The smell of freshly ground coffee beans isn’t the only thing that’s warm at 321 Coffee in Raleigh. The welcome you’ll receive from Jodi Nehring is just as inviting. Behind the counter, her infectious smile is as comforting as the coffee she serves. For Jodi, her job at 321 Coffee is about more than making lattes; it represents new opportunities and the steady support she’s found through Monarch’s Tailored Care Management (TCM) program.
Finding Support Through Tailored Care Management
Jodi, who lives in the Raleigh area with her family, has always loved expressing herself through art. While attending Monarch’s Club Horizon day program, she found joy in making personalized greeting cards and working behind the snack bar counter, both of which gave her a sense of purpose and connection. After transitioning from the program, she continued receiving support through Monarch’s Tailored Care Management (TCM) services and her longtime Care Manager, Rosa Bryant Pulley, who has supported her for several years.
Through TCM, Jodi receives ongoing, one-on-one support to help her stay focused on her goals and connected to the right care and community resources. Rosa checks in regularly, helping coordinate services, explore new opportunities, and navigate life’s challenges as they come. It’s a partnership built on trust — one that gives Jodi the structure she needs while still encouraging her independence.
“I was in a group home when I first met Miss Rosa,” Jodi shared. “She helped me with a lot — finding resources, going to events and just being there when I needed someone to talk to. We still talk every week and once a month we go out in person. She listens and she cares.”
Through regular calls, in-person meetings and ongoing encouragement, Rosa and the TCM team have helped Jodi stay connected to resources and opportunities that align with her personal goals for independence and stability.
Building Confidence Through Employment Support
With Rosa’s encouragement, Jodi decided to apply for a position at 321 Coffee, a Raleigh-based café known for its inclusive hiring practices and dedication to employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “I applied online,” Jodi said proudly. “I wanted to learn something different. I’ve been there about two years now and it’s been more than I could have imagined. We work hard, but we have fun too.”
At 321 Coffee, Jodi has been able to bring her love of creativity into her work. She enjoys learning new skills, from making espresso drinks to designing fun shapes in the foam of lattes. “I’ve even made an anchor design a couple of times,” she said with a smile. “It just kind of happened — I was lucky with it.”
Her creativity also shines far beyond the coffee counter. Recently, Jodi made a card for her workplace that was featured at a company conference in New York City when her supervisor attended. “I was proud of that,” she said. “It was cool knowing something I made went all the way to New York.”
Through TCM, Rosa continues to support Jodi in finding new ways to express herself and stay connected to the things that make her happy. The service helps Jodi manage her health, employment and daily goals, while also giving her a consistent support system that celebrates every step forward.
Growth, Guidance and Teamwork Through TCM
Rosa, who first worked with Jodi as a peer supporter before becoming her Care Manager, has witnessed tremendous growth over the years. “Jodi has blossomed beautifully,” Rosa said. “She’s a woman of motivation, determination, dedication and drive. She stays on task with her goals, takes suggestions and executes them with guidance and support from her team.”
That team includes her parents, therapist, medication management providers and Rosa through Monarch’s TCM program. Together, they ensure that Jodi continues to have the structure and encouragement she needs to thrive at work and in her daily life.
“Through TCM, Jodi has stayed on task with her goals,” Rosa shared. “She understands that life will always have challenges — good or bad — and together we see the beauty in her growth.”
Looking Ahead with Confidence
Jodi’s next goal is to find a place of her own, possibly in a supportive living community where she can maintain her independence while still having access to help when needed. “My mom and Miss Rosa are helping me look,” she said. “I’m excited! It feels like the next step for me.”
As she continues to work toward that milestone, Jodi remains focused on what she’s learned through TCM: the importance of having someone who truly listens. “You need to find someone who really listens — someone who will sit and talk with you and say, ‘I’ve been through that. I understand,’” she said. “Miss Rosa is that kind of person for me.”
A Story of Support, Growth and Hope
For Jodi, TCM has meant more than appointments and phone calls — it’s meant having a partner in her corner who believes in her potential. With Rosa and the Monarch team by her side, she continues to build confidence, achieve her goals and find joy in the everyday moments that make life meaningful.
Her story is a reminder of what can happen when care, creativity and compassion come together, and how the right support can help anyone discover what’s possible.
Learn more about Monarch’s Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS), including TCM, by clicking below.