About Aspen Grove Advocacy

We are advocates for people who have disabilities.  We hold annual meetings with families and providers to help coordinate their services and supports.  The goal is to help them achieve a quality life style with as much independence as possible.  We audit and monitor their cases and manage their budgets to ensure that federal and state money is being spent appropriately.  We make visits on a monthly basis and make regular contacts with those involved.

Below you will find short biography's describing the advocates here at Aspen Grove Advocacy.

Amy Demler

Amy Demler lives in Providence with her husband and three daughters.  She graduated from USU in 1997 with a degree in Family and Human Development and a minor in Social Work.  She has worked for DSPD for eight years, where she has met many truly amazing people, creating a desire to continue working in the disabilities field.  Amy has a knowledge of the many supports and services available in the community and uses these resources to help meet the needs of those she works with.  Family preservation is important to Amy, as she has seen that the stresses of family life can be compounded when a disability is present.  She works to improve quality of life and desires to create supports that are meaningful to those she works alongside.  Amy was the Coordinator of Professional Parent and Family Supports for RISE, Inc. for two years, and has served as Adviser to People First (a consumer driven, self-advocacy group).  Amy's hobbies include reading, painting, playing with her family, being outdoors, and learning to play the cello with her daughter.

 

Gordon V. Willey

Gordon graduated from Utah State University in 1994 with a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Human Development.  He worked for the Division of Child and Family Services for almost 14 years as a Child Protective Services worker, Foster Care and Adoptions worker, and as a supervisor.  Many of the children he worked with in the foster care system had disabilities.  For the past year and a half he has worked as a Support Coordinator for the Division of Services for People with Disabilities.  He enjoys working with individuals with special needs and their families. He advocates with the belief that all people deserve respect, dignity and the highest quality of life.  Growing up on his grandfather’s farm, Gordon was taught the value of hard work and dependability. He is married to Michele Pace from Logan and together they have three children. Their oldest, a son, has autism. Gordon’s hobbies include: woodworking, gardening, racquetball, reading, biking, camping, and spending time with family and friends.

DiAnne Casperson

DiAnne is a graduate of Utah State University.  She worked for Deseret Industries as a trainer for nine years, working with people who had a wide range of disabilities.  She worked for DSPD for eight years, most of these years were spent as a support coordinator.  DiAnne’s work experience has given her a knowledge of and working relationship with a wide variety of community resources.  DiAnne is concerned about the happiness and well being of consumers on her caseload and is a creative problem solver with a history of open communication and cooperation.  She has a caring nature and desires to improve quality of life for consumers with whom she works.  DiAnne is married to Quent Casperson and they have four grown children and five grandchildren, with another on the way!  DiAnne enjoys gardening, writing, painting, reading, going for walks and hiking.  She loves traveling and spending time with her family.

Rachael de la Hoz

Rachael de la Hoz lives in River Heights with her husband and three children. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Family and Human Development and is just finishing her Masters of FCHD at Utah State University. She has filled a wide range of roles while working in the disabilities field for over 9 years.  Rachael has assisted multiple families and individuals with diverse needs. She has found her work with disabled individuals and their loved ones very rewarding and enjoys supporting others to accomplish their goals and help meet their needs. In the past she has provided direct services, coordinated professional parent and family support for private care providers, worked as a support coordinator for the Utah Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD), served as chairman for a disabilities human rights committee, represented disabled individuals on a local interagency council, and assisted disabled Spanish-speaking individuals and their families. Rachael’s interests include skiing, hiking, camping, traveling, reading, family activities, and clogging.