KFI

05/23/2026

We're not the boss. When we are supporting someone, we're on their time.

A good day is not the same as a compliant day. Too often, people with intellectual disabilities are praised for being “good” simply because they followed directions and caused no problems. Compliance may make support easier, but it does not tell us whether the person felt happy, respected, or heard. Doing everything you are told is not the same as living a meaningful life.
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ID: Title reads: Remember: For people with intellectual disabilities compliance is not the same as a good day. Image shows a professional-looking person talking to a support staff person. The speech bubble reads: “He had a really good day today.”
Person with an intellectual disability with a thought bubble: “I did everything you told me to.”

05/23/2026

Registration is open for our fall conference. To register or find out more information go [https://www.sufumaine.org/sufuconference

05/22/2026

The MACSP conference was a great opportunity for learning, networking and having fun!

04/29/2026

Speaking Up For Us annual conference

Registration is open for our fall conference. To register or find out more information go to: [https://www.sufumaine.org/sufu-conference/

04/29/2026

Last week, three members of the KFI Senior Leadership Team were joined by Bangor admin Cynthia and DSP Taylor Dodd for the National ANCOR conference in Boston. They spent 3 days participating in workshops and listening to leaders in our field, focusing on 'Navigating the Now'. They returned home refreshed, with new ideas to make KFI stronger as a provider of service and as an employer.
They also got to connect with ANCOR CEO Barbara Merrill and thank her for her decades of service to this field.

04/28/2026

We recently had the privilege of celebrating Jade Hayden's graduation from Maine Development Foundation's Institute for Civic Leadership as part of the 2025-2026 Goose Eye class. Jade is a Support Coordinator in our Lincoln office. They committed to days away from the office each month, taking a deep dive into the journey to becoming a stronger leader, including 3 days on Hurricane Island with Outward Bound!
Congratulations Jade!

03/16/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1A1CSJPpfv/?mibextid=wwXIfr

A support worker is paid. A friend is not. A support worker writes reports, follows policies, and leaves when the shift ends or the job changes. A friend stays because they choose to. When we blur those lines, we risk asking people with intellectual disabilities to pretend that something paid for is the same as something freely given.

Real support should make friendship possible, not replace it. The goal of support is not to become someone’s social world, it is to help them build one. When staff step back from trying to be the friend, space opens to help people to build friendships with neighbours, coworkers, classmates, and community members. The measure of good support is not how close the staff relationship feels. It is whether the person’s life is bigger, richer, and filled with people who are there because they want to be.
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ID: Fionn holds a cardboard sign above his head that reads "I don't want support staff as friends" - a person walking by has stopped to read the sign.

12/31/2025

Our DSPs make a difference every single day.
Thank you. 💙💙

12/27/2025

Russell started a new volunteer gig at a local food pantry. We believe that volunteering is a great way to give back to the community and Russell agrees! He is really enjoying getting to know people and helping others.

12/22/2025

No power? No problem! Some of our Millinocket crew got together at the Stewart Professional Learning Center / CoWork / Escape Room last Friday to celebrate the holidays by candlelight. Fun and games when the power came back on!