HISTORY
Collins & Collins Inc. (DBA C.C. & Associates) was started by Christy and Andrew Collins In April 2000. The focus of the agency has always been on providing supports to individuals with developmental disabilities to be part of their community.
Andrew Collins, M.Ed. worked at the DeJarnette Center (Currently Commonwealth Center for Children) in Staunton while completing his Master’s Degree in Special Education. He then worked at Robert E. Lee High School for six years, finishing up his time there as the Department Chair in 2001 before resigning to operate Collins & Collins full-time.
Christy Collins began her career in 1992 as a direct support professional in Northern Virginia. When the couple relocated to the Shenandoah Valley in 1993, she began working for Valley Associates for Independent Living as a job coach. She worked at VAIL for the next ten years and received much training on the independent living model and assisted in successfully transitioning VAIL to a Center for Independent Living. She became their Community Services Director before resigning to help lead Collins & Collins Inc. full-time in 2003.
Since 2000, with Andrew and Christy’s vision for services, Collins & Collins Inc. has grown to include one group home, two supported living residences, community engagement, community coaching, group day, in-home supports, and independent living services.
In 2018, Andrew and Christy stepped away from their day to day roles leaving the agency in very capable hands with their vision being carried forward.
The Vision Continues
In November of 2018, Renee Scholten was hired to serve as the Executive Director. Renee received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Bridgewater College and went on to pursue graduate studies at Eastern Mennonite Seminary. She began working with individuals with developmental disabilities in college and has gone on to work in the field in various roles from direct support to CSB Support Coordinator. Renee has both embraced the mission of “supporting individuals with developmental disabilities to be as independent as possible in a community setting” and looks forward to continuing the mission that Andrew and Christy Collins envisioned.
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