Riding the Bus in a Different Direction - The Value of Employment Family Webinar Series

In partnership with  DBHDD, Wise, and National Family Employment Advocates, we are pleased to announce a 3 part webinar series “The Value of Employment”

This Series will highlight the Value of Employment through the family lens. Each webinar will highlight how employment has enhanced, and empowered people’s daily life.  

January 22, 2020 - Riding the Bus in a Different Direction with Kellie Roberts

 Kellie Roberts - I’m not a native Georgian but have lived here for 30 years. I have been a single parent for 25 years. I still live in Cherokee County which is just north of Atlanta, Georgia. I stepped into the world of disability when my son, Chad, was diagnosed with Autism at age 2.

 At that time, I went from being a mother to an advocate. My son doesn’t speak so I became his voice. Chad has been my best teacher. He is a very complex young man whose life, for many years, was defined by his extreme behaviors.

 I’ve attended hundreds of training session and try to stay abreast of best practices in services. I’ve spoken at national and state conferences, meet regularly with state legislators and try to help families learn how to navigate a service system that can be maddening to families seeking supports for their son or daughter.

 I have been self - directing services for my son since 2012 with the exception of supported employment, which is contracted out to an excellent support agency in metro Atlanta, Briggs and Associates.

Self-directing has enabled me to bring the right supports to Chad. It has given him freedom and a life that he wouldn’t have access to with a traditional provider agency.