Please join us in congratulating Brooke Ackerknecht
, Senior Youth Care Manger, as the recipient of the August Staff on the Rise recognition and for receiving her Master of Science in Forensic Psychology with Distinction in May of this year. Brooke, who previously worked in Youth Care Management in 2021, returned to RISE in February 2022 and was promoted to Senior Youth Care Manager in August 2022.
“Brooke is an inspiration to us all with her incredible achievement – completing her master’s degree with distinction, while carrying a full caseload, and providing outstanding supervision and support to her co-workers in her role as Senior Youth Care Manager,” exclaims Erika Straight, Youth Care Management Program Director. “Her achievements are proof that anything is possible with hard work, determination, and perseverance. Congratulations Brooke, keep reaching for the stars!”
“It’s important to build a rapport with the kids and their families.”
Brooke loves working with kids and being a support to their families. “It’s important for me to build a rapport with both the kids and their families so that I can help them get the services they need in place. I feel it is important to be transparent. I do that by assuring the kids that I will keep their privacy but explain that if there is a concern that affects their wellbeing, I will have to bring their parents in. As a result of this trust, there are many times that when a child is in crisis, I am the first person they reach out to.”
“Advocating for children and youth is super important; to be that voice for the kids,” Brooke shares. “Youth Care Managers attended Committee of Special Education (CSE) meetings with the family to assist them in obtaining special education services for their children. We can advocate for both the kids and their families during the meetings, explaining what we’ve observed and the reasons why special education services are necessary.”
“Once services are in place, we continue to advocate for the kids.”
“Once the referrals are in place and the kids and their families start receiving services – which can take a while because the wait lists are so long,” Brooke explains, “we continue to work with the kids and their families to help coordinate those specific services. We follow through to make sure the appointments are kept, and we continue to advocate for the kids by talking with them, their families, and their providers. We check on how things are going, how we can help, and what more is needed. We communicate with all providers in the child’s life which brings it all together and we make sure everyone is on the same page.”
“We also help with the child’s physical needs as well such as school supplies, clothes, and in some cases, we help with rent,” Brooke says. “But we refer out to community services first. We educate families on the community resources available to them and where they can get what they need to promote independence. Once the community resources are exhausted then RISE can supplement these needs.”
“I want to help as many children as I can.”
Brooke’s career goal is to help as many children as she can. She obtained a bachelor’s in psychology with a minor criminal justice in December 2020. After taking a year off she began her master’s program in January 2022, graduating in May 2023. “I obtained my master’s in forensic psychology because I feel that psychology and criminal justice seemed to pair well. I’m interested in helping youth who are on probation, and it is helpful to know how mental health plays in this process. But for now, I enjoy working at RISE – which is amazing – and I am interested in taking on more leadership roles.”
“I love RISE,” Brooke explains. “Both the RISE administration and my immediate supervisors care so much about our staff. Administration has helped me manage traumatic situations with clients. This has set a good example for me as Senior Youth Care Manager. I check in with the Care Managers I work with daily and stay in tune with how they are feeling and help them as needed. The teamwork among the Youth Care Managers is also amazing. We couldn’t do our jobs without it. Everyone is ready to help each other especially when one member is struggling with a client with a difficult situation.
Brooke lives with her boyfriend of 5 years, their two cats and their new 7-month-old mini golden doodle puppy. “It’s been challenging having a new puppy, but he’s adorable and so worth the effort,” she shares. Together, she and her boyfriend, like to go for hikes with their dog, go to the gym to do weightlifting, go paddle boarding, and most recently putting together Lego sets – which she finds therapeutic. She also enjoys reading psychological thrillers and mysteries and watching movies. Her favorite movies to watch are the Harry Potter movies.
The RISE administration appreciates all that Brooke does for the individuals we serve. She is empathetic, compassionate, and dedicated, all the qualities of a Staff on the RISE. Please join us in congratulating her for receiving her master’s degree and as our August Staff on the Rise.