Kim Kates

Supportbroker @The Arc Of Massachusetts

SUPPORTbrokers is a statewide, fee-for-service program hosted by the Arc of Massachusetts.The SupportBroker\'s mission is to assist persons with disabilities design and achieve their own vision. They accomplish this through four core services: Advocacy, Person-Centered Planning, Brokering, and Referral. Consumers or families hire a support broker to navigate complex systems of care, assist in securing available funding, find appropriate resources, explore housing options, locate employment, develop creative links to social networks, and help manage transition and change. Brokers can assist with selecting educational and community programs, build upon exiting living situations or develop new ones, find transportation, a job coach, or a person to help with daily living skill, and/or coordinate legal issues, medical or clinical services, financial management, and long term planning. The SUPPORTbroker Program creates innovative, self-directed ways for people with disabilities to find meaningful connections to their community and purpose in their lives.