Common Grounds Initiative was born from a simple realization: there are people in our communities who need support, but don't always have a place to turn.
Our organization was founded by professionals who have spent years working alongside individuals with brain injuries and intellectual or developmental disabilities. Through that work, we saw firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate the systems designed to provide care.
We met individuals who needed continued therapeutic support but didn't qualify for the TBI or Innovations Waiver. We met families who had lost services when a provider could no longer support them. We saw people sitting on waitlists, navigating changing eligibility requirements, or simply trying to figure out what comes next.
And too often, there wasn't an answer.
Everyone Deserves a Place to Turn.
That’s where Common Grounds Initiative comes in…
Common Grounds Initiative was created to help bridge those gaps.
As a nonprofit, we provide therapeutic and consultative services to individuals who may not have access to traditional funding or who have experienced a disruption in their care. We believe that someone's access to meaningful support shouldn't be determined solely by a waiver, a funding source, or whether a provider happens to have availability.
People shouldn't have to fall through the cracks simply because the system doesn't have a place for them.
At Common Grounds, we believe meaningful support extends beyond a clinic or an appointment.
We meet people where they are, literally and figuratively.
Our approach focuses on helping individuals participate in their communities, develop greater independence, build relationships, and pursue the things that make life meaningful to them.
Sometimes that looks like working toward a functional goal. Sometimes it's learning a new skill. Sometimes it's finding a place where someone feels comfortable and included.
More Than Therapy
Our Approach
Person-Centered.
Every individual has different strengths, goals, challenges, and dreams. We start there.
Community-Based.
Life doesn't just happen in a therapy room. We believe progress happens in the places where people actually live, work, socialize, and participate.
Relationship-Driven.
Support is not just about completing goals. It's also about building trust, creating connection, and making people feel seen.
Accessible.
We are committed to finding ways to support individuals who may not fit neatly into existing systems.
The People Behind the Mission
Common Grounds was created by three professionals who have dedicated their careers to serving individuals with brain injuries and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
After seeing the challenges individuals and families face firsthand, our founders wanted to create something that could exist outside of the traditional healthcare system where support could be flexible, individualized, and centered around the person rather than their eligibility.
Their experience in the field shaped the foundation of Common Grounds, but the people we serve continue to shape where we go next.