For 28 years, Suzanne Salmo has been a guiding light for families entering United Services for Children. Described by her coworkers as “the face of the agency,” Suzanne is often the very first person new families meet—offering not just information, but heartfelt reassurance and connection.
Suzanne works closely with families referred through First Steps, reaching out with a personal call, providing resources, and even taking time to walk them through the building for a warm, informal tour. She makes sure every parent feels safe, supported, and truly seen from day one.
“She’s the first person that sees the kids who come into Early Intervention,” said Lori Kohrs, a fellow team member. “She makes good contact with the families, and they really count on her. She’s responsive, respectful, and brings such energy to her work.”
Suzanne visits many families in their homes before they start services, allowing her to build a deeper understanding of their needs and strengths. She tracks more than 100 families at any given time, staying attuned to who may need extra support and passing that information along to ensure no one falls through the cracks.
“One thing I really admire about Suzanne is how dedicated she is to her own family,” shared Monica Wilmsen. “That care and empathy extend to the way she treats the families here. She instinctively knows what they need and makes sure they get it.”
Outside of her day-to-day work, Suzanne also runs a local chapter of Sibshop—a program that supports the siblings of children with disabilities. One participant, 6-year-old Gianna, attends regularly to better understand and connect with her younger brother, who has autism.
“Gianna talks about how much she looks forward to seeing Suzanne,” said her mother, Melissa. “She’s learned real coping strategies—like using a ‘scream bag’ to release feelings in a healthy way. Suzanne is always kind, smiling, and present.”
Suzanne brings this same compassion and intuition to program placement, helping determine where each child will thrive—whether it’s Learn & Play or Building Blocks. She understands how big a step it is for many families to leave their child in someone else’s care for the first time and offers the comfort and confidence they need.
Beyond the walls of United Services, Suzanne is just as active. She plays piano and sings at weddings, funerals, and community events, serves as music director for youth theater, and remains deeply connected to her alma mater and her church.
“She represents United Services so well in everything she does,” said Monica. “People often know her before they even walk through our doors. She just has that kind of impact.”