For many individuals with IDD, the path to employment begins with a daunting question: What happens to my benefits if I start working? The relationship between earned income and Social Security benefits is complex, and for many, the fear of losing critical support can feel like an insurmountable barrier standing between them and their career goals. But employment is about so much more than a paycheck. It’s about independence, quality of life, and the freedom to be an active, valued member of the community.

That’s where the Advocacy and Work Incentive Manager comes in — breaking down that barrier one conversation at a time. Learn more about this exciting new role at Hope Services and how Chantell is paving the path forward, empowering participants and their families with the knowledge of their rights — and the confidence to pursue the full, connected lives they deserve.

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When Chantell joined Hope Services ten years ago, she toured the Whittier site in San Jose and observed participants take genuine pride in their work. She connected with our mission and knew she’d found her place and passion.

Today, Chantell serves as Hope Services’ Advocacy and Work Incentive Manager (AWIM), a brand-new role she helped shape from the ground up. “There’s been a lot of room to spread my wings creatively,” she says. The position is equally focused on individual advocacy, benefits counseling, leadership development, and contract coordination — and no two days look the same.

Breaking Down Barriers to Employment

A major part of Chantell’s work involves something many people find deeply intimidating: navigating the relationship between employment income and Social Security benefits. For many individuals with IDD, the fear of losing benefits can feel like a wall standing between them and their career goals.

The Advocacy and Work Incentive Manager’s role is to knock that wall down — one conversation at a time.

“A lot of individuals with IDD are afraid to earn more than a certain amount each month,” she explains. Under Social Security guidelines, individuals can earn up to $1,640 per month before their benefits are reduced. What Chantell helps participants understand is that while a benefit reduction can feel like a loss, the overall picture often tells a different story. If someone receiving $900 in monthly benefits takes a job earning $2,000 a month and sees a $300 reduction in their benefit check, they’re still coming out significantly ahead.

She also connects participants with resources like CalABLE, a California savings program designed for people receiving Social Security, which allows them to save additional funds without jeopardizing their eligibility.

“People with IDD who are receiving Social Security benefits shouldn’t feel afraid to reach for their employment goals,” Chantell says. “There are so many avenues and resources available, especially here in California, that this shouldn’t feel like an obstacle.”

Building Leaders from the Inside Out

Beyond benefits counseling, Chantell is deeply invested in fostering leadership and self-determination among the individuals she serves. She facilitates a weekly leadership class where participants collaborate on community projects, including a planned car wash and healthy snack sale, while building real-world skills in money management, event planning, and design.

The goal isn’t just to teach skills. It’s to shift a mindset. Chantell is passionate about ensuring that participants are empowered to make their own choices, rather than simply being told what to do. “They have the right to do a lot of things,” she says. “It’s about building accountability and encouraging independence for those who are able.”

What Keeps Her Here

Ask Chantell what she loves most about her work, and the answer comes quickly: the people. “I love making connections with individuals. Hearing their stories, nurturing that little seed of a dream, and watching things come to life.” She’s equally energized by her colleagues. “A lot of DSPs don’t have a background in this industry. Encouraging them matters too.”

She also values the culture at Hope Services. “Hope allows creativity and new ideas. The work is genuinely person-centered — it’s about finding out where someone wants to go and helping them get there.”

Outside of work, Chantell is a self-described homebody who enjoys time with her family, including some chess competition. She’s an avid reader of autobiographies, particularly those that explore resilience and language, and counts Maya Angelou among her inspirations. She loves to learn about real stories.

Her best piece of advice came from a former district director: “Listen, kid — you’re not going to get it all done today. Don’t stress over it. It can be done tomorrow.” For someone who works with humans, in all their complexity, that perspective makes all the difference.