Consultant Name: Sara Reinardy
Company Name: Progressive Community Services, Inc.
Phone Number: 608-295-8325
Email: sara@pcsdane.org
Work History
Job Title: IRIS Consultant
Care Responsibilities: As an IRIS Consultant, I work with individuals who want to Self Direct their supports and services to meet their long term care goals. I help them develop a support plan that connect people with their service providers. I provide ongoing support to make the plan a reality.
Educational Background
Name of Institution: University Of Wisconsin Whitewater
Major/Degree: Social Work
Credentials
Name of Certification/Accreditation:
Certifying Agency:
Date Certification was Obtained:
Specialties
I have spent most of my professional career working with adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities. I have a special interest in working with individuals who have unique mental health and behavioral needs. I also have experience serving people with dementia, traumatic brain injuries, addiction, and histories of abuse and trauma.
County/Region I’m familiar with
Dane County and Rock County
Languages or Communication Skills
English
I’m comfortable with pets in the home
I love meeting people’s pets
More about me
I found my calling while I was in college working on my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, but not while I was in class. On my weekends, I was working in residential services providing direct care to adults with developmental disabilities. After I graduated in 2007 I took a position managing programs like those I had worked in. I discovered the joy of helping someone move out of an institution and into their own home in the community. I learned the importance of stability and consistency and how important the little details can be to success. I developed relationships with people I supported who had Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Down Syndrome and a variety of Intellectual Disabilities. I also developed relationships with their families and other providers.
In 2012 I became a Case Manager serving CIP/COP waiver clients in Rock County with developmental disabilities. I often had many individuals on my caseload with high acuity mental/behavioral health needs. I worked closely with providers and the County to ensure members remained safe as well as active and integrated in the community. In 2016 when Family Care came to Rock County, I took a position with an MCO and again served primarily high acuity individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and mental health needs. I truly enjoy the many different people I have gotten to meet through my work and being able to support their unique needs and goals in creative ways.
When I am not working, I love to read, snuggle my cats, and do craft projects with my friends. I also enjoy road trips, listening to music, and learning new things.