For adults with disabilities, and the people who support them
Putting people F.I.R.S.T.
Everyone deserves somewhere to be, something to do, and people who know their name.
Serving adults with disabilities in Wasilla, Fairbanks, and Talkeetna.
Our approach
Here's what putting people F.I.R.S.T. means.
Everything we do at NFH follows five simple steps, whether it's a job, day hab, or a place to live.
F
Find out who they are
We get to know the person. Their voice, their passions, their interests. Not everyone can tell us in words, so we pay attention to every way they communicate and see them as the individual they are.
I
Individual plan
Their support level, their goals, and what matters to them shape the plan. Everyone is different, so there's no cookie cutter approach.
R
Right fit
We fit the setting to the person, not the other way around. For many that's a real job with a coach. For others it's day habilitation or a group home, and often it's a mix. When the fit is right, people soar, with a sense of pride, confidence, and belonging they've never had before.
S
Staying connected
Care plans are updated regularly as needs and goals change. Guardians and care coordinators stay in communication with our team, so you're never left guessing how they're doing.
T
Taking the next step
Growth doesn't stop once someone has a job or a home. Support changes as they grow, whether that's a job coach stepping back, more responsibility at work, or a new skill in day hab.
That's the F.I.R.S.T. approach. Every person, every plan, every time.
In their words
What parents say
Every person's experience is different. Every plan starts with the person.
Want to see it for yourself?
Book a callWhat we offer
Three ways we support people
One approach, three parts of a life. Many people use more than one.
Supported employment
Real jobs inside inclusive businesses, with a job coach beside them as they learn the work. As confidence grows, the coach steps back.
See what work looks likeDay habilitation
Life and social skills that help a job last, alongside people who know their name.
See what a day looks likeHow to get started
Three steps, so you know what to expect.
Here's what happens before and after you call.
Book a call
We'll answer your questions, ask about the waiver you're on, and make sure we can provide the services.
Come to a Meet & Greet
See where we work and live, meet the team, and decide for yourself. It costs nothing, and there's no pressure.
Plan together
We review the plan of care with you and talk through next steps, including a gradual move if that's the right fit.
It's a short, no-pressure conversation. We'll answer your questions and tell you honestly whether we're the right fit.
Common questions
Questions families and adults ask us
Who will be supporting them, and will those people stay?
Staff turnover is a real worry in this field, and a fair one. People do better with faces they know. At NFH, 26% of staff turn over in a year, compared with 37% nationally, and 42% have been with us more than three years.
Do the job, day hab, and home support work together?
They should, and with us they do. One person’s plan covers work, day habilitation, and home, so the team isn’t working from separate playbooks. Guardians and care coordinators hear from us regularly, so you aren’t left guessing what’s happening in each part of their week.
Will they actually grow in independence?
Growth is the point, not an extra. Support is built around the person’s own goals, and it changes as they do. A job coach steps back as confidence builds. Day hab teaches new skills along the way. Their plan gets updated as they grow, so what they’re working toward stays current.
Can they really work and hold down a job?
Yes, and many of our team members do. The job is matched to the person’s interests and strengths. A job coach works beside them, teaches the work, and steps back as they get comfortable. Our team members work at businesses inside our community, including a golf course and a restaurant, and many had never held a job before.
What if I’m not sure which waiver I’m on?
Call us. We’ll help you connect with the right people to get the process started, and we’ll talk through whether we’re a good fit.
You don't have to figure this out alone.
Book a call and we'll answer your questions. If it feels right, we'll set up a Meet & Greet so you can see it for yourself.