Who We Are
We are excited to post contents on the website. This space is reserved for more information about the company.
Our Mission
C.I.A firmly believes in providing high-quality care and training for individuals with IDD as they achieve their life’s vision and goals through supportive day training.
Our Vision
To allow individuals with behavioral, educational, and emotional difficulties an opportunity to reach their maximum potential for a responsible, self-driven life within their communities. At Creating Independence, we devote our energy to enhancing the quality of life, independence structure, social cohesion, and community support for individuals with intellectual and related developmental disabilities.
Our Owners
President Rodney Jackson
Rodney Jackson attended Boca Ciega High school, where he developed a passion for assisting both children and adults with disabilities. After graduation, he launched Khyla’s Care, LLC, which is a behaviorally focused group home that primarily served adolescents to adulthood.
Jackson has a wealth of experience within the healthcare industry, acquiring the foundation of his skills by working for a licensed group home within his local community. He also earned a certification as a Registered Behavior Technician and has acquired a desire to expand his talents into broader territory. As a result, he partnered with his brother, Rashawn Jackson, and launched the academy.
Rodney spends his time building holistic infrastructures that would allow those with disabilities to thrive and live fulfilling lives. As a result, he developed a program where residents can achieve their life goals while also receiving the level of quality care and support that will allow them to achieve a higher level of confidence and dignity.
Director Rashawn Jackson
Rashawn Jackson was born and raised in Saint Petersburg, Florida. He attended Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU), earning a Bachelor of Science in Food Science with a Minor in Psychology.
While pursuing his degree, Rashawn also worked for Walmart as a Registered Pharmacy Technician, where he worked alongside an array of healthcare professionals — further expanding his knowledge base within the medical industry.
After acquiring his degree, Jackson returned to his hometown and worked tirelessly alongside his brother, Rodney Jackson, where they collaborated and built a robust program that would assist adults with disabilities. The goal is to ensure that all residents within our program received the high-quality assistance and support they so deserved.
Rashawn has a passion for helping individuals with disabilities, which is why he plans to return to graduate school in the fall of 2021, where he will attend the historic Meharry Medical College in pursuit of a Masters of Health Science. He plans to return to Saint Petersburg after earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree to open a practice that will treat individuals with intellectual disabilities in the care of oral hygiene.
Leo Williams
Leo Williams is a Florida native. He graduated high school from Merritt Island Christian and attended college at Johnson and Wales University with a focus on Business Administration and accounting. He returned to Pinellas County to be closer to his family and began his career in the healthcare field in the St. Petersburg area.
Over the years, Leo has gained experience in several healthcare settings, which has fostered his desire to serve the community with a focus on persons with special needs and disabilities. His exposure to this specific population comes from working in local group homes as a Registered Behavior Technician, and he has enjoyed learning about the vast ways that he can enhance both lifestyle and access to the community for individuals in need.
During his time managing residential group homes, Leo met Rodney, and they found a similar goal in their aspirations to engage business on a larger scale. Leo’s strong entrepreneurial skills have made him integral in making these dreams a reality; he maintains a hands-on approach to ensure that future clients receive the utmost level of care at Creating Independence Academy. He is excited for what the future holds and looks forward to continuing to expand on provided services in order to reach the most individuals and leave a lasting legacy on the community.