Introducing Nutrition Services: A new chapter in person-centered supports.
By: Kelsey Egan, Director of Nutrition Services
A NEW BEGINNING
There is something quietly remarkable happening at Black Hills Works this year. For the first time, we have dedicated nutrition services, not as an afterthought, but as a core part of how we support individuals. And if you’ll allow us a moment to share what we’re building, we think you’ll feel the same excitement we do.
My name is Kelsey Egan, and I am the Director of Nutrition Services here at Black Hills Works. I am a Dietitian and Licensed Nutritionist, and I came to this role because I believe deeply in what Black Hills Works stands for: that every person regardless of ability, diagnosis, or circumstance deserves to be seen, supported, and empowered to achieve a life full of potential. Food and nutrition are part of that life. Often a very important part.
This post is an introduction. It’s also an invitation to learn about what Nutrition Services is becoming, why it matters, and how you can be part of it.
WHY NUTRITION MATTERS FOR ADULTS WITH IDD
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities face unique nutritional challenges that are often underrecognized. Research tells us that this population experiences higher rates of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, constipation, dysphagia (difficulty swallowing), and other nutrition-related conditions yet historically, access to individualized, professional nutrition care has been limited.
“When we address nutrition, we’re not just talking about what’s on the plate. We’re talking about energy, dignity, health, and quality of life.”
Beyond chronic disease management, nutrition affects how people feel day to day, their energy, their mood, their ability to participate in activities they love. Supporting good nutrition isn’t a clinical luxury. For the individuals Black Hills Works serves, it’s an essential part of living well.
We also know that food is personal. Cultural backgrounds, family traditions, individual taste preferences, textures, and past experiences all shape how a person relates to food. Person-centered nutrition means honoring all of that, not imposing a one-size-fits-all approach, but asking: what does good nutrition look like for you, specifically?
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE OFFER
Nutrition Services at Black Hills Works is brand new, and we are in the exciting and honest work of building thoughtfully. Here’s a glimpse of what we’re developing:
Personalized Nutrition Counseling
Our Dietitian will work directly with individuals to conduct comprehensive nutrition assessments, understand individual health goals and challenges, and develop personalized nutrition care plans. Whether an individual is managing diabetes, working toward a healthier weight, navigating a swallowing concern, or simply curious about eating better, we are here to help in a way that respects their choices and their voice.
Collaboration with the Interdisciplinary Team
Nutrition doesn’t live in a silo. We work closely with teams to make sure nutrition is considered as part of each person’s overall supports. When a participant has a health goal, we want to make sure everyone supporting them is going in the same direction.
Staff Training and Education
Direct Support Professionals are on the front lines every day at meals, at grocery stores, and in homes. They are some of the most important nutrition allies we have. We are developing training programs to help DSPs feel confident and equipped to support healthy choices in everyday moments, without added stress or complexity.
A Revamped Central Kitchen
Black Hills Works’ Central Kitchen produces frozen meals for residential sites and operates a hot lunch program. This kitchen is the heart of our food program, and we’re investing in making it even better. We’re standardizing recipes, developing thoughtful menus, ensuring nutritional quality, and creating specialized meal options, including texture-modified meals for participants who need them. This is a real commitment to the idea that the food we serve should be food we’re proud of.
“We’re building something that lasts – systems, relationships, and a culture where nutrition is part of how Black Hills Works supports individuals.”
WHERE WE ARE IN THE JOURNEY
We want to be transparent: we are in Year 1. That means we are learning as much as we are launching. Our approach is intentional, we’re starting where we can make the most difference, building systems that are sustainable, and growing from there.
By the end of the year, our goal is to have a functioning clinical nutrition practice, a fully revamped Central Kitchen operation, and a staff team that feels genuinely supported and equipped around nutrition. It’s ambitious and we believe it’s absolutely achievable.
WHAT SETS THIS APART
There are nutrition programs, and then there are nutrition programs built for a specific community, with that community, in a spirit of genuine partnership. We hope Nutrition Services at Black Hills Works becomes the latter.
A few things that guide us:
Nothing about me without me. Participant voice is at the center of every nutrition care plan. We ask. We listen. We adjust. Always.
Good enough for me. Nutrition care should meet the same standard of quality we’d want for ourselves or our own families.
Curiosity over assumptions. We come to each person and each situation asking, “help me understand,” not with preset answers. We’re here to build real skills and confidence around food and health, not just answer questions in the moment.
AN INVITATION
Please know that Nutrition Services is here for you. You don’t need to have all the answers when it comes to supporting participants around food, that’s our role, together. Watch for training opportunities, reach out with questions, and know that your observations on the front lines matter deeply.
“We’re planting seeds. Some of what we’re building will take time to fully bloom and that’s okay. What we’re creating is designed to last.”
Nutrition services for adults with IDD is a meaningful investment in the people we serve. This is just the beginning. We are grateful to be growing at Black Hills Works, and we can’t wait to share what comes next.
Questions or ideas? Reach out any time to Director of Nutrition Services, Kelsey Egan at [email protected]
