about people first.
A Canby, Oregon native, John is a devoted family man. He is now married to Dr. Nicola McFadden-Marvin, Founder and CEO of Nikimac Solutions Inc., who serves as a strategic consultant to Empowered Services. Together, John and Niki share four sons and four grandchildren. John is deeply involved in his church and community, and enjoys the outdoors — including hiking, bow-hunting, and time in nature.
Dylan Surrett leads Empowered Services with a rare combination of operational strategy, direct-service experience, and personal commitment to the I/DD community. Before becoming CEO, he began his journey with Empowered as a Direct Support Professional — giving him firsthand understanding of what quality support looks like in real homes and relationships.
His leadership spans disability services, compliance, workforce development, team support, and organizational systems — building the infrastructure that helps customers, families, DSPs, Care Coordinators, and staff feel supported at every level.
Dylan's connection is deeply personal. Through direct caregiving and long-term advocacy for an individual in his care who now lives with him full time, he has navigated behavioral supports and complex service systems firsthand. That lived perspective shapes how he leads — with empathy, clarity, and a belief that services should be built around real people, real needs, and real outcomes.
Outside of work, Dylan and his wife live an active life with their growing crew of animals, chasing waterfalls and mountain trails across Oregon.
Sandi Byers is the Chief Operations Officer at Empowered Services. From the moment she joined the team, she felt a strong sense of belonging and shared purpose. That feeling continues to shape how she leads: with warmth, honesty, teamwork, and a genuine desire to help people feel supported.
Sandi was born and raised in Newberg, Oregon, where the close community and surrounding hills helped shape her appreciation for connection and care. Family remains at the center of her life. She is a proud wife and mother of three grown sons, each of whom continues to bring joy, humor, and meaning to her life.
Her career has been rooted in service to people with disabilities. With more than 16 years of experience, Sandi has worked in Special Education classrooms, I/DD foster homes, agency settings, and direct support. These roles gave her firsthand understanding of the daily realities faced by customers, families, caregivers, DSPs, and support teams. They also strengthened her commitment to helping each person recognize their strengths, make meaningful choices, and build a life that feels like their own.
As COO, Sandi helps turn Empowered Services' values into dependable day-to-day operations. She supports team consistency, clear communication, service follow-through, and the systems that help care remain connected. Her goal is simple: people should know who to call, understand what comes next, and feel that someone is listening and following through.
At home, Sandi shares life with five rescue dogs and two cats, creating a busy household filled with paws, personality, and affection. She enjoys crocheting, laughing with the people she loves, and appreciating the simple moments that make life meaningful.
Sandi is grateful to serve alongside the Empowered Services team and to support the wider community.
Jessica Sands-Bowling is the Director of Operational Excellence at Empowered Services. She is a people-first leader whose heart for the I/DD community is reflected in the way she listens, solves problems, strengthens teams, and helps make care easier to understand and navigate.
Her background is rooted in education, service, and connection. Jessica earned a degree in Intercultural Ministries and spent years teaching English and ESL at a faith-based school. In the classroom, she found purpose in helping students grow in confidence, recognize their strengths, and believe in what they could achieve.
That same passion followed her into coaching track and volleyball, where she continued encouraging others to develop their skills, work together, and see their own potential. Her path later led to Special Education, where she served as a Teacher's Aide and Educational Assistant. Through that work, Jessica experienced firsthand the importance of patience, advocacy, inclusion, and dependable support.
Today, Jessica guides the regional and county teams that help care come together across Oregon. Her portfolio connects customer access and onboarding, caregiver onboarding and training, Care Coordinators, Spanish community support, county partnerships, workforce capacity, and the systems that keep care moving forward.
In plain terms, Jessica helps make sure people are not left to figure things out alone. She works to ensure questions are answered, responsibilities are clear, teams stay connected, and customers and families know what comes next. She leads with warmth, clarity, and follow-through so customers, families, caregivers, DSPs, staff, and community partners feel heard, respected, and supported at every step.
Jessica is also a thoughtful problem-solver who brings both compassion and structure to her work. She believes strong systems should serve people — not require people to fit the system — and she works to build processes that protect dignity, strengthen relationships, and support consistent care.
Outside of work, Jessica enjoys adventuring with her husband, cheering on her favorite teams, reading romance novels, cuddling her cat, and spending quality time with family. A lifelong Disney fan, she enjoys finding a little everyday magic in ordinary moments — and rarely goes far without her water bottle or a bag of Flaming Hot Cheetos.
Kennedy serves as Regional Care Manager for Yamhill and Washington counties. A recent graduate of George Fox University with a Bachelor's in Social Work, she's passionate about living out Empowered Services' core values.
While at George Fox, she worked as a DSP and found deep fulfillment in supporting the I/DD community through compassionate caregiving.
Kennedy's lifelong love of volleyball has inspired her to coach young athletes, encouraging players to build skills, confidence, and potential.
Originally from Washington, Kennedy now calls Oregon home. She brings empathy, advocacy, and a lively spirit to everything she does.
Will serves as Regional Care Manager for the South Willamette Valley (Lane, Linn, and Benton counties), bringing decades of experience dedicated to transforming the lives of teens and adults with disabilities.
With a Master's in Education from the University of Oregon, Will began his career as a social studies instructor for at-risk teens. His innovative spirit led him to establish the Vocational Academy program at the Pearl Buck Center, aligning with the movement toward more inclusive, empowering vocational training.
Service and creativity run deep in Will's story. His father managed shelters and rehabilitation centers — instilling in Will a profound understanding of compassion's power to effect change.
As a longtime soccer coach, he believes in teamwork and growth through athletics. He also composes music and has contributed to the video game industry on over 70 games. His career reflects a dedication to innovation, creativity, and empowerment.
Evelyne 'Evy' Gianella serves as Care Coordinator for Marion and Polk counties, bringing a heart deeply connected to the I/DD community. Growing up with family members in the community and working as a DSP gave her a true understanding of the joys and challenges families and providers experience every day.
Before stepping into this role, she worked with us as a DSP, where her compassion, dedication, and heart for service were clear from the start. Now she's grateful to walk alongside providers, guardians, and customers — listening, supporting, and helping make daily life feel a little more manageable and a lot more hopeful.
Those who meet Evy quickly notice her warmth, energy, and ability to connect on a personal level. With a background in caregiving and hospitality, she brings experience, empathy, and a genuine love for people.
Evy has spent months traveling through Guatemala, Honduras, and Peru — experiences that deepened her appreciation for people from all walks of life. But her heart is happiest in the Pacific Northwest, where she and her husband enjoy backpacking, snowboarding, and exploring the outdoors together.
Ruth serves as the Care Coordinator for Multnomah, Clatsop, and Columbia Counties. She brings a well-rounded background in the I/DD community and a deep passion for advocacy, dignity, inclusion, and building meaningful connections with others.
Growing up, Ruth developed a love for music and enjoyed playing the piano and violin during worship services that supported the I/DD community in Beaverton, Oregon. She later earned a Bachelor's degree in Music Composition.
Throughout her journey she has served as caregiver, Direct Support Professional (DSP), Case Manager, Registered Behavior Technician, and Care Coordinator — giving her a strong foundation and a deep understanding of the community's needs. She is passionate about advocating for and supporting the individuals and families she serves.
In her free time, Ruth enjoys playing music with her husband, visiting the Oregon coast, and writing songs on the piano. She looks forward to continuing to serve the I/DD community through her work with Empowered Services.
Audrey serves as Care Coordinator for Lane, Linn, and Benton counties, while continuing her work as a Direct Support Professional. Born and raised in Springfield, Oregon, she graduated from the University of Oregon in 2018.
Her journey in the I/DD community began that same year as a DSP. In 2019, she joined a vocational school as a teacher, helping students ages 20 to 70+ develop essential life skills — social interaction, fine motor coordination, coping strategies, and self-advocacy — and led field trips helping many transition from sheltered workshops into the workforce.
Audrey has also taught at a faith-based preschool for over three years.
When she's not working, Audrey enjoys knitting, sewing, and crochet, and loves spending time with her family — and her pet turtle, Fred.
Sandra serves as Care Coordinator for Clackamas County. At the heart of her work is a belief: every person, when offered the right support and meaningful opportunity, can grow, connect, and realize their full potential.
Sandra's path began as a Direct Support Professional. To deepen her ability to serve, she earned her Bachelor's in Social Work from George Fox University, focusing on community-rooted care.
A proud native of the Big Island of Hawaii, Sandra carries the spirit of Aloha — kindness, compassion, humility, and relationship. She shares her Oregon home with her husband and their cat, Miso.
Outside of work she's an avid baker and loves exploring Oregon's natural beauty — hiking, walking near the water, and new adventures to reconnect with nature.
Emma serves as Care Coordinator for Washington County. She is a recent graduate of Oregon State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Health Promotion and Behavior.
Through this role and her work as a DSP, she hopes to build confidence and provide meaningful support to the individuals she works with. Guiding with empathy and kindness, Emma is excited to build new connections with those she serves and to help them grow their independence and feel empowered every day.
Emma previously worked at Disability Access Services at Oregon State University, where she had the opportunity to learn from and work alongside the I/DD community. In that role, she helped connect students to resources and supported them through the process of securing accommodations while in school.
Originally from Colorado, Emma loves spending time outdoors, whether taking coast trips or exploring new hiking trails. She also enjoys browsing farmers’ markets and thrift stores, catching up on her favorite shows, and going to spin class.
Natali Barajas grew up speaking Spanish as her first language — an experience that gave her a deep appreciation for connecting with people and for meeting them in the language and manner that feels most comfortable.
She brings four years of experience supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and she is passionate about helping others live meaningful lives.
Outside of work, Natali enjoys exploring new places around Portland and expressing her creativity through painting.
At the center of her work is something simple: building genuine connections with the people around her.
Janette serves as Billing & Spanish Community Manager, helping make billing, communication, and support more accessible for Spanish-speaking customers, families, caregivers, and community partners.
Her passion for helping others began early — growing up as an advocate for her parents due to language barriers.
She brings a diverse background spanning customer service, caregiving, scheduling, quality control supervision, and case management, and earned her associate's degree from Chemeketa Community College.
Born and raised in Woodburn, Oregon, Janette enjoys Oregon's scenic landscapes, a good cup of coffee, music, and time with her significant other and cat. She's excited to be part of the Empowered Services family.
Yecenia brings experience in social services, banking, and community-focused work, combining strong problem-solving skills with emotional intelligence and real-life experience.
She has supported individuals and families with intellectual and developmental disabilities through service coordination, safety planning, contracts, and advocacy, taking a client-centered, trauma-informed approach.
Her path has been shaped by her own journey of resilience and growth, giving her a strong sense of empathy, honesty, and integrity.
Outside of work, Yecenia enjoys writing, music, movement, and storytelling — using her voice to encourage and uplift others.
Lily is a dedicated social worker and human rights advocate passionate about ensuring everyone has a voice. Person-centered care and nonviolent communication guide how she collaborates with people to meet their needs.
She mentors youth at her local YMCA and advises the Eugene Youth and Government delegation, supporting students in Mock Trial and the legislative process.
Before helping build the Mansfield Hall community for college students with intellectual disabilities, she grew Fair Trade campaigns throughout the Northeast. She loves encouraging people to be the change they wish to see without burning out.
When she's not working, she's outside enjoying nature, painting, or working on her children's book.
Mellisa is a proud Oregon native whose passion for connecting with people has made recruiting the perfect fit. With more than nine years of experience, she thrives on helping candidates feel comfortable, confident, and truly themselves throughout the hiring process.
Known for her bubbly, outgoing nature, Mellisa has a gift for making friends wherever she goes — an airport, a grocery line, or a first meeting.
When she's not recruiting, you'll find her heading to the Oregon coast for a sunset. She's a proud mom to two kids and pet parent to two dogs and one cat.
