Lameda’s journey from a nursing facility back into the community reflects both her determination and the power of person-centered support. A retired pre-kindergarten teacher who spent 10 years teaching in Baltimore City, Lameda has always valued connection and purpose. She often described teaching as working with children from “a clean slate,” helping them learn colors, letters, and the building blocks they were not always getting elsewhere. Returning to the community she loved was deeply important to her, and in the winter of 2020, she began the process of enrolling in the Community Options Waiver with the goal of moving back home.
Service Coordination first became involved in the summer of 2020, when Supports Planner Raquel began working with Lameda. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the planning process had to happen virtually, adding another layer of complexity to an already major life transition. Through person-centered planning and a strong rapport, Raquel learned that leaving the nursing facility quickly and living independently were Lameda’s top priorities. Together, they identified what mattered most in a home, including an open floor plan, an accessible bathroom, elevator access, and proximity to public transportation. These features were especially important because of the medical equipment Lameda uses. By the summer of 2021, Lameda had moved into an apartment in Baltimore County that met her needs and felt like home.
In the summer of 2022, Lameda transitioned to a new Supports Planner, Britney, who has continued to help her navigate a series of significant health and life challenges. In 2023, Lameda developed a wound on her right foot that led to hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and the need to return home with an external fixator. As discharge planning began, a new challenge emerged when her previous personal care agency could no longer serve her because of the type of hospital bed she was using. Britney worked closely with the hospital social worker to help secure a lift for safe transfers and eventually identified a new personal care provider who could support Lameda at home. She also coordinated with the medical equipment supplier, met them at Lameda’s home to verify the bed’s safety features, and helped arrange additional supports such as floor pads to improve stability and safety. Today, Lameda’s foot has healed, her wound care has ended, and she does not need to return to her surgeon for another year.
Beyond addressing immediate medical and service needs, Britney has supported Lameda in strengthening the parts of life that matter most to her. She helped her apply for and receive SNAP benefits, as well as obtain and recertify mobility services. Over time, Lameda began rebuilding trust and opening up as Britney consistently showed reliability, advocacy, and compassion. Britney encouraged her to reconnect with interests she once loved, including writing poetry and making jewelry. Today, Lameda shares her poetry with pride and has begun selling her handcrafted jewelry. She has also built a strong bond with her current caregiver, whom she considers both a friend and a therapist. Perhaps most meaningful of all, Lameda’s relationships with her daughters and grandchildren have grown stronger, and she now enjoys frequent visits with them. With ongoing support, she continues working toward her goals of staying connected to both her family and her community.
In Her Own Words
“Meeting you, Britney, was a breath of fresh air. We have good communication, and I have had no issues whatsoever with you. I feel comfortable with you, we have good conversations, and I’m always calm and neutral after I get off the phone with you. You always keep me in the know of what’s going on and what the next step is for things. I know my waiver paperwork is always done and turned in because of you.”
At Service Coordination, Inc., stories like Lameda’s reflect the heart of our mission: supporting people to live the lives they choose in the communities they call home. Through person-centered planning, advocacy, and meaningful partnerships, SCI helps individuals navigate complex challenges, build on their strengths, and stay connected to what matters most. Lameda’s journey is a powerful reminder that with the right support, independence, stability, and community connection are possible.
