Empowering adults with intellectual and
Our story
Understanding & Wisdom was founded on a simple conviction:
that every person deserves to be treated as an equal, and every
voice deserves to be heard.
Mission
We help adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities live full, independent lives — with the right support, in the communities they call home.
Vision
A community where people of every background and ability live independently, belong fully, and are valued for who they are.
Commitment
We treat every person as a partner, not a case. We listen, we improve, and we build lasting relationships with our clients, their families, and the Alta Regional Center.
Meet Our Leader
Executive Director
Gladys Cumming, BSN, RN
Founder, Understanding & Wisdom Supported Living Services
For more than twenty years, I have provided care to patients across California hospitals — supervising staff, training incoming nurses, and attending closely to the details that matter most: medication safety, incident follow-through, and regulatory compliance. I have witnessed, time and again, how profoundly these details affect a person’s life.
After two decades within hospital walls, I posed myself a simple question: why should that same standard of care end at the hospital doors? Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve the same attention and dignity in their daily lives that I extended to every patient entrusted to my care.
Understanding & Wisdom is my response — and my continuing commitment to every individual and family who places their trust in us.
Executive Director
15+ years in residential care, supported living & behavioral health
Our Executive Director brings more than fifteen years of combined experience in residential care, supported living, and behavioral health — with a career built on person-centered, in-home support for adults with developmental disabilities.
Her background spans 1:1 care, behavior intervention, elopement prevention, dementia and behavioral support, and close collaboration with the Regional Center — all grounded in one focus: compassion, dignity, safety, and independence for every individual served.
Adult Residential Facility Administrator Certification — California Department of Social Services, March 2025
How we support you
Our approach
It all starts with a thoughtful assessment.
Since every individual learns differently, we tailor our approach to meet their unique needs,
circumstances, and goals—providing personalized support every step of the way.
Our Core Values
Compassion
We treat every person with kindness, dignity, and respect.
Inclusion
Everyone belongs in their community — no exceptions.
Empowerment
Every step forward is yours to own.
Excellence
We hold ourselves to a high standard, every day
Dignity
We honor the worth of every individual we serve.
Safety
We create secure spaces where people can thrive.
Independence
We build skills for everyday self-reliance.
Respect
We listen first, and treat every voice as worth hearing.
