Rainbows’ Targeted Case Management (TCM) Team is a group of professionals dedicated to helping families with children with special needs connect with community resources, navigate the I/DD system, facilitate funding requests for items needed to support the child, and attend IEPs as an advocate.
We wanted to know a little bit more about the individuals on the TCM Team, so we asked the staff to answer 3 questions.
1. Please share a fun fact about yourself.
2. What do you want other people to know about Rainbows and what you do?
3. How long have you worked at Rainbows?
Keep reading! Some of the answers may surprise you.
Kerri Dixon
1. I love shopping at ALDI and my friends refer to me as an unofficial ALDI ambassador.
2. I support families and connect them to resources.
3. I have been at Rainbows for almost 24 years.
Jordan Geer
1. A fun fact about me is that I’ve been doing improv comedy for 17 years, and stage acting for over 20 years. In addition to being a fun hobby and a creative outlet, it’s helped me develop some great life skills including having engaged, positive energy and being adaptable in many situations.
2. Something I’d love people to know about what I/we do is that our role on a child’s support team is very contingent on knowing what that child’s specific needs are. Every child is different after all, so a big part of what we do requires an open line of communication with parents. They’re the best source of what the family needs our help with, whether that’s financial aid for disability-related items, summer programs, adaptive sports programs, funding for in-home help, the list goes on. We do frequent check ins with our families not just to see how their child is doing, but also to see if there’s anything they need that we can help with.
3. I’ve been at Rainbows doing TCM for 4 years at the end of August.
Ellen Haukom
1. If I had to eat one food for the rest of my life, it would be hamburgers.
2. I want people to know that Rainbows is a great organization that does wonderful things for children. I enjoy being a TCM because I can assist families get the help they need whether it is finding funding for an item or finding resources in the community. I am also an advocate for the child and will attend meetings for IEP’s.
3. I’ve been with Rainbows almost 3 years.
Lynne Snodgrass
1. I’m a certified Volunteer Equine Facilitator at Walking Free Equine and Art Ministry Center.
2. Rainbows has an outstanding Work Culture: TCM Department Supervisor and Team are the best. I enjoy helping families understand and navigate the ever changing I/DD Service Delivery System. It is especially gratifying when a child comes off the Waiting List and is able to participate in the fullness of what the I/DD Waiver has to offer.
3. I will have been with Rainbows 3 years in August.
Karina Vargas
1. I am a mommy of Twins! I never thought that would be in my cards. Anything is possible.
2. Rainbows helps families get connected to services. I am one of our case managers who can help our non-English speaking families. This ensures there is no language barrier and communication is clear. It is very fulfilling to be able to let families know what services and resources are available to them.
3. I have worked at Rainbows a total of 11 years combined.
Lynlea Southards, Program Coordinator
1. I love spending time with my family and attending sports events. My favorite teams to watch are KC Chiefs and KC Royals!
2. I’m the Program Coordinator for the TCM Department. I enjoy working with all the case managers. They are so dedicated to the families they serve, and it is an honor to work alongside them. We work as a team to provide support and resources to the children and families as they navigate the I/DD system.
3. I have worked at Rainbows United for 6 years and it is a wonderful organization.
Thank you for all you do for Rainbows’ children and their families.
