IRIS Consultant Biography

Care Responsibilities

Your TMG IRIS consultant is your partner as you create a plan that meets your needs and stays within your IRIS budget. Your TMG IRIS consultant can connect you to resources in your area, and will be a great source of information for any questions you have about the IRIS program. In a self-directed program like IRIS, you decide who provides your support and services and when they happen. You may have natural support from people in your life, or you may choose to purchase the support you need from an agency or someone that you hire directly. Your TMG IRIS consultant will be there to talk through these decisions with you, and will help you put a plan in place that reflects your choices.

Educational Background

Credentials

Specialties (e.g., working with autism, the elderly, employment for people with disabilities or youth in transition, mental health, experience with assisted technology)

Prior to coming to TMG, I worked for Catholic Charities as a support broker and support broker manager for more than 15 years. I have extensive experience coordinating services and supports for individuals with Intellectual disabilities and their teams of support, in Dane County. I’ve helped many people I’ve partnered with reach their goals in areas of community living, medical health, vocational needs, and more. I’ve also worked 12 years for REM Wisconsin, a residential agency, in several roles including a Live-In, Manager and Operations Director. This experience has given me great knowledge about residential services. In my career, I also have experience working with the elderly both in and out of nursing homes and with people of diverse cultural backgrounds.

County/Region I'm familiar with

Dane

Languages or Communication Skills

English

I'm comfortable with pets in the home

Yes

More about me

How do you Partner with people to 'clear the path ahead'?
As your TMG IRIS Consultant, we will work together to create the plan you are comfortable with and that meets your needs and helps you reach your goals. In your plan, you will decide how you want to be supported and who will provide that support. We will ensure your plan stays within the IRIS budget, and will look for resources and be creative with you in the planning process.

What's your favorite thing about being an IRIS consultant?
I believe that living a self-directed life is important for everyone. As a TMG IRIS Consultant, I look forward to working together to help each person reach their personal outcomes and goals and live a happy, safe and satisfying life.

What past experience prepared you to become an IRIS Consultant?
My past career experience as a support broker and working in a residential agency has given me great experience to be a TMG IRIS Consultant. It has helped me learn how to listen to people and help them identify what they want and might need, even if it’s difficult for that person to ask for help. I have also learned how to research community resources and help people get connected to what they want and need.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
When I’m not at work, I enjoy spending time with my husband, family and friends, and pets. I also like movies and like to visit places in and out of Wisconsin.