Higginsville Habilitation Center has welcomed Cameron Hope as its new assistant superintendent, bringing with him a steady presence, a heart for service, and years of experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and behavioral health needs.

Hope officially began his new role on Jan. 2 after serving with Northwest Community Services in Marshall, where he led Optimistic Beginnings, a crisis unit that supports individuals with dual diagnoses. His experience across Missouri’s developmental disabilities system has shaped the way he sees the work: not as a job built around titles or advancement, but as a calling rooted in care, dignity, and doing what is right for the people being served.

A Career Built on Service

For Hope, that sense of service began long before his career did. Raised near Memphis, Tennessee, Hope grew up in a family where helping others was simply part of life. His parents and grandparents modeled generosity in practical, everyday ways, teaching him to notice when others needed help and to respond with care.

“That was my upbringing,” Hope said. “It was always in the service of trying to do something for other people.”

Finding His Place in the Work

Hope recalls a day early in his career when the importance of the work became especially clear. It was not a dramatic moment or a major event. It was an ordinary day, the kind of day direct support professionals know well. But something about it clicked. He remembers realizing that the work mattered because of the individuals in front of him. The routines, the care, the support, and the steady presence all added up to something incredibly meaningful.

“It was something about that day,” he said. “It made me think, this work really matters.”

Leadership Shaped by Fairness

Hope credits HHC Superintendent Miranda Warren as one of the people who shaped the way he thinks about leadership. He describes her as fair, consistent, and willing to hold people to a standard regardless of personal preference or popularity. He said he has watched her approach people with authenticity and fairness, qualities that reminded him of the values he saw growing Those values are now part of how Hope hopes to lead at HHC. Continued on Page 4 People First

When asked what he wishes more people understood about the individuals who live at HHC, his answer was simple and direct. “They’re people,” he said.

For Hope, that is where everything starts. The individuals supported at HHC are not defined by a diagnosis, a behavior, or a support need. They are people first, deserving of dignity, patience, and thoughtful care.

Understanding the Staff Behind the Care

Hope also has a deep appreciation for the staff who do this work every day. He understands that supporting individuals with complex needs takes patience, skill, flexibility, and a great deal of heart. He believes the people who stay in this field do so because they care about the work, the individuals they support, and the teams they serve alongside.

“You don’t just do it for the money,” Hope said.

Looking Ahead at HHC As assistant superintendent, Hope is focused on supporting a culture where communication is clear, decisions are thoughtful, and the focus remains on the individuals served.

He believes strong systems matter, but only when they support the people at the center of the work.

Leading with Compassion

Hope’s leadership style is quiet, thoughtful, and direct. He listens closely, notices patterns, and thinks deeply about how systems affect people. He understands that meaningful change does not happen all at once. It often starts with small conversations, better questions, and a willingness to rethink the way things have always been done.

A Steady Presence for the Future

For Hope, the work still comes back to the same truth he recognized years ago as a direct support professional.

This work matters. And now, in his new role at Higginsville Habilitation Center, he has the opportunity to help that truth carry forward as he supports the individuals, staff, and mission of HHC.