Where and how an adult with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) will live is one of the most significant, and often most daunting, questions families face. It touches everything from safety and supervision to independence, quality of life, and long-term planning. There’s no single right answer, and the path looks different for every family, but having accurate information and hearing from people who’ve walked this road can make all the difference.
About the Webinar
The above video, titled “Housing Options for Adults Living with Prader-Willi Syndrome,” is a recording of a webinar originally presented to PWS State Chapter Leaders and PWSA | USA Parent Mentors on August 25, 2026. Given how valuable the discussion turned out to be, we felt it was too important to keep within that group alone. Housing is a topic that touches nearly every family in the PWS community at some point, and we wanted to make sure that information was available to anyone who needs it.
Whether you’re just beginning to think about housing options or you’re deep into planning for a loved one’s future, we hope this conversation offers useful information, practical guidance, and a reminder that you’re not navigating this alone. The PWS community is stronger when we share what we know, and this webinar is a meaningful contribution to that ongoing conversation.
Meet the Speakers
We were fortunate to have five knowledgeable and deeply committed speakers join this conversation, each bringing a different vantage point on housing for adults with PWS.
Scott Arant lives in Dunwoody, GA, with his wife Deborah. They have three children Charlie (25), Jack (23), and Ally (20 w/ PWS). Scott founded American Health Imaging (AHI) in 1998 and served as its CEO for 24 years before semi-retiring in 2022. In that time AHI became the largest provider of high-tech radiological imaging in the southeast while employing nearly 500 people. Scott serves as a Director on several healthcare-oriented boards: Foundation for Prader Willi Research, PWS Association-Georgia, Physicians Care Clinic, and NeuroScience Foundation. He graduated from Auburn University’s business school in 1991. In his off time Scott enjoys spending time with his family at the lake, hunting, fishing, golfing and working on a new PWS Foundation known as C-15 Foundation dedicated to a Live, Work, Play and Research campus.
Dr. Patrice Carroll, DSW, LICSW, is the director of PWS services at Latham Centers in Massachusetts, USA. Patrice received her MSW from Simmons College, Boston, MA, in 2008. Patrice is a board of trustee for IPSWO, co-chair of the Professional Providers Caregivers Board through IPSWO and Caregiver’s Advisory Board through PWSAUSA and has over 25 years of experience working with children and adults diagnosed with PWS. Patrice is a co-author of the book Living Healthy with Prader-Willi Syndrome. In addition to her experience with developing person-centered vocational programming for people with PWS, she has specialized in the multi-modal management of skin and rectal picking using intensive, non-contingent, sensory stimulation.
Guillaume Guillard is the founder and House Manager of LetGo House, a specialized residential project designed to provide high-quality, sustainable housing for adults with PWS. With a background in finance and years of direct clinical caregiving experience, Guillaume developed the LetGo House model to bridge the gap between complex staffing needs and stable residential environments. His work focuses on creating scalable ecosystems that support the Prader-Willi Syndrome community, ensuring residents have the specialized care and structure they need to thrive. Guillaume was recently recognized with the 2025 Innovative Solution Award from the Chion Foundation for his dedication to evolving residential care.
MaryClaire Hill is the parent of three adult children, including her middle son who was diagnosed at birth with PWS. She is the executive director of Prader-Willi Homes of California, where she is focused on creating a safe housing community with enriching social and recreational opportunities for adults living with PWS in northern California. She also just re-joined the board of Prader-Willi California Foundation. Mary’s background is in economics and city planning and she has worked as an actuarial consultant, a researcher, an editor, and a data analyst, but the bulk of her energy since her son’s birth has gone toward navigating the medical, behavioral, and educational aspects of PWS. Mary is a passionate advocate who is interested in raising awareness and connecting families, educators, and providers to PWS-specific resources and support.
Marguerite Rupnow, MBA, has dedicated her career to working with individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) since 1987. Her commitment deepened in 2002 when she became the Director of Operations at Prader-Willi Homes, and in March 2018, she assumed the role of National Director of Admissions and Advocacy. In 2021, Marguerite embarked on her dream role as Health and Wellness Specialist, where she further pursued her passion for enhancing the lives of those with PWS. Throughout her career, she has been an active contributor to PWSA-USA and IPWSO conferences, presenting extensively to other caregivers. A highlight of her career was attending the inaugural International Caregiver’s Conference in Herne, Germany, in 2009, where she contributed to the development of the book Best Practices in Standard of Care in PWS.
With nearly 42 years of leadership experience, Marguerite has been instrumental in the development of programs, group homes, management strategies, and employee training initiatives. She has served on the Board of Directors of PWSA-USA since 2015 and has been the board chair since 2021. Marguerite is also a past president of the Respite Care Association of Wisconsin and a parent representative on the Project Search Steering Committee for Watertown Regional Medical Center and Watertown High School.
Reflecting on her journey, Marguerite shares, “I never anticipated finding my true vocation so early in my career. Working with individuals with PWS has taught me to embrace life’s simple joys, love unconditionally, laugh often, cherish those daily moments with those important to me, and hold onto passion. Thirty-nine years later, my dedication to this remains as strong as ever.”
Marguerite holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Administration and Management from Concordia University of Wisconsin. She resides in Watertown, WI with her husband, John, and their two sons, Jabin and Jonah. Marguerite enjoys reading, crafting, riding her UTV, cuddling with her dog Maisy, and traveling.
Perry A. Zirkel has written more than 1,500 publications on various aspects of school law, with an emphasis on legal issues in special education. He writes a regular column for NAESP’s Principal magazine and NASP’s Communiqué newsletter, and he did so previously for Phi Delta Kappan and Teaching Exceptional Children.
Jennifer Bolander has been serving as a Special Education Specialist for PWSA (USA) since October of 2015. She is a graduate of John Carroll University and lives in Ohio with her husband Brad and daughters Kate (17), and Sophia (13) who was born with PWS.
Dr. Amy McTighe is the PWS Program Manager and Inpatient Teacher at the Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome at the Children’s Institute of Pittsburgh. She graduated from Duquesne University receiving her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Education with a focus on elementary education, special education, and language arts.
Evan has worked with the Prader-Willi Syndrome Association (USA) since 2007 primarily as a Crisis Intervention and Family Support Counselor. Evans works with parents and schools to foster strong collaborative relationships and appropriate educational environments for students with PWS.
Staci Zimmerman works for Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) consultant. Staci collaborates with the PWS multi-disciplinary clinic at the Children’s Hospital in Denver supporting families and school districts around the United States with their child’s Individual Educational Plan.
Founded in 2001, SDLC is a non-profit legal services organization dedicated to protecting and advancing the legal rights of people with disabilities throughout the South. It partners with the Southern Poverty Law Center, Protection and Advocacy (P&A) programs, Legal Services Corporations (LSC) and disability organizations on major, systemic disability rights issues involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and the federal Medicaid Act. Recently in November 2014, Jim retired.