OUR VALUES

Our mission is to empower and affirm our clients and their families to achieve their personal communication goals through client-centered speech-language services

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CORE VALUES

All brains are beautiful. Culture is an integral part of who we are as humans. Abilities of all varieties should be celebrated. Here at Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, we all strive to unpack our own implicit biases to ensure that this is a safe space for all of our clients.

We embrace diversity, inclusion, representation and cultural competency

All brains are beautiful. Culture is an integral part of who we are as humans. Abilities of all varieties should be celebrated. Here at Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, we all strive to unpack our own implicit biases to ensure that this is a safe space for all of our clients.

A client-centered approach is the best approach.

The most important people in our practice are the clients. We believe in meeting clients where they are and affirming who they are. In treatment planning, we take into consideration the whole person, including caretakers and family members, to develop a plan of care that works for everyone.

Flexible thinking and growth mindset are key to providing quality care.

At Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, we pride ourselves in thinking outside of the box. While we always follow best practice, we are comfortable stepping outside of our routine to explore unconsidered or untraditional options. Our team believes in continual growth, and participates in continuing education regularly to better our service delivery.

Integrity is more than a buzzword – it’s an action

Our practice is guided by ethics and honesty. We always do our best to communicate openly to all of our clients while acting with their best interest in mind. We center our work around this principle, not by the demands of insurance, by our own personal preferences, or the influence of outside sources.

OUR VISION

At Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, our vision is to enhance access to speech-language services by creating a safe, inclusive community resource where everyone is empowered to be their true selves and receive the care they deserve, free from barriers.

SAFE SPACE STATEMENT

At Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, we believe in the power of inclusivity, diversity, representation, and respect for all individuals. Our commitment to these values is at the core of our practice, guiding us in our mission to provide exceptional, client-centered speech and language services. As we continue to grow and evolve, it has become increasingly important for us to ensure that every member of our community feels seen, heard, valued, and, most of all, safe.

In recognition of the unique challenges faced by the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, Duncan Lake Speech Therapy is proud to have received the designation of a Safe Space by the Grand Rapids LGBTQ+ Healthcare Consortium. This designation is rooted in our desire to create an environment where all clients, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, can receive the support and care they need without fear of discrimination or judgment.

WHY THIS MATTERS:

Promoting Inclusivity

We recognize the importance of fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated. By becoming a Safe Space, we aim to ensure that our 2SLGBTQIA+ clients feel welcomed and supported in their journey toward better communication and overall well-being.

Providing Affirming Services

Our practice is dedicated to offering affirming and culturally competent care. This includes gender-affirming voice modification services and other tailored support that respects and honors each individual’s identity.

Supporting Mental Health

We understand that speech and language challenges can significantly impact one’s mental health. For folks in the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, this can be compounded by the stress of facing societal discrimination. By creating a Safe Space at our clinic, we strive to alleviate some of this burden and provide an environment of acceptance and understanding.

Building Community

At Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, we believe in the power of community. By openly supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, we hope to contribute to a broader movement of acceptance and solidarity, both within our practice and in the greater Kent County area.

OUR COMMITMENT

One of our core values is that integrity is more than just a buzzword – it’s an action. As such, we are dedicated to ensuring that our Safe Space designation is not a one-and-done deal.

Duncan Lake Speech Therapy is committed to doing the following work:

  • Education and Training: Our team is committed to ongoing education and training to ensure we provide the most knowledgeable and sensitive care possible.
  • Inclusive Policies: We have implemented policies that affirm and protect the rights of our 2SLGBTQIA+ clients and staff.
  • Community Engagement: We actively participate in and support local 2SLGBTQIA+ initiatives and events to foster a sense of community and solidarity.

By becoming a Safe Space, we reaffirm our dedication to making Duncan Lake Speech Therapy a place where everyone can thrive. We invite you to join us in this journey and look forward to continuing to serve all members of our community with the utmost care and compassion.

LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

GRAND RIVER BANDS OF OTTAWA INDIANS

As a company, we would like to acknowledge that we occupy space on the homeland of the Odawa people, specifically the Grand River Bands of Ottawa Indians, whose chiefs signed treaties recognizing the ancestral homelands of their people in 1821 and 1836. The Grand River Bands were signatories to the 1795 Treaty of Greenville; 1807 Treaty of Detroit; 1821 Treaty of Chicago; 1836 Treaty of Washington and the 1855 Treaty of Detroit.

We at Duncan Lake Speech Therapy, LLC would like to respectfully acknowledge and recognize our responsibility to the original and current caretakers of this land, water, and air. We also recognize our responsibility in supporting and advocating for federal recognition of this tribe, a process that has been on-going for the past 30 years.  Without federal recognition, Grand River Band tribal members continue to be denied rights to health care, housing, education assistance and many more resources that are provided to federally recognized tribes.

Today, this facility sits on land that is home to many Indigenous people from all over the world, and we are grateful to have the opportunity to live and work on these homelands