Every business has its challenges and Panhandle Special Needs, Inc. is no exception. Providing critical services to developmentally disabled adults for over forty years, PSNI (“piz-knee” to those familiar) offers several programs such as employment training, individualized life skills training and much more.

With the recent closure of S.L. Start’s adult programs, PSNI is tasked with finding the resources to integrate Start’s clients into PSNI’s services. This is not an easy task.

“Clients with disabilities have to be assimilated into the programs slowly, not only for themselves but for our other clients,” Trinity Nicholson, Executive Director said. “We try to give each new client a little more attention. Much of our training involves one-on-one with staff members so bringing in over twenty clients is difficult.”

Difficult? Try next to impossible. Nicholson says that typically she would bring in one new client a month, but last month brought in four at one time which was a challenge on steroids for the staff and for the clients.

“I don’t think the public knows everything that we do around here,” long-time board member, Lois Miller said. “Often people come into The Cottage (PSNI’s thrift store) and are surprised to learn about all the other services we offer.”

PSNI opened their doors in 1975 to develop opportunities for people with disabilities living in Bonner and Boundary counties. They serve between 80 to 100 clients each year with an eye on helping the disabled community to become as independent as they possibly can.

And, there are some terrific feel-good success stories. Thanks to the Life Skills Training program, seven adults have become competent to live independently this year. This unique training model teaches budgeting, shopping, housekeeping cooking and most of the other tasks required to be on one’s own.

The High School Work Experience provides students with disabilities a variety of work experience in their community while receiving school credits. This program along with PSNI Employment Services works with the individual and the employer to develop a plan of support for successful employment.

“Our staff is dedicated,” Nicholson said. “I’m always surprised that we serve so many people in this rural area.”

Nicholson explained that the fees for services are covered under Medicaid. “It’s a benefit to the state when we teach clients how to live independently and not in a 24-hour care facility. Some of our clients don’t have family or caregivers and are reliant upon taxpayer funded resources. That’s where our training becomes critical.”

The Center Based Work Program is focused on training the most significantly disabled for future community employment. These clients are taught simple skills such as shredding documents (only 50 cents a pound for the public and local businesses), or working in the greenhouse growing and making hanging baskets in the spring. Focusing on productivity gives these clients a sense of accomplishment, the ability to follow direction and the satisfaction of a job well done.

But, PSNI doesn’t stop at providing resources for the individuals, the family and caregivers are given consideration also. The Adult Day Services provides recreational and social opportunities to the most significantly disabled and the disabled who are aging. This program gives caregivers a respite, knowing that the individual is well cared for.

When Miller mentioned The Cottage she said that she wanted to point out that it also provides employment training opportunities for PSNI clients and, of course, revenue to support other PSNI activities.

“At The Cottage clients learn about retail sales, handling money and how to perform daily cleaning duties. We have over thirty (and we’re always looking for more) dedicated volunteers staffing this well-run business,” Miller said. “Our unique thrift store, and its eight rooms of quality home and garden items, thrives thanks to both the volunteers and the clients.”

One of the most amazing things about PSNI is that it runs on a budget of only $600,000 which, as we already said, mostly comes from state benefits. So, it’s not a surprise to know that donations are always needed and always received with gratitude. You can go t .panhandlespecialneeds.org and click on the “donate” button.

What will they do with the funds? One thing would be to expand the greenhouse to grow bedding plants and vegetables, but more importantly, money could be used to provide scholarships to those individuals with disabilities who do not meet the criteria for state assistance.

“There are those who miss qualifying for the program by one IQ point,” Nicholson said. “They wreak havoc on local resources. They become agitated and call 911 for an ambulance when what they really need is counseling. Those are the people we could help if we had the resources, but I can’t build a program on what I think we’re going to get. Without support we won’t survive.”

You can help by making a cash donation to Panhandle Special Needs, 1424 N. Boyer, Sandpoint, ID, making a household item donation to or volunteering at The Cottage. More information is available on the website or you can call 208-263-7022.