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Two national disability advocates, Steve
Dowson and Brian Salisbury, provide a broad definition
of the role of Support Brokers. Read page
14. The bulleted points indicate key skills and values
that Brokers not only should have, but must have to be effective.
In the entirety of this article, the authors discuss three challenges
to effect Support Brokering. It is beneficial for you to consider
these challenges and how you can approach brokerage to ensure
individuals with disabilities are well-served. First, Independence--the
authors examine the history of brokerage and how Support Brokers
can influence service delivery by remaining neutral or separate
from traditional service delivery systems. Second, Oversight--the
authors describe a system of oversight which is provided by those
most affected by brokerage supports (i.e. individuals with disabilities
and their families). Although this may seem like a simple, black
and white issue, "My Voice, My Choice" has been developed
by a team of self-advocates, disability advocates, and state funding
stakeholders from across Idaho in order to reflect what the authors
describe. Third, Skills--the authors state
that Brokers must not only have values that are consistent with
Self-Determination ideals, but they must also have or develop
specific skills to deliver brokerage service that reflect the
unique need of their employees.
Understanding
the Role of the Broker, [pdf file] Steve Dowson & Brian
Salisbury
Common Sense Newsletter, page
14
Mr. Dowson and Mr. Salisbury assert that the key components of
the Support Broker's job description are to: 1) provide information
and technical support; 2) prepare and support plans; 3) assist
with funding negotiation if requested; 4) monitor and evaluate
user satisfaction; and 5) mediate and help solve problems.
John and Connie Lyle
O'Brien, prolific writers and disability advocates,
discuss their impressions of what Support Brokers should endorse
in order to be part of the creative process that is Self-Determination.
There are many job titles that have been used to describe people
who work in the disability field. Across the last decade, these
titles have attempted to note the change from a medical model
of patient care to a system of support to achieve more typical
lives. In this article, the authors describe the obligations of
supported living staff.
Upon close review, it is clear that we could change that title
to Support Broker and have their statements be equally valid.
The authors emphasize the ideas of learning,
identifying, recognizing, and understanding.
These words indicate that Support Brokers play a part in a dynamic
process where knowledge and trust must be gained and that mistakes
will happen. Moreover, because Support Brokers are individuals
as well, John and Connie O'Brien encourage Brokers to realize
they will not have all the answers. Brokers must learn from
their mistakes and be open to the continual learning process.
The
Obligations of Being a Support Broker, [pdf file]
excerpted from: Assistance
with Integrity – The Search for Accountability and The Lives
of People with Developmental Disabilities – John O’Brien
& Connie Lyle O’Brien pages
22-24
In order to assist with achieving a Self-Determined future, "people
with developmental disabilities need committed, capable allies.
Becoming someone's ally doesn't necessarily mean becoming their
close friend or endorsing everything they do or want.it means
being willing to be involved in a constructive way in helping
the person discover and move toward a desirable personal future."
-John & Connie Lyle O'Brien
Support
Brokers Are in Our Future, John Agosta
Impact Newsletter-Winter 1999-2000 pages 4-5, 26
This article speaks to the history of coordinators of care and
the many titles and responsibilities they have held. Additionally,
Dr. Agosta discusses the number of ways states are attempting
to make the transition from traditional service delivery to one
of self-directed supports. Pay close attention to the Emerging
Issues sections which highlight the difficult issues of conflict
of interest and conflict of roles.
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