Hosts Christa McCourt and Erin Beavers sit down with Tiffany Blakely, HCS Director, and Kinsey Crabtree, Director of Development at The Village Centers, an organization that's served adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across the greater Houston area for 26 years. Together they open up about what daily life looks like for their “Villagers”, the systemic hurdles families face after their kids age out of the school system, and the deeply personal reasons this work matters to them.
Kinsey shares her story as the mom of two neurodivergent sons, including the heart-stopping day her three-year-old slipped out an open garage door and what that fear taught her about the families she now serves. Tiffany breaks down the Home and Community Services waiver, the years-long waitlists, and why the conversation about a child's future needs to start at diagnosis, not senior year. It's an honest, emotional, and hopeful conversation about dignity, belonging, and making sure no one is forgotten.
Who This Episode Is For
Parents and families navigating a special needs diagnosis, business owners and employers who want to hire more inclusively, educators, healthcare providers, and any community member who believes every person deserves to live with purpose and belonging.
Episode Quote
"We need to make sure that they are seen, they are heard. They get to stand and be a part of this community just like everybody else." — Tiffany Blakely
About Our Guests
Kinsey Crabtree is a nonprofit executive, fundraising strategist, and grant writer dedicated to advancing opportunities for adults with IDD. As Director of Development for The Village Centers, she leads philanthropic strategy, major gifts, corporate partnerships, foundation relations, grant development, and community engagement. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Oklahoma and is completing the Grant Writing Certificate Program through the University of Houston. Above all, Kinsey is a passionate advocate, both as a professional and as a mom, for a world where every individual is seen, included, and given the chance to thrive.
Tiffany Blakely is the HCS Director at The Village Centers and has worked with individuals with IDD for over 10 years. She began her journey at East Mississippi State Hospital in 2012 and later served at the Alamo Area Council of Governments in San Antonio, specializing in HCS and Texas Home Living waiver programs. She joined The Village Centers in December 2022 as an HCS case manager and stepped into the HCS Director role in January 2024.
Connect with The Village Centers
Website: www.thevillagecenters.org
Facebook: The Village Centers
Instagram: @villagecenters
Donate: secure.qgiv.com/for/thevillagecenters
Questions or want to get involved?
Text Kinsey directly at 832-691-2775 or connect with Tiffany by email at
[email protected]Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Intuitive Beavers Agency theintuitivebeaversagency.com
Houston Studio houstonstudio.com
Learn more about becoming a sponsor here: kingwoodbusinesswomen.org/company-she-keeps-podcast
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Intuitive Beavers Agency theintuitivebeaversagency.com
Houston Studio houstonstudio.com
Learn more about becoming a sponsor here: kingwoodbusinesswomen.org/company-she-keeps-podcast
About the Podcast and Hosts
Brought to you by Kingwood Business Women and hosted by Christa McCourt and Erin Beavers, Company She Keeps Podcast features honest conversations with the women building businesses and communities across the Lake Houston area. Subscribe so you don't miss an episode.
Connect with Christa McCourt and Houston Studio:
instagram.com/houstonstudio_
Connect with Erin Beavers and The Intuitive Beavers Agency:
theintuitivebeaversagency.com
instagram.com/iam.erinbeavers
Connect with Kingwood Business Women:
kingwoodbusinesswomen.org
facebook.com/groups/kbwcommunity
instagram.com/kingwoodbusinesswomen
linkedin.com/company/kingwoodbusinesswomen
kingwoodbusinesswomen.org/company-she-keeps-podcast
