We are a family-oriented Oregon IDD support agency rooted in relationship-centered care, thoughtful DSP matching, local Care Coordinator guidance, and practical support that fits real life.
Family-rooted · Oregon-grown · Person-centered since 2018
Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve more than coverage. They deserve dignity, opportunity, and people who truly see them. That belief is why Empowered Services began — and why our team carries it forward across Oregon today.
John D. Marvin Founder · Empowered Services
Who we serve
Whether you are looking for services, choosing a trusted caregiver, or stepping into DSP work, Empowered Services is built around relationship, dignity, and follow-through.
For households that need steady daily living support, clearer next steps, and a local Care Coordinator who follows through.
For adults who deserve support that honors routines, preferences, communication, safety, community life, and personal choice.
For providers who want training, structure, real backup, and a relationship-driven team behind the work.
Why we do this work
Sometimes the biggest relief is simply knowing someone is finally going to call back, follow through, and stay present.
Empowered Services was created for people and families who needed more than a name on a provider list. They needed someone to listen, understand the person behind the plan, and help build support around trust, routines, communication, goals, and community life.
That belief still guides us today. Every person deserves support that honors dignity, strengthens independence, and helps life feel more possible.
Our Values
Seven commitments guide how we show up for people, families, DSPs, and partners. They are not abstract words on a wall — they are the daily promises behind every support relationship.
Inspiration
We start by listening — and we keep listening. No two stories sound alike.
Opportunity
Same time, same care, same kind hello — week after week, for as long as it takes.
Empowerment
We celebrate every win and own every miss — gently, clearly, and with care.
Strong care is not a checklist. It is a relationship sustained over time, kept in real life, not just on paper.
Every person is seen as a whole person — not a diagnosis, a case file, or a schedule slot.
Your voice belongs at the center. Who supports you, and how, is a choice — not a placement.
Trust grows through listening, showing up, and doing what we said we would do.
The same caring face. The same dependable rhythm. Support that becomes steady.
Good support reaches into real life — neighborhoods, friendships, routines, and places that feel like home.
We celebrate everyday wins: a new routine, a steadier week, a moment of confidence or belonging.
Care needs warmth and structure. When something slips, we name it — and we make it right.
The center is never the slot. The center is always the person being supported.
What makes us different
Thoughtful matching.
We pair customers with DSPs who fit the person, the home, and the rhythm of real life.
Empowered Choice.
The trusted caregiver already in your life can become a paid DSP — we handle the credentialing.
Local, dedicated Care Coordinators.
Real humans in your county who know your community — and who call you back.
Not a methodology. A way of working — kept every week.
The Empowered Way
Where this started
Families often tell us the difference feels immediate: someone answers, someone follows through, and someone genuinely cares.
Every person deserves the chance to live a fulfilling, empowered life — and 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 founded Empowered Services with a simple conviction: people with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve more than services. They deserve dignity, belonging, trusted relationships, and the chance to live with greater confidence and choice.
That conviction took shape early — through service as a teacher's aide, volunteer work with Special Olympics, and decades of leadership shaped by faith, family, and community. From Care Coordinators on the ground to families across the Willamette Valley, Portland Metro, the Oregon Coast, and beyond, Empowered Services remains rooted in real Oregon communities and the relationships that make care feel personal.
Read the full Founder Story transcript →
Find your local team
Statewide certified, with active local support across 11 Oregon counties. Three quick questions and we'll point you to the local human on our team who already knows your community.
Meet Your Local Care Team →Our leadership
Behind every family we serve is a leadership team that shows up with compassion, dedication, and purpose — carrying our founder's vision forward across Oregon.
"DSP-to-CEO. Every system we build should serve real people, real families, and real outcomes."
Dylan Surrett leads Empowered Services with a rare combination of operational strategy, direct-service experience, and personal commitment to the IDD community. Before becoming 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, real routines, and real relationships.
His leadership spans disability services, compliance, workforce development, team support, and organizational systems. He is focused on building the kind of infrastructure that helps people feel supported at every level: customers, families, DSPs, Care Coordinators, and the internal team carrying the work forward.
Dylan's connection to the IDD community is also 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, service systems, and complex care-related processes firsthand. That lived perspective shapes how he leads — with empathy, clarity, and a strong belief that services should be built around real people, real needs, and real outcomes.
Outside of work, Dylan and his wife live an active, full life with their growing crew of animals. He enjoys fitness, hiking, spontaneous Oregon adventures, and time outdoors chasing waterfalls and mountain trails across the state.
"Sixteen years in disability services taught me this: strong operations matter because people matter."
Sandi Byers brings more than 16 years of experience in disability services to her role as Chief Operations Officer. Her career has moved through Special Education classrooms, IDD foster homes, and agency work — giving her a grounded understanding of the people, systems, and daily realities that shape high-quality support.
As COO, Sandi helps translate Empowered Services' heart into dependable operations. She supports team consistency, service follow-through, internal communication, and the everyday systems that help families, providers, and staff feel cared for and supported.
Born and raised in Newberg, Sandi grew up in a close Oregon community that shaped her values of connection, hard work, and care for others. Family remains at the center of her life. A proud wife and mother of three grown sons, she is continually inspired by their kindness, humor, and hearts for people.
At home, Sandi's household is a lively mix of four rescue dogs and two cats. When she is not supporting the Empowered team, she enjoys crocheting, laughing with loved ones, and relaxing with a favorite reality TV show.
"I build systems that support people — so customers, families, providers, and staff can all thrive."
Jessica Sands-Bowling brings a people-first approach to operational excellence. Her work centers on strengthening the systems, processes, and team supports that help Empowered Services serve families with consistency, care, and clarity.
Her background is rooted in education, encouragement, and service. With a degree in Intercultural Ministries, Jessica spent years teaching English and ESL in a faith-based school, then coaching track and volleyball — experiences that shaped her ability to help people recognize their strengths and believe in what is possible.
Her path later led to Special Education, where she found deep purpose in the IDD community as a Teacher's Aide and Educational Assistant. Those experiences gave her firsthand appreciation for patience, advocacy, communication, and the power of supportive environments.
Today, Jessica brings that same heart into operations: improving processes, supporting teams, and helping make sure customers, families, providers, and staff feel heard, respected, and empowered. Outside of work, she loves adventuring with her husband, cheering on her favorite teams, and finding everyday magic in the small moments.
The people behind the care
The dedicated team showing up across Oregon — coordinating services, supporting providers, and walking alongside the families we serve. Click any card to read their full bio.
Care Coordinator · Marion & Polk
A former DSP whose family roots in the IDD community shape every interaction. Brings warmth, hospitality, and a love of the Pacific Northwest outdoors.
Read full bio →
Care Coordinator · Multnomah, Clatsop & Columbia
A musician whose path to the IDD community began with worship music in Beaverton. Caregiver, DSP, Case Manager, and Registered Behavior Technician who leads with advocacy and meaningful connection.
Read full bio →
Regional Manager · South Willamette Valley
A composer and educator who has spent decades transforming the lives of teens and adults with disabilities. Founded the Vocational Academy at Pearl Buck Center, and a longtime soccer coach.
Read full bio →
Care Coordinator · Lane, Linn & Benton
A Springfield native and University of Oregon graduate whose passion for vocational training has helped students of all ages step into the workforce with confidence.
Read full bio →
Care Coordinator · Clackamas
A Big Island, Hawaii native who brings the spirit of Aloha to Oregon. A George Fox Social Work graduate with a heart for community-rooted care.
Read full bio →
Care Coordinator · Yamhill & Washington
A George Fox Social Work graduate who fell in love with the IDD community as a DSP. Volleyball coach who lights up encouraging others — on and off the court.
Read full bio →
Standard Model Compliance Specialist
A trauma-informed advocate whose own journey of resilience shapes how she shows up. Guides people through complex systems and helps them feel seen, valued, and supported.
Read full bio →
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.
Read full bio →
Contract & Intake Specialist
A George Fox Psychology graduate and former DSP whose service is deeply personal — her older sister receives attendant care. Advocates with a protective heart and a steady voice.
Read full bio →
Matching Specialist · Meet & Greet Facilitator
A gentle spirit with a strong sense of justice and more than a decade in the IDD community. Builds matches between families and providers that turn into lasting relationships.
Read full bio →
Community Relations & Events Coordinator · SWV Region
A social worker and human rights advocate who walks alongside people building sustainable, fulfilled lives. Mentors youth, advises Eugene Youth and Government, and is writing a children's book.
Read full bio →
Recruiting and HR Specialist & Standard Model Agency
A proud Oregon native with over nine years of recruiting experience, Mellisa loves helping candidates feel confident and comfortable throughout the hiring process.
Read full bio →Our standards
Trust is built through warmth and structure. Empowered Services supports customers and families through clear communication, trained DSPs, documentation expectations, privacy-conscious processes, and a commitment to dignity and non-discrimination.
Every DSP is trained, background-checked, and prepared before support begins. No surprises at the door.
Clear records and communication keep care aligned and accountable — connected to authorized services and the people in your circle.
Your story is yours. We protect it the way we'd want our own family's protected.
Every person, every family, every background — welcomed with the same care, respect, and dignity.
We work hand-in-hand with Services Coordinators, Personal Agents, schools, and community partners — because no one should be carrying this alone.
Sensitive details are kept on a need-to-know basis, communicated through appropriate channels, and never shared casually.
Privacy Policy · SMS Privacy · SMS Terms · Non-Discrimination · Contact Us
Community and resources
We believe families, DSPs, referral partners, and community members should have access to useful information — not only when they're ready to start services, but while they're learning, planning, and asking questions.
Plain-language guides, Oregon-specific information, and answers to questions you didn't know how to ask.
Fresh learning each month — from advocacy and self-care to community events and Oregon IDD updates.
Quiet, monthly notes from our team — useful for families, DSPs, partners, and anyone walking with someone in the IDD community.
What support can make possible
The everyday outcomes we're always working toward — the small, real changes that add up to a different kind of week.
"We finally felt supported."
The exhale moment. When the calls get returned, the questions get answered, and the weight on the household genuinely starts to lift.
A better weekly rhythm.
A morning that runs on time. A quiet hour that didn't used to exist. A schedule that finally fits the household.
A safer community outing.
A trip to bowling. A grocery run. Church on Sunday. The world opens back up — gently, on the person's terms.
A DSP feeling supported.
Real backup. Real training. Real people on the other end of the phone. Care work shouldn't be lonely.
A trusted caregiver, made official.
Through Empowered Choice, the person who already knows the household best can become the paid DSP — with our team handling the credentialing.
Confidence in everyday routines.
Skills practiced. Independence stretched, gently. Small wins that add up to a steadier sense of self.
Already with Empowered?
Already part of the Empowered circle? Here's everything you might need.
Reach the local human who already knows your story.
Answer a few quick questions and we’ll point you to the Empowered team member serving your Oregon county.
Training, support, and guidance for our providers.
Plain-language Oregon IDD guides and learning.
Quiet, monthly notes from our team to yours.
Where would you like to start?
Whether you're looking for support, searching for the right caregiver match, or hoping to join a team that truly cares — we're here to walk alongside you.
Start the customer intake. A Care Coordinator will be in touch within 1–2 business days.
Start Intake →Explore Empowered Choice — a paid pathway for the trusted person already in your life.
Explore ECP →Learn what it's like to do this work alongside our team.
Working Here →Schools, Personal Agents, Services Coordinators, hospitals — let's connect.
Connect with us →Quick links for current customers, families, and DSPs.
Quick links ↑Plain-language guides and answers — even before you're ready to start.
Browse resources →Because the right kind of care can change a whole week.