About Us
Founded in the early 1970’s, ADVANCE is a private non-profit organization that supports more than 115 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We also provide services to people who have conditions caused by accident, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or diseases such as muscular dystrophy.
ADVANCE supports people in self-direction through person-centered plans aimed at achieving the outcomes people want for their lives. In order to achieve those outcomes, ADVANCE provides a wide array of services at a variety of levels to support people at home, at work and within their community.
ADVANCE employs over 200 people working in a variety of areas all focused on fulfilling our mission and vision through person-centered services and supports. The support provided by Direct Support Professionals lays the foundation in making sure people are living the lives they want. Direct Support Professionals are essential to providing education, experience and exposure to the world around us, as well as advocating for the people they support.
ADVANCE supports, encourages, and actively seeks connections and personal relationships in our community, building the social capital that is so essential in providing the services we do. In addition to volunteering in the community in a variety of ways, we provide numerous educational experiences to students at SDSU, including internships. In all these things, we are working towards our mission to “offer opportunities for people to live their lives to the fullest”.
Brian Ardry
President/CEO
Brian joined ADVANCE as a direct support staff in 1990 while still attending college, then moved to being a Residential Instructor in 1991. He was promoted to a Residential Supervisor position in 1994, then became a Support Coordinator in 1996. He held that position until 2007 when he became the Director of Residential Services, serving in that capacity until being named President/CEO in 2014. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Sociology with minors in Psychology and Religion from South Dakota State University. Brian and his wife Sohee have two children, Jane and Micah.
ADVANCE Board of Directors
Ryan Schiller
Jerry Raabe
Zach Anderson
Patrick Siegling
Jeff Siekmann
Jill Thorngren
Tim Conner
Nancy Schade
Teree Nesvold
Lonnie Kuch
Sarah Meusburger
Paula Stromer
NON-DISCRIMINATION STATEMENT
In accordance with Federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, the USDA, its Agencies, offices, and employees, and institutions participating in or administering USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication for program information (e.g. Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.), should contact the Agency (State or local) where they applied for benefits. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. Additionally, program information may be made available in languages other than English.
To file a program complaint of discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form, (AD-3027) found online at: http://www.ascr.usda.gov/complaint_filing_cust.html, and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:
(1) Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights
1400 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20250-9410;
(2) Fax: (202) 690-7442; or
(3) Email: program.intake@usda.gov.
This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Contact
For more information, contact the Child and Adult Nutrition Services office at (605) 773-3413.
IRS RETURN OF ORGANIZATION EXEMPT FROM INCOME TAX