Our Mission & Vision - A nonprofit intellectual disability service provider in Pennsylvania

KVOU Mission Statement

The mission of Kiski Valley Opportunities Unlimited (KVOU) is to provide support for individuals with developmental disabilities in their efforts to grow intellectually, spiritually, socially, and emotionally as members of the community. To accomplish this, KVOU provides a continuum of residential services to support individuals in achieving greater independence, choice, and opportunity in their lives.

KVOU Vision Statement

The vision of Kiski Valley Opportunities Unlimited (KVOU) is to provide quality services that are flexible, innovative, and person-centered through planning for every individual served. This planning incorporates each person’s choice, control, and freedom over relationships, employment, roles in the community, and use of community resources. Our supports offer stability so that changes occur only with the individual’s input and permission, and in collaboration with the Office of Developmental Programs and other offices affiliated with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services during their transitions. Positive Approaches and the principles of Everyday Lives: Making It Happen are utilized by ensuring each individual’s likes, dislikes, preferences, and goals are communicated in the most effective way while providing a safe and healthy environment that fosters continued growth and greater independence at home and in the community.

Our Story & History

Then

Now

For over 50 years, Kiski Valley Opportunities Unlimited (KVOU) has been dedicated to providing community-based residential and support services in Western Pennsylvania. As a private, non-profit organization, we are guided by the principles of Equal Opportunity, Non-Discrimination, and Accessibility for All. Our primary mission is to provide the support necessary for individuals with intellectual disabilities or autism to live "Everyday Lives"—a philosophy centered on the right of all citizens to determine their own course in life, exercise their rights, and be treated with dignity and respect.

We believe that every individual deserves a foundation of excellence built upon essential core values, including:
• Control & Choice: Empowering individuals to direct their own service planning and daily routines.
• Inclusion & Community: Supporting active participation in community life, including employment, volunteering, and social activities.
• Relationships & Belonging: Helping individuals develop and maintain meaningful connections with families and friends.
• Health, Safety & Stability: Ensuring comprehensive oversight of medical and personal well-being.

Our Professional Team
As a small provider agency, we pride ourselves on our long-term, knowledgeable, and compassionate Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). Our staff members undergo extensive orientation and annual training that encompasses person-centered practices, community integration, and the protection of individual rights, to name a few. We ensure that our team has the specific job-related skills necessary to meet the unique health and safety needs of every individual we support.

Licensing and Waiver Services
KVOU is a qualified provider contracted with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). Our residential community homes are licensed annually and operate in strict accordance with Title 55, Chapter 6400 and 6100 Regulations. Most of our programs are funded through the following Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) programs:
• Consolidated Waiver: For individuals requiring comprehensive community-based support.
• Person/Family Directed Support (PFDS) Waiver: Providing flexibility for individuals to live independently in the local community.

KVOU is an Equal Opportunity Care Provider (EOCP). All admissions, referrals, and provisions of services are made without regard to race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin (including Limited English Proficiency), age, or sex.

We are committed to ensuring that our program services are accessible to all eligible persons. .

Join Our Community
If you have a friend or family member interested in our programs, we invite you or your Supports Coordinator to contact our administrative office:
Phone: 724-567-7799
Location: 129 Columbia Avenue, Vandergrift, Pennsylvania 15690
Email, Lisa Cocco, lcocco@kvou.org

A Message from the Executive Director,
Heather Steuart

Starting my career at Kiski Valley Opportunities Unlimited was one of the most meaningful decisions of my life. I first came to KVOU as an adult college student with a new baby, simply hoping to find work that offered flexibility. What I found instead was a calling. Supporting individuals with IDD in the community quickly became more than a job — it became a passion that shaped both my career and my purpose.

Over the years, every day brought something new: helping someone find a safer, more comfortable place to live; making everyday tasks more manageable; or simply being present during important moments in someone’s life. These experiences grounded me in what truly matters — dignity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to the people we serve.

After earning my degree, I spent 24 years as Administrative Officer before stepping into the role of Executive Director for both Kiski Valley Opportunities Unlimited and West‑In‑Arms in July 2025, following the retirement of Judy Duxbury. Now, more than 25 years after walking through the door for the first time, I am honored to lead organizations that continue to make a real and lasting difference.

What I am most proud of is our team. Their commitment, heart, and resilience ensure that every individual we support is valued, respected, and at the center of everything we do. KVOU’s strength has always been its people — those we serve and those who serve alongside me.

This work brought me here. The incredible team I’m fortunate to stand beside, and the people we support, have kept me here—and will continue to guide our mission for years to come

— Heather Steuart, Executive Director

Quality & Experienced Care

KVOU strives to ensure services offered to those supported by KVOU are following the Person-centered thinking principle. To accomplish this, equal emphasis will be on quality of life, well-being, and informed choice. The full benefits of community living will be offered to each person supported by KVOU; they will be supported to live their idea of a good life. They will be seen and known for their strengths, talents, and interests. They have a right to fail and learn from their mistakes (dignity of risk).

ISAC’s recommendations as stated in Everyday Lives: Values in Action publication and what KVOU is doing to support those we serve are listed below. KVOU strives to follow the motto: “Nothing About Me Without Me.”

Assure Effective Communication

Everyone supported by KVOU will have their preferred mode of communication used when employees are communicating with them.

Support People with Complex Needs

Whether the complex need is physical, medical, or behavioral, everyone supported by KVOU will have support staff that are trained on their specific needs. Staff will, at all times, follow any plan, risk mitigation, protocol, and/or procedure that is created to best support the person.

Increase Employment

When someone supported by KVOU expresses a desire to work, CPS or competitive employment, the individual and their team will meet to discuss available options.

Increase Community Participation

Every person supported by KVOU will be encouraged to not only go into the community, but to participate in their communities, to make friends, contribute, experience new things, and develop new interests and hobbies.

Promote Health, Wellness & Safety

Everyone supported by KVOU will be educated on and encouraged to eat healthy (or how to follow their recommended diets), exercise, lead a healthy life, and participate in relaxing/calming/enjoyable activities to aid in mental/emotional health. They will be educated on their medical and treatment needs, diagnoses, and medications.

Support staff will be trained on each person’s health promotions and risk mitigation strategies and will ensure all recommendations are followed

Develop and Support Qualified Staff

KVOU has a thorough new hire orientation training that exceeds regulatory requirements. In addition, KVOU employees receive training throughout each year on general topics as well as specific information about the people they support.

Support Families Throughout the Lifespan

Families of people supported by KVOU, unless the family member has opted out of/declined to receive this information, will be kept updated on their loved one’s progress, health, medications, and community involvement.

Promote Self-Direction, Choice and Control

Every person supported by KVOU will be respected as a person, opportunities will be given to them to make choices when needed, and their decisions will be honored. If someone needs assistance to make a decision, that assistance will be provided to them in their preferred mode of communication.

Expand Options for Community Living

People supported by KVOU will be included in the decision of where they want to live when alternate homes are being sought by the agency. When a referral is received for an individual needing residential placement in an agency home with a vacancy, the people already living in the home will be asked if they want this person as a housemate.

Improve Quality

The person-centered services provided to the people supported by KVOU will be continually monitored and measured. It is a goal to, at all times, provide the best services to everyone in KVOU care, so everyone experiences an everyday life.

Meet Our Team

Heather Steuart

Executive Director

Lisa Cocco

Program Director

Scott Brunermer

Phone: (724) 567-7799 ext. 206

Phone: (724) 567-7799 ext. 202

Financial/Resource Manager

Phone: (724) 567-7799 ext. 201

Jennifer Snyder

Program Specialist

Debra Humes

Phone: (724) 567-7799 ext. 207

Program Coordinator

Kathy Otto

Phone: (724) 567-7799 ext. 204

Medical Compliance

Phone: (724) 567-7799 ext. 205

Rebecca Sheaffer

Lead Supervisor

Christina Keitzer

Residential Program Specialist

Vickie Chemelli

Phone: (724) 567-7799 ext. 202

Phone: (724) 567-7799 ext. 210

Administrative Assistant

Phone: (724) 567-7799 ext. 208

Kathy Riederer

Program Assistant

Danielle Adams

Phone: (724) 567-7799 ext. 200