About Us

The Community Support Brokerage (CSB), founded in 1997, is a private, not-for-profit, person-centered, 501(c)(3) organization based in Eugene, Oregon, and licensed as a supported living provider in Lane County.

CSB was born out of a commitment to values of community inclusion, self-determination, and family/professional partnership.

We support people with significant intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to make the important decisions that affect their lives, and control the resources they need to have the lifestyles they choose. CSB believes that people with disabilities and their families are the experts concerning the supports they need. CSB operates a consumer directed brokerage in Lane County.

The individuals we serve live in a variety of community-based residential arrangements. Some still live at home with their parents. Some live in homes of their own, with live in support. Some live in apartments or duplexes with part-time or full-time support.

The CSB approach is to help individuals and families decide what type of living arrangement best suits their resources and preferences.

We help make that vision a reality through ongoing direct support, training, and administrative services.

Board of Directors Staff

Our Board of Directors…

Philip Ferguson, Co-Founder and President

Professor at Chapman University in California
Interest in disability studies with emphasis on issues affecting people with intellectual disabilities.
With his wife, Dianne, was one of the two families that started the Community Support Program

Dianne Ferguson, Co-Founder

Professor and Director of Program Improvement and Accreditation at Chapman University.
Expertise and experience in school reform, inclusive practices, teacher education, families and disability studies

Rick Albin, Secretary (2011 - present)

Senior Research Associate/Associate Professor in the Department of Special Education and Clinical Sciences at the University of Oregon
Coordinator for the Adult Services workgroup within the UO Educational and Community Supports Research Unit
Over thirty years of research, program and model development, personnel preparation, direct support, and technical assistance related to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, of all ages

Katherine Tippens Wiper (Kathie) (2007 - present)

Retired teacher from Sheldon High School. Taught radio production, TV production and public speaking.
Served on Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (chaired one year).
Member of Eugene Education Association, Oregon Education Association, National Education Association, and Emeritus member of Eugene Public Library Foundation Board

Bonnie Todis, Ph.D. (2005 - present)

Senior Fellow/Research Professor at the Teaching Research Institute.
Ph.D. in Special Education/Rehabilitation from the University of Oregon (1988)
Directed or co-directed 13 research projects focused on individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or other disabilities

Staff

Susan Denney – Executive Director (1996 - present)

BA in Community Health Education, minor in Minority Health Care
Area of Concentration Certificate in Substance Abuse Prevention
Has over 20 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities
throughout Oregon

In addition to Susan, CSB consists of 13 Full-time and 10 Part-time staff, all highly dedicated professionals who provide caring, personalized support to our clients and their families.