Support Broker Interest Questionnaire
Name: Shannon Munn
Date: 7/11/05
What do you feel you could offer people as a Support Broker?
As a Support Broker, I feel I would be able to help the people I work with (and their support teams) to think creatively and proactively in order to address the barriers that are getting in the way of achieving the goals and lifestyle that is most important to them. My professional strengths include excellent follow-through and a proven ability to work positively and effectively with people and their support teams. I enjoy problem solving, researching for resources, and connecting with people in the community for information and guidance.
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.)
I have been working with people with disabilities for over 10 years. I have held positions in residential, center-based and vocational programs; either directly assisting someone with a disability or helping him/her with the planning process in order to reach his/her goals. I have also been a manager of a supported employment agency in Minnesota. My experience has helped me shape a well-rounded view of services and supports for people with disabilities. For the past 3 years, I have been involved in "Person-Centered Planning" services for people with psychiatric, physical and developmental disabilities. In this role, I helped many individuals achieve their goals by finding resources to help them overcome barriers and connect them with community members who could serve as mentors or sources of information along the person's path to achieving their goals. My background is primarily in vocational planning, however, even when doing this I have always considered the "whole person" and how all areas of life and systems of support (including family and friends) play a part in the person's ability to reach their goals.
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?
I have worked with people with all challenges and abilities throughout the last 10 years. Primarily, I have been involved in vocational planning. For the past 3 years I have been working with people to address all the barriers they experience, which could include housing, attendant care, mental health, criminal history, credit and money issues, career exploration, support systems, etc. Therefore, I am very familiar with various programs and services in Dane County; including Movin' Out, Community Living Alliance, Mental Health of Dane County, Wisconsin Council of the Blind, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, etc. I have also worked along side an Occupational Therapist/Assistive Technologist for the past 3 years, so I am familiar with devices and technology that can be used to help accommodate an individual's physical challenges or cognitive/learning disabilities so that he/she can be as independent in life as possible. I have received training on disability benefits (SSI, SSDI, MA, etc) and have also put together trainings for this, as well as systematic training and goal writing. While working in Minnesota, I was a member of the county Community Transition and Integration Committee, which focused on planning, outreach and unification of services to help students with disabilities successfully make the transition into the "adult service world."
Have you worked with people from different ethnic or cultural backgrounds? Older people, younger people?
Yes, over the years I have worked with children, retirees and many ages in between. I have also worked with people from various cultural backgrounds.
Are there any recent accomplishments, personal or professional, that you are proud of and willing to share?
Most recently, I am proud that I have been offered a position as a Support Broker with PCS. I look forward to working with people in this role to help them to achieve their lifestyle goals.
