Optimal Group

08/31/2026

08/26/2026

"🎒 School Is Only One Part of the Picture

Back-to-school season brings a lot of focus to academics, IEP goals, and what happens in the classroom. But for many students with developmental disabilities, there’s a much bigger picture.

School is also a great time to think about the skills that support life inside and outside the classroom:

🗣️ Communication — Expressing wants, needs, choices, and concerns
🧍 Independence — Building skills at home and in the community
🛟 Safety — Recognizing danger, seeking help, and communicating when something is wrong
🤝 Social Goals — Friendships, boundaries, self-advocacy, and community participation
🌱 Future Planning — Thinking about what comes after graduation and building toward it now

Every skill is a piece of the picture. And every piece matters.

Back to school is a great time to think beyond the classroom. 🍂

08/25/2026

We’re growing! 💙

Optimal Case Management is looking for a **Coordinator of Community Services (CCS)** to join our team.

If you’re passionate about making a difference, building meaningful relationships, and supporting people with developmental disabilities as they navigate services and pursue the life they choose, we’d love to hear from you.

Interested in learning more? Take a look at the opportunity and see if it might be the right fit for you:

08/14/2026

Back-to-school shopping isn’t just about pencils and notebooks. 🎒
For some students, the little things can make a BIG difference in feeling comfortable, focused, and ready for the school day.
Noise reducers. Fidgets. Lotion. Chap stick. Sunglasses. A favorite comfort item. A visual schedule. A water bottle. A quiet moment.
There’s no one-size-fits-all sensory toolkit — because there’s no one-size-fits-all student. 💙
What’s in your sensory toolkit? Tell us what helps you (or your student) get through the school day!

08/13/2026

Optimal’s August 2026 Employee Spotlight selection is Emilee Underwood.

Emilee started as a Coordinator of Community Services in the Southern Region with Optimal in July 2024. She was promoted to the position of Field Educator in May 2026. Emilee has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and a minor in Exercise Science from Fairmont State University. Prior to starting at Optimal, Emilee worked in various case management capacities. Emilee loves getting to know the participants she serves and seeing them reach their goals. She also appreciates the relationships she has made with her supervisors and co-workers. Her biggest struggle is keeping up with the frequent changes in the field.

Emilee is a West Virginia native who moved to Maryland in 2024. Emilee lives in Hanover, MD with her fiancé. They have a dog named Shilo that they rescued.

Outside of work, Emilee loves to travel! Her fiancé proposed in May while they were in the Dominican Republic. They have another trip planned soon for Barbados. They have also traveled to Mexico and Jamaica. Besides travel, Emilee enjoys listening to audiobooks and exercising. She has a walking pad under her desk to help her stay active and attends different fitness-related classes on the weekends. Emilee and her fiancé have a close group of friends that they love to spend time with. Emilee regularly visits family in West Virginia.

Thank you, Emilee, for everything you do for Optimal and for the individuals we serve. Your dedication makes a meaningful difference every day.

08/10/2026

💚 Participant Spotlight: Malorie & Tabara 💚
At Optimal Case Management, we believe the heart of person-centered care is found in genuine relationships—and the relationship between Malorie and her CCS, Tabara, is a beautiful example of that.

When Malorie and Tabara first met, they connected almost instantly. Since then, Tabara has become an incredibly important and trusted person in Malorie’s life. Her compassion, empathy, patience, and genuine care have created a relationship that means more to Malorie than words can easily express.

When Malorie talks about Tabara, one thing is abundantly clear: she sees her as a source of light and love. Malorie describes her as “the brightest, most beautiful, radiant light that the universe will ever see” and says that Tabara has so much love inside of her that she could give it endlessly to the people around her and still have more to share. 💚

For Malorie, who does not have natural family supports, having someone who consistently listens, understands, supports, and cares about her has made a tremendous difference. Their relationship is built on trust, kindness, and a genuine connection that goes far beyond simply providing a service.

Tabara truly embodies what person-centered care means. She takes the time to understand Malorie as a person, respects what matters to her, and makes sure she feels heard, valued, and supported.

Most importantly, Malorie wanted everyone to know just how much Tabara means to her. Her words may be difficult to put into a few simple sentences, but the message behind them is unmistakable: Tabara has brought an incredible amount of love, compassion, and light into her life.

Thank you, Malorie, for sharing your story and allowing us to celebrate this special relationship. And thank you, Tabara, for the compassion and heart you bring to the people you support every day. 💚

08/04/2026

💙🧡 An autism diagnosis is the beginning of a new journey—not a change in who your child is.

If you're wondering what comes next, we've put together a few helpful tips for families getting started, including why applying for Maryland DDA early is so important.

Questions? We're here to help.

📞 301-835-8667
📧 [email protected]



I prefer this response

07/29/2026

Every person deserves to be heard. 💙 Supporting communication isn't just about reducing crises—it's about creating opportunities for independence, connection, and a better quality of life.