A southeastern Pennsylvania business that has more than a century of experience helping people with special needs find meaningful living arrangements is expanding into Carbon County.

KenCrest Lifesharing: Innovative Program of Collegeville helps children and adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities by providing a place to live while creating a personal connection to best meet that person's needs.KenCrest has been affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America since 1905, when Sister Maria Roeck founded the agency and partnered with Lutheran parishesto continue serving Roeck's mission."We have become an integral part of the Pennsylvania State Lifesharing Coalition and have participated on many committees including the State Focus Group," said Kellie Smith, KenCrest Lifesharing referral coordinator. "As part of this committee, we track the Lifesharing participatory numbers across the commonwealth.Smith said the agency began looking at Carbon County and areas in central Pennsylvania a few months back as they investigated expanding services. Demand increased in 2013 after then Gov. Tom Corbett cut funding for agencies that provide services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by at least 6 percent, and up to 22 percent in some areas."Through the people we support and their Lifesharing families, we have cultivated positive relationships throughout the community and so are able to provide quality supports that people need and want," she said, citing one successful case in Carbon that was a factor in choosing this area to expand operations."The first KenCrest Lifesharing individual that moved to Carbon County had a lifelong dream to live in the mountains," Smith said. "By working to match him with a wonderful KenCrest Lifesharing provider, we were able to help him fulfill the dream. We are absolutely thrilled with the outcome."KenCrest is currently looking for Lifesharing providers who are willing to take a person in their home and be a part of their family."These providers are independent contractors and not employees; however, they will receive a tax-free stipend to reimburse for some expenses of providing this type of support," she said, noting that all contractors are thoroughly vetted through interviews and a home study to guarantee they meet the agency's general safety and licensing requirements.Approved contractors are then matched with clients.KenCrest serves more than 11,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism in Pennsylvania, Delaware and Connecticut.Smith hopes that through the expansion, additional jobs will be created.For more information, visit

http://www.kencrest.org/services-overview/residential-services/lifesharing-a-new-approach, or contact Smith at

kelliesmith@kencrest.org or 610-487-1582, ext. 2517.