Talent Tribute: Daniel Haywood

Our Talent Tribute Monthly Feature is designed to celebrate the phenomenal staff that serve our Members.

Since stepping into his first VALLEYLIFE role as Supervisor of the 57th Drive group home in 2018, Daniel (Dan) Haywood has continued to be a driving force within the residential department. Now, as the Director of Neurodiversity Services and the head of VALLEYLIFE’s new ASPIRE Autism Program, Dan is making his mark by ensuring Members on the autism spectrum have proper services and supports to best fit their needs. With family that worked in the field, Dan was introduced at a young age to the strong need for caregivers and programs for individuals with disabilities. Prior to VALLEYLIFE, Dan accumulated nearly a decade of experience in the caregiving field for multiple organizations in New York.

When the ASPIRE Autism Program first started in early 2024, Dan was a critical part in designing the program and ensuring it hit the ground running. The program, which uses a tiered structure to provide services and supports to Members on the autism spectrum with co-occurring diagnoses, has a goal for Members to move up through the program, with each of the three tiers aiding in the progression toward independence. Now, over a year later, the program has grown to oversee four group homes and a Day Training Area (DTA). One of the results of the program so far that he is the proudest of is the positive impact it appears to have had on nonverbal Members in the program. Through the ASPIRE Program, nonverbal communication has been on an upwards trajectory and appears to only continue to increase.

Outside of VALLEYLIFE, Dan lives a quiet life with his family. He enjoys going out to concerts, out to dinner, and finds joy in working on project cars, grinding and welding stressors away. A fun fact about Dan is that he also has an artist side, dabbling in graphic design and having previously run two of his own photography businesses.

We sat down and asked Dan about his VALLEYLIFE experience as a whole, and this is what he had to say.

1. How would you describe your ideal day at VALLEYLIFE?

My ideal day at VALLEYLIFE blends purpose with impact. Alongside my colleagues, I work to meet Members' needs, enhance program quality, and ensure departmental compliance. Each day brings new and exciting opportunities to collaborate and grow. What makes it truly fulfilling, is seeing our programs in action—watching Members engage, grow, and find joy in their experiences. Those small breakthroughs and shared moments of connection are what fuel my passion and remind me why I’m committed to continuous growth to better support individuals with autism and intellectual disabilities. It’s the blend of thoughtful planning and genuine human connection that makes this work so meaningful.

2. What has your time at VALLEYLIFE taught you over the years?

Over the years at VALLEYLIFE, supporting Members with autism and intellectual disabilities has taught me the value of patience, adaptability, and truly individualized care. Each Member brings unique strengths and needs, and learning how to support them effectively has deepened my commitment to person-centered services. In my supervisory roles, I’ve applied these skills not only in direct care but also in guiding staff, modeling compassionate interactions, and ensuring our programs remain high quality. This work has shown me that leadership in this field is about advocacy, teamwork, and always keeping the Members at the heart of everything we do.

3. Can you tell us what you enjoy most about interacting with Members?

What I enjoy most is building personal relationships with each Member. This helps me create programs that are truly meaningful and reflective of their needs, interests, and strengths. Seeing their joy, growth, and success in the programs I help develop is the most rewarding part of my work. It reminds me that every task, big or small, has a purpose when it supports the people we serve.

4. What skills or qualities do you think are most important for success in your position?

In this role, determination, strong communication and genuine empathy are essential. Being able to connect with Members, understand their needs, and work collaboratively to create programs helps ensure the services we offer are both meaningful and impactful.

5. Lastly, what do you hope to accomplish or learn in your future at VALLEYLIFE?

I hope to continue growing and refining programs that are truly tailored to the unique needs and strengths of individuals with Autism and Intellectual Disabilities. My goal is to expand Member-focused offerings that promote skill-building, independence, and meaningful community involvement, while continuously learning from Members to ensure our programs evolve with their goals.