Independent Support Brokers

Name	Counties	Email	Telephone	What brings me to work everyday
Sarah Babineau	Maine- All	natureworksholisticcare@gmail.com	207-249-0582	I have been in social services for the past 25 years. I have worked with children, adults, and geriatrics in many different capacities. I spent time working in brain injury, mental health, IDD, autism, and as a case manager. It would be a privilege to be able to walk alongside you and help you achieve your goals of independence through self-direction.
Gorette Byishimo	Androscoggin, Cumberland, York	uwimanagorette@icloud.com	603-715-7305	When we help one another, we are not just helping, we are making a difference and we are kind and helpful, we are creating a community where helping and kindness is like a language that we all speak.
Shannon Hartmann	York	ShannonHartmann614@gmail.com	207-468-1108	I have 28 years of experience working in the field of developmental disorders, including experience with employment services. I enjoy building relationships and observing the growth within those relationships.
Amber Love	Maine- All	twillyo@hotmail.com	207-217-4096	I have a passion for assisting individuals to reach new levels of independence. I think having autonomy over one's life is one of the very mostly important aspects. Having a say, opinion, and choice in as much as possible allows for individuals to customize their life experiences! This sort of approach leads to overall higher levels of life satisfaction and I am happy to be a bridge and helping hand along the way!
Vanessa Nadeau	Kennebec, Somerset	veilleuxv@gmail.com	207-692-7161	I have been working with the ID/Autism population for 10 years, and I thoroughly enjoy what I do. I strive to help anyone that comes in my path, and I love seeing others succeed. I want the best for everyone, and each one of us deserves that.
Robyn Norris	Penobscot	robynnj64@gmail.com	207-745-5111	As a person with a disability who has recovered extremely well thanks to peer support, I know firsthand the value and impact of people with disabilities supporting each other. In my current position as a Creative Writing Group Cofacilitator at a mental health peer run recovery center, I bring my Certified Intentional Peer Support training, my Bachelors degree in English, and five years as a Substitute Ed Tech into each relationship I form with others with disabilities. I know how transformative and healing this is. I want to continue to work with people with disabilities of all kinds and take on new challenges. In my Ed Tech role I worked with elementary students who had autism and behavioral challenges. I found the work very rewarding. I have always felt compassion for the children who would go onto graduate and I am interested in how their lives are supported in the community and at home after school ends. I would love to work with adults to help them build a life that is independent and well supported. I believe that independence, freedom and preservation of our homes as we age with disability is essential. So I want to be part of that. I enjoy working one on one with people and have great respect for the people served by this program as well as other workers in this field. I have built long lasting relationships in my work with others with disabilities and my coworkers. We share a common goal: to live independently, thriving in our community, expressing ourselves creatively, and enjoying our lives without unwanted medical intervention in our progress. As a tutor in college I worked with students with physical limitations such as requiring a wheelchair. I completed further OADS training in my role, Behavioral Challenges, Communication with Autistic Clients, Dementia Care, Employment, and Mindfulness. I am very organized and proficient with written and verbal communication and am resourceful and a fast learner. I look forward to learning more and working with clients of all backgrounds.
Tanya Robinson	Penobscot	Tanyalr12@yahoo.com	207-717-0600	I am interested in helping all people lead self-directed lives. To make choices is to empower oneself. We all learn by choice. I am a Direct Support Professional trainer, Foster Care Provider and NAMI employee. I am here to support you to support yourself!
Narissa Seamans	Androscoggin, Franklin, Kennebec, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Somerset, Waldo	narissas207@yahoo.com	207-313-7079	I truly enjoy being able to help individuals maintain the lifestyle they choose by offering, guidance, support, and education so they can make informed decisions about their care. I recognize that each person is unique and so are their goals and needs. I also have many years of lived experience supporting family members who have a variety of mental health issues including autism spectrum disorder, PTSD, severe anxiety, and schizophrenia as well as other intellectual or developmental disability.
Heidi-Jo- Smith	Kennebec, Penobscot, Somerset, Waldo	heidi@alliancecm.me	207-382-3084	I have been in the field of intellectual disability as a care manager for over 8 years. I have enjoyed being a part of others' lives where they meet goals and are able to explore opportunities with resources such as self-directed services. It's such a blessing to have family supporting family and to be able to get the resources and the funds to do fun things in life while meeting the goals that sometimes can be tough. The good thing about me providing your services is that I do not have set office hours. I believe that families have to work and in order for them to be a part of your planning they need to have a flexible support broker so that they do not have to take time off from work. I look forward to meeting you and to work with you meeting whatever big adventures that you have in store.
Betty St. Hilaire	Kennebec	bst.hilaire@outlook.com	207-242-0308	I have a background in Mental Health and Human Services and feel very strongly that individuals and their families as identified by them are in the best position to make decisions for themselves. Nobody knows what you need better than you do. I have also worked for many years advocating for the rights of patients and families in the healthcare system and look forward to supporting you with your needs as your support broker.
Desiree Williams	Cumberland	williaamsd95@yahoo.com	207-890-4487	I have over 30 years of experience working in the field of direct care starting out working with my family helping out sick family members. I later on decided this is the field that I want to be in to try to make a difference to someone's life.
Jenny Wong	Maine- All	selfempowermaine@gmail.com	207-735-7274	I am driven by the strong belief that adults with disabilities deserve the freedom to make their own life choices. This includes deciding how they receive assistance and support, while maintaining a fulfilling life at home and in their community. I am committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have the autonomy to steer their own paths and feel valued and included in all aspects of life. With my background in community case management for adults with disabilities, I have gained valuable insights into self-direction services. Now, equipped with this knowledge, I am ready to support individuals in achieving their life aspirations.
Heather Wheaton	Penobscot, Piscataquis	hwheatonsb@gmail.com	207-356-7747	I have been a social worker for 23 years with 20 of those services providing case management services. Over the past several years, I have supported clients with getting started with self-direction where they have experienced great successes; tailoring their services and support to what works for them. I want to continue supporting others to access self-directed services to create a support and service system that fits them best. I believe wholeheartedly that meeting people where they are at is the most effective. For example, some people are night owls and the current established service system is usually within typical business hours. Self-Direction allows consumers to find supports to work with them during their best time of day, resulting in more progress towards goals and independence. This ability to make services and supports meet your needs, rather than other way around, is why I do this work and want to be an independent support broker.

Maine Department of Health and Human Services

Office of Aging and Disability Services