Lindsey Richards (she /her)

Positive Support Professional

Hello! My name is Lindsey! I have worked to support individuals with intellectual and developmental diversity over the past 6 and a half years since I graduated from college. I have provided services in a variety of roles including as a Direct Support Professional, Lead Direct Support Professional, Recruiter and as a Staff Trainer. In that time, I’ve had the privilege to work for the Hope Human Services- Vancouver Team and support the wonderful individuals there.

About 3 years ago, I was introduced to Among Friends while in a continuing education course and I have taken many courses from them since. I have always been both humbled and proud to learn from them. In my role here, I will continue to advocate for support for individuals to live as independently as possible, while guiding their staff, family and other team members to use trauma informed practices, person-centered approaches, and evidence-based information.

Outside of my work, I just recently moved to Lacey, WA to move in with my boyfriend. We spend a lot of our off time traveling via van around the Pacific Northwest exploring hikes, state parks, national parks, forests, etc. My parents, siblings, and their spouses are spread across Washington and California, so visiting them is a big part of my life, too.

I value my role in this work and strive to be an advocate, a listening ear, and a learner in every interaction. I believe that when we stop learning and stop being present with the individuals we support, they will inevitably outgrow the systems we've put in place. It’s our responsibility to grow with them.

  • Bachelors in Psychology from Central Washington University

  • 6 years 4 months

  • I worked for Hope Human Services for 6 years and 4 months. It was my first job out of college that grew to become my career and passion forever. Before HHS I had only worked in food service as a pizza delivery driver and as a server in a shave ice stand in m college town. I was promoted twice in my time at HHS and held 3 different titles proudly.

    In 2025 I became an Among Friends SHARE Instructor. In 2024 I took Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the certification program with Among Friends. In 2023 I took Nurse Delegation and registered for my NAR certificate and took a CE course for quality assurance. In 2022 I took my first among friends course for Sexual Self Determination and became and Right Response Instructor. I have also taken Sexual Violence & TIC and The "M" Word for CEs. I believe at the beginning of this year as well I took a course called Teaching Consent and Boundaries (or something very similar).

  • My philosophy about my work is to never stop learning from the individuals that we are working to support. We cannot cut them out of conversations, we cannot get too comfortable with what they already know (and with what we already know) because doing so would be a disservice to them. Behavior is communication, we have to listen to understand.

  • One of the things that I am very proud of as a professional was putting myself out there and applying for the Staff Trainer role when it opened. I only had experience training DSPs in the houses when I had first applied for that role but I had a very big vision of where I wanted to see myself going in this field. I remember just the pure joy I felt after the interview and training a chapter and after they told me that I got the position. I was very proud of myself and still continued to be proud of myself for putting myself out there because if I hadn't my course might look very different today.

  • One of my professional mentors is Nikki Armstrong, she is so strong and kind and supportive. Nikki was my supervisor at HHS and is the Regional Director of the Vancouver office. She manages to keep everything and everyone feeling safe, calm and respected even in the most stressful and emotionally taxing moments. Nikki is an advocate for the individuals served and every single one of her employees. She truly values what it means to work in this field, and it has been one the greatest opportunities in my life to get to know her and learn from her over the past 6 years and 4 months. She raised me into the professional working person that I am today, and I will forever be grateful for everything she has taught me.

  • When I was looking for a new employer, I was looking for an employer that made me feel like they cared about the individuals and the work like I do. And also that they care about me as an employee. I have built and grown a lot with HHS and it became my safe haven as far as a workspace. When looking for a new place I always knew even taking trainings with among friends that our values lined up with one other and that it was not only a safe place to support individual's but also a safe place for me to work a feel supported as an employee.

Professional Information

Get to Know Lindsey

  • I love anything outdoors hiking, swimming camping! I walk about 20 miles a week (on purpose). My boyfriend also converted his minivan into a camper.

  • I have one cat her name is Ziva and she is black with long hair.

  • I just moved to Lacey, WA to move in with my boyfriend of 6 1/2 years. We will be living in a tiny home in his mom's backyard to save up to by our own house (one day..maybe). We also love traveling in the van so maybe we’ll just expand that set up. Who knows?!?

  • No children at this time.

  • Vancouver, WA

  • I worked more than ever during quarantine. I was working 50-60 hours a week as a DSP in the houses because we were so short staffed in some of our houses. I always came in with a smile (under my mask) and a positive attitude. My personal life was impacted by homw much I was working but I was able to keep a good balance of both work and personal. I don't think I was impacted any more than anyone else just did what I had to do.

  • Most recently I traveled to Winchester Bay in Oregon to the sand dunes for my boyfriend's birthday. It was absolutely beautiful weather. The sand dunes were so much fun, I had never ridin in a 5-person side by side before. We played games, music and roasted hotdogs over the fire on the beach at sunset. Truly unforgettable.

  • My first concert was Justin Bieber and I was 15.

  • Divergent (Movie or Book they are both great)

  • My favorite meal is chicken marsala. Creamy potatoes that have just a subtle bit of lumpyness to them.. slices of mushrooms in the marsala gravy that is just a little salty. The chicken is so tender from simmering in the sauce that it can help but fall apart. A side of roasted carrots or Zucchini.