Support Broker Interest Questionnaire
Name: Charity DeVoe-Brekken
Date: 4/19/06
What do you feel you could offer people as a Support Broker?
My emphasis will be on building trusting relationships with my clients and the people who support them. Because of my counseling training, I am skilled at listening to people's concerns and helping them to implement a plan for overcoming their obstacles. Whenever I work with consumers, I try to understand their situation as best I can and then focus on collaboratively working toward a solution.
Do you have specific talents, skills, or expertise that might help in considering which people may be referred to you? (Examples: proficient in sign language, foreign language, experience with residential or vocational service coordination, person-centered planning, etc.)
My educational and training experience is in the field of counseling. My approach is a solution-focused one that works with an individual's strengths, rather than their weaknesses. Rather than focus on the problem, I have become skilled at working with clients to imagine how they would like things to be in the future. Only then can we figure out what steps need to be taken to get there. At the same time, it is important for me to help people to explore their thoughts and feelings about their lives, as this will help them determine what they would like to change and to set goals for themselves.
Do you have experience helping people around certain issues e.g., medical, psychological or physical challenges? Are you familiar with housing programs like Section 8 or Movin' Out?
My work experience has been with children and adolescents in the school system, as well as with families dealing with financial and psychological crisis following a natural disaster. In the schools I assisted students with behavioral, academic, social, and emotional problems, and at the high school level I helped students to explore their educational and vocational options after high school.
Have you worked with people from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds? Older people, younger people?
I have worked with ethnically and culturally diverse groups of people at the East Madison Community Center and at various schools in the area. In addition, my bachelors and masters degree programs both placed great emphasis on cultural competence, so I have successfully completed numerous multicultural courses. I have experience working with people of all ages within the schools and as a case manager with the Stoughton Area Tornado Recovery Team. As a case manager, I had a caseload of 75 families, and the individuals ranged in age from very young children to older adults in their eighties. It is very important for me to recognize the similarities and differences I have with my clients so that we can better understand one another. I realize that my clients may have beliefs and values that differ from my own, and I will respect their cultural backgrounds and life experiences.
Are there any recent accomplishments, personal or professional, that you are proud of and willing to share?
Last year I completed my masters degree in Educational Psychology. I am very proud of my hard work and all the knowledge that I gained. My personal life has also changed quite a bit in the last couple of years; I was recently married, and my husband and I became first-time homeowners. We also got a labrador retriever last year, and he keeps us constantly entertained.
Is there any additional information you care to include? Is there anything about yourself (experiences, education, personal interests) that you feel distinguishes you from other Support Brokers?
My office is based out of Stoughton, so I can be readily available to clients
located in the surrounding areas.
My previous case management position taught me that a job in the human services
field is a continuous learning process. I found that I learned about myself, my job,
and my clients on a daily basis. I was constantly amazed by the clients who let me
into their lives. I am looking forward to working as a support broker and continuing
to build rewarding professional relationships.
