To embrace the variety of
responsibilities and skills needed to be a successful Support
Broker.
1. Describe the role and
purpose of the Support Broker. 2. Describe the values,
skills, and attitudes of a successful
Support Broker.
3. Identify your current
strengths and needs for skill development
to
meet the requirements of Support Brokerage.
INTRODUCTION
The
My Voice, My Choice Self-Directed support program in Idaho is
part of a national agenda to assist people with disabilities to have
more control over their own lives, and to the greatest extent
possible be Self-Determined. Support Brokerage is a concept that
comes out of the Self-Directed Supports model.
A Support
Broker is personal ally hired by an adult with a disability
to help create and implement life plans, manage budgets, supervise
support staff, negotiate rates for supports, network within the
community, and expand the circle of friends and other allies in the
community.
The ideal Support Broker is a
creative, multi-talented, well-connected individual
with the skills to support and promote the rights, needs, and
talents of individuals with disabilities. The
Support Broker's role is uniquely defined by each
adult for whom they work.
Support Brokerage is not
a standardized or fixed service delivered equally to each person
with a disability. Instead, the role of the Support Broker is to
assist each individual to live the life they choose. In other words,
the "job description" for a Support Broker will vary depending on
the needs and desires of each individual employer. It is the adult
with a disability and his circle of support that determine the
specifics of a Support Broker's responsibilities.
SKILL SET OF A SUPPORT BROKER
To become an effective Support Broker, self-advocates
believe that the following skill set is needed:
Values:
As a Support Broker, you are in a position of service. You are
hired to help your employers define the supports that they feel
are necessary to do the things in life that are important to them
and to help put those supports in place. To do the job of a
Support Broker, you must believe in Self-Directed Supports and the
guiding principles of Self-Determination. A Support Broker must
believe that every person has the right and the ability to make
choices. A Support Broker shows
dignity and respect for all people.
Skills:To be an
effective Support Broker you will need to develop a strong skill
set. You will need to understand "the system" and how it works,
how to negotiate rates, bill for supports using a fiscal
intermediary, write support plans, host Circle of Support
meetings, conduct person-centered plans, find jobs, etc. But most
importantly, you must be a careful listener. You need
to hear what your employer needs and wants. In relation to
others, you need to be an effective advocate, communicator,
and a thoughtful diplomat.
Attitudes:People with disabilities are all too often surrounded
by unmotivated help. As a Broker, it is vitally important that
you enjoy what you do, be enthusiastic and positive. It is
important to show a genuine interest in your employer and to take
them seriously. A sense of humor is also helpful. Many of
the changes that you will participate in as Support Broker are
exciting. Therefore, be excited!! Enjoy the
opportunity to serve People with Disabilities and help others join
the celebration of Self-Determination for all.
Throughout this section you will
learn more from self-advocates about what a Support Broker means in
terms of values, skills, and attitudes. Your role as a Support
Broker is best defined by your employers. Your duties and
responsibilities will be negotiated with your employers. Listen,
read, and learn from the people who are ready to live
Self-Determined lives.
Larry
Fries
Your values,
skills, and attitude are extremely important. Do you believe
in Self-Determination? Are you patient? Will you have the
right attitude even when you encounter a difficult
situation?
Larry's own words
are: "I hope they have a right attitude in what they are
going to be trained to do, because, really in reality, they have to
be patient with our disabilities. They have to have the right
attitude. They have to be outgoing. No matter what, this is history
in the making for Idaho."
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