Umoette Umoh

Background

About Umoette Umoh

I help people with developmental disabilities and their families figure out how to manage their own resources. We discuss how federal and state funds can be used differently during the start-up phase. We use a discovery tool to help us write the budget so that the result is a plan centered on the person served and meets their unique needs and interests. Many people choose to hire their own helpers instead of getting traditional services from an agency. In this case, I write a plan for community habilitation with the person and their family. The Comm Hab plan lists desired outcomes, the types of staff support needed to help the person work toward those outcomes, and specific safety measures to ensure the person is healthy and safe. As a support broker, it's my job to help people find things like art classes, music lessons, memberships to organizations, etc, so they can meet new people in their community and improve their lives. I also connect individuals with clinician consultant services when they need them. I also help individuals find staffing support and help them interview, hire, and train staff when needed. I lead quarterly meetings of the circle of support, make changes to budgets and habilitation plans as needed, and help with paperwork related to these things. I want people to be independent and learn about their rights and responsibilities and how to make choices based on good information. My passion is giving people with disabilities the tools they need to live as independently as possible. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect and to do the things they want to do in life, whether they have a disability or not. People on my caseload who grow, get better at things, and learn to stand up for themselves are the things we celebrate. I feel lucky to be a part of many wonderful families' lives.