I work for Meridian Developmental services. I started in 1990 when it was Meridian Developmental Center and I LOVE my job! I started out as a Developmental Therapist, then became a Senior Group Leader and now serve as a Developmental Specialist Assistant. I love to be able to wear many hats in my role here. I run groups working on money skills, cooking skills, social skills, time management, 1:1 programs for personal care, and Community programs. I also attend meetings and work closely with the team to help assess areas to of needs and items to work on. Additionally, I coordinate the monthly activities and create the monthly calendar. I strive to be the best person I can be … a loving wife, Mother and Mimi. I genuinely enjoy time with my family and friends. A side passion of mine is crafting and creating!

My name is Kalle Matsuyama and I work as a Developmental Therapist at Meridian Developmental Services. I started my job in 2009 and I have genuinely enjoyed being here. I have my BA in social work and hold a license. I have held many interesting titles, one of which, teaching children in Japan. I enjoyed being a loving wife. I also enjoy being a loving mother and grandmother. I am responsible and reliable. I try to be happy, positive and smile a lot. My goal and aspirations are to lift people’s spirits and retire debt free!

I am currently a Developmental Specialist at Meridian Developmental Services. I graduated from Idaho State University with a Bachelor of Science in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 2006. I have worked with adults with developmental disabilities for over 13 years and I love my job! Sometimes the greatest reward is seeing how much a small success means to an individual. I am happily married and have a grown son. I am also the proud “rescue” parent of a very pampered Papillion dog and one overly spoiled cat.

Wendy Eckert. Owner and program manager of Unity Services and Meridian Developmental Services. I have been in this field for 33 years. In 1995, I had a degree in education from BSU and had enjoyed working at Idaho State School and Hospital, as well as being a developmental specialist, at a private DDA, in Nampa.  DHW had started a new program providing service coordination and advocacy for participants, and I decided to start Unity Service Coordination. Unity was designed to assist those with developmental disabilities in obtaining and having quality services. I love working with the great team at Unity, where everyone strives to empower participants and assist participants to live their best lives. Unity participated in assisting many individuals to appeal reductions to their services, after 2012, which contributed to the KW lawsuit being established. I also led a PEOPLE FIRST chapter, for a couple of years. I am passionate about having a system that works for the participants I serve. In 2018, I went back to my love of developmental training, as I had the opportunity to take over Meridian Developmental Services.  MDS strives for community integration and maximum independence and social opportunities. I am looking forward to providing some of the new services (at MDS) that will be offered, in 2022. I have 3 great kids(grown), 2 dogs and 4 cats. I enjoy holidays, music, being outside, anything next to the water, and spending time with friends and family.

Hi! My name is Danyal Smolen. I work as a therapy tech at MDS. I am currently starting my senior year in High school. I am excited to be in my last year and joke with many of the clients that I am their youngest, most favorite staff. I have hopes to one day become a Special Ed. teacher which is how I came to work at MDS. Some of my most impressive achievements is that I have a 3^rd degree black belt in taekwondo, and I have been in Speech and Debate for two years. I also have the same personality type as Michelle Obama. One quirky fact about me is that my name is pronounced like Danielle however is spelled uniquely, Danyal. My parents got my name off the news. Some of my hobbies and items I do outside of work and school are basketball, soccer, track and field, marching band, and art/painting. My family also got a little white golden retriever and I look forward to helping with the training and care taking!

Hi, my name is Linda Black. I currently am a group leader at Meridian Developmental Services. I focus and assist our participants in working on their activities of daily living through active treatment programming and assist them in the best way I can. I enjoy seeing their progress and continued independence. As an employee and as a person, I believe in being honest and true to oneself. I love my family, I love Native American Culture, and have a passion for fishing. I make dream catchers, totem bags, medicine wheels, spears, and prayer fans for my self-care. I also love animals, especially wolves. I believe in integrity and truly feel I am here to help others. Some of my biggest accomplishments is finding my tribe here at MDS, obtaining my social work degree, being active and outdoorsy, becoming a great angler/fisherwoman, working past my retirement and my great sense of humor. Some fun facts about me are that I have worked as a Probation Officer and a Potato Truck Driver.

Hi, my name is Vedaliah Fye. I am a Targeted Service Coordinator for Unity Services. I graduated from Boise State University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in Addiction Studies. My end goal is to attain my Master of Social Work. I have been in the field for years. In college, I was a Direct Support Staff for a company in my hometown Reno, Nevada. I eventually was promoted to Lead Support Staff, where I worked closely with the Case Manager of a group home. I have a passion for advocating and supporting others and helping individuals attain the best quality of life. Aside from my work with Unity Services, I love to be outside. Hiking, biking, running, and snowboarding are my outside hobbies. I also love to read and write poetry. After work, you can find me reading a good book. You can email me at vedaliahfye.unity@gmail.com or by phone at 208-608-1824.

Hi, my name is Angelia Gaeta. I currently serve as a clinician/therapist for Unity Services. Counseling and Mental Health is a newly added service and has been an exciting venture for me thus far! I am passionate about serving diverse populations and those that struggle with being marginalized. I am empathetic and genuinely want to help people heal and be the best individuals they can be! I have strong morals, values, and ethics. I feel that should be the guiding principle in helping others. Some of my biggest accomplishments have been fixing up my old home, developing close family bonds and friendships, and professional development. I am also a proud mom of a weeny dog named Suzy, a yellow lab in therapy dog training, named Lady Bird, and a life partner to a wonderful man. In our spare time, we love to be outdoors exploring, hauling our pop-up tent around, discovering new places, fishing, and cruising around on our bikes.

My name is Patricia Ellis, and I am a Targeted Service Coordinator at Unity Services. I have a
long history of working in healthcare as a care provider and advocate for vulnerable populations. I
am very passionate about bringing quality services to those that need them, and I have
dedicated my career to fighting the stigma and barriers that exist in the mental health field.
Coming up in my life will be the start of a master’s degree in social work. With this advance, I
hope to work as a clinical counselor and as an advocate in healthcare management. My biggest
professional accomplishments thus far would be the wide of experience I have in healthcare
and the mental health field. I believe in leading from the ground up, and I am always open to
learning more so that I can be an effective professional in the field. In my personal time, I love to
plan fun days and weekend getaways with my husband and our kids; we have two beautiful
daughters and two rambunctious canines. On our summer weekends you will always find us jet
skiing with family at Lake Cascade!