Provider Spotlight: Sofia Janjgava
by Heather Gasca, GAPS advocate
I met Sofia Janjgava in May of 2023, while touring two of her four group homes. One of the people I supported as a GAPS Advocate needed a new residential placement and a provider who would go above and beyond for them. Sofia runs four group homes in Multnomah County and teaches Oregon Intervention System (OIS) techniques per licensing requirements.
Sofia’s kindness and caring for both those she supports and her staff were easily apparent while we toured her homes. She has wonderful homes, an amazing personality, and a fantastic relationship with the staff and the people she supports. Sofia is a one-of-a-kind provider.
Sofia started providing residential care for someone I support in June 2023. This person does not speak, and Sofia worked very hard not only to provide an amazing home for them, but to give them choices about how they live. Using different picture boards, symbols and other non-verbal techniques to help the person express their preferences. Sofia and her staff started taking this person on fun outings, something she had not experienced in quite some time. Sofia is great at sending photos, showing me all the fun times they have out in the community. Sofia also helped the person to tour day programs with me and find a day program that was a good match for the person.
After touring the day programs for this individual, Sofia voiced being interested in opening a day program. While she hasn’t been able to yet, she has been looking at properties and considering how to incorporate this into her already busy schedule.
In September 2023 I received notices that two other clients in separate counties on the same day. After having such success with Sofia I reached out to her. Without hesitation, Sofia jumped on board to assist these two others. Sofia’s fourth home was where she was held OIS trainings, so it was vacant. We set up a day and Sofia picked up one of the people and I brought the other. The two toured the home at the same time to see what they thought of the home. Not only did the two ladies click with Sofia and her staff right away, but they loved the home. The funniest part of all is these two ladies knew each other from many years ago when they rodepublic transport together and they have so many things in common.
Soon after the visit, both ladies moved into her home, just one day apart from each other. They now receive the same amazing care as the first person.
Sofia has advocated for all the people who live in her homes, but she has provided particularly amazing advocacy for one in particular. This person has had a lot of medical issues, including needing a vital surgery. Sofia has always made herself available to participate in the important parts of the lives of all those she supports. One person’s trip to Disneyland had been in “planning” stages for many years, because trip agencies would not support the person. Sofia stepped in and supported them to make to make it finally happen.
Sofia’s homes are full of kind, loving, and caring staff who provide high quality of life for the people they support. The attitudes of the staff are amazing. To have astounding staff you have to have a remarkable provider to stand behind them. Sofia is just that kind of provider.
The Arc Oregon wants to thank and publicly recognize the hard work and care Sofia puts in to ensure the people in her homes receive high quality care, and for always having open communication with our Guardianship, Advocacy, and Planning Services staff so we can collaborate to make sure the people we support live their best lives.