At Quest, Inc., our youth programs are designed to provide crucial support for children and teens with developmental disabilities. Overseeing these initiatives is Rob Cage, our vice president of youth programs, who remains committed to empowering the kids and families Quest serves.

A Childhood Passion for Service

Rob’s path to Quest started long before he discovered the organization. He grew up watching his mother work at an intermediate care facility before becoming a camp director at specialty summer camps. This early exposure to the world of developmental disabilities ignited a passion in Rob that would shape his future career.

“From age seven to 27, I spent every summer at specialty summer camps before eventually becoming camp director at Quest’s Camp Thunderbird in 2010,” Rob says.

Camp Thunderbird provides nature-filled experiences that foster independence, social engagement and lasting friendships for its attendees. As camp director, Rob was particularly proud to introduce choice programming and expand access to individuals with greater direct care needs. This dedication not only enriched the camp experience for adults with developmental disabilities but also laid the groundwork for his career growth within Quest.

Leadership in Adult Training Helps Transition to Youth Programs

In 2013, Rob was promoted to Senior Director of Quest’s Adult Day Training Centers, where adults with developmental disabilities receive comprehensive skill development and vocational program services tailored to meet their goals. Under his leadership, the program transitioned to offering community-based employment opportunities with varying levels of support based on individual needs to promote independence.

Building on his foundation in adult services, Rob transitioned in 2020 to his current role as vice president of youth programs. In this capacity, he oversees Quest Kids Academy and Quest Kids Therapy, which specialize in early-intervention Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children and teens with autism and other developmental disabilities.

“Working in Quest’s adult programs allowed me to understand the significance of early intervention,” Rob shares. “The earlier our therapists can engage with children to help develop their skills, the better equipped those children will be as they transition into adulthood.”

The Growing Demand for Therapy Services

Over the last five years, the demand for therapy services has surged, with the ratio of therapists to individuals increasing from one for every 100 to one for every 35. This growth has highlighted the critical need for quality therapy services for children with developmental disabilities.

“As the demand has grown, so has Quest. We’ve opened two new therapy centers and adapted our services to provide therapy in settings—whether in schools, homes, or the community,” Rob explains.

This flexibility has been essential for the families Quest serves, supporting them in their children’s learning and development across various environments. Rob continually considers how his team can evolve to meet the goals of those they assist.

Most recently, he has expanded the therapy centers’ team to include more practice managers. These professionals will be invaluable resources for families, streamlining scheduling and insurance concerns while allowing therapists to focus on delivering quality care.

“Witnessing children communicate for the first time or families enjoying outings together is what makes this role so fulfilling,” Rob reflects. “My goal is to ensure Quest’s Therapy Centers remain healthy and sustainable, ultimately benefiting as many families as possible.”

Quest is grateful for Rob’s leadership and the positive impact he has made on the lives of those we serve. For more information on our services for youth, please visit Quest Kids – Quest, Inc.