Real people. Real relationships. Real support.
Empowered Services gives one-on-one attendant care to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Oregon. We believe every person should be known, respected, and supported as a whole person — not reduced to paperwork or a schedule.
Who we're here for.
Maybe you need care. Maybe you already know who you want to help you. Maybe you want to do this work. We build support around people, respect, and follow-through.
When you need day-to-day help, clear next steps, and a real person who follows through — we're here.
You deserve care that respects your routines, your choices, how you communicate, and the life you want.
If you do this work, you get training, support, real backup, and a team that has your back.
Helping people thrive through exceptional care relationships.
We started Empowered Services for people and families who needed more than a name on a list. They needed someone to listen, to see the person behind the plan, and to stay. We give care that respects each person, builds independence, and makes life feel more possible.
Care that's kept, not just given.
Six values guide how we work. They are not just words. They are promises we keep every day.
Our six core values
We do what we say we will do. We are honest and dependable, even when no one is watching.
We listen first, and we keep listening. We meet every person with warmth, patience, and respect.
Families, DSPs, coordinators, and partners work as one team. Support holds together.
Good care reaches into real life — friends, routines, neighborhoods, and places that feel like home.
We stand beside the people we serve. We use our voice so theirs is heard.
We build care that lasts — growth, confidence, and belonging that carry forward for years.
The center is never a schedule to fill. The center is always the person being supported.
Values matter when people can see them in how we work. See our values in practice ↓
What our values look like in real life.
Our values guide how we listen, make decisions, support relationships, and work with others.
You may already know the person you want to support you. Or you may need help finding someone. We learn about your day, what you need, how you communicate, and what helps you feel safe. We help you find a support worker who fits your life.
Empathy, Integrity, and Synergy in practice: We listen, we are honest about what we can do, and we work with you.
How we help find a good fit →Your Empowered team stays involved. They answer questions, check in, and help keep your support on track. You have a real person to call when you need help.
Integrity, Empathy, and Advocacy in practice: We keep our word, we listen, and we speak up with you.
Find your Empowered connection →Care can be hard. Families and caregivers need support too. We offer clear help, real backup, and a team to call. This helps care stay strong over time.
Empathy, Community, Synergy, and Legacy in practice: We care for the people doing the work, help them stay connected, and build support that can last.
See how we support well-being →We share simple guides, local events, and county information. These guides help people find answers, connect with others, and choose their next step. You can use them even if you do not get care from us.
Community, Advocacy, and Legacy in practice: We share useful information, help people find their voice, and build for tomorrow.
Find guides, events, and local help →Good support takes a team. We work with the people who help plan care. This may include a case manager, personal agent, school, doctor, and local community groups. With permission, we share what is needed and work toward the same goals.
Synergy, Community, and Advocacy in practice: We work together, help people stay connected, and keep the person at the center.
We share tips for well-being. We do not provide mental health treatment.
Empowered Services supports caregiver, family, and employee well-being but does not provide clinical mental-health treatment. Well-being content is supportive and educational, not clinical, and is never presented as a substitute for professional care.
Many people help. One thing stays the same: the person comes first.
Where this started
Why Empowered Services exists
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 started Empowered Services with one belief: people with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve more than services. They deserve respect, belonging, people they trust, and the chance to live with more choice and confidence.
This belief started early. John worked as a teacher's aide and volunteered with Special Olympics. For years since, faith, family, and community have shaped how he leads. From our Care Coordinators to families across Oregon, Empowered Services stays rooted in real communities and the relationships that make care feel personal.
Watch John tell the founder storyPlay video
Read the full Founder Story transcript →
Meet the leaders behind the work.
Dylan Surrett
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
Sandi brings more than 16 years in disability services — through Special Education classrooms, IDD foster homes, and agency work — giving her a grounded understanding of the people and daily realities that shape quality support. As COO, she translates our heart into dependable operations: team consistency, service follow-through, and the everyday systems that help families, providers, and staff feel cared for. Born and raised in Newberg, she's a proud wife and mother of three grown sons.
Jessica Sands-Bowling
Jessica brings a people-first approach to operational excellence — strengthening the systems, processes, and team supports that help us serve families with consistency and care. Her background is rooted in education and service: a degree in Intercultural Ministries, years teaching English and ESL, coaching, and a Special Education role as a Teacher's Aide that drew her into the IDD community. Today she brings that same heart to operations, helping customers, families, providers, and staff feel heard, respected, and empowered.
Meet your Empowered team.
Meet the Care Coordinators and specialists who support attendant-care relationships, help DSPs, and walk alongside people and families across Oregon.
Care you can count on.
Trust comes from warmth and structure. We talk clearly, train our DSPs, keep careful records, protect your privacy, and welcome everyone.
Every DSP is trained and background-checked before care begins. No surprises at the door.
Clear records and updates keep care on track and connected to your plan and your circle.
Your story is yours. We protect it like we would protect our own family's.
Every person, every family, every background — welcomed with the same care and respect.
We work hand in hand with Services Coordinators, Personal Agents, schools, and community partners.
We share only what is needed, through the right channels. Never shared casually.
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You don’t have to figure this out alone.
Person-centered attendant care built around the individual's authorized plan, routines, preferences, and goals.
Learn about attendant care →Answer a few short questions. We'll point you to the Empowered team member or next step that fits your county and reason for visiting.
Take the quiz →Empowered Choice — a paid pathway for the trusted person already in your life.
Explore ECP →Plain-language guides, our monthly newsletter, and local events — even before you’re ready to start.
Browse resources →Because the right kind of care can change a whole week.