Cassandra Berneking, DSS

When were you employed by Family Care Solutions? 

2008-2010 during college summers and breaks

Were you a student pursing your Degree? 

Yes

What degree did you obtain? 

Early Childhood Special Education

Where is your current place of employment?

After teaching for 6 years, I currently stay home with my 3 girls and run an Etsy shop.

What piece of advice would you have for current Family Care Solutions Staff?

Start each day with an open mind.

How did your employment at Family Care Solutions aid in the path that you chose following graduation?

I was so fortunate to work with such a range of needs and ages. I had so many real life experiences that served as teachable moments for myself and my future students. 

What is your most fond memory of working at Family Care Solutions?

I have so many favorite memories from my time at FCS but Camp Hand in Hand was definitely a highlight!

If you can recall, why did you choose to work at Family Care Solutions?

To gain experience working with a variety of needs and ages before beginning my teaching career.

What is one way you felt you grew as person and/or caregiver by working at Family Care Solutions?

Never underestimate the positive impact you can have on another person. One of my favorite quotes, "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."

Casey Lewis, HHA

When were you employed by Family Care Solutions?

I was employed by FCS seasonally during the period of May 2019 through January 2020, while I was in school at the University of Iowa. 

Are you still residing in the Quad Cities area?

Currently, I reside in Iowa City, but commute to the QC weekly for work!

Where is your current place of employment and/or your job title?

I started in a full-time Project Management role with the U.S. Corps of Engineers in January. 

How did your employment at FCS aid in your future path?

 Although my career path shifted after my time at FCS, I believe my employment there provided me with an enhanced set of skills that are applicable to anything I take on in the future. I developed skills in flexibility, conflict resolution, and creativity, while always having to remain goal-oriented, and keep client needs at the forefront. These are attributes that are beneficial in almost any path life takes you on. 

What is your most fond memory of working at Family Care Solutions?

Some of my best memories of working at FCS include taking clients to events at Hand-in-Hand. It was always so fun getting to play games, hang out, and interact with other employees and clients. I loved seeing the joy and excitement our clients would have to attend these events and see friends and other providers. It really gave you a sense of community and fulfillment in the services you were providing. 

What piece of advice would you have for current Family Care Solutions Staff?

There may be challenging moments or client interactions in which you question the purpose or importance of the services you are providing. I would advise staff to always remind themselves how integral you are in the lives of your clients, and how much of a difference you are making to enhance the lives of the clients and families we work with.

Kaitlyn Nathem, DSS

"I was a Direct Support Professional in 2015-2017. At the time, I was a college student at St. Ambrose University working towards my Psychology degree in hopes to get into grad school to become an Occupational therapist. I was able to get my Doctorate of Occupational Therapy degree and I just graduated in May of 2020, many thanks to the experience I had working at FCS. I currently am employed with a school district within the Quad Cities area as an Occupational therapist working with students. FCS truly guided me into a successful future with my dream profession by opening my eyes to so many different and amazing people I was able to work with. I was able to expand my knowledge in a variety of diagnoses, medications, precautions, and so much more. I will admit, there were plenty of times where I felt that I wasn’t going to be able to handle a certain situation or a certain client’s needs, but the staff at FCS always prepared me and was there to answer any questions at any time. One of my greatest memories from working at FCS was within my first month of working there, we took a group trip with a handful of our clients and our support staff and did an overnight at an adventure course. Our clients were able to participate in the adventure course and all of them felt so strong and courageous through it all! It was such a cool experience to get to see the true abilities of all of our clients! I will never forget the clients I had the privilege to get to know and the families who welcomed me into their homes with open arms. The FCS family is one of the best!"

Ashton Worthington, DSS

When were you employed by Family Care Solutions?

2015

Are you still residing in the Quad Cities area?

Nope, I live in Norfolk, Virginia

Where is your current place of employment and/or your job title?

I am an education coordinator for the Virginia Aquarium- Also a new mom :)

How did your employment at FCS aid in your future path?

FCS gave me management and leadership skills and a better understanding of people with special needs. I currently coordinate education programs for the public ranging in all ages and abilities so that experience is super helpful!

What is your most fond memory of working at Family Care Solutions?

I have nothing but great memories from FCS- mostly just hanging out with the clients and listening to their cheesy jokes. I also really enjoyed getting to know the fun and caring staff!

What piece of advice would you have for current Family Care Solutions Staff?

Advice for current FCS staff- just to love on those people as if they are your own family or friends. Also, patience is key!

Trevor Faille, HHA

When were you employed by Family Care Solutions?

I was employed by Family Care Solutions during my senior year of college (2019-2020).

Are you still residing in the Quad Cities area?

I am currently living in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL. 

Where is your current place of employment and/or your job title?

I took my first nursing job out of college at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. I did a transfer and am currently working for Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL as an operating room registered nurse. 

How did your employment at FCS aid in your future path?

My employment at FCS helped me become stronger in an area of healthcare that I struggled with in nursing school. It made me more confident, resilient, and turned me into the nurse I am today.  

What is your most fond memory of working at Family Care Solutions?

My most fond memory is working with a client that I would see once per week. Every week when I would pull into the driveway, he would be waiting at the front door with the biggest smile on his face. I will never forget the memories him and I made together.

What piece of advice would you have for current Family Care Solutions Staff?

Never give up. Sometimes the job can be demanding, especially working with multiple clients that have very different needs all in one day. As time goes by, you will establish effective routines that work for you and your client. You will start to learn more about yourself and your clients, and the job becomes so much easier and a lot more fun for both you and the client.

Allyson Leach (Watt), DSS

When were you employed by Family Care Solutions? 

2009-2011

Were you a student pursing your Degree? 

Yes

What degree did you obtain? 

Bachelor's Degree in Special Education

Where is your current place of employment? 

Davenport Community Schools

What is your current job title and what does that position entail? 

Special Education Teacher

How did your employment at Family Care Solutions aid in the path that you chose following graduation? 

FCS truly opened my eyes at what I would like to do for a career. When I graduated high school, I wanted to become a nurse but after working with clients from FCS I decided that my passion was to become a teacher! 

What is your most fond memory of working at Family Care Solutions? 

The clients. They made such a las ng impression on my life and I think of them often! They taught me so much. I still see some of them out in the community and I love to say hi! 

What was one way you felt you grew as a person and/or caregiver by working at Family Care Solutions? 

Working at FCS gave me so much experience with children and those with special needs. It definitely expanded my knowledge of how to work with those who have different abilities. 

Shannon (Dougherty) Funk, DSS

When were you employed by Family Care Solutions? 

February 2012- 2017

Were you a student pursuing your Degree? 

Yes, I went to Scott Community College and then St. Ambrose University while working at FCS.

What degree did you obtain? Special Education Teacher

Where is your current place of employment? 

Camanche High School in Camanche Iowa

What is your current job title and what does that position entail? Special Education teacher in a classroom with students who have severe and profound disabilities.

What piece of advice would you have for current Family Care Solutions Staff?

Enjoy the special moments with clients, and the relationships you build.

How did your employment at FCS aid in the path that you chose following graduation?

I knew I wanted to work with special needs adults/children and getting the job at FCS led me to get my degree in special education.

What is your most fond memory of working at Family Care Solutions? All the activity nights partnered with Hand in Hand are some of my favorite memories. I also loved going to Prom with my clients.

What would you say were your greatest accomplishments during your time at FCS? 

Creating such strong relationships with my clients and being able to work with them for such a long period of time.

If you can recall, why did you choose to work at FCS? 

I chose to work at FCS because I had an interest in working with those who have special needs.

What was one way you felt you grew as a person and/or caregiver by working at FCS?

I grew in my confidence while working at FCS. I started out as a high school student, and ended up with the confidence and knowledge that I still have to this day. I grew to know that I was very good at working with those who have disabilities, and it has led me to where I am in my career today.