Team Member Tuesday

Carlos Ramalho: #TeamMemberTuesday

LIFTT's Executive Director Carlos Ramalho. A bald white Hispanic male with a beard wearing a blue and white dress shirt

My name is Carlos Ramalho. I have been LIFTT’s Executive Director since October 2019. As someone with several intersectional identities and significant disabilities (hearing & vision loss), I deal daily with challenges encountered by anyone with disabilities.

Before working at LIFTT, I worked as an international finance and tax attorney, public and private international law professor, ordained protestant pastor, and executive of profit and nonprofit corporations.

LIFTT is one of the four (4) Centers for Independent Living (CILs) of the state of Montana. Its jurisdiction is Southeastern Montana, encompassing the largest population base and geographical square mileage of the four (4) CILs. As Executive Director, my responsibilities are inclusive but not limited to the following:

Serving and representing the population of our service area.
Supervising employees.
Efficiently managing the budget.
Writing and continually updating/ revising format for personnel, administration, and grants management policies and procedures.
Communicating and implementing board policies throughout the organization.
Serving as liaison with all levels of government and private nonprofit partners, inclusive but not limited to the following:
- Administration for Community Living – ACL.
- Montana Vocational Rehabilitation.
- Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services – DPHHS.
- Montana Agencies for the Aging.
- Montana Independent Living Council – SILC.
- Montana Rehabilitation Council – SRC.
Representing LIFTT on statewide committees and councils.
Maintaining partnerships with other organizations.
Representing the independent living community before healthcare providers and stakeholders.
Serving as spokesperson on advocacy, legislative, and policy issues.
Overseeing resource development, corporate, federal, and state government grants and contracts.
Developing and implementing strategies for the organization’s development, sustainability, and expansion.
Managing LIFTT’s human resources according to Board approved policies and procedures.

Further, as LIFTT’s Executive Director, I have served as a leader of the following regional and national cross-disability grassroots organizations run by and for people with disabilities:

The Montana Statewide Council for Independent Living – MTSILC. To that avail, I have served the MTSILC for more than seven (7) years, initially as Secretary and member of the Executive Committee. From October 2019 until 31 December 2022, I represented all four (4) Montana Centers for Independent Living – CILs before SILC.
The National Association of Statewide Independent Living Councils – NASILC as a representative of Region 8 during 2020-2021.
The Montana State Rehabilitation Council – SRC since 2020.
The Montana Association of Centers for Independent Living – MTCIL as founder and vice-chair during the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

It is part of my job to continuously work on different projects seeking accessibility and inclusion of people with disabilities, study and promote compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Rehabilitation Act, and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). It is a joy to learn about the history of Independent Living in the United States and abroad.

I approach “disability” rights through the independent living perspective and unwavering defense of the treatise that “disability” is a natural aspect of human life. The barriers people with “disabilities” face are inherently rooted in ableism and discrimination. Given this premise, by the very definition of the etymology of the word “disabled,” (I prefer to implement the term “challenged” instead of “disabled”) means not capable in modern language. This is evidenced by the rapid change of nomenclature throughout the US from “disability” to “ability.”

I enjoy serving, accommodating, including, and defending through LIFTT disabled individuals of any race, religious affiliation, gender identity, or sexual orientation and helping them thoroughly thrive in their communities.

Originally a Brazilian national, I relocated to the US in 2006 under the auspices of political asylum. Before moving to US soil, I lived and worked in several South American and European countries. This experience furthered enriched my understanding of world culture and customs. I fluently speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish and communicate efficiently in Italian, French, and German. Perhaps my proudest moment was in 2016 when I took the oath for American citizenship.

If you would like additional information about LIFTT’s services and opportunities, please do not hesitate to contact me at carlosr@lift.org or (406) 294-5190.

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings and Glendive, LIFTT provides people with disabilities with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and southcentral Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on Apple or Google Play.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Collette Ostermiller: #TeamMemberTuesday

Collette Ostermiller is one of the administrative assistants in the Billings LIFTT office. White female with dark hair wearing glasses and a black jacket.

My name is Collette Ostermiller. I was born in Sheridan, Wyoming, in 1958. We moved to Hardin, Montana, during my Junior year, and I graduated from Hardin High School in 1976. After that, I moved to Billings to pursue my Cosmetology career. In 1978, I graduated and received my license in Cosmetology, the art, and science of being creative with hair, nails, and skin.

A cosmetologist is an expert in applying cosmetic procedures, therapies, and treatments. Cosmetologists improve their client’s outer appearance and implement cosmetic treatments to people’s hair, skin, and nails. I worked from then on in several salons, became an Assistant Manager, and then was promoted to Manager. I would have to say Blanco Blanco was one of my favorite salons to work in, as I enjoyed further developing my skills there.

I then became Salon Owner/ Operator for approximately 19 years afterward. Now, with immense pleasure, I share with you that I am one of the receptionists at LIFTT and am genuinely enjoying it!

As a Cosmetologist, I enjoyed helping others increase their self-confidence and self-esteem through my previous skills on the phone and with client inquiries. It was exciting to see the transformation that a person experienced when receiving what cosmetologists call “makeover” services. In many ways, I see that happening at LIFTT. By accepting our “independent living” services, a person can experience the ‘same’ makeover.

Outside of work, I have a couple of hobbies. I enjoy the art of arranging flowers and formatting on the computer.

I look forward to talking and meeting with you when you call or stop by the Billings LIFTT office.

Respectfully,

Collette Ostermiller

colletteo@liftt.org

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Jed Barton: #TeamMemberTuesday

My name is Jed Barton and it has been my privilege to be the communications and government affairs coordinator here at LIFTT since 2010. As a person with disabilities (Autism Spectrum Disorder and Cerebral Palsy) It is very rewarding to use my knowledge of history, journalism, government, politics, and the law to help our consumers achieve their personal goals as well as work with colleagues across the state and nation as a disability community to achieve social and political change.

I have also worked as a sports reporter for the Sidney (MT) Herald and Jon Tester’s 2006 US Senate campaign. I have a B.A. in History with a minor in Political Science from Montana State University Billings; While at MSUB I was on the editorial staff of the school paper, “The Retort”.

I am a big-time sports fan spending a lot of time watching baseball, football, hockey, and golf. I also enjoy reading, playing video games, hanging out with family and friends, and being involved with Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ here in Billings. For recreation, I play golf and ride my adult tricycle.

I suppose I should also add that I could be considered somewhat of an expert trivia player. I participated in College Bowl all five years I was at MSU-Billings and was on three teams that won the Northwest Regionals and earned a trip to the national finals. I have taken the online Jeopardy test several times but so far have only gotten as far as an in-person audition in San Francisco a few years ago and a Zoom audition in 2021. but as they used to say about the Brooklyn Dodgers “There is always next year!”

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns at (406) 294-5186 or jedb@liftt.org

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings, and Glendive, LIFTT provides people with disabilities with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and southcentral Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on Apple or Google Play.

Debra Acosta: #TeamMemberTuesday

Debra Acosta has recently joined LIFTT as our Finance Director. Debra comes to us with thirty-plus years of Accounting, Payroll, Office Management, and IT experience and seven years of experience with the disabled and aging communities. Not only is Debra working with LIFTT but she is currently working to educate the community on the needs of the dying. She is a Certified Death Doula and hopes to create a forum to further educate the community on the options available and navigate the process of preparing for death. Her diverse knowledge gives her a great understanding of the needs of both the administrative side of the business and the Caregiver’s needs.

Debra grew up in the great Northwest, spending time in Spokane, Washington, North Pole Alaska, California, and now Montana. She has seven children and five grandchildren. She loves the outdoors, sewing, and gardening.

Debra can be reached at (406) 294-5193 or debraa@liftt.org

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings, and Glendive, LIFTT provides people with disabilities with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and southcentral Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on Apple or Google Play.

John Robison: #TeamMemberTuesday

A 25-year veteran of the United States Army, John Robison brings a unique perspective to his roles as Independent Living Specialist, Community Health Work Supervisor, and Outreach Coordinator.

My name is John Robison. I serve at LIFTT as an Independent Living (IL) Specialist, Outreach Coordinator, and Community Health Worker (CHW) supervisor.

As an IL Specialist, I work with all ages and types of people with disabilities in setting and maintaining goals to become independent or maintain one’s independence in the community.

As an Outreach coordinator, I try to find ways for LIFTT to provide independent services to those living in our service area who might not otherwise have access to those services. The difference between me and other IL Specialists is that I am not stationary, but mobile, meaning I am always on the road to meet people where they are.

As a CHW supervisor, I provide leadership to other CHWs through training, mentoring, and case conferencing. Although I carry a limited caseload, I support all LIFTT’s CHWs to navigate and access community resources, social services, and medical systems.

I really enjoy my job because I have the opportunity to help others with disabilities within the state of Montana. I take great pride in assisting others, especially our veterans because I am a 25-year veteran of the US Army. I have served in Kuwait, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, Korea, Germany, and various places throughout the US.

If you live in one of the eighteen counties of our service area across southeastern and southcentral Montana chances are I will be in your community soon. If you need any assistance, please feel free to contact me at (406) 294-5188 or johnr@liftt.org.

Thanks,

John

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings, and Glendive, LIFTT provides people with disabilities with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and southcentral Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on Apple or Google Play.

Jennifer Hawkinson: #TeamMemberTuesday

LIFTT Senior IL Specialst and Glendive office manager Jen Hawkinson; white woman with black hair wearing glasses and a white shirt with red flowers

Senior IL specialist and Glendive Office Manager Jen Hawkinson brings a lifetime of human service experience to serving LIFTT”s consumers in Dawson County and throughout the eastern portion of our service area.

My name is Jennifer Hawkinson and I work in the Glendive office as a Senior Independent Living Specialist & the Office Manager, assisting people with disabilities to live independently and enjoy life to the fullest. I am so grateful for the support LIFTT receives from all counties and cities in our service area. There are so many wonderful partners who believe in what LIFTT does and want us to succeed and provide services to those who desire to live independently. Thank you very much for supporting us!

I have lived in Eastern Montana most of my life and would not move to live anywhere else. I absolutely love Montana and its people. Our state is a very special place and Montanans are the kindest, most friendly, most hardworking, and most community-oriented Americans that have ever lived in the nation. I love being surrounded by skies, and sunshine throughout the year even when it snows. The smiles, solidarity, and encouragement of my neighbors and co-workers make me feel warm and welcome.

Glendive and surrounding cities are the place where Montana life still exists, and community living is a lifestyle. I know my neighbors and greet them everywhere I go. We care for and support each other. I meet friends if I go to a restaurant, grocery shopping, the courthouse, or the hospital. It is like being part of a big family that does not have skin color, race, religion, or political ideology. We all welcome and accept each other whether we are able or disabled. Montana is where I work and serve others through LIFTT.

I have been working at LIFTT for over 2 years. I previously worked for LIFTT 10 years ago but left to work for other organizations. Life brought me back to LIFTT during the COVID-19 pandemic and it was a great opportunity for both of us.

I have over 20 years of experience working with a wide variety of people in diverse settings. I have been immersed in communities all over the Eastern side of the Treasure State, through a variety of positions that I have worked including the Boys and Girls Club of Dawson County as the Program Director and Action for Eastern Montana as a Youth Employment and Training Specialist.

I am outgoing and enjoy engaging people in conversation to tell them what LIFTT offers and what resources are available to them. I have developed the ability to break down information and make it easy for people to understand. I learned how to help navigate LIFTT’s consumers through the yellow tape, allowing them to become their own advocates.

When I am not at the office or traveling and doing outreach for LIFTT, I enjoy spending time with my husband Mike, my sons Joe and Jacob, my daughter Jordan, and my friends. I have 3 dogs named Simba, Murphy, and Chewbacca. They are a lot of fun.

If you need any assistance or just would like to talk, please do not hesitate to contact me at (406) 948-8503 or jenh@liftt.org. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Kasey Mook: #TeamMemberTuesday

My name is Kasey Mook, and I am a native Montanan, born and raised in Yellowstone County. I joined LIFTT in May of 2021 as a PCA Clerical Assistant/Receptionist in hopes of becoming a PCA Program Facilitator in due time.

I am still a relatively new mom, my son turns one this week, seeing a whole new side to life with children and I am taking in every second of it! I enjoy spending time with my family by going to fun, family events around town, and seeing what the city has to offer. I also love escaping outdoors during the warmer months to explore the Treasure State by camping, road-tripping or just exploring Montana’s local, state, and national parks.

If you are one of LIFTT’s PCA program consumers throughout our 18-county service area I will be glad to work with you and happy to help in any way that I can. You can reach me at (406) 606-1762 or kaseym@liftt.org

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings, and Glendive, LIFTT provides people with disabilities with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and southcentral Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on Apple or Google Play.

Freda Mook: #TeamMemberTuesday

As program manager, Freda Mook oversees both the Independent Living (IL) and Sefl Direct Personal Assistance ( SDPAS) Programs here at LIFTT.

My name is Freda Mook and I am the program manager here at LIFTT overseeing both the Independent Living (IL) and Self Direct Personal Assistance Services (SDPAS) programs across our entire service area. I was born near the Madison River and Hebgen Lake in Gallatin County and have lived my entire life in Montana. My childhood began in Billings, and through the years I lived in Roundup, Livingston, Butte, and Great Falls. I returned to the Yellowstone Valley and Billings in the spring of 1989, graduating from Billings Skyview High School in 1991. I am proud to be a third-generation Montanan and a descendant of a Montana pioneer family.

I was diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder – ADD shortly before my eighth birthday. I also have Severe Myopia (advanced nearsightedness), Seasonal Affective Disorder, Sciatica accompanied by nerve damage, and degenerative osteoarthritis of the hips and spine (spondylosis).

I joined LIFTT as a Medicaid Billing Specialist and receptionist in October 2003. Being a disabled child raised by disabled parents has given me a unique perspective on life within the disabled community. Not many people realize that Independent Living is a civil rights movement – one that touches every person at some point in their life. Whether we are born with a disability, acquire one during our lifetime, or if we have friends or family members with a disability, every one of us will face this challenge. I consider myself powerful and successful because I choose to face these challenges head-on every day. Life experiences have made me who I am and my time at LIFTT has given me many opportunities to witness other people’s successes daily.

I have 4 grown children and 4 grandchildren. I love to crochet all sorts of things in my spare time, and I gift all my crocheted afghans to friends and family. I also love camping at Newlan Creek Reservoir near White Sulphur Springs, barbecuing with family, and gardening, as well as being an avid online gamer.

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings, and Glendive; LIFTT provides people with disabilities with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and southcentral Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on Apple or Google Play. You can donate to LIFTT by clicking here.

Lanette Brown: #TeamMemberTuesday

My name is Lanette Brown, and I have spent 14 years working as a Program Facilitator for the Community First Choice Self-Directed Personal Assisted Services (CFC/SDPAS) Medicaid program. Before joining LIFTT, I grew up on a farm, attended several colleges, and had various jobs ranging from janitor to switchboard operator and from hospital admitting clerk to kindergarten teacher. In the process, I discovered I had an interest in helping people.

I feel the self-direct program is particularly satisfying because it allows the consumer to hire people, they are comfortable with and it gives them the ability to be in charge of their circumstances while, at the same time, accepting help when needed.

Like one-third of LIFTT’s employees, I live with my own disabilities, including lower back issues, mild depression, and diabetes. I consider my disabilities to be minor compared to the individuals LIFTT helps. “I would like to believe I have left a small mark for the better, of the consumers I help, and I feel every day is a success story – if you can get out of bed, arrive at work safely, and make someone’s day a little easier.”

I enjoy exploring Montana and other states with my husband, reading, and playing the piano both at home and at my church. I enjoy cooking, camping, crafting, working word search puzzles, and serving as secretary-treasurer for four irrigation ditch companies.

I have a loving husband who supports me. I have a son who is in the Marines. He is married and they have provided two wonderful granddaughters. We’ve been foster parents, and parents to an international student with whom we have had continued contact.

If you have any questions about the CFC/SDPAS program, please feel free to contact me: lanetteb@liftt.org.

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings, and Glendive, LIFTT provides people with disabilities with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and southcentral Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on Apple or Google Play.

Larry Ketchem: #TeamMemberTuesday

My name is Larry Ketchem. I was born in Billings. MT, in December of 1971. I graduated from Billings Senior High School in 1988 and was a member of the wrestling team. I also graduated from Montana State University Billings with a Rehabilitation degree in 1999. I am happily married to Marcia and have a wonderful daughter.

I work at LIFTT as an Independent Living (IL) Specialist. I am a person that lives with a vision disability, so I understand what our consumers go through, and what barriers they must overcome to reach their goals and live independently daily. Being low vision requires me to be well-organized in order to not get lost. Everything must have a specific place and always be put in that spot. My memory helps me remember a lot of things. If you are vision impaired, you are not alone. Allow me to remind you that there are over 25 million people in the United States who experience at least some vision loss. Many people believe that going blind leads to a complete loss of independence but that is not true and I am proof of it. There are lots of technology that can help a low vision and blind person live independently. I use special software, magnifiers, audio texts, audiobooks, voice recognition, and other instruments.

This is my second time working at LIFTT. I first worked at LIFTT from 1998 to 2010, when I retired. In November 2020, I decided to return to LIFTT because I wanted to serve the disabled community of Southeastern Montana.

If you are low vision or blind and live in one of the eighteen counties of our service area come to LIFTT and let us work together to improve the quality of your life.

Things I like to do in my free time are playing with my three dogs, listening to audiobooks, watching professional and college football, and playing video games. What I love the most is spending quality time with my wife of 25 years. We usually set aside time during the week to do something special together. Every day we sit down to eat a meal together and talk about our day. The moments we spend together increase our happiness and satisfaction help to reduce our stress and anxiety lead to a healthier lifestyle, and lengthen our life. We motivate each other to become the best version of ourselves.

Thanks

Larry

About Living Independently for Today & Tomorrow (LIFTT): LIFTT is a Montana 501(c)3 corporation organized as a Center for Independent Living (CIL). With team members based in Billings, and Glendive, LIFTT provides people with disabilities with programs and services that help empower them to break down the physical, bureaucratic, and cultural barriers that prevent them from being fully independent participants in their lives and communities throughout 18 counties in southeastern and southcentral Montana: Big Horn, Carbon, Carter, Custer, Dawson, Fallon, Garfield, Golden Valley, McCone, Musselshell, Powder River, Prairie, Richland, Stillwater, Wibaux, and Yellowstone. For more information, please visit liftt.org or download our mobile app on Apple or Google Play.

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